Ducati Multistrada V4 S 2022 — Specifications

When Bologna decides to break with thirty years of tradition in a single model, it makes a statement. The move to a V4 on the Ducati Multistrada V4 S isn't just a displacement upgrade; it's a philosophical shift. The V2 twin-cylinder engine, the iconic trellis frame, and the desmodromic valve actuation system that defined the brand for decades are gone. In their place is an 1158 cm³ V engine at a 90-degree angle, 170 horsepower at 10,500 rpm, 125 Nm of torque at 8,750 rpm, all housed in an aluminum monocoque frame. Ducati isn't tweaking the Multistrada; it's reinventing it.

For the 2022 Ducati Multistrada V4 S test, this generation brings a subtle but welcome novelty to a 242-kilogram trail bike: a seat height reduction function that simplifies low-speed maneuvers and helps the rider place their foot flat at intersections. The seat is high, 840 mm, and 242 kilograms is felt when the traffic light turns red. It’s a software trick, not a revolution, but it addresses a concrete problem. The onboard interface has also been refined for more intuitive navigation through the menus, which wasn't a luxury given the density of available settings.

The real argument for the S version is its electronic equipment. The 50 mm Marzocchi forks and the rear monoshock are controlled by the Ducati Skyhook system, an IMU inertial sensor unit, and a battery of sensors capable of recalculating damping in real time. Four riding modes shape the overall behavior of the machine: Sport unleashes the 170 horsepower without restraint with reduced assistance, Touring delivers them more progressively with active cornering ABS, Urban limits power to 115 horsepower for city riding, and Enduro reprograms intervention thresholds to allow the rear wheel to work on trails. Approximately 400 custom setting combinations are accessible from the 6.5-inch TFT dashboard, a screen whose diagonal rivals those of some entry-level tablets.

The Ducati Multistrada V4 S technical specifications also reveal an optional double radar system, a first on a production motorcycle when the model was launched in 2021. A front module manages an adaptive cruise control system operating between 30 and 160 km/h in four gap levels, developed with Bosch. Only KTM with its 1290 Super Adventure and BMW with the R 1250 RT then offered comparable technology. But Ducati added a second rear radar to monitor blind spots and warn the rider of a vehicle invisible in their mirrors. This BSD is practical on the highway, particularly during overtaking maneuvers. The fact that it remains optional on a €22,490 machine remains a difficult-to-justify commercial positioning issue.

Regarding the Ducati Multistrada V4 S price, it's the other subject that causes concern. This price places the machine well above a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure and in the same league as a KTM 1290 Super Adventure R. The MTS weighs its weight, 242 kilograms full for a 22-liter tank, which is 8 kilograms more than the 1260 generation despite real efforts on the weight reduction of each component. The 330 mm front discs clamped by four-piston Brembo M50 Stylema calipers are among the best systems available on a production motorcycle. The bidirectional quickshifter, hill-hold control, and cornering variable turn lights complement a high-level equipment list.

Who is the target audience? Neither the beginner that the high seat and overall size will impress, nor the pure track rider who will look to the Panigale, but the demanding touring rider who wants it all in a single machine. The one who takes the highway on Monday, crosses a mountain pass on Friday, scratches a trail on Saturday, and doesn't want to choose. The Ducati Multistrada V4 Grand Tour pushes this concept even further with reinforced travel equipment, but the standard S version already covers the essentials with a versatility that few machines reach at this level of finish. On the used market, a Ducati Multistrada V4 S Sport used or a Ducati Multistrada V4 S used from the early generations are now found at more accessible prices, which makes the proposition even more coherent for those who know what they are looking for.