Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1532532
P96 RIDE REVIEW I 2025 DUCATI MULTISTRADA V2 S Okay, rant over, because the performance of the V2 Multi is most certainly a step up from the old 950 in dynamic handling and engine performance, right where it matters. That motor has oil ser - vice intervals of 9000 miles and valves at 18,000 miles, so you've got a lot of riding between visits to the dealer. The V2 will go up against bikes like the fantastic Moto Guzzi Stel - vio, even the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ to a degree, so it's got some stiff competition, but the base package is a good one if you're one of the Ducatisti that bleeds pure red. CN packs. Not having heated grips as standard on a bike that costs $20,000 is not good enough, as far as I'm concerned. I feel like if you're going to spend the extra $4k to get the S model over the standard with the Skyhook electronic suspension, having the heated grips should be a given. The S does come standard with the Ducati Multimedia system via the new five-inch TFT display that includes turn-by- turn navigation, so at least that's there for the consumer. But no heated grips as standard on the S model? Come on, Ducati. There are various accesso - ries you can get in the touring department, including a 20mm taller and 20mm lower seat, plus if you've got a very short inseam, you can opt for the low suspen- sion kit that takes things another 20mm further down. The seat heights range from 31.1 inches to 34.3 inches, so you're sure to find something that fits. In Europe, Ducati offers various trim kits at purchase, such as the Touring Pack and the Urban Pack that give you various luggage and electronic options, but for the U.S., there are none of those 2025 DUCATI MULTISTRADA V2 S ($19,295) ENGINE 90° V2 VALVETRAIN 4 valves per cylinder, intake variable valve timing system DISPLACEMENT 890cc BORE X STROKE 96 x 61.5mm COMPRESSION RATIO 13.1:1 COOLING SYSTEM Liquid POWER (CLAIMED) 115 hp (85 kW) @ 10750 rpm TORQUE (CLAIMED) 67.9 lb-ft @ 8250 rpm FUELING EFI, 52mm throttle body w/ Ride-by-Wire EXHAUST Stainless-steel muffler, single catalytic converter, lambda probes GEARBOX 6-speed w/Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down 2.0 PRIMARY DRIVE Straight cut gears; ratio 1.84:1 FINAL DRIVE Chain; 15t/40t CLUTCH Hydraulically controlled slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch. FRAME Monocoque Aluminum FRONT SUSPENSION (V2) 45mm mechanical fork, fully adjustable FRONT SUSPENSION (V2 S) 45mm USD fork, electronic compression, rebound damping adjustment with Ducati Skyhook Suspension FRONT WHEEL Alloy cast, 3 in. x 19 in. FRONT TIRE Pirelli Scorpion Trail II 120/70 ZR 19 in. REAR SUSPENSION (V2) Monoshock, aluminum double-sided swingarm, fully adj. REAR SUSPENSION (V2 S) Monoshock, electronic adjustment w/Ducati Skyhook Suspension, aluminum double-sided swingarm, fully adj. REAR WHEEL Alloy cast, 4.5 in. x 17 in. REAR TIRE Pirelli Scorpion Trail II 170/60 ZR 17 in. FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL 6.7 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL 6.7 in. FRONT BRAKE 2 x 320mm semi- floating discs, radially mounted Brembo monobloc 4-piston 2-pad calipers, radial master cylinder, cornering ABS REAR BRAKE 265mm disc, Brembo 2-piston floating caliper, cornering ABS INSTRUMENTATION Digital unit with 5 in. TFT color display WET WEIGHT NO FUEL (CLAIMED) 439 lbs. (V2) / 445 lbs. (V2 S) SEAT HEIGHT Adjustable, 32.7 in.-33.5 in. (V2) / 31.1 in.-33.5 in. (V2 S) WHEELBASE 61.9 in. RAKE 24.3° TRAIL 4.15 in. FUEL TANK CAPACITY 5.02 gal. ELECTRONICS Riding Modes, Power Modes, Bosch Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Engine Brake Control (EBC), Ducati Brake Light (DBL) WARRANTY 24 months, unlimited mileage MAINTENANCE SERVICE INTERVALS 9000 miles / 24 months VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT 18,000 miles S P E C I F I C AT I O N S