2015 Ducati Multistrada 1200 DVT Spied!

Dennis Chung
by Dennis Chung

A spy photographer has captured a new Ducati Multistrada 1200 undergoing testing, confirming it will use the Testastretta Desmodromic Variable Timing (DVT) engine.

Ducati Reveals Testastretta DVT Engine + Video

Despite the hallucinogenic camo pattern, we can make out the shape of the recently revealed DVT engine. The new valve train independently adjusts timing on both the intake and exhaust valves using an adjuster fitted on the end of each camshaft. At high rpm, the system increases the amount of valve overlap, maximizing performance. At lower engine speeds, the overlap is minimized for smoother, more fluid power delivery.

According to Ducati, the 1198cc Testastretta DVT engine has a peak output of 160 hp at 9500 rpm, or 10 more horses than the current Multistrada’s engine. Ducati also claims an additional 9 ft-lb. of torque, topping out at 100 lb-ft. at 7500 rpm.

The engine isn’t the only thing that has changed. The steel trellis frame is new, as is the rear subframe which appears to be lower than on the existing model, making for a shorter seat height. It’s difficult to make out with the camo pattern but the fairing has been changed. The radiator shroud has a different angle, revealing more of the inverted fork, now anodized in gold and with new brake caliper mounts.

From the front, we can see a gap in the fairing between the two headlights. The ubiquitous ADV-style beak looks new with a broader shape with more angular nostrils. The wheels look identical to those on the current model.

The under-engine muffler also looks revised, with the “U.S.A.” chalked onto it suggesting Ducati was testing exhaust components designed for American emission standards on this prototype.

We’ll likely have to wait until EICMA in early November for Ducati to reveal official information about the new 2015 Multistrada. Ducati will present its new models on November 4.

Dennis Chung
Dennis Chung

Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.

More by Dennis Chung

Comments
Join the conversation
 7 comments
  • Sentinel Sentinel on Oct 24, 2014

    Even more pain and expense than the valve services were on these engines already, no thanks.

    • See 4 previous
    • ColoradoS14 ColoradoS14 on Oct 28, 2014

      Are you high!?

      A desmo service is not that complicated, it just has twice the clearances to check compared to a cam on bucket or other valvetrain system. This adds to the labor and to the cost. So in one sense you are right they may cost more, if you can get your service on your Kawi for $500 and the Ducati costs $1000. But you make it seem like the system is unreliable, the current Multistrada has the same 15k mi. adjustment interval as your Kawasaki and the new DVT engine is actually 3k mi. longer at 18,000mi. between adjustments. I dont think that most Ducati owners who have just spent $18k on a new bike are concerned with the fact that they will have to put $1k into it for service in almost 20k miles. The DVT system has nothing to do with service life, it actuates on the front of the cam and does not interfere with the desmo system. I encourage you to look at pictures of the DVT cam and then pull up pictures of a Toyota VVT-i or Honda i-VTEC cam and tell me how they are materially different systems.

      Here is your original comment "Even more pain and expense than the valve services were on these engines already, no thanks."

      Clearly you are flat wrong here, an extra $400-$500 every 15k mi. for a Ducati service compared to your Kawasaki barely blips the radar for most Ducati owners. And even for us more pedestrian owners is not really much to worry about. Ducati LENGTHENED the service interval on the new motor, which is now actually 3k mi. longer than your Kawi, closing the gap even more. And finally DVT is a system that is largely exactly the same to the VVT systems used on everything from Toyota to Honda to VW and is a proven and reliable system. You are out of your element Donny!

      edbob and I have appreciated the attacks and wish you the best in your future internet trolling, uneducated fanboyism and general douchebaggery.

  • Alighieri Alighieri on Oct 24, 2014

    What's with the forks? Are they going back to Ohlins? And with regard to Ducati reliability and expense I have almost 20,000 km on my 2012 MTS with not a hint of trouble and a huge smile every time I get on it.

Next