The One Bike Conundrum looms in many motorcyclists’ minds — if there is room for only one steed in the stable, what would it be? The enterprising rider that I am, I enjoy sport riding, track days, touring and off-road adventures in equal measure, but some of those activities land on opposites ends of the spectrum. Well, if variety is the spice of riding life, then the 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 S may be the answer.
2021 is a banner year for the all-new Multistrada ADV platform. When the model made its debut back in 2003, with bodywork penned by Pierre Terblanche and functionality that split the difference between a sport tourer and supermoto, the Multistrada was equipped with a 992cc air-cooled V-twin, dual underseat exhausts, a single-sided swingarm and 17-inch wheels. Revamped for 2010 and sporting a distinctive bird-of-prey beak, the Multistrada 1200 introduced the “four bikes in one” concept, with riding modes and electronics that tailored the experience to sport, touring, urban or enduro riding.
The Multistrada’s performance and versatility made it one of Ducati’s bestsellers, and the model evolved over time. A Granturismo version was the ultimate high-powered sport tourer. An Enduro version added tubeless spoked wheels with a 19-inch front, longer-travel suspension, a bash plate and more. DVT versions added variable valve timing. A 950 version was more accessible. And now, the Multistrada V4.
The Multistrada planted its flag atop the adventure segment’s performance hill long ago, and its new 1,158cc 90-degree V4 Grandturismo engine has all the firepower needed to hold the line, with a potent 170 horsepower at 10,500 rpm and stomping 92 lb-ft torque at 8,750 rpm (claimed). Power is omnipresent, delivering a silky smooth rush of tractable, front-end-lofting superbike acceleration on command. And while Ducati’s sporting prowess is on display, the Multi’s mill is multi-dimensional. A bucketful of creamy bottom-end torque makes it downright civil, touting low-rpm manners that its V-twin-powered predecessor could only dream of, while its generous midrange is perfect for settling into a groove and enjoying the ride. Top it off with a sporty 6-speed gearbox and a nice up/down quickshifter, and it’s easy to see why the Multistrada is one of Bologna’s best.
Those welcoming characteristics aren’t just a pleasure on the street; they’re a godsend during off-road excursions. Enduro mode dials the V4 down to 115 horsepower, allowing me to plod along trails barely above idle without much clutch fiddling, or whack the throttle open and use on-demand torque to steer with the rear. And a Ducati wouldn’t be a Ducati without a soul-stirring exhaust note, and the V4’s twin-pulse firing order acts as an auditory cherry on top.
That raging bull of an engine is pure Ducati, which should come as no surprise since it’s a repurposed version of the V4 Stradale found in Panigale V4 and Streetfighter V4 models. Engineers increased the bore by 2mm to raise displacement while maintaining the Stradale’s stroke, compression ratio and counter-rotating crankshaft. Redline was lowered to a reasonable 11,500 rpm. First gear is shorter for street and off-road work, sixth gear is longer for highway slogs and final drive gearing is longer. But, that news pales in comparison to the lack of a desmodromic valve system. Instead, a conventional spring valvetrain has paved the way for a class-leading 37,232-mile valve service interval — saving you time and money at the dealer.
The upshot of ditching desmo valves isn’t just espresso spit-takes from Ducatisti. It has contributed to a more compact powerplant, reducing its length and height by more than 3 inches compared to the 1260 V-twin, though it is about an inch wider. The engine sits higher in the chassis and, combined with the 19-inch front wheel, boasts over an inch of additional ground clearance.
When plopped in the Multistrada’s luxurious, heated, dual-height saddle (33.1/33.9 inches), the svelte V4 plays a role in creating a slim seat chassis, allowing my 32-inch inseam legs to flat-foot the deck. It feels narrow and elegant, betraying its claimed 536-pound wet weight. The five-star accommodations are aided by more distance between the saddle and footpegs, and the adjustable handlebar provides all the leverage you’ll ever need when sitting or standing. What’s more, the mirrors are curved back to avoid conflict during stand-up riding on the trail. The windscreen is operated with a gentle push or pull, and protection is more than ample, supplemented by fairings that redirect engine heat away from the rider.
A lightweight aluminum monocoque chassis and steel-trellis subframe pull all the threads together. To compensate for the larger 19-inch front wheel, a shorter wheelbase is bolstered by more aggressive rake and trail figures, making this heavyweight ADV extremely light on its feet.
As with all flagship Ducatis, a smorgasbord of Bosch 6-axis IMU-supported electronics are standard fare and four riding modes (Sport, Touring, Urgan and Enduro) radically change the bike’s character on a whim. Engine power, traction control, ABS, hill-hold control, wheelie control and semi-active suspension damping, and preload settings can also be customized diving into the 6.5-inch TFT display’s menu. Preload has four preset settings adjusted by a dedicated button on the left cluster, as well as an auto-leveling function that calculates laden-weight precisely.
In Sport mode the Marzocchi Skyhook suspension becomes taut, letting you flick the Multistrada V4 into corners with precision and lean angles that would embarrass more than a few leather-clad lads on sportbikes. Crisp throttle response and rider aids that allow plenty of naughtiness are things that Ducati engineers and I seem to agree on, though a tad more throttle smoothing in this mode wouldn’t hurt. Sport mode never sacrifices comfort, and it became my default mode on the street. I hardly missed the 17-inch front wheel, and given the quality of premium sport-touring rubber these days, a track day wouldn’t be out of the question.
Urban and Touring relax the Multistrada, each softening the chassis to suit city streets, battered back roads or long-haul interstates. In these situations, the new Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Detection come into their own. Adjustable for three distance levels, the ACC maintains the Multistrada’s distance from other vehicles, accelerating and decelerating as needed based on information gathered from the bike’s radar. Come up on a car too quickly, and the Multistrada will engage the brakes to avoid a collision. Commuters will appreciate Blind Spot Detection, illuminating an LED on the rearview mirrors and warning you of incoming traffic.
A trip to Borrego Springs, California, wouldn’t be complete without some off-roading. In Enduro mode, we cranked up the suspension and lowered the PSI of our Pirelli Scorpion Rally tires with positive results. In another betrayal of its weight and size, the Multi’s long-travel electronic suspension takes hard hits in stride, the 19-inch front wheel tracks through rough terrain well and the chassis is stable as can be — capable of taking on the sand with a competency that its smaller wheeled forefathers lacked.
To get the most out of the Multistrada off-road, I disabled traction control completely — not something I’d normally do on a bike this size. Even when set to level one of eight, the amount of wheel slip is limited and hampers hill climbs on loose, rocky surfaces, which are abundant in the California desert. Thankfully, the V4’s traceability makes it quite managable and power slides are like taking candy from a baby. And the Multistrada’s top-shelf Brembo Stylema front calipers and multi-mode ABS can be depended on, regardless of the terrain.
As a sport tourer, the Multistrada V4 S has solidified its position in the sporting end of the heavyweight ADV class while also upping the ante in terms of touring capability and comfort. Off-road, it flexes new chops that will make anyone want to toss on some goggles and get a dirt ’stache, even if the TC algorithm needs to be refined. In a technology-loaded class, it also raises the bar with Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Detection.
Whether or not the 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 S answers the One Bike Conundrum remains to be seen, but if this is the future of ADV motorcycling as we know it, we may be closer than we think.
Gear:
Helmet: Arai XD4
Gloves: Spidi G-Warriorhttps://imp.i104546.net/x9AOW1
Jacket: Spidi All-Road
Pants: Spidi All-Road
Boots: Alpinestars Corozal
2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 S Specs:
Base Price: $25,795
Price as Tested: $28,182 (Travel + Radar Packs, Akrapovič Silencer, Engine Guards, Pirelli Scorpion Rally tires, Wire-Spoke Wheels, Enduro Windscreen)
Website: ducati.com
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse 90-degree V-4, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
Displacement: 1,158cc
Bore x Stroke: 83.0 x 53.5mm
Transmission: 6-speed, hydraulically actuated assist-and-slipper wet clutch
Final Drive: O-ring chain
Wheelbase: 61.7 in.
Rake/Trail: 24.5 degrees/4.0 in.
Seat Height: 33.1/33.9 in.
Wet Weight: 532 lbs. (claimed)
Fuel Capacity: 5.8 gals.
2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 S Photo Gallery:
Beautiful bike, but I have to believe that magazine editors are among the very few to ride this model offroad (because they don’t actually own it, lol).
Hey Scott,
We’d be remiss if we didn’t test its off-road capabilities for our readers! That said, I’ve seen a few muddy Multis out in the wild.
Take care!
– Nic
Great article, Nic.
I’ve got a 2016 and love it but like the author, I have a 32″ inseam and the 2016 is just a bit too tall. Like what he said about it being slimmer allowing him to be flat footed. May need to give the 2021 a closer look.
I assume Ducati is not allowing any of the California demo rides to comment on fuel economy? It has been widely reported that mpg has dropped by 20% but fuel capacity has only risen by 10%. We need real world fuel range for just cruising back roads at 60 or hustling along at higher revs. If the bike cannot indicate a range of 240 miles when cruising lightly Ducati has blown it.
And a 32” inseam makes you a pretty tall person. Now the last generation bike was fine for me height wise but the 950 not so much. And before any morons tell me they have the same height remember the 950 has a 19” front wheel and. The seat height is about 3/4” taller.
I love the 950 but wish it has the gear driven cams like the new V4. I have no Ducati dealer near me and spending $1,000 on a valve job doesn’t sit well with me.
But if the fuel range is as bad as early reports, it won’t matter.
Hey Greg,
It’s a little difficult to take accurate MPG readings during a “First Ride Review” because onboard readings fluctuate so much. Secondly, we don’t control the fuel stops or fuel going into the tanks. Reporting real-world MPG data is something we do during all of our “Road Test Reviews” because we can monitor it much more accurately, cover more miles, and cycle more fuel through the motorcycle.
Regarding my height, I’m 5-foot, 10-inches tall, and have a 32-inch inseam length. I actually found the Multistrada V4 much easier to manage than previous Multistrada Enduro bikes because the tank seam/chassis is narrower and allows me to reach the deck a little easier. The heavyweight ADV class is chock-full of tall motorcycles and that’s just the way it is in this segment.
Hope this helps,
– Nic
Hey guys.
I’ve had mine for 2 month now do everything i can find to do from sand on the beach to trail riding to coast to coast (in Florida) so far the bike lives up to it name.
Some said about the height which i was worried about seeing i ordered before i even saw this bike but after a couple days if playing around with the air system i got it to drop down so when i stop I’m flat footed
I purchased the V4 Sport. I’ve owned many bikes over the years and this is one of the sweetest bikes I’ve owned. Smooth and easy to navigate. Gas mileage is not as good as what I would like. I’ll ride it 99% street and occasionally fire roads. Very powerful and deceiving smoothness. At 80mph you think you’re going 60mph. Hope this helps.
Sry dear riders! Quite the contrary with what most of the people think , I’ve purchased over 96 bikes so far and most of em tested on every track In my country. I guess they lack of experience in the field or moved up to it from a Africa twin or something. I’ve purchased both before and theneq 1000xr
BMW is way way better than the v4 . More power agility performance overall and as to equipment no discussion there. BMW ‘s Standard version comes almost with everything instead of the really poor v4’standart version (not the 4s) . Not even a double stand included not to mention that you have to buy everything else. At the same price I get absolutely everything including gifts and goodies says exhaust pipes alarm system GPS etc.. I was expecting so much from a v4 and got really disappointed!
Personally I think it’s a waste of money I wish I would’ve gone only for the xr1000!
Equipment ok
Performance thumbs down 👎🏻
Quality poor
Top speed way to poor compare its virals
Equipment on standard version PATHETIC (lacks everything, even the double stand . Everything else you have to pay. Eg: bmw’s s1000xr comes fully equipped on every version
I regret 2 things : 1: getting it
2: to be the ugly hater on this
Obviously if you have owned 96 bikes then quite clearly you’re never happy, so good luck with the BMW then. Do you troll motorcycle sites to share your misery?
& that is why you buy Ducati… Because it is a premium bike, and when you have all the extras, you definitely enjoy it more..
I bought my Multi for the same reason I bought an E46 BMW M3 in the past, for the sound of the engine.. Hahaha
When the Ducati hits that sweet spot it makes me go gooey and I love it 🙂
That said.. The v4 is pricey.. Surprised it jumped so much this time around.. But the crash protection stuff may be the reason..?
I resist buying a BMW bike every time, it looks ok, it has some toys yes, but they seem to be a little boring in the power delivery department (maybe that has changed these days?).. and look a bit basic (the frame design in places looks functional and ugly)..
Anyway, that was my two cents.. Came here as I am considering the v4.. Still considering it seriously.. Road test here we come..