INTENDED from its 2010 launch as a “four-bikes-in-one” model, the Multistrada has proven its versatility in serving as a sport bike, a tourer, an enduro or a daily-use street bike, this ability largely credited to its multiple riding modes. Now, Ducati said it has made the model even more capable in tackling its different roles with the release, in mid-December 2017, of the 2018 Multistrada 1260.
As its name declares, the latest Multistrada gets a bigger engine — the 1,262-cc Testastretta DVT (for Desmodromic Variable Timing) engine that propels its XDiavel sibling. Tuned differently to put out torque around the middle of the rev range, the Euro4-compliant L-twin engine allocates 85% of its torque output at 3,500 rpm while bettering this by 18% at 5,500 rpm. Ducati said the engine makes the highest torque output in its class at 4,000 rpm, a speed at which most L-twins spin, so the Multistrada 1260 is handier for daily use.
Along with new connecting rods, crankshaft and cylinders, Ducati said it recalibrated the bike’s DVT system not only for the engine to produce more grunt in low to mid range, but also to make it churn 158 hp at 9,750 rpm and 129 Nm at 7,500 rpm.
Controlling power delivery has been improved by a new ride-by-wire system that’s paired to the Ducati Quick Shift, which promises “more accurate” gear shifts, according to Ducati. Other electronic governors fitted to the bike are the Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit that controls Cornering ABS, Ducati Cornering Lights, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) and Ducati Traction Control (DTC). Both DWC and DTC allow the rider to set sensitivity levels by eight different degrees, or disable these altogether. The brand’s Vehicle Hold Control has been included as standard this time around, while the Multistrada 1260 S variant adds the semi-active Ducati Skyhook Suspension Evolution control system to the package.
Regardless of variant, the Multistrada 1260 is kitted with cruise control. On the 1260 S this can be activated via Bluetooth on the multimedia system, which, incidentally, can pair with smart phones. Information about calls, text messages or music selection from connected devices is displayed on a new TFT dashboard.
The Multistrada 1260’s chassis has been updated with a longer swing arm, stretching the bike’s wheelbase. But Ducati said the revised geometry of the front suspension has led to “sharper handling in curves, and ensures full stability even when riding two-up at full load.”
While retaining the styling cues of the previous Multistrada 1200, the 1260 sports new details like its sleeker side fairing panels, a rear aluminum sub-frame that incorporates luggage mounts, and the five Y-spoke wheels. And, like before, the Multistrada 1260 is available in four equipment packages. In Touring guise the bike gets heated grips, a center stand and color-matched panniers. Sport throws in a Termignoni slip-on exhaust, carbon fiber mudguard and billet aluminum brake and clutch reservoir caps. Urban counts a top case, a lockable tank bag and a USB hub while Enduro wears auxiliary lights and Ducati performance components by Touratech, which include engine protection bars, a radiator guard and oil sump guard, a larger kickstand base and off-road foot pegs.
All this makes the Multistrada 1260 an even handier tool.
