RIDE REVIEW I 2 0 2 2 D U C AT I M U LT I S T R A D A V 4 P I K E S P E A K
P66
ties and fogged-up face shields.
Mile after miserable mile, the high-end
Multistrada proved why it's so much more
capable in such brutal conditions than
the more explosive, sharper handling,
less comfortable, totally minimalistic
Panigale and Streetfighter V4s I'd ridden
5000 miles in the span of 18 months—
even though these super-duper Ducks
have near-identical electronic rider aids
and "smart" suspension components as
the mighty adventurer.
As a reward for surviving the press ride
without crash-testing one of its stars,
Ducati loaned me another Pikes Peak V4
soon after the intro. We managed to rack
up another 300 miles together on drier
roads in slightly warmer temps.
ELECTRONIC
WONDERLAND
Much of the Multistrada's good manners
can be attributed to a sophisticated suite
of electronic rider aids.
This 2022 version is the first to have
different ride modes than other current
Multistradas. These modes—factory-de-
termined groups of electronic settings—
(Above) The Pikes
Peak-standard
Akrapovic exhaust
adds a touch of
class to an already
classy package.
(Above right) This
famous face won
the Pikes Peak
International Hill
Climb with the
late Carlin Dunne
three times.
I
missed the V4 Pikes Peak launch due to a
few administrative issues that required my
immediate attention, but that wasn't going to
stop me getting at least a few miles on one.
One quick jaunt up the back roads separating
Orange County from the Inland Empire, a trip
to Anaheim for Supercross and two lunch runs
had me pretty close to convinced I may have
found my ideal motorcycle.
The older I get, the more I enjoy a large
motorcycle. Not necessarily large capacity/
horsepower, but spacious and roomy, which is
something the V4 has in spades. It's comfortable
almost to a fault, and I find the rejigged
A WEEK WITH THE BEAST
