Ducati price Multistrada 1200 from $22,990
By, Trevor Hedge
This week Ducati Australia released the price points for the new Multistrada 1200 and set the base price at $22,990. ABS adds another $1500 to raise the bar to $24,490. Weighing in at 189kg and with a powerhouse four-valve Testastretta II engine the Multistrada is set to become an epic back roads brawler.
The more full featured Sport and Touring versions start at $29,990 plus on roads and include electronically adjustable Ohlins suspension. The S Sport version also includes a sprinkling of carbon-fibre components and configured for road attack duties while the S Touring version is equipped with side panniers, centre-stand, heated grips and ready for adventure.
Replacing the long running MTS1100 the new MTS1200 variants retain the Multistrada nomenclature suffixed with 1200 to represent the bigger Superbike derived engine that powers 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’s pre-release comments claim that the new Multistrada 1200 is able to tackle off-road routes. Although with road sized rims the Multistrada will be less suited to the dirt than BMW’s top selling GS models. Still, Ducati will expect to steal some market share off the Bavarians with the new Multistrada.
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.
Warren Lee, NF (Ducati) Importers CEO says, ”By combining three different engine maps (standard on all model versions), 8 levels of Ducati Traction Control – DTC (also standard on all versions) and latest generation Ohlins suspensions, encompassing the exclusive Ducati Electronic Suspensions System –DES (standard on S versions), the four different Riding Modes are created, each available at the touch of a button: SPORT, TOURING, URBAN and ENDURO.”
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.
Ducati are hoping to build up a long order list before the expected May-June arrival of their new sport-touring headline act and with big power married to high-spec’ suspension and comfortable road manners I think they might need more than one order book to keep the Ducati faithful happy….
