Meet Ducati’s Most Powerful Multistrada Yet!

Be in the know with Australian Motorcyclist Magazine, the leading Australian publication on industry
news, trends, stories and everything motorcycles.

Australian Motorcyclist Magazine, the best resource for riders in Australia.

The V4 RS borrows its powerhouse from the Panigale V4

Revealed in the fourth Ducati World Premier episode, this version is dubbed the Multistrada V4 RS. It carries over the torch from the stunning Pikes Peak edition to become the sportiest Ducati adventure bike you can buy. Oh, and the most powerful too!

The Ducati Multistrada V4 RS Has An Exhilarating Aesthetic

One look at the Multistrada RS, and you’ll be gobsmacked by its exhilarating aesthetic. The RS stands out in the lineup with a bespoke white-red livery. The colors adorn the front and side fairings while being complemented by new tail panels. Red finish for the front calipers and Marchesini wheels round off the special touches.

A closer look at the adventure bike also reveals a handful of carbon fiber touches. The front beak is full carbon, as well as the front fender and handguards. Ducati has left the carbon finish as it is–something we, as enthusiasts, like quite a lot. Other elements such as the angry LED headlight, tail lamp, and wind ducts under the fairings are all carried over from the standard V4.

Ducati’s Stradale V4 Engine Powers The Multistrada V4 RS

Coming to its heart, the Multistrada V4 RS hides Ducati’s much-lauded Stradale V4 powerhouse from the Panigale V4. The mill displaces 1,103 cubic centimeters to churn out 180 horsepower and 87 pound-feet. This is 25-ish down on the Panigale but 10 ponies up from the V4 Pikes Peak, making it Ducati’s most powerful ADV yet.

And that’s not all. You also get a WSBK-derived STM-EVO SBK dry clutch and an Akrapovic titanium slip-on as standard. In case that’s not enough, Ducati has an optional special engine oil and a race exhaust to bump the output to..wait for it..195 horsepower!

Meanwhile, you also get updated electronics. Four ride modes (Sport, Urban, Touring, Race) and three-mode engine brake control are the new bits, while wheelie control, power modes, traction control, and cornering ABS come from the V4 S. Also borrowed from the S is the front and rear radar package which unlocks adaptive cruise control and blind spot detection. Ducati says all the rider aids have been recalibrated to suit the new mill.

Specification	Ducati Multistrada V4 RS	Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
Engine	Desmosedici Stradale 1,103cc, V4	Granturismo 1,158cc, V4
Power	180 horsepower (at 12,250 RPM)	170 horsepower (at 10,500 RPM)
Torque	87 pound-feet (at 9,500 RPM)	92 pound-feet (at 8,750 RPM)
Compression ratio	14:1	14:1

What about underpinnings? Well, they’re top-tier, just like the above-mentioned bits. The RS flexes an aluminum monocoque chassis, now paired with a titanium subframe (5.5 pounds lighter than the V4 S). It suspends on Ohlins 48 mm upside-down forks and an Ohlins TTX36 monoshock–both with the Smart EC2.0 electronic adjustability.

Topping this is a set of 17-inch Marchesini forged aluminum wheels and an aluminum single-sided swingarm. Ducati claims these changes make the RS the lightest Multistrada yet–a whopping 15 pounds less than the V4 S. Concurrently, braking is via 330 mm front disc brakes (clamped by Brembo Stylemas) and a 265 mm rear disc (with a two-pot Brembo caliper).

To help you enjoy all this, Ducati has attached the handlebar directly to the steering head without silent blocks. This, plus the new grips, help you have better control of the motorcycle–Ducati’s words. Finer details of the RS are present in the table below.

Specification	Ducati Multistrada V4 RS
Seat height	33.1 inches
Wheelbase	62.7 inches
Fuel tank capacity	5.8 gallons
Suspension travel (front/rear)	6.7/6.7 inches
Tire size	120/190-section (Pirelli Rosso Corsa 4)

The Ducati Multistrada V4 RS Sells For $37,995

There’s no question the V4 RS is the new crown jewel in Ducati’s Multistrada lineup. And it’s priced like it too. The Italian giant has set its MSRP at $37,995, making it $6,400 more than the Pikes Peak model. The V4 S, meanwhile, costs $10,800 less. Think you can afford that? Well, then, you’ll be happy to know each model has a numbered plaque on the triple T to make you feel a tad more special.

As for rivals, there aren’t serious contenders to the RS. There soon will be, though, as BMW is readying its M 1000 XR. Will that rain on Ducati’s parade? Only time will tell. Till then, comment your thoughts on the RS below.

Continue exploring the article at this link : https://www.topspeed.com/meet-ducatis-most-powerful-multistrada-yet/

Love reading Australian Motorcyclist? Fuel your motorcycle cravings by subscribing to our newsletter and our magazine.