In the fiercely competitive midweight adventure bike segment, Japanese models dominate in the value, reliability, and versatility departments. That makes them the sensible choice for many riders. Yet, choosing them often means missing out on the kind of heart-pounding performance and high-end sophistication that premium machines deliver. You’ll also have to spend a lot to chase these things.
Fortunately, the used market opens the door to plenty of attractive alternatives. Among them is a thoroughbred from Ducati that once sat at the very top of the adventure hierarchy. Today, this Italian powerhouse can be yours for less than the price of a brand‑new midweight Suzuki or Yamaha.
The Ducati Multistrada 1200 Undercuts A Midweight Japanese Adventure Bike
Blending the performance of Ducati’s 1198 R superbike with long‑distance comfort and off‑road confidence, the Multistrada 1200 earned its place as a legend in the adventure world. Back in 2012, Ducati pitched it as the ultimate “four‑bikes‑in‑one” machine. It got the heart of a sports bike paired with long‑travel suspension and upright ergonomics to deliver a genuine multi‑terrain touring experience. After its major redesign in 2015, the 1200 eventually gave way to the Multistrada 1260 in 2018, which refined torque delivery with the upgraded engine from the XDiavel.
The Typical Listing Price For The 2017 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Is $9,133
High-end bikes like the Multistrada 1200 tend to take the biggest hit when it comes to depreciation. You can find 2017 models floating between $8,500 and $9,500, depending on condition and service history. Kelley Blue Book even pegs its typical trade‑in value at just over $6,390, with a listing price around $9,133. That’s nearly half of its original $17,995 sticker, with the S model costing about $2,300 more when new.
At that price, the Multistrada 1200 undercuts brand‑new Japanese midweights like the Suzuki V‑Strom 800 at $10,499. It even comes in below the Yamaha Ténéré 700, which starts at $10,999. While you give up the peace of mind of a factory warranty and some of the bulletproof reliability of Japanese bikes, the sheer value and performance on offer are hard to ignore.
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The Testastretta L-Twin Ensures Superbike Performance Tuned For Adventure
One of the biggest upgrades you get with the Multistrada 1200 is its 1,198 cc Testastretta L‑twin engine. Born from Ducati’s superbike program but tuned for versatility, it features an oversquare layout with a 67.9 mm stroke and a 106 mm bore. With a 12.5:1 compression ratio, dual‑spark ignition, and Bosch electronic fuel injection using elliptical 56 mm throttle bodies, the result is a throttle response that feels razor sharp yet remains manageable for everyday riding.
Power Delivery That Blends Smooth Touring With Racing Punch
The secret lies in Ducati’s Desmodromic Variable Timing system. It adjusts both intake and exhaust camshafts independently, giving you smooth, flexible power at low rpm and explosive acceleration at high rpm. Once the revs climb, the Multistrada 1200 delivers 160 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and 100.3 pound‑feet of torque at 7,500 rpm. That is serious muscle for an adventure bike and far beyond what most midweights can offer.
Power flows through a six‑speed transmission with a wet slipper clutch that keeps the lever light and adds stability during aggressive downshifts. The ride‑by‑wire throttle unlocks Ducati’s Riding Modes, which let you tailor the bike’s personality to the situation. Sport and Touring modes unleash the full 160 horsepower, while Urban and Enduro scale it back to 100 horsepower for city traffic or dirt trails.
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Frame Built To Balance Canyon Carving With Gravel Road Confidence
Ducati gave the Multistrada its signature tubular steel trellis frame and a single‑sided swingarm bolted directly to the engine cases. The setup provides rigidity while striking a balance between sharp road handling and off‑road stability. With a 60‑inch wheelbase, the bike should be planted at freeway speeds while being nimble when the road tightens up.
The geometry, with 24.5 degrees of rake and 4.3 inches of trail, sits firmly in adventure bike territory but leans toward the sportier side. Seat height can be adjusted between 32.5 and 33.3 inches, which suits most riders, and the wet weight of 511 pounds keeps it manageable for a machine with this much performance.
Premium Components And Agile Dynamics To Conquer Any Terrain
The standard Multistrada 1200 came with fully adjustable 48 mm upside‑down forks and a Sachs rear monoshock. With 6.7 inches of travel, the suspension smooths out potholes in the city or the washboard ruts of a fire road. The S model adds Ducati’s Skyhook semi‑active suspension, which constantly fine‑tunes damping to match the surface beneath you.
Braking is handled by dual Brembo Monobloc calipers clamping 320 mm discs up front and a twin‑pot caliper with a 265 mm disc at the rear, all backed by cornering ABS. The sporty character continues with 17‑inch wheels wrapped in Y‑pattern three‑spoke alloy rims. Ground clearance sits at 7 inches, which may not lead the class, but is more than enough for fire roads and light off‑pavement adventures.
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Superbike Electronics That Still Feel Ahead Of Their Time
The Multistrada 1200 topped the charts as one of the most advanced adventure bikes of its era. At the core is a ride‑by‑wire throttle that unlocks four riding modes. You can switch between them using the left‑hand controls, with the LCD showing your selection. The system ties in wheelie control, Bosch IMU‑based cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control, and cruise control. The S model added a full-color TFT display, cornering lights, and a quick shifter.
Function Meets Form in Aggressive Ducati Fashion
Of course, Ducati wrapped all that tech in unmistakable Italian style. The bird’s‑beak fairing and recessed headlights give the bike a sharp, aggressive face, while the upswept exhaust and skidplate at the rear hint at off‑road intent. An adjustable windscreen and integrated handguards make long rides and bad weather easier to handle, while passengers enjoy a wide pillion seat, fold‑up footpegs, and grab bars.
Put it all together, and you have a package that blends performance, comfort, and style in a way few midweights can match. Newer models may bring updated tech and better fuel economy, but the Multistrada 1200 is still the one that makes your pulse race the moment you crack open the throttle.
Sources: Ducati