 |
Ducati unveil Multistrada 1200 |
 |
|
|
Ducati unveil Multistrada 1200 |
|
|
Ducati unveil Multistrada 1200 By, Trevor Hedge  This
week in Milan Ducati released some limited information and images
concerning the new sport-touring and adventure-touring model soon to
come from the Bologna stable.The new machine will continue to use the Multistrada nomenclature suffixed with 1200 to represent the bigger Superbike derived engine that will power the new Multistrada 1200 to new heights. The current 1100 Multistrada is equipped with the same grunty 1078cc air-cooled engine that powers the 1100 Monster. For road speeds this engine rates as one of the best v-twin powerplants ever made but there is no argument that for outright speed the 1198cc engine from the Superbike will place the Multistrada 1200 in a separate league altogether. Which engine best suits an all-rounder? I expect the current air-cooled engine will still be far more tractable and grunty at low rpm and provide the best real world ride. But, the two-valve engine will never have the sexy marketing factor that the full monty Superbike engine brings to the table. It will be those big power numbers on the spec sheet and the emotional appeal of the Superbike engine that will undoubtedly make the MTS 1200 far more appealing to a much broader range of prospective buyers than previous Multistrada models, and will ensure the model becomes a big success story for Ducati. Since the demise of the ST series, Ducati have been without a headline sports-touring act and the Multistrada 1200 will fill that void nicely. Earlier Multistrada model releases have seen Ducati make no claims or recommendations that the Multistrada be taken off road. Significantly, Ducati'spre-release comments claim that the new Multistrada 1200 is able to tackle off-road routes. The Multistrada will come in three models; Multistrada, Multistrada 1200s Sport and Multistrada 1200s Touring. The base model Multistrada is claimed to tip the scales dry at only 189kg while the Sport and Touring complete with ABS and electronically adjustable Ohlins suspension are claimed to weigh only 192kg dry. In Multistrada guise the big bore Testastretta engine delivers 150hp (110.3kW) @ 9250rpm and 118.7 Nm of torque at 7500rpm. When riding off-road a click of a bar mounted button changes the suspension, ABS and traction control settings to suit off-road riding while a change in engine mapping reduces power to a more manageable 100hp. An urban mode also restricts engine output to 100hp and changes the suspension to suit city work. The touring mode gives full power and compliant suspension while the sports mode firms up the suspenders and the damping to offer maximum performance in the bends. A slipper clutch is fitted to all three models. ABS is optional on the base model but standard on the Sport and Touring models. All models utilise a pair of 320mm discs up front clamped by radial mount Brembo four-piston calipers. The base model utilises fully adjustable 50mm Marzocchi forks and a Sachs shock while the Sport and Touring models score a delectable electronically adjustable Ohlins package. A 20 litre tank should realise a touring range well in excess of 300km in virtually all riding conditions. At this stage Ducati are not indicating when the bike will be available Down Under but there is some good official news concerning another eagerly awaited Ducati. The Hypermotard 796 is expected to go on sale in Australia perhaps as early as next month with a starting price of $15,990 plus on road costs. At just 167 kilograms and powered by an all new 796cc engine producing 81hp (59.6kW) and 55.7lb-ft of torque the Hypermotard 796 promises plenty of fun. |
