New heights of adventure biking

Ducati’s new Multistrada V4 for 2021 is completely different from the now discontinued V-twin Multistrada 1260 – it’s a huge makeover and a big step forward over the previous model, itself an excellent bike.

Virtually nothing remains of the old bike. There’s a completely new V4 engine, a new, lighter chassis, new wheels, including a more off-road oriented 19in front. There is also class-leading technology never before seen in the motorcycle market, like rear and forward-facing radars, and a new stunning look and style.

This V4 represents a dramatic attempt to move away from the Multistrada 1290 V-twin, a class-leading adventure bike in its own right. Can you imagine Claudio Domenicali, Ducati MD, at the bike’s original briefing? “Okay, we already produce a world-class, market-leading adventure bike, but I want a new and vastly improved one, with a new chassis, new engine, new tech, new look – and I want more off-road ability with a 19in front wheel’. A huge ask.

Is it powered by a superbike engine?

So where do we start? The new V4 is derived from the Panigale superbike with a counter-rotating crank, but very little of that 214bhp motor remains. The big talking point is the switch to conventional spring-operated valves, rather than desmodromic actuation, which has been used on virtually every Ducati since the 70s. The main reason for this is to extend the service intervals to an industry-leading 36,000 miles (60,000km), before the clearances need checking, as opposed to 18,000 miles (30,000km) on the desmo V-twin.

Compared to the V4 Panigale engine, capacity is up by 55cc from 1103cc to 1158cc, with a larger bore of 83mm, out from 81mm. Peak power of the conventionally valve-operated engine is an impressive 168bhp/125kw @10,500rpm, and 92lb-ft/125Nm of torque @ 8750rpm. Compared to the old V-twin, that peak power figure is up by10bhp and, like the torque, higher up in the rev range, while peak torque