7.17.2010 The next shipment wave of Multistradas has arrived!
Many are spoken for but a few are not. Models currently available: Multistrada 1200 S Touring Red Multistrada 1200 S Touring Black Multistrada 1200 S Sport White We are still taking deposits on all models. Call now to reserve your spot.
REVIEWS
"The bottom line: One giant, bar-setting leap for Ducati" - About.com
"The 2010 Multistrada 1200 S is arguably the most important Ducati introduced since the 916, a game changer not only for Bolognese manufacture, but indeed for every company producing motorcycles today." - Superbikeplanet
"The Multistrada 1200 does it exactly what it says on the box. It's not flawless......but it is a supremely clever and accomplished motorcycle that is more likely to do what Honda has promised of the VFR, change motorcycling in the next decade." - Ash on Bikes
"This is an incredible machine that delivers all that Ducati have promised.... the bike is the new generation and it is adaptable to every type of road condition." - Ultimate Motorcycling click here for a full review from Ultimate Motorcycling
"So how well does it all work then? ....the short answer is: very well indeed." - Superbike Magazine
"It has superbike power and handling, naked-bike agility, a definite
hooligan-bike streak, long-distance capability, commuter-bike
versatility and it doesn’t shy away from off-pavement excursions. Far as
I can tell, that’s six bikes in one — and counting." - Costa Mouzouris
A great overview of what the new Multistrada 1200 is capable of.
Video review from MCN:
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MULTISTRADA 1200: FOUR-BIKES-IN-ONE!
Four different motorcycles, available at the touch of a button, change the fundamental characteristics of the new Multistrada 1200. Power and torque delivery, suspension settings, and traction control can be changed - even while riding - to enable the motorcycle to adapt to the needs of the rider and not the other way around. With the Multistrada 1200, Ducati introduce the concept of four-bikes-in-one with four Riding Modes: Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro.
The Sport Riding Mode provides the rider with an adrenalin-fuelled ride, where 150hp and incredible torque delivery are combined with a sports-oriented suspension set-up. To impart precise and focussed handling like a sportbike, it also slightly reduces Ducati Traction Control intervention to level 3 for expert riders whose 'comfort zone' is closer to the limit.
The Touring Riding Mode is still programmed to produce 150hp; however, the power characteristic is designed in a touring configuration with much smoother torque delivery, but ready to respond when needed. Safety is enhanced with the most advanced ABS technology and with the Ducati Traction Control system set to level 5 (intermediate intervention), specifically intended for a stable and relaxing ride. The suspension set-up is ideal for touring, ensuring maximum comfort for both the rider and passenger.
Navigating through the urban jungle requires an even more manageable motorcycle that can be used 365 days a year, whether travelling to work or grabbing a coffee in town. Selecting the Urban Riding Mode instantly changes the power to 100hp, and the suspension to the perfect setting for tackling the maze of city streets full of speed bumps and drain covers. The traction control level is set to 7, providing high system intervention so the rider can enjoy enhanced safety even in the most chaotic of stop-start traffic.
Should the journey aboard the Multistrada 1200 leave the beaten track, it has the capability to take off-road routes in its stride. Agile and lightweight and with high, wide handlebars, serrated footrests and specially designed tyres, the Multistrada also features an Enduro Riding Mode which instantly transforms the bike with a smooth 100hp engine, higher suspension, and the option to disable the ABS. Traction control is reduced to the minimum of level 1 for almost no intervention.
RIDE-BY-WIRE
The ride-by-wire system is an electronic interface between the throttle grip and the engine which decides the ideal power delivery of the engine depending on the Riding Mode selected and the rider's throttle input. The throttle grip no longer uses a throttle cable, but instead delivers a signal to the control unit, which in turn operates the throttle body butterflies.
The ride-by-wire system enables three different engine mappings to adjust the total power output and the way in which it is delivered. The three maps offer 150hp with a sports-type delivery, 150hp with a progressive delivery and 100hp also with progressive delivery.
TORQUE AND POWER: MULTISTRADA VS. 1198 SUPERBIKE
Notice how the Multistrada power curves start earlier and is considerably more than the 1198 until about 7000rpm. With about 77 lbs of torque @ 5000 rpm the Multistrada has the all the power you could want for the street in a manageable package.
DUCATI TRACTION CONTROL (DTC)
The racing-derived DTC is a highly intelligent system which acts as a filter between the rider's right hand and the rear tyre. Within milliseconds, DTC is able to detect and then control rear wheel-spin, considerable increasing the bike's safety and performance. The system offers eight 'levels of sensitivity', each programmed with a level of rear wheel-spin tolerance in line with progressive levels of riding skills classified from one to eight. Level one is programmed to offer the least amount of interaction while level eight uses the most amount of interaction. DTC is an integral part of the pre-programmed Riding Modes on the Multistrada 1200; however, its setting can be customised by the user.
ÖHLINS SUSPENSION WITH DUCATI ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION (DES)
The 'S' versions of the Multistrada 1200 are equipped with the latest generation 48mm Öhlins suspension featuring the innovative Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES). The brand new fork technology enables spring pre-load and rebound and compression damping adjustments electronically controlled via the instrument panel. The Öhlins rear monoshock is also adjusted electronically in spring pre-load and rebound and compression damping.
The electronic suspension adjustment can either be made by using the pre-set riding modes, which have been developed by Ducati test riders, or in independent mode, which allows riders to use their own personal settings. Adjustments made via the instrumentation send a signal that initiates electronic actuators mounted on the suspension units.
TESTASTRETTA 11°
The starting point for the complex and innovative Multistrada 1200 project was the engine.As a prestigious model the motorcycle had to be powered by the most advanced, evolved twin-cylinder engine to come out of the Ducati factory. It had to be the Testastretta Evoluzione used on the world-beating 1198.
The challenge, however, was to produce an engine that would be enjoyable to use in all conditions and able to adapt to the rider's character and not the other way around. Making the best ever L-Twin performance engine smoother and more user-friendly was indeed a challenge, but Ducati's innovative designers and engineers met the challenge by creating the revolutionary Testastretta 11° engine.
WHY 11°?
For a motorcycle intended for touring, the smoothness and user-friendliness of the engine is key to achieving an effortless and comfortable ride. The main engine characteristic that enabled this configuration was the valve overlap angle.
The overlap angle is defined as the interval of crankshaft rotation, measured in degrees, during which both the intake and exhaust valves are open at the same time. This overlap occurs between the end of the exhaust stroke and the start of the intake stroke. High performance engines, which are subject to compromising smoothness for extreme power delivery, use high values of this parameter in order to benefit from the pressure waves to improve engine performance by maximising volumetric efficiency.
On the new Testastretta 11° engine, this angle has been reduced from 41°, used in the Testastretta Evoluzione engine which powers the 1198, to just 11°. As a result, the fresh inlet charge flow is less compromised by the exiting exhaust gases, resulting in a much smoother combustion in addition to improved fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions.
LONGER SERVICE INTERVALS
A focus on top-quality materials, engineering precision and build
quality has resulted in an owner-friendly 15,000 miles (24,000km)
between major services. This doubling of distance between valve
clearance inspections has been enables with the introduction of a new
valve seat material combined with improved combustion efficiency and
temperature management designed into the Multistrada’s brand new
Testastretta 11° engine.
This incredible new engine ushers in a new era of service and
dependability, improving fuel efficiency, emissions and cost of
scheduled maintenance while retaining the exhilarating performance you
expect from a Ducati.
KEYLESS ENTRY
The Multistrada 1200 ignition is not actuated with a normal key. Instead, an electronic key in the rider's pocket communicates with the Multistrada within a distance of approximately 2 metres, recognising the dedicated key code and automatically enabling the ignition. Pressing the key-on switch then activates the motorcycle's electrics and the engine can then be started.
The electronic key, which consists internally of a circuit with two radio systems, externally doubles as a mechanical flip-key, required to open the seat and fuel tank cap. When parking the motorcycle an electric steering lock, which is actuated by pressing a button, is automatically disabled upon the next ignition-on.
SLIPPER CLUTCH
The Multistrada 1200 features an oil bath clutch with ‘slipper’
function and super-light feel at the lever.
Its design uses a
progressive self-servo mechanism that presses the plates together when
under drive from the engine, enabling the reduction of the clutch
spring rates. This results in a much lighter clutch lever at the
handlebar, ideal in stop-start traffic or long journeys. When the drive
force is reversed (over-run), the same mechanism reduces the pressure
on the clutch plates, enabling them to provide a race-like ‘slipper’
action, which reduces the destabilizing effect of the rear-end under
aggressive down-shifting and provides a much smoother feeling when
closing the throttle or down-shifting under normal riding conditions.
POWER OUTLETS
Two 12v power outlets situated on either side of the area below the
rider’s seat can be used to power up to 8A (fused) accessories such as
thermal apparel, intercoms or mobile phone chargers. In addition, a
special connection point for powering the GARMIN satellite navigator
(optional feature) is situated near the instrumentation.
ADJUSTABLE WINDSCREEN
The Multistrada 1200’s screen is designed with 60mm of vertical
adjustment to ensure efficient wind protection for all rider heights
and effortless high-speed riding over long distances.
VERSIONS / PRICING
MULTISTRADA 1200 $14,995 Available in red or white MULTISTRADA 1200 ABS $16,495 Available in red or white MULTISTRADA 1200 S SPORT $19,995 Available in red, white, or black MULTISTRADA 1200 S TOURING $19,995 Available in red, white, or black S models will be available in April Base models will be available in March
'S' VERSION
The main features of the 'S' version consist of the ABS system and the innovative Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES) system, developed specifically for the Multistrada 1200 by Öhlins in partnership with the Ducati engineers. The 'S' version is available in the two equipment options of Sport Edition and Touring Edition.
SPORT EDITION
The Sport Edition is enhanced with special carbon fibre components which further accentuate the distinctive character of the Multistrada 1200. They consist of front air intakes, cam belt covers, rear hugger and lateral air extractors.
TOURING EDITION
The Touring Edition focuses on comfort and convenience. A centre stand not only provides parking practicality, but is also essential in the event of tyre maintenance during a long distance journey. Easily connected heated grips are controlled via the instrument panel to three settings and are a must for any tour where adverse weather conditions threaten rider comfort.
Stylish luggage panniers, designed together with the bike, offer a load capacity of 57 litres (or 77 litres with large lid versions) and use a fast and secure attachment system that blends perfectly when the panniers are removed.
