As we’re still not sold on the Ducati Multistrada 1200 all-things-to-all-people, we thought we’d take a closer look at the Multistrada test our colleagues at Motoblog.it had the opportunity to do. First up, the look of the bike is not to everyone’s taste, although perhaps necessary for the kind of bike it is. While hardly a masterpiece in sexy, superbike design, the Multistrada does give off a functional, practical air.

In an interesting comparison with the Ducati Hypermotard, the Multistrada is revealed as being more versatile, something we would expect, but also more powerful without gaining too much weight. It’s a fun bike, both in touring and sports style on the road, cornering well and with a traction control that’s not invasive. Further on the technological front, the ABS is very well managed, and overall electronic issues weren’t a problem.

The great thing about the Multistrada is that the four modes are really very different, so that you haven’t just bought a bike with a fancy switch that actually doesn’t do very much. Two out of the four modes have 50 hp less, which you can really feel, although the traction control is less noticeable - you would need a separate day to play around with that to fully understand its influence on the bike.

Test Ducati Multistrada 1200

Continue reading: Ducati Multistrada 1200 test ride and pics

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The Ducati Multistrada 1200 has still yet to earn its stripes, but these official Multistrada launch pics and video (after the jump) from the presentation have enough sex appeal to make us consider the new Ducati in a positive light. We already know most of what there is to know about the four-bikes-in-one Multistrada, but as test ride results start to be published, a pattern is emerging that this is not a bike to underestimate. We’ll be bringing you more details later of Multistrada tests, with live pics and videos, but in the meantime enjoy these evocative images from the official gallery.

Continue reading: Ducati Multistrada 1200 pics and video

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The whole sleigh and Santa Claus thing is getting a bit jaded, and we think for 2009 the old man should consider a bike for his choice of transport. So move over, Rudolph, we’re finding Father Christmas something sexier to ride (so to speak). The photo above comes from the guys at Motoblog.it and shows the Christmas decorations from the Arezzo Ducati dealership.

Would Santa choose the new Ducati Multistrada? Or something else from the new bikes we’ve seen this year? There’s the new MV Agusta F4, or the Kawasaki Z1000, or could we see something responsible and ecological, like the Peugeot E-Vivacity electric scooter?

I kind of see Santa on the BMW Concept 6, or the KTM 125 prototype, but they don’t really count because they’re not production bikes (yet). If you were Santa Claus and had to swap your sleigh, what would you pick from this year’s bikes…?

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Local pricing for the Ducati Multistrada 1200 has been released, and it starts on the Italian market at 14,900 euros. The Multistrada ABS version starts at 15,900 euros, while the S and T versions are 18,900 euros.

Ducati has released the pricing of its 2010 superbike models, too, with the Ducati 1198 S Corse and 1198 R Corse costing 24,990 euros and 38,500 euros respectively. If you want one of them for Christmas, you’d better be on your very best behaviour!

The prices are all on the road, including taxes. The 2010 Ducati Hypermotard models obviously cost less than the Multistrada, and go as follows:

Continue reading: Motorcycle Christmas wishlist: Ducati Multistrada and 1198 pricing

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The Ducati Multistrada 1200 has generated much debate about its looks and new style, and has even gained itself a few nicknames for its unusual front profile, with elongated beak. With everything from “tapir” to “baboon”, Marco, reader at Motoblog.it, decided to get to work and render a different Multistrada.

Removing the front beak, Marco has produced a flat front, with two “nostrils” and LED lights which are positioned lower down. The rest of the Multistrada remains more or less the same, although this change in front profile certainly makes things different. So it’s over to our readers: do you prefer this version or the original Multistrada 1200?

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After the Multistrada 1200 design video explanations of last night, here are more pics of the Multistrada and the press release after the jump, with a couple of extras photos after the first pics were leaked to the internet over the weekend. We expect more Multistrada action pics to turn up during in EICMA, and we’ll have our own live pics soon as well.

As you all know by now, the Multistrada is equipped with the Testastretta 1198 cc engine, with new four-valve technology in a big front nose which will likely be the talk of the town as Ducati fans discuss whether it is better or worse than the previous version, or just plain weird.

It will be interesting to see how the new Ducati Multistrada fares. Deemed to be the potential leader in the road-touring-enduro model sector, reports from bike forums suggest that Ducati still needs to convince some customers about the quality of its product. It will also come down to how well the Multistrada pulls off its “all things to everybody” design and theory. Not everyone wants four bikes rolled into one, and some who are particularly keen on the Multistrada’s off-road capabilities will be waiting for the proof in the pudding before they rush out to buy one.

Continue reading: Ducati Multistrada 1200: new pics and details

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In this weird video (above) from Ducati, we get a look at the philosophy behind the new Multistrada 1200, spelled out through cartoon-like drawings. In case the controversial Multistrada style was confusing you, this video should explain it all more clearly. It basically takes us through the Testastretta motor and how the bike handles as a sport, touring, offroad and urban model, with different riding modes that modify suspension, traction control and power output.

After the jump is another, more sophisticated video, that builds on the original teaser we saw with its changing landscapes. The Multistrada 1200 had its official presentation this afternoon, and we’ll be bringing you more details and pics later. In the meantime, enjoy the videos - get the picture? There’s not much left to the imagination on this one.

Continue reading: Ducati Multistrada 1200 new videos

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The debut of the new Ducati Multistrada 1200 at the EICMA has been confirmed, after we first reported the Multistrada countdown site, giving Ducati the opportunity to monopolise media attention at the show. In the end, just because Honda and Yamaha won’t be present, doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t have some fun!

The EICMA runs from November 10th to 15th at Milan’s “Fiera” and Ducati will be in hall 18, showing off the Multistrada which will be presented to the public for the first time ever. The bike is set to be a mix of sports ride with versatilility and comfort, and of course, quintessential Ducati style.

The Multistrada name translates to “many roads”, which is just what the spirit of this bike is about. It’s designed to be an all-road terrain bike with top notch Ducati technology and performance which adapt themselves to the individual needs and riding style of the owner. While Honda has the head-start on sports touring models with its VFR1200F, the Ducati Multistrada 1200 is designed to include touring elements as well as being a supersports model that is flexible enough for daily use as well as some soft-offroading in the form of an enduro-road model.

Continue reading: New Ducati Multistrada has Testastretta motor: presentation at EICMA 2009

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