Ducati Multistrada V2 specifications, dimensions and price

Ducati Multistrada V2

BikeWale says the V2 S has five ride modes that change power delivery and throttle response, praises air ducts at the bottom of the fairing that channel cool air toward the rider's feet, and finds the rider's triangle comfortable with the bars in easy reach and a reasonable seat-to-peg distance for long hours.

The 890cc engine weighs only 54 kg. Ducati collects press reviews on its own page: one calls the lighter engine, lither handling and comfortable ergonomics a scintillating dance partner, and another says the new 890 pulls hard through mid-speed mid-gears.

Those are selected by the maker. So read them as its highlights. Motorcycle.com says the seat height may be a sticking point for some riders but that once seated the wide handlebar and slightly forward riding position feels comfortable and commanding.

The Multistrada V2 against the Pan America

Harley-Davidson's Pan America 1250 ST and Special are the two adventure rivals in the database, and both are heavier, at 546 and 578 lb, and $3,004 more at $19,999. The Ducati has the lower weight and lower price. The Harley has the larger engine.

If you plan to ride long distances with a passenger and luggage, the ergonomics test matters more than horsepower, so sit on both.

Fit and use

Ducati lists a 5.02 gal tank, which is large for a road-biased adventure bike. Assess control reach and seat height on the actual bike, including the fitted seat and suspension configuration. Treat it as a road-going adventure bike with a 19-inch front wheel and not a serious off-road machine.

Seat height options and what the accessories change

Ducati lists an adjustable seat at 32.7 to 33.5 in (830 to 850 mm) as standard. The high-seat accessory raises that range to 33.5 to 34.3 in, the low-seat accessory drops it to 31.9 to 32.7 in, and the low seat combined with the low suspension kit takes it down to 31.1 in (790 mm).

That is a spread of about three inches across the options, which matters more on a bike this tall than it does on a naked bike.

A rider with a 30 in inseam should price the low seat and the low suspension kit into the purchase and sit on the bike with both fitted before signing, since the tester who flagged the seat height was writing about the standard configuration.

Service, warranty and running costs

Ducati's listed service interval is 9,000 miles or 24 months, whichever comes first, and the warranty is 24 months with unlimited mileage. Ducati lists the valve clearance check at 28,000 miles, against 18,000 miles on the older 937cc Multistrada V2. At a constant 8,000 miles per year, a 9,000-mile oil threshold is reached in about 13.5 months and a 28,000-mile valve threshold in about 3.5 years; the schedule’s separate annual checks still apply.

Other recurring items include tires and the chain: the Multistrada runs a Pirelli Scorpion Trail II 120/70 on the 19-inch front and 170/60 on the 17-inch rear, and a chain drive with a 15-tooth front and 40-tooth rear sprocket.

Electronics and equipment on the base model

The listed equipment is a 5-inch TFT color display with 800 x 480 resolution, riding modes and power modes, Bosch cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, engine brake control, an up and down quickshifter, cruise control and a full LED headlight. BikeWale tested the V2 S. The base machine has a manually adjustable 45 mm fork and a monoshock with a remote preload adjuster.

That is the difference to weigh when comparing the $16,995 base price with a Multistrada V2 S, because a review of the S does not fully describe the base bike.

Multistrada V2 against the Pan America 1250 ST and Special

Harley-Davidson's Pan America 1250 ST and Special are the adventure-touring rivals with a larger engine. Both cost $19,999.