Just few weeks before the opening of the Milan International Motorcycle Exhibition (EICMA) and right after the presentation of the new Streetfighter 848 and the announcement of the arrival of the 1199 Panigale, Ducati released more information about its 2012 line-up. The models that will be affected the most by this new wave of upgrades will be the Multistrada 1200 S Touring and the Hypermotard SP.

The Multistada 1200 S Touring will adopt a new color scheme, called Race Titanium Black, in place the old black one. This new graphic scheme - whose most notable feature is the “racing black”-painted frame - is already available for order alongside the old red and white options. Besides, the whole Multistrada 1200 range will use a new saddle, more comfortable and slightly longer than the current one. The Multistrada line-up for 2012 will then be the following: Multistrada 1200, Multistrada 1200 S Sport, the exclusive Multistrada 1200 S Sport “Pikes Peak Special Edition” and Multistrada 1200 S Touring.

As for the Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP, in 2012 it will be available only in its “Corse Edition” version. In comparison to the classic model, the “Corse Edition” features increased ride height, premium suspension, higher handlebar and lower weight, all of which obviously adds up to Hypermotard 1100 EVO’s reputation for being an extremely sporty and original motorcycle.

Futhermore, the new Monster 795 will be unveiled at the next MotoGP round in Malaysia. This new rendition of the most iconic Ducati model was specifically designed and developed for the Asian markets, and will be sold in Asia only.

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What do you say to a tour of Italy’s lakes by motorcycle? For the lucky Italians, they can actually do that every weekend if they want. These pics from Sergio show two Ducati Multistrada bikes touring, taking in a stop by the lake. Not that we’re envious or anything as we sit in the office on a Thursday.

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 Multistrada lake pics

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Here are another two videos explaining the Ducati Multistrada 1200 technology. This time we get the low-down on Ducati DTC traction control and DES electronic suspension. For more on the Testastretta engine and Ride by Wire technology, see the first videos here.

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The Ducati Multistrada 1200 is gradually earning kudos in biking circles as press testing gets underway (see the Multistrada vs BMW R1200GS test from MCN for example), and it will be interesting in the future to see how the market itself reacts to this new bike. In the meantime, Ducati is bringing the message home with another three videos on the Multistrada, called “tutorials”.

These new Multistrada videos examine the overall philosophy behind the Multistrada (a flexible bike adapted to various riding styles and conditions is no news), but also the Ride by Wire technology, which might convince some riders about this technology, and everything you wanted to know about the reinvented Ducati Testastretta engine. Check out the videos after the jump.

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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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Ducati is running a Multistrada photo competition to celebrate the release of its new Multistrada bike. The contest works by entrants registering and then submitting four photographs in the four environments represented by the Multistrada riding modes: Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro. Each photo must represent a road in some way, under the themes of Quotidianity, Freedom, Adventure and Adrenalin.

You can submit works from March 8, although online registrations are already open. We imagine the idea is something like the Multistrada promo in the video above and with no other real restrictions (you don’t have to own a Ducati, for example) you can let your imagination go. The prizes are as follows:
1st Place: trip for 1 person to Spain and Morocco on the new Multistrada 1200 from October 9 to 24 2010, return flight from any international airport to/from Malaga included
2nd Place: a complete set of technical attire “STRADA”
3rd Place: one Nikon D5000 + Nikkor 18-55 VR

See the “Roads” Contest PDF for more details or visit the Multistrada site.

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Ducati took the 1198 S Corse Special Edition, Multistrada 1200, and Hypermotard Evo to the Motor Bike Expo held in Verona, Italy, over the weekend. While the models had already been seen at EICMA 2009, they were on display again for the joy of the lucky Italian public. The 1198 S Corse Special Edition shows off a new livery, and is characterised by an aluminium racing tank, Ducati Corse logo, racing kit and Ducati’s traction control.

The full Ducati 2010 range was on show at the Motor Bike Expo, including Ducati accessories and clothing. Despite the lovely 1198S, all eyes are on the Multistrada 1200 to see how it pulls off its mix of sport with touring and off-road. Other bikes to check out were the Hypermotard 796, the Hypermotard 1100EVO and the brand new Hypermotard 1100Evo SP.

Ducati Motor Bike Expo 2010

Photos | Motoblog.it

Continue reading: Ducati live at Motor Bike Expo

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Two motorcycle events in Italy are currently, being held, wtih the Motor Bike Expo in Verona, and the Bike Expo Show “next door” in Padua. In Verona you’ll find plenty of famous brands and bikes, including the Aprilia RSV4 R and other new models from Suzuki, Triumph, Ducati etc. Aprilia will also show off its new SXV and RXV off-road models, and for Ducati there’s the chance to check out the new Multistrada 1200, if you haven’t seen it already.

Honda will be present with the CRE and CRM 50 enduro and supermotard models, while the CRE F 125 Racing version will also be on show. Kawasaki will display the Z1000 and the KLX 125 and D-Tracker 125. For the joy of fans of classic bikes, Royal Enfield is putting in an appearance, including the showing of its Bullet Classic EFI.

Suzuki will be celebrating 100 years and will turn up with plenty of new models for 2010, including the GSX-R1000, 25th anniversary edition, the Marauder GZ 125 and the two large cylinder bikes, Intruder M 1500 and GSX 1250F. Triumph will be present with its new Rocket III Roadster.

Interesting to see that Yamaha, despite not putting in an appearance for EICMA 2009, will be in Verona with its X-Max 250 and TMax 500 White Max, along with Rossi’s champion bike, the M1, and Ben Spies’ R1. Check out last year’s show in our gallery, and if you happen to be travelling through Italy, check out the Motor Bike Expo in Verona this weekend, because it should be worth the detour.

Continue reading: Motor bike expo Verona

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With a revamped website for 2010, Ducati has burst into the new year with its new Multistrada model, which has already created plenty of talk since it was first seen live at the EICMA show in November. We’re putting it on our best bikes for 2010 list, even if it’s not quite a stunning superbike model.

The Ducati Multistrada won best bike at the EICMA show, and whether due to the strength of the local market presence or not, for an Italian bike, Italy is always a good place to start. I’m still not quite convinced by the four-bikes-in-one philosophy, but then I haven’t ridden the Multistrada and so can’t say whether this design will work or not.

Whether switching the various mapping modes of Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro, will meet their various purposes to the full, we can’t deny the Testastretta 1198 cc engine or its four-valve technology. Ducati has thrown a lot at its new Multistrada, and it’s provided a new element in the mix of bikes available for 2010, that has grabbed our attention more than the new MV Agusta F4, or the BMW S1000RR. Would it be on your list or not?

Continue reading: Best bikes for 2010: the all-in-one Ducati Multistrada

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It’s seems pertinent to examine the 2010 motorcycles on offer, now we’re into the new year. We saw some impressive bikes presented in 2009, with everything from the MV Agusta F4, the Ducati Multistrada, the BMW S1000RR, and the Aprilia RSV4 R. We figure these bikes will also go on our list of “bikes to pick up chicks”, but more on that later.

The MV Agusta F4 for 2010 is a revision of what is considered a top-end, classic sport bike/superbike model. The brand saw its revival with this very model back in 1998, and it was designed by Massimo Tamburini, the name behind the original Ducati 916. While some have questioned the specs of the new F4, there is no denying its spot in the hearts of MV Agusta fans, and those who love superbike looks and performance.

The MV Agusta F4 is one of only a few superbikes to have a radial valve engine, and is famous for its four pipe exhaust, single-sided swingarm and, of course, its classic MV Agusta livery. The consensus seems to be that the new 2010 F4, whether revolutionary or not, is still built along the same technological principles of the original, with the same hot looks. It has 186 hp, with a new 998 cc engine, and is ten kilos lighter, according to the company. It’s definitely on our list of the best bikes for 2010, if you’re in the market for a new model and can spend some money.

MV Agusta F4 2010

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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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