If you are in the market for a versatile motorcycle, you are certainly not alone. The demand for more versatile motorcycles is still growing, even though the market as a whole is technically shrinking. Manufacturers have certainly answered the call for more motorcycles that can do a bit of everything, and nothing defines this better than this new breed of luxury crossovers.
Not quite adventure bikes, or touring bikes, but rather a hybrid of sorts. These bikes have already proven to have broad appeal, and the way they blend power and comfort is hard to ignore. The bike in question adds a touch of genuine class to the mix, as well as low-stress maintenance.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Ducati. Whereas, the opinions are our own.
How The Ducati Multistrada V4 Just Took Inspiration From The Panigale
It has more technology than before to make your life easier on the go
The Ducati Multistrada V4 S Is The Premium Bike That Delivers Power, Comfort, And Low Stress Maintenance
MSRP: $28,995
In the past, premium Italian motorcycles like “Ducati” and “reliability” were two words rarely found in the same sentence. In fact, we would go as far as to say that they were mutually exclusive. But ever since the VW Group bought Ducati, things have actually changed for the better. The bikes are still built by hand, but the processes were streamlined, quality control was improved, and most importantly, modern engines were introduced. The Multistrada V4 S benefits from one of those reliable modern engines.
BMW offers up the most direct competitor in the form of the S 1000 XR. On paper, it is $10k cheaper, but if you want the same level of specification as the Ducati, you will need to check a few options, and once you are out the door, the price won’t be all that far away. The BMW leans into its superbike roots a little more and is slightly more sporty as a result. As a result, it won’t be quite as comfortable, and although its inline-four is in a milder state of tune, it is still a superbike engine.
If you were to remove “premium” from the equation, there are a couple of Japanese crossovers well worth a look. The Kawasaki Versys 1100 SE LT offers pretty much everything the Ducati offers at a much lower price. It just isn’t quite as potent. The Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+ is another option that also gets all the bells and whistles. With around 150 horsepower, it certainly won’t disappoint, but neither bike offers the same level of quality as the Ducati or the BMW, for that matter.
The Multistrada V4 S Gets The Workhorse Granturismo Engine
Power: 170 Horsepower
Much was made of the fact that this engine ditched tradition by leaving off the Desmodromic valvetrain. In reality, there are still several other models to choose from that feature Desmo valves, and they solve a problem that no longer exists. Metallurgy has improved to such an extent that we rarely hear of valve springs failing. The Japanese manufacturers proved this theory in the 80s already with a selection of reliable inline-fours that featured DOHC heads.
The “Desmo service” became something of a hindrance over the years as it is both time-consuming and expensive for the customer. For those who simply wanted a high-quality motorcycle, and not specifically a Ducati, it became a barrier to entry. For years, it was just part of the deal, primarily because to save costs, Ducati would put reworked superbike engines in all the street bikes. It was always a recipe for a good time, but maintenance and reliability came a distant second and third.
A V4 For The Street
The Granturismo V4 is the first Ducati engine designed with reliability in mind, not just performance. Built specifically for street bikes like the Multistrada and the Diavel. Its service intervals are fairly long, with the first valve clearance check only necessary after 37,000 miles, and the regular oil service intervals are pegged at 9,000 miles. It is a powertrain that combines power and mechanical reliability like no other.
Semi-Active Electronic Suspension Comes Standard On The V4 S
One feature that has become more desirable in the adventure-touring class is electronic suspension. It takes all the hassle out of setting up your suspension when you make big changes to the weight you will be carrying, i.e., when you load the bike for a long trip, or your significant other joins you for a ride. Ducati’s Skyhook suspension is one of the best in the industry.
It adapts and reacts to each individual road surface and also offers a self-lowering feature as you come to a stop. This couples well with its compact aluminum monocoque chassis, and if the mood arises, it will make some sports bikes look slow on a decent canyon road. Its 19-inch front wheel might turn in a little slower than a 17-inch wheel would, but the difference is only incremental.
More Features Than You Need
Naturally, this is a premium offering, and you get all the usual bells and whistles people have grown accustomed to in this space. At this price point, you get the standard Travel and Radar package, which means those side cases are not just attached for the pictures. It also comes equipped with adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitors, and a forward collision warning system. Lean-sensitive traction control and cornering ABS are almost a given at this point, but it isn’t just cornering ABS; it is linked cornering ABS.
In short, the bike will decide if it should apply a little rear brake if you use the front, or a little front brake should you use the rear. It also has a wide array of different ride modes, all of which can be selected via a big old TFT dash. This bike checks every box; it is comfortable, immensely powerful, and has long service intervals.
The one thing we can’t be sure of is long-term reliability. As modern motorcycles age, all the added features also tend to add failure points. What might seem like a wonderful feature today might also be outdated a couple of years down the line. This is not unique to the Multistrada, but certainly worth keeping in mind if you are in the market for a bike like this, and plan on keeping it for longer than five years.