Ducati has released the first official images and info about the new 2013 version of their Multistrada 1200, a model that thanks to its versatility and its undeniable sporty attitude - which is always part of the equation when talking Ducati bikes - has become one of the most successful models for the Italian manufacturer in recent years. The new generation is characterized by many substantial changes, which got spawned by Ducati’s continuous research for innovation with also some input coming from the feedback provided by its many fans. Let’s have a quick overview of the most significant ones, starting from the engine.

Its Testastretta 11° DS unit - now in its second generation - is now even more docile and usable: the Italian 90-degree V-twin retains its 150 hp, but it got a little lighter and the power supply is now smoother and more suitable for every driving situation and surface. The model is also equipped with the Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS), which automatically adjusts fork and shock absorber according to terrain, type of use and selected riding mode, thereby raising safety. Speaking of which, all Ducati Multistrada 1200 versions will get the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP), which includes ABS and Ducati Traction Control (DTC).

The aesthetic upgrades are especially visible in the comparison with the outgoing version: the front end is the section that changed the most, with re-designed fairing, windscreen and headlight layout (now featuring LED technology as well). Then we got new rims courtesy of Marchesini - as usual - new instrumentation. The Pikes Peak version earns its new livery style Ducati racing and maintains technical equipment such as exclusive Termignoni exhaust and forged Marchesini wheels, the all-new GT version comes with hand bags and top case, tubular protective windshield and spotlights. The model is expected to be unveiled at the upcoming Intermot in Cologne (October 3-7), and to hit the dealers in December. See all the ‘thumbs’ after the jump.

Continue reading: 2013 Ducati Multistrada 1200

Gift wrapping a toy, a video game or the latest tablet is easy work, unless you have four thumbs, but if you’d really like to gift wrap a motorcycle and not just stick a bow on it, that becomes a daunting and seemingly impossible task, but lucky for you guys California motorcycle dealer Pro-Italia shows us how it’s done.

In this time lapse video Tammy and Karen who work at the store, gift wrapped a Ducati Multistrada 1200, it took the two ladies $10 worth of materials and six hours to complete the job, but it was well worth the time and effort as the result was stunning, so arm yourself with patience and time and check out how it’s done.

Source | ducatinewstoday.com

We received some pictures of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring from the 2011 EICMA. This particular model sports the new Race Titanium Matt paint scheme which actually makes it look quite sober and elegant. Maybe it’s just a little too serious.

The 2012 Multistrada range consist of Multistrada 1200, Multistrada 1200 S Sport, Multistrada 1200 S Sport “Pikes Peak Special Edition” and Multistrada 1200 S Touring.

With the economic crisis still not showing any sign of improvement, and Belgium now joining the ever growing list of European countries who are hit by debts, and motorcycle/scooter mad Italy with a -24,2% sales decrease in 2010, Ducati is still holding it’s own during these last three difficult years, with sales and exports up.

Ducati, may be small motorcycle manufacturers, but according to CEO Gabriele Del Torchio, speaking from the 2011 Vrooom, the company has increased its global market share to 8.6% (15% share in Italy), while increasing worldwide sales in 2010 by 5%, with sales in North America and the Far-East up 64%, with the Multistrada 1200 becoming a best seller.

Here’s what he had to say:

Continue reading: Italians do it better, at least Ducati's CEO thinks so

Two Ducati Multistrada 1200’s were delivered to Pope Benedict XVI today at the Pope’s summer home at Castel Gandolfo.

The two motorcycles donated by Ducati, will be used by the Vatican gendarmerie and have been customized for police use and the livery is based on the white and yellow colors of the Vatican flag.

The ceremony was attended by Carlo Bonomi, Andrea Bonomi (Investindustrial CEO) and Gabriele Del Torchio (Ducati ’s CEO) who had the honor of giving the keys of the two bikes personally to the Holy Father.

Source | repubblica.it

Forget Ducati at Pikes Peak, where the new Ducati Multistrada 1200 will really be put to the test is a world tour. Italian Paolo Pirozzi, from the Ducati Dreams Club in Naples, is taking a new Multistrada across 90,000 km of Europe, Russia, Asia, Australia, America and North Africa, before going back to Borgo Panigale with his stories.

It seems nearly everyone these days can do motorcycle world tours and while this one won’t be strictly a road test, it’s certainly enough to prove whether the new Multistrada can hack it or not, giving plenty of publicity to Ducati in the meantime. If you’re interested in following the adventure, check out the Ducati website.

Source | Motoblog.it

Okay, so BMW was missing, but the victory of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S with two podium positions at Pike Peaks comes very close to provings its endurance road and off-road abilities. The Multistrada won in the 1200cc class with Greg Tracy in first place and Alexander Smith in third.

Ducati is claiming that it was mostly a stock motorcycle, with Tracy saying:

“When I was growing up, and all these factory teams would win races, I was sure they had these $100,000 engines and that was why they went so fast. I was wrong. This is my first year on a factory motorcycle and I’ll tell you that bike was box-stock. It had some carbon, and few tweaks and that was it.”

While Smith repeats the fact that the bike was “perfect” we don’t need the PR spiel to be convinced. Not only does the win go one step closer to legitimising the Ducati Multistrada as a bike, it should also be a nice boost in publicity for Ducati in the US. The guys from Autoblog.com are now hoping for a Ducati vs BMW stand-off similar to the Mini vs Porsche one we’ve seen in the world of four wheels.

Photos exclusive to Asphalt&Rubber

.

Ducati North America has decided to let followers of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb an inside look at the Pikes Peak Ducati Spider Grips Team.

Clicking on pikespeak.ducati.usa.com you can follow the team’s progress all the way to the race that takes place June 27th. The blog documents the team’s adventures building and racing the new Ducati Multistrada 1200 in the most prestigious Hill Climb race in America.

Check out the video above and watch Greg Tracy’s (five times winner of the race) practice ride up to the clouds.

Think of cruising around Italy’s beautiful alpine countryside, enjoying some great Italian food and wine in the evenings and you’ve got a general idea of what we’d like to be doing this summer. This lovely picture of a new Ducati Multistrada enjoying Italy’s Appenine Castelluccio di Norcia area in Umbria, comes from the guys at Motoblog and it’s enough to help us through a Monday spent in the office.

Send your funny, bizarre or surprising pics to us and we’ll post them, with your name. We’d love to share what you guys find in the world of motorcycling! Send to: pics@twowheelsblog.com.

Ducati will take on the Pikes Peak race with its Multistrada 1200S in an attempt to reclaim some racing kudos that we last saw in 2008 when Ducati used a Hypermotard 1100 prototype at the race. That model became the 2010 Hypermotard 1100 EVO and Ducati went on to win in the 1200cc class. The same team from Ducati of Newport Beach and Spider Grips of Southern California will race the 2010 Pikes Peak.

The new bike looks like it has a smaller windscreen, hand-guards and a modified tail section with a good looking paint job. It will be used by riders Greg Trachy and Alexander Smith who both used the Hypermotard in 2008. If nothing else, the Ducati Multistrada 1200 is turning out to be 2010’s most intriguing bike and we’ll be interested to see what its Pikes Peak race credentials are like.

Pikes Peak Ducati Multistrada 1200S

Continue reading: Ducati Multistrada 1200S prepares for Pikes Peak