2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 Video Review
The all-new Multistrada V4 in stunning Technicolor
The Multistrada has always been an exciting machine. It showcases Ducati’s sporting heritage in an upright touring-focused package that has been an absolute weapon in the canyons for some time thanks to its sporty V-Twin and 17-inch wheel combo. The latter, however, is exactly why the big Ducati could never quite hang with its ADV rivals when the pavement ran out. In addition to the stonking Granturismo V4, which has been specifically designed for adventure touring, the `21 Multi now features a 19/17-inch wheel combo that makes all the difference when the road runs out.
2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 Review – First Ride
The new V4 Granturismo boasts a slightly larger, 1158cc displacement thanks to its 2mm larger bores. Stroke and compression ratio remain the same at 53.5mm and 14:1. The V4 Granturismo engine is said to weigh 147 lbs, making it a touch over two pounds lighter than the outgoing Testastretta DVT V2 and five pounds heavier than the Stradale V4. It’s also more compact than the V-Twin. The V4 is 3.3 inches shorter front to back and 3.7 inches shorter in height compared to the Multi 1260’s engine. Width has increased a tad by 0.8 inches. Ducati tells us the Granturismo V4 is cranking out 170 ponies at 10,500 rpm and 92.2 lb-ft at 8750.
A further break with tradition – and a major talking/selling point of the new engine – is the switch to a spring-actuated valve train which allowed Ducati to boost time between service intervals to 37,282 miles (60,000 km). That’s more than double that of the previous Testastretta mill. An enticing feature for riders looking to circumnavigate the globe – which Ducati was quick to mention could be done 1.5 times before the valve train needs service.
In addition to the already staggering list of electronic rider aids and adjustability – including electronic suspension on Ducati Skyhook equipped models – is the inclusion of radar technology not before seen on a motorcycle ( a production motorcycle anyway). While we’ve seen this technology for some time in the automotive world, the addition of adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring is an exciting addition to a motorcycle meant to pound out the miles.
But enough of these silly words, check out our first ride recap and brief discussion with Ducati North America’s Technical Director Richard Kenton, now in moving pictures. If you want the full story with all of the details and specs, you can find it right here on MO.
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Ryan’s time in the motorcycle industry has revolved around sales and marketing prior to landing a gig at Motorcycle.com. An avid motorcyclist, interested in all shapes, sizes, and colors of motorized two-wheeled vehicles, Ryan brings a young, passionate enthusiasm to the digital pages of MO.
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Sure looks sweet!
I may be dense, but wouldn't you want non-"TKC80-style" tires for all that sportiness it has over all other advs? Yet, how useful would it then be, with say TrailAttacks (or whatever tire Pirelli has with a similar profile), for turning onto dirt roads, in between blitzing paved backroads?
A related question: What tire would work best on it, for such a dual mission, with the primary focus being paved road handling worthy of 170hp? TKC70s, like the 390Adv has? TrailAttacks? (I'm a bit of a Conti fan these days, though I'm sure all brands have similar sets.........)
Ducati should lend you a bike for a few months, so you can answer such important questions definitively.... :) Nevada, and surrounding states, has many stretches of nice, remote paved roads (further from donut shops than most SoCal roads.....), and quite a few of them have turnoffs which takes you a decent number of miles along sandy dirt, until you get on another, even more remote, paved road....
It's all a bit too far from everything, to get there on a supermoto (and the roads are too fast anyway, it's awesome 'Busa/ZX14 country). And as natural as KTMs, and really also Vstoms, no doubt are for such outings, neither is really all that "sporty" in the traditional, sportbike-exciting, sense, even if SuperAdventures are no doubt "fast." This thing, OTOH, seems like it could be made for schlepping a week's worth of necessities out there into the middle of nowhere to blast around, before running 5 miles into the dessert to guerilla camp out of sight for the night. Assuming a good tire could be found....
My 2014 Pikes Peak Multi would smoke this junk.