2015 DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1200S
FIRST RIDE
P64
around the city (or again on my
return trailing through the streets
of Sasso Marconi en route back
to the factory) I tried to make the
desmo V-twin engine run lump-
ily at low revs, which it refused
to do. It's notably smoother
and more flexible in nature than
previously—and it wasn't exactly
a peaky device before. It pulls in
fourth gear on part-throttle from
as low as 1,800 rpm without any
transmission snatch. This makes
the new Multistrada not only an
unexpectedly enjoyable bike
to ride in towns, where the still
relatively high seat lets you plan
a course through traffic easily
(always mindful in lane-splitting
of the width of the sidebags
on the Touring Pack version,
however), but also a great tool
for carving corners on a winding
mountain road, where the good
lowdown torque is now more
smoothly delivered than ever be-
fore. The DVT motor is just about
as smooth and liquid-seeming
in its power delivery as a four-
cylinder engine, but still with the
trademark torque of a V-twin,
delivered to the unmistakable
sound of muted thunder. Best of
both worlds.
That's because the DVT sys-
tem that's been under develop-
Ducati offers
some custom
options for its
Multistradas, such
as the Touring
Pack shown
here that offers
heated grips, twin
sidebags and a
center stand.
