One hell of an experience. That pretty much sums up my experience with the Ducati Multistrada 1200S. It rained cats & dogs on the day we were testing this motorcycle, but boy, was I at ease throughout the journey. Ducati has 5 variants of the Multistrada on sale here in India which include the 950, 1200, 1200S, 1200 Enduro & 1200 Pikes Peak.
Not a conventional review, here are top 10 reasons why you should buy the Ducati Multistrada 1200S:
- Road Presence:
There is no going wrong with the Ducati Multistrada 1200S if turning heads is your primary objective. It’s huge, and the typical adventure tourer design with a front beak stands out when you park it almost anywhere. Out in the city streets, or on the highways or even when riding through the wilderness, the bike has enough going for it in terms of how it looks and how different it is compared to other bikes of this category.
- Features:
LED projector headlamps, LED tail lamps, full colour TFT display and the super cool keyless ignition system add to the feel good factor. The Multistrada 1200S has all the bells and whistles you would expect from a motorcycle in this price range, and there’s almost nothing left for you to desire once you own this beast.
- Engine:
Powering the Multistrada 1200S is a 1,198.4cc, Testastretta DVT with Desmodromic Variable Timing, L-Twin, 4 valve per cylinder, Dual Spark, liquid cooled motor producing 152 HP of power @ 9,500 RPM and 128 Nm of torque @ 7500 RPM matched to a 6-speed gearbox. The motor benefits from a Bosch electronic fuel injection system, elliptical throttle bodies with Ride-by-Wire & slipper clutch as well. The motor packs ample punch when you’re riding hard on the highway. But what’s important is the effortless nature of the bike to amble around city traffic.
- Riding Aids:
With all that power available on tap from the Testastretta DVT motor, Ducati has packed a host of electronic riding aids to keep things under control. The Multistrada 1200S comes with a Bosch 9 cornering ABS system, traction control, cornering lamps, IMU, cruise control & wheelie control. Push the bike to its limits, and all of these electronics ensure that you experience the best from the motorcycle. Well, it might scare you a few times, but who doesn’t love that. You also get cruise control when riding long distances.
- Riding Modes:
With so many electronic options, it is nearly impossible to keep selecting every function and setting it up to your taste. Ducati makes it easier by offering 4 modes – Urban, Touring, Sport & Enduro. When you switch between these modes, the settings for each and every electronic function is changed to deliver optimum comfort or performance. Also, you can keep switching these modes while on the go.
- Active Suspension:
Equipped with Ducati Skyhook Suspension system, the Multistrada 1200S has the damping continuously adjusted to maintain a steady ride. Riding comfort & balance is maintained with the DSS system using a number of sensors to adjust compression and rebound damping based on the selected riding mode.
- Chassis:
The Multistrada runs on a trellis frame coupled to a rear casted sub-frame and a single-sided swing arm. With 1,529mm on wheelbase and 180mm of ground clearance, the motorcycle feels solid not only on the straights, but even on winding roads. It can tackle the urban jungle, tight maneuvers as well as off roads without making you feel nervous.
- Ergonomics:
If this is the first time you are hopping on the Multistrada 1200S, you would not be sure if the bike will welcome you without having you scared. But once on the saddle, you will feel comfortable instantly. With seat height ranging between 825mm to 845mm, the Multistrada 1200S is easily accessible even to those with the average Indian height. So don’t be apprehensive before taking this motorcycle for a test run. The upright stance is ideal for city and highway runs. When on broken roads, simply stand up and glide over the terrain. Even for the pillion, the comfort is unlike any other motorcycle with an engine of this size plonked below.
- Effortless:
It’s big, it’s bulky but its ridiculously effortless once you get it going. The Multistrada 1200S surprises you with its dynamics and how easily you can play around with it. The 235 kg kerb weight is not felt while riding, but you will notice this in parking situations.
- Smartphone Connectivity:
Equipped with the Ducati Multimedia System, thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, you can pair your smartphone to the motorcycle and work around incoming calls, listen to music and even get alerts for SMS. All of this is displayed on the TFT instrument console and you also get a charging point for your smartphone so you can ride along without having to worry about your phone giving up on you.
Now, if we have to talk about something negative, it is the price. Asking over INR 20 lakh, the Ducati Multistrada 1200S is an expensive motorcycle. But for those who know what it is like to be on a litre-class motorcycle, the versatility of the Multistrada shines bright.