The new Ducati Multistrada 1200 may cost a fortune, but it’s by far the most versatile bike doing the rounds, says Rishad Cooper
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| High on the highway: The new Ducati Multistrada 1200 comes with a powerful engine that can hit a top speed of nearly 250kph |
Buying a motorcycle is no longer easy, with every model in the different segments making its own unique case in motorcycle history books. A really speedy bike is seldom useable in the cut and thrust of urban life, while city-friendly bikes are rarely comfortable on rough roads. So final buying decisions almost always involve a compromise and buying a do-it-all steed remains a distant dream.
Get set to usher in the future, Ducati-style. The Italian manufacturer has designed flamboyant-looking motorcycles and the Multistrada 1200 proves that they haven’t taken a break. Its lanky profile is led by a snout of twin air intakes, set just below a duo of smiling headlights, illuminated by a halogen bulb and LED combo. Black dominates the lower end of this motorcycle, cloaking the bulk of the engine, the rims and the rear, while silver highlights parts like the sump shroud, pillion footrests and silencers.
The first hint of this bike’s appetite for speed is an adjustable visor that offers adequate protection from wind blast; below it sits an LCD instrument bay which relays info to the rider. Speed and rpm are the highlights, with an odometer, twin trip facility, fuel and temperature gauge, gear indicator and clock in tow. An inset circular dot matrix dial displays the riding mode the Multistrada is in, real-time mileage, ABS on or off, as well as what level of traction control assist the motorcycle is providing.
The Strada also has func- tional mirrors and integrates the front turn signals into its knuckle guards. The heated grips offer good feel and reach-adjustable levers are available on the premium bike, as is keyless access. A button clicks open the key in switchblade fashion and is needed only for filling fuel, opening the seat or a pannier box.
Keeping the key within a couple of metres from this Ducati starts it up. Buttons enable adjustment for traction control, and the indicator-cancel button also doubles up as the riding mode selector. There’s a pair of 12V charging points that can charge mobile phones, plus other connectors for a Garmin GPS system.
The 1200’s body is well scul- pted, stylish and decal-free. Its split seat climbs smartly over the tank, whose indents comfortably accommodate a rider’s knees. There’s plenty of onboard storage space and you can also add up to 73 litres within the pannier boxes.
Moreover, this bike comes with removable footrest inserts for heightened grip when riding off-road, and deploys a broad grab handle at the rear. A single-side tyre hugger guards the rear wheel. The Multistrada comes with a fuel-injected motor and delivers a brawny 150bhp at 9250rpm.
The big bike’s hydraulic, wet clutch is slip-enabled on overrun, and this works nicely without robbing the bike of engine retardation. Clutch feel is a tad heavy at the lever, as are gearshifts, although both operate with really precise action.
The Strada’s stubby twin silencers beat out a stirring exhaust note, loud and throaty at low rpms, building with the rush of a superbike-like scream as the bar on the rev counter touches 10,000rpm. Scalding power delivery and lightning-quick throttle response make the new Ducati an exciting machine on the road. The bike zips past 200kph nonchalantly, with plenty in reserve; Ducati claims the Strada will go on to a top whack in the region of 255kph in fifth, with sixth purposely left tall for relaxed cruising.
Pressing the magic button on top of the indicator switch can rein the Strada’s herd of 150 ponies down to about 100bhp. A rider can choose between Sports (150bhp), Touring (150bhp), Urban (100bhp) or Enduro (100bhp) modes, and further tweak the bike set-up for riding with a pillion. Having selected a mode, the instruments will confirm you need to shut the throttle to shift mode, an obvious precaution when the new mode could boost power up to 50bhp.
The Multistrada makes use of Ducati Traction Control, which works without ruining riding pleasure. Traction control intervention is minimal in Enduro mode, highest when slotted in ‘Urban.’ In ‘Sports’ mode, power kicks in sharply with a crisp feel. Switching modes softens the engine’s punch progressively.
While steering effort is light, electronically controlled, fully adjustable Ohlins suspension is used at both ends on the Multistrada 1200. Brakes are also top-notch kit, ABS-enabled and they feel reassuringly powerful, with just the right feel coming through the front lever.
The Strada incorporates ‘Scorpion Trail’ tyres, which are specially developed by Pirelli. Wide handlebars, a voluminous riding saddle with the option of two sizes, plus an upright riding position add up to fine ergonomics on this bike.
The Multistrada 1200 is engineered to do it all, do it well, and do it with typical Italian flair. This isn’t a bike that merely seems good on paper, and then fails to live up to expectations on road. All its virtues add up to make good on the big promise, the Strada being as versatile as a motorcycle can ever be. And this extraordinary new Ducati adapts to its rider, rather than demanding its rider adapt to the bike. Set to hit Indian roads this May, if there’s something that can dent this achingly good motorcycle’s appeal in India, it’s a hefty price tag.
spec check
ducati multistrada 1200
Price: Up to Rs 22 lakh (ex-showroom, India)
L/W/H: 2150/950/1400mm
Kerb weight: 217kg
Engine: L-twin cylinder, liquid-cooled, four-stroke/ 1198.4cc
Power: 150bhp at 9250rpm
Torque: 12.1kgm at 7500rpm
Gearbox: 6-speed; 1-down, 5-up
Suspension (F/R): Adjustable upside-down forks/ adjustable monoshock, single side swingarm
Brakes (F/R): 320mm discs/ 245mm disc
