VOL. 53 ISSUE 44 NOVEMBER 8, 2016 P67
THE VITALS
DUCATI 1200
MULTISTRADA ENDURO
Engine and gearbox: 1198cc,
Desmodromic L-twin six-speed
Chassis, suspension and brakes:
Tubular steel trellis chassis,
48mm Sachs electronically
adjustable forks and Sachs
monoshock, Brembo radially-
mounted four-piston front
brake calipers and 320mm
discs, twin-piston rear caliper
and 265mm disc
Seat height: 34.3 in.
Fuel Capacity: 7.9 gal.
Weight: 566 lbs. (wet, claimed)
Electronics: Ducati Traction
Control, Cornering ABS, four
variable power modes, riding
modes, Ducati Wheelie Control,
cruise control, LED headlights
with Cornering Function
Power: 160 hp @ 9500 rpm
(claimed)
Torque: 100 lb-ft @ 7500 rpm
MSRP: $21,495 (base, no
accessories)
Kit Palmer: "I have to say that I was
truly blown away by how well the Ducati
handled the dirt for such a large and
heavy motorcycle. The dirt-bike-like ergos
go a long way in making the Ducati feel
at home off the pavement. You do feel,
however, because of the low seat height,
like you're sitting well in the bike rather
than on top of it, which feels a bit odd at first if your riding
background is more off-road than on. It's no surprise the Ducati
is a blast on the street, the curvier the roads the better, and the
engine is powerful and sounds just plain awesome! It makes
you want to open up the throttle whenever you get the chance.
My biggest gripe? Accessing the electronics—makes you not
want to use it at all. Still, the Ducati surprised me—and in a
good way—the most of the four."
(Above) Twisty backcountry
tar roads with a touch of
gravel—this is the Ducati's
real home.
Sean Finley: "The Ducati is slightly
compact feeling and the relatively low
seat height make the bike feel smaller
and lighter than it is on the road. The
motor is extremely fun and has the best
exhaust note of the bikes tested. The
Ducati also has very predictable manners
on the road that provide the confidence to
push it hard as soon as you hop on. The electronics options for
the engine map, suspension settings and braking provide all of
the versatility you could ever want from a motorcycle, although
they are hard to access quickly. The hand guards with integrated
turn signals are great for the street but will be easily damaged in
a tip-over, which is very likely when riding in the dirt."
Jesse Ziegler: "The bike sounds like
a trophy truck on the fun and twisty dirt
roads we were riding! After custom-tun-
ing some modes (talk about a confusing
array of options), the bike was roosting
just right and stopping adequately. After
getting off the Honda, this thing was like
taking an exam to get the electronics the
way I wanted. Still, it has the trickest dashboard electronics to
go with those choices and that feels good. Like the BMW, the
Multistrada suffers from the extra girth in the softer sections of
off-road riding but makes up for it in stability everywhere else.
Ergonomics are unique on the Duc' with a favoritism leaning to
the sportbike world. This bike wants you to be up on the tank
on the road and the bar and peg positions force a somewhat
awkward standing posture as well."
