When you step up to products that are part of the ‘luxury’ space, you’re usually looking at the latest tech, gadgets that are straight out of science fiction, and the biggest performance figures. You know, the highest power and torque, the highest top speed… you get the idea. But, the deal with technology is that the more advanced it is, the more likely it also is to have glitches, or even fail. This is merely how things are in the tech world: you need to move quickly and gain a first-mover advantage, even if it means letting go of making sure it won’t fail under all situations. Plus, one can never simulate all situations during R&D, so there is always an element of beta testing with consumers when a new product launches.
However, if you’re one of those people who considers reliability a critical component of luxury (and you should), what do you do? You look for the kind of product that has somehow managed to stay luxurious and cutting-edge through the phases of growth. And that’s exactly what this motorcycle is: it is the ADV built for riders who want reliability without sacrificing luxury.
The Ducati Multistrada V4 S Is Reliable And Luxurious
Traditional Ducatis have a reputation for being prima donnas. When they worked, they were good enough to elicit poetry from the most prosaic heart. However, that was if they worked. Ducati has worked very hard over the decades to address this reliability reputation without giving up any of the things that make its products so desirable. And, there aren’t many examples better than the Multistrada V4. It remains one of the most powerful bikes in its segment, but it manages to keep weight down and reliability up all at the same time. With the kind of tech Ducati has put into it, it has industry-leading service intervals, which is the opposite of what we used to think of Ducatis!
Ducati Multistrada V4 S Price: $29,995
Good things don’t come cheap, and such is life with the Multistrada V4 S. It might be a shock, the $10,000 jump from the base V4 to the V4 S, but you do get the electronic automatically lowering suspension, larger brakes, and a larger 6.5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation. The options list also includes radar, both at the front and rear, and better headlamps that are cornering-enabled. What is identical is the engine and its power and reliability, so the Multistrada V4 S is well worth the price of admission.
Ducati Multistrada V4 S Engine
Ducati has given up the Desmodromic valvetrain for the Multistrada in this current generation. Does that mean that it has become slower? On the contrary, it retains just as much performance as before, with 170 horsepower at 10,500 RPM and 92 pound-feet at 8,750 RPM from its 1,158 cc engine, thanks in part to a really high 14.0:1 compression ratio. This 90-degree V4 weighs less than the V-twin it replaces, has a ‘twin pulse’ firing order that mimics a V-twin for better torque delivery, and has valve springs! A curious feature is the fact that it has a counterrotating crankshaft, like a sport bike.
The gearbox is a standard six-speed manual with a hydraulically assisted assist, and slipper clutch. A two-way quickshifter is standard. A by-wire throttle and six-axis IMU are present, so there are ride modes, power modes, cornering traction control, wheelie control, and adaptive cruise control linked to the forward-facing radar.
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There are a couple of features that are noteworthy here: the Granturismo engine has a rear cylinder bank deactivation feature that works even when the Multistrada is on the move, meaning less heat to the rider and lower fuel consumption. Ducati has also not merely switched to valve springs for the heck of it; regular services need to be done at 9,000 miles or annually, and the valve clearance checks need to be done every 37,000 miles or a maximum of eight years!
Ducati Multistrada V4 S Chassis
The Multistrada opts for an aluminum monocoque chassis. This isn’t something crazy like the Panigale V4’s, and that is a very good thing. Out in the middle of nowhere, you want something that is repairable. This is also the first full-size Multistrada to use a double-sided swingarm as the default choice. It is made to reduce weight and cost.
The suspension consists of 50 mm inverted front forks, and a rear monoshock. Both ends are fully adjustable and have electronic adjustment. The suspension lowers automatically to make it easier to get the Multistrada off the stand. You get 6.7 inches and 7.1 inches of travel at the front and rear.
The Multi V4 S gets slightly larger and better front brakes than the base Multistrada V4, with 330 mm floating discs and Brembo Stylema four-piston fixed radial calipers. The rear has a 265 mm disc with a two-piston floating caliper. The front brake also has a radial master cylinder. A 19/17 inch alloy wheel combination and tubeless tires are the final piece of the puzzle.
Ducati Multistrada V4 S Dimensions
This is quite a large motorcycle – it is over 97 inches long and 39 inches wide, and has a wheelbase of nearly 62 inches. It has a seat height of 33.1 inches with the standard seat, but the 8.6 inches of ground clearance matches it. It is quite light for what it is, at 509 pounds wet. The fuel tank can hold 5.8 gallons of fuel.
Ducati Multistrada V4 S Features
Everything You Could Wish For
Remember that $10,000 difference between the Multistrada V4 and the V4 S? Well, here is where you’re going to see a lot of the differences. Beginning with the 6.5-inch TFT screen, which is larger. It is also equipped as standard with Bluetooth and navigation. There is rearward-facing radar for blind spot monitoring. This was the first bike in history to have radar fitted to both front and rear. Other features on the options list are heated grips, heated seats, spoked rims, cornering adaptive headlamps, and even a dry clutch!
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Ducati Multistrada V4 S Competition
The Multistrada has some stiff competition. There is the Harley-Davidson CVO Pan America ($29,249) and Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer ($23,795), but they don’t attract the kind of customer that wants a Multistrada. The KTM 1390 Super Adventure S Evo is a deeply impressive option, but it needs to actually be available – KTM still hasn’t quoted a price for it officially in the U.S. market.
Ducati Multistrada V4 S Vs BMW R 1300 GS Adventure
|
Ducati Multistrada V4 S |
BMW R 1300 GS Adventure |
|
|
Price |
$29,995 |
$23,795 |
|
Engine |
90° V4 |
Longitudinal boxer twin |
|
Displacement |
1,158 cc |
1,300 cc |
|
Power |
170 HP @ 10,500 RPM |
145 HP @ 7,750 RPM |
|
Torque |
92 LB-FT @ 8,750 RPM |
110 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
|
Curb Weight |
511.4 pounds (wet) |
593 pounds (wet) |
Then there is the king of the segment – the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure. This is a very different kind of motorcycle, with its torquey boxer twin, shaft drive, single-sided swingarm, and double wishbone front suspension. But it caters to a very similar audience. It also gets bonus points because it is now available with the option of an automatic gearbox. And compared to the Multi V4 S, it seems downright value for money!
Source: Ducati USA