In the world of motorcycling, adventure bikes occupy a fairly unique space. They aren’t built like conventional motorcycles, where specialty means compromise. ADVs are built to be able to go anywhere and do anything, and because of that, they can cruise down smooth highways, tear up winding mountain roads, barrel down broken pavement, and sometimes even blaze trails where there are absolutely no roads.
The biggest appeal of ADVs lies in that fact. They feature typically upright ergonomics for low strain on your back, long travel suspension to vault over rocks with ease, and balanced engines that deliver equal amounts of thrill and endurance. All ADVs are meant to take you wherever you want to go; there is no doubt about that. But, there is one motorcycle that is able to blend both the comfort of long-distance touring and the ability to clear forest paths so seamlessly that it’s almost unnatural.
The Balancing Act Of Adventure Motorcycles
Often described as the Swiss Army knives of our world, ADVs are designed to do many things reasonably well instead of focusing on a single strength. You get the ability to tour in relative comfort, complete with large, plush seats, soft suspension, and a riding position that doesn’t put a strain on your back. You also get high handlebars, long-travel suspension, and ground clearance high enough for when the road ends, and the dirt begins.
This versatility is exactly what makes them appealing, but this also means compromise. A bike that may feel planted on smooth asphalt will struggle on loose, unpredictable terrain. On the other hand, a bike that can make tracks in the dirt could feel bouncy and unbalanced when corner carving in the mountains. Manufacturers have to walk this tight rope and maintain a certain amount of balance when designing their ADVs, but even so, you get a few that favor one terrain over the other.
Road-Oriented ADVs Vs. Dirt-Focused Machines
Within the adventure segment, there are usually two, very clear personalities: road-oriented and off-road-focused bikes. Their traits are exactly what their names suggest. Road-oriented ADVs tend to feature slightly more powerful engines, more sophisticated electronics, and wheels and tires meant for road use. On the other hand, off-road-focused bikes get taller suspension, better ground clearance, narrower bodies, and significantly larger front wheels to be able to climb over rocks if necessary.
The Coveted Middle Ground
Somewhere in the middle, there is a small group of motorcycles that seem to merge these two worlds. They aren’t perfect, God knows they aren’t, but they walk a very thin line between street and dirt that a lot of other bikes can’t. Within this niche group, there is one clear winner: a bike that you can comfortably tour long distances on, but you won’t be afraid to bash through the fields every once in a while.
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The Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally
This Is Where Touring Comfort Meets Long-Distance Capability
At first glance, the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally could be mistaken for a touring bike. It’s a large motorcycle with generous proportions and designed to cover huge distances without exhaustion. At the heart of the bike sits Ducati’s V4 Granturismo engine, and, unlike some of the other engines in Ducati’s lineup, this engine is built for touring and endurance rather than high-rpm madness. The 1,158cc unit produces 170 horsepower and 91 pound-feet of torque. While power obviously peaks at higher revs, the Multistrada’s torque curve suggests that you’ll be producing a chunk of it in the 7,000-9,000 RPM band, which is where most cruising will be done anyway.
The V4 Gets Technology That Enhances The Ride
Modern ADVs are usually packed with electronics, and the V4 rally isn’t behind on this trend. But these aren’t just flashy additions just to make the bike look cool, and they actually try to make the riding experience better. You have the usual electronics like multiple riding modes, engine brake control, quick-shifter, tire pressure monitoring, etc. But you also have Ducati Skyhook Suspension, a semi-active electronic suspension that can automatically adjust to the riding conditions and the ride itself. Another interesting feature that’s standard on the Multi is Sistema Radar, which brings safety features like adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, and even forward collision warning.
The Rally Is Actually Built To Venture Beyond The Pavement
Despite its touring capabilities, Ducati has also equipped the V4 rally with features that make it capable of tackling dirt roads and even moderate trails with absolute confidence. The 7.9 inches of travel the suspension offers gives it the ground clearance you would want from an off-road bike. The 19-inch wheel is not as large as a conventional dirt bike but strikes a decent balance when leaving the asphalt for dirt. Standing on the V4 rally is also an experience of its own, with the wide handlebars providing the perfect amount of leverage to tug the bike from side to side.
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The Ducati Skyhook Suspension Evolution
The DSS Deserves Its Own Segment
We’ve already said two lines about it, but the suspension components do so much more than just that. The Multistrada V4 Rally is equipped with Marzocchi semi-active suspension controlled by Ducati’s Skyhook Suspension Evolution system. This is obviously fully adjustable suspension even when on the move, but Skyhook takes it a step further. Two suspension modes are of particular interest. Offroad Suspension Mode identifies the road surface and adapts the suspension to that particular terrain. Riding Style Detection Mode, on the other hand, analyses the rider’s inputs and style and calibrates the suspension to that precise moment.
Easy Lift, Automatic Lowering, And Bump Detection
The Skyhook system also allows for a few other quality-of-life improvements. The Easy Lift function kicks in for the first three minutes after ignition, effectively lifting the bike higher to make it easier to get off the center stand. The Automatic Lowering function works the other way around by lowering the bike’s height when doing speeds below six mph, allowing the rider to touch the ground more easily and safely. The best yet is Bump Detection. With this system, the front fork analyses the bumps and communicates with the rear suspension to provide the best calibration in that situation.
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The Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally Is Built For The Long Way Round
Adventure Motorcycles exist because riders refuse to limit themselves. The open road rarely ends on a smooth pavement, and sometimes the best places, the most stunning views, the most precious moments can be found just beyond that point. Machines like the Multistrada V4 Rally are built for these destinations. They are perfectly capable of traversing long distances on perfectly smooth roads, but they don’t shy away from a trail. It manages to seamlessly blend powerful performance, advanced electronics, long-distance comfort, and genuine off-road capability all into one neat (not-so-little) package.
Sources: Ducati