Official: Flagship Ducati Multistrada range upgraded for 2018 | EICMA 2017

A 63.6cc increase in capacity for the Desmodromic variable valve timing-equipped 90° V-twin motor sees the new Ducati Multistrada 1260, 1260 S, 1260 S D|Air and 1260 Pikes Peak models hit 156bhp (116.2kW) @ 9500rpm and 95.5lb-ft (129.5Nm) @ 7500rpm. The previous 1200 motor, which continues to be used in the Multistrada 1200 Enduro, makes 150bhp (112kW) @ 9500rpm and 94lb-ft (128Nm) @ 7500rpm.

Ducati says that the new engine, which independently varies the timing of both the inlet and exhaust valve timing camshafts, makes 79lb-ft (85% of the maximum torque) at just 3500rpm, while the output at 5500rpm is 18% higher than the previous model. So while the overall increase in peak torque is negligible, it promises to give more drive in the most used rev range.

Capacity has been increased with a longer stroke, which demanded new con rods, crankshaft and cylinders. The DVT (Ducati Variable Timing) system has been recalibrated, while the exhaust and intake have also been redesigned.

The Multistrada’s tubular steel trellis frame now has a longer swing-arm, which takes the wheelbase from 1529mm to 1585mm, while the kerb weight has crept up 3kg to 232kg. The seat height of all the 1260 models is now adjustable from 825mm to 845mm.

All the new bikes feature cruise control and keyless ignition, while the S versions gets the Ducati Multimedia System to connect to your smartphone and display music, calls and text notifications on the new TFT dash.

The standard model has fully adjustable 48mmupside-down KTYB forks and fully adjustable Sachs shock with a remote preload adjuster, while the S model has Ducati’s Skyhook Evo suspension, which has electronic compression and rebound damping on the front and rear Sachs forks and shock, with electronic preload on the rear too.

The bikes are expected to be available in dealers by the end of December 2017.

Ducati Multistrada 1260

• Price: £14,295. With touring pack of heated grips, panniers and centre stand: £15,249

• Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262 cc engine

• Bosch IMU: Inertial Measurement Unit

• Bosch-Brembo 9.1ME Cornering ABS system

• 320-mm front brake discs with Brembo 4-piston radial callipers

• Electronic cruise control

• Riding Modes

• Ride-by-Wire

• Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC)

• Ducati Traction Control (DTC)

• Vehicle Hold Control (VHC)

• Rider seat with adjustable height

• LCD instrument panel

Colour: ‘Ducati Red’ with grey frame and black wheels

Ducati Multistrada 1260 S (and Multistrada 1260 S D|Air)

• Price: £17,195. With touring pack of heated grips, panniers and centre stand: £17,395. The D|Air model costs £17,895.features

• Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262 cc engine

• Bosch IMU: Inertial Measurement Unit

• Bosch-Brembo 9.1ME Cornering ABS system

• 330 mm front brake discs, Brembo M50 4-piston radial callipers

• Electronic cruise control

• Ducati Multimedia System (DMS)

• Riding Modes

• Ride-by-Wire

• Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC)

• Ducati Traction Control (DTC)

• Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up&Down

• Vehicle Hold Control (VHC)

• Rider seat with adjustable height

• Electronic semi-active Sachs Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) Evolution suspension

• system

• Full LED headlamp with Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL)

• Instrument panel with 5” full colour high-resolution TFT screen specifically designed for

• motorcycle applications

• D|Air system (Multistrada 1260 S D|Air only)

Colours: Ducati Red with grey frame and black wheels, Iceberg White with grey frame and gold coloured wheels (+£200), Volcano Grey with grey frame and gold coloured wheels (+£200). D|Air model only available in red.

Personalisation Packs

Along with the Touring pack, which includes heated grips, panniers and a centre stand, the bikes will also be available from your dealer with a choice of the following:

Sport pack: Termignoni exhaust, carbon-fibre front mudguard, CNC machined billet aluminium brake and clutch reservoir caps.

Urban pack: Top box, tank bag with lock and USB hub.

Enduro pack: Additional LED lights and Ducati Performance components by Touratech of crash bars, rad guard, sump guard, larger side-stand base and off-road foot-pegs.

New Ducati Link app

Connecting to your bike via Bluetooth is a new app for iOS and Android that records data such as average speed, max speed, lean angle, power, fuel consumption and more.

The app records the route along with the bike data and performance, which can then be shared with other users and on social media.

A reward system offers prizes to users who reach differing goals based on their journeys. Riding modes can also be set from your smartphone, while the ‘Alert and Info Service’ reminds the owner of maintenance intervals, and flags any abnormal operation, with information on the problem, and the ability to contact the dealer directly.

New TFT dash

While the 1260 retains an LCD dash, the S models get a new TFT display, which promises improved readability in the sun and an improved layout.

The S model also has a full LED cornering headlight that illuminates the road based on lean angle.

Ducati Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak

Also available will be the Pikes Peak version with the new 1260 motor – this bike has fully adjustable Öhlins 48mm upside-down forks and shock. At 229kg, it’s slightly lighter than the other models – thanks to forged aluminium wheels –  and has its own paint scheme, carbon-fibre screen, mudguard and other panels along with red-stitched seat and a Termignoni end-can.

• Price: £20,795

• New 1260 cc Ducati Testastretta DVT engine

• Fully adjustable Öhlins fork and TTX36 shock

• Ducati Performance exhaust by Termignoni

• Carbon fibre screen (in addition to the standard one)

• Aluminium forged wheels

• Carbon fibre front mudguard

• Carbon fibre hands free cover

• Carbon fibre front side panels

• Red seat stitching

• Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) by Bosch

• Bosch-Brembo ABS 9.1ME Cornering braking system

• 330 mm front discs with Brembo M50 4-piston radial calipers

• Electronic cruise control

• Ducati Multimedia System (DMS)

• Riding Modes

• Ride-by-Wire Power Modes (PM)

• Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC)

• Ducati Traction Control (DTC)

• Vehicle Hold Control (VHC)

• Height-adjustable rider's seat

• Full LED headlight with Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL)

• Dashboard with full-TFT 5” colour screen

Colours: Pikes Peak livery, Ducati red chassis and black wheel rims

Full specification