Ducati Multistrada 1000 Bike

Ducati Multistrada 1000 Bike Overview

Ducati’s Multistrada 1000 regularly tops the ‘ugliest bikes ever made’ charts. But the first Multistrada, the 1000 DS, is an excellent machine under the skin.

The controversial looks are another product of Ducati’s early 2000s dalliance with designer Pierre Terblanche, and have echoes of the limited edition MH900E Mike Hailwood Replica. 

Underseat twin exhausts, weird stacked headlamp and a curious two-part fairing have rather strange lines, and with the long-travel suspension, the overall feel is rather unbalanced.

Once in the saddle though, the Multistrada gets much much better. The 992cc air-cooled engine isn’t super-powerful, putting out just 85bhp. But it’s a torquey beast with good throttle response, and makes a great road lump.

Ducati gave it excellent suspension too, with Öhlins units on later ‘S’ versions, plus Brembo brakes, single-sided swingarm and a super-stiff steel tube trellis frame. It’s light too, tipping the scales well under 200kg.

On the road, it’s great fun. The engine is packed with character, and it’s a real pleasure to slam open the throttle. The weight and chassis geometry makes it very nimble, and the narrow profile cuts through traffic with ease. Add some hard luggage and a slightly taller screen, and it makes a great middleweight tourer too.

There’s not a load of these about, but they are often a bargain to buy, thanks to that controversial styling. Watch for neglect and missed servicing, ignore the mocking from your pals, and you’ll have a great practical fun Ducati for great money.