Ducati’s excellent upper-middleweight adventure machine gets updated Euro5 engine, new name and detail updates
It it’s not broke, don’t fix it, as the saying goes. And the old Multistrada 950 was definitely not broken – in fact, it’s one of the best of the medium-sized adventure touring bikes. It dials down the madness of the full-fat 1260 V-twin, or the new V4 Multistrada, giving much of the same lively, useful character, in a smaller, lighter 110-ish bhp package.
It used the same 937cc Testastretta engine as in Ducati’s Hypermotard and Supersport, with the usual steel-tube trellis frame, double-sided swingarm, and a solid suite of rider aids and posh electronics. It didn’t have all the toys from the big Multistrada, but was a lot cheaper and for many folk, a better option.
For 2022 then, Ducati’s not had to fix too much on the smaller Multistrada. It’s had a rebrand – to match with the Panigale V2/V4 naming strategy, so we now have the big Multistrada V4 and the smaller Multistrada V2. It comes in base V2 or posh V2 S form, as usual, with the S adding electronic semi-active Ducati Skyhook suspension, a colour dash and more riding goodies like cruise control and standard up/down quickshifter to the base bike.
The engine is the latest Euro5 variant of the 937cc Testastretta V-twin motor, with 113bhp peak power. It’s had a host of detail changes to the internals, including new con-rods and a tweaked gearbox and clutch, for smoother shifting and easier neutral selection. It’s also 2kg lighter thanks to new covers, and the con-rod, clutch and gearbox changes.
On the chassis front, there’s another few kilos of weight-saving thanks to lighter brake discs, and the riding position has been altered slightly for better long-distance comfort with a new seat and lower footpegs relative to the seat.
Moderate updates then, to an already class-topping machine, which is probably as it should be… The new Multistrada V2 costs from £12,495, with the V2 S starting at £14,495. More: www.ducati.com/gb/en/bikes/multistrada/multistrada-v2
TECH HIGHLIGHTS
Ducati Multistrada V2
Colours
o Ducati Red with gloss black frame and black rims
- Main standard equipment
o 937 cc Testastretta 11° engine with 113 hp at 9,000 rpm and 94 Nm at 6,750 rpm *
o Exhaust with single silencer
o Tubular steel trellis frame with cast aluminium double-sided swingarm
o Seat height 830 mm
o Height-adjustable Plexiglas
o 20-litre fuel tank capacity
o Cast alloy wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tyres, 120/70 ZR19 at the front and 170/60 ZR17 at the rear
o Fully adjustable 48 mm fork, 170 mm travel
o Fully adjustable shock absorber, 170 mm travel
o 4 Riding Modes (Sport, Touring, Urban, Enduro)
o Ducati Safety Pack (ABS Cornering Bosch 3 levels, DTC 8 levels)
o Vehicle Hold Control (VHC)
o LCD instrumentation
o Ducati Brake Light
o Ready for Ducati Multimedia System (DMS)
o Ready for Ducati Quick Shift Up & Down (DQS)
Ducati Multistrada V2 S
- Colours
o Ducati Red with black frame and black wheel rims with red tags o Street Grey with black frame and “GP Red” wheel rims
- Main standard equipment – like Multistrada V2 with the addition of:
o Hands Free System
o Semi-active electronic suspension with Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) system
o Ducati Quick Shift Up & Down (DQS)
o Full-LED headlight with Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL) system
o Cruise Control
o Dashboard with 5″colour TFT screen
o Backlit handlebar controls