Ducati steals the show

Nov 17 2009 Harriet Ridley

Ducati steals the show

DUCATI stole the show at this year's EICMA in Milan with its new Multistrada 1200 - the most electronically advanced road bike ever produced.

The Multistrada 1200 comes in a standard version with optional ABS, or in a higher-specification S model. The S is also split into two editions: Sport, with carbon fibre frontal air intakes, cambelt covers, rear hugger and lateral air extractors; and Touring, with a centre stand, panniers and heated grips.

The Multistrada is powered by the liquid-cooled 1,199cc engine off the 1,198 superbike, but with a new cylinder head that reduces valve overlap from 41° to 11° to soften power delivery and reduce fuel consumption and emissions. This Testastretta 11° engine puts out 150bhp, a huge 40bhp more than the Multistrada's deadly rival - BMW's R1200GS, Italy's best-selling motorcycle.

The Multistrada S has a handlebar switch with four different modes. But instead of just power output via ride-by-wire, it also controls ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), and the all-new Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES). All these come standard on the S model.

Suzuki first introduced the power mode buttons on its GSX-R1000, while BMW was first up with electronic suspension. But never before has a manufacturer brought out a system of modes operated on the move that electronically changes the settings of four aspects of the bike's set-up, creating different bikes to suit different occasions. It gives new meaning to the name Multistrada - Italian for many roads.

Sport mode unleashes the full 150bhp with an aggressive throttle response, taught suspension set-up and traction control that kicks in late. Touring mode still provides the full 150bhp, but with a more progressive throttle response and softer delivery, as well as a softer suspension set-up, and maximum ABS and traction control.

The urban riding mode brings power down to 100bhp and optimum suspension, DTC and ABS for city streets. While the Enduro riding mode keeps power at 100bhp so it's easier to find grip in the dirt, while raising the suspension via the preload and with DTC and ABS set at the lowest level.

Owners can tweak each set-up to better suit their weight and riding, overriding the factory settings with their own optimum set-up. Club racing and track day addicts will be rubbing their hands in glee at the future use of this technology in sportsbikes. It'll let you store the correct set-up for each track you visit and implement it with a mere touch of a button.

The Multistrada's electronic spec continues with a state-of-the-art instrument panel that displays information including tyres pressures, and a key-less ignition operated remotely from as far as 200 metres via a fob. If you lose this you can unlock the steering and start the engine by tapping a pin number into the dash. And as Ducati says, if you still remain stranded despite all these rider aids, then you deserve to walk!

Pirelli has developed a tyre specifically for the Multistrada with a hard compound in the middle for motorway miles, and softer edges for corner grip. Although they're billed 'dual-purpose' tyres, they're far more road than off-road biased, as is the entire bike. A quick glance reveals too many expensive parts including handlebar switchgear and panels to be damaged in an inevitable off-road spill.

As for style, the Multistrada looks sharper and sleeker than the old Terblanche-designed model, and altogether more pleasing. It also weighs under 220kg wet with a full tank - substantially less than the GS. Ducati has given its Multistrada a 20-litre tank, which combined with a claimed mpg of 56mpg, should translate into an excellent 250-mile range. The Multistrada Standard will cost £10,995, with prices on the others yet to be confirmed.

Ducati also unveiled a special edition of the 186bhp 1198R, the bike that replaces last year's 180bhp 1098R. The 1198R Corse Special Edition gets a beautifully polished aluminium tank and new-style Termignoni exhaust system.

As well as showing off the Hypermotard 796, Ducati unveiled two more versions of the Hypermotard 1100: the Evo, and the Evo SP.

The Evo is an impressive 7kg lighter at 172kg. Ducati says it shaved 1.8kg from the chassis thanks to carbon fibre panels and a lighter wiring loom, and 5.2kg from the revised Desmodue Evoluzione engine.

The Evo SP is an even sportier - thus more expensive - Hypermotard. Taller suspension adds 30mm to the bike's height and it gets the 1198's Marchesini wheels and Brembo monobloc calipers. Ducati says the 20mm higher bar risers encourages a more leg-out supermoto riding style.

Finally, Ducati introduced the Monster 696 ABS and Monster 1100 ABS with, you guessed it, the added safety feature of ABS.

For further details on Ducati's 2010 line-up check out www.ducatiuk.com.