Ducati Multistrada V2 (2025) – Technical Review

Ducati’s new Multistrada V2 might share its name with its predecessor but that’s about all that’s been carried over unchanged to the 2025 model which becomes the third machine – after the 2025 Panigale V2 and Streetfighter V2 – to gain the company’s latest variable-valve-timing V-twin engine.

Although the previous Multistrada V2 was only introduced as recently as the 2022 model year, it was essentially a rebadged version of the previous Multistrada 950 – a machine that dates back to 2017. While the new model’s styling is a fairly subtle evolution of the Multistrada shape, making it hard to instantly distinguish from other models bearing the name, its new engine and chassis mean it’s substantially lighter.

Pros & Cons

2025 Ducati Multistrada V2 - Price

The cheapest version of the 2025 Ducati Multistrada V2 wears a £13,995 price tag that represents a £700 increase over its predecessor. That seems more than fair in light of the number of improvements and the new bike’s reduced weight. The ‘S’ version is substantially more, starting at £16,390 (a £595 increase over the old V2 S), and rising to £16,790 if you want the ‘Storm Green’ paint that’s available only on the S model instead of the standard Ducati Red. That puts it within spitting distance of the £17,695 Multistrada V4 – complete with its 170hp ‘Granturismo’ engine.

If you opt for the ‘Travel’ version with standard plastic side cases, heated grips and a centre stand, available only in V2 S form, the price passes the £17k mark, hitting £17,590 for the red version and £17,990 for the green machine. Yep, that’s a tenner under £18k for a 115hp twin, but it’s the world we live in – you can easily pay a similar amount for a Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports if you opt for the DCT version with electronic suspension, and it barely passes the 100hp mark and lacks the cachet of a Ducati badge.

All versions of the bike are due in dealers in January 2025, including a restricted 47hp model to suit A2 licence holders.

2025 Ducati Multistrada V2 - Engine & Performance

Ducati has made a habit of bucking tradition in recent years: introducing V4s and even singles alongside its signature twins, dropping the traditional steel trellis frames on a growing number of models and even starting to depart from the desmodromic valve system that’s become synonymous with the brand over the last half-century. Each change has been met with initial resistance followed by roaring success, so the fact that the Multistrada V2 is the latest to ditch Desmo isn’t a concern.

It gets Ducati’s new 890cc V-twin engine, a motor that the company has opted to simply call the ‘V2’ rather than aiming for a more emotive title like its predecessors the Testastretta, Superquadro and Desmoquattro twins. That’s because in the future the V2 is expected to be adopted across all Ducati’s V-twin bikes – it’s already replaced the now-deceased Superquadro V2 in the Panigale V2 and Streetfighter V2 fort 2025, and by sliding the same engine into the Multistrada V2, it’s superseding the 937cc Testastretta 11° that was used in the previous model. The same Testastretta 11° also powers the Monster, the DesertX, the Hypermotard 950 and the Supersport 950, and it’s not hard to foresee that all those machines will be in line to get the new 890cc V2 over the coming years.

The engine itself is a remarkably light, a claimed 54.9kg for the motor itself, and swaps the traditional Ducati desmodromic valvetrain and belt-driven camshafts for a much more conventional setup with chain-driven cams and spring-returned valves operated via finger followers. It might lack the quirkiness of its predecessor, but it’s a logical route for the design to take and one that should help reduce service costs in the long run, making for simpler valve clearance checks and eliminating the regular timing belt replacement of older Ducati V-twins.

At 115hp its peak is only 2hp higher than the Testastretta of the previous Multistrada V2, and thanks to the new engine’s smaller 890cc capacity instead of the old 937cc, it needs more revs to get there. The max arrives at 10,750rpm compared to 9000rpm for the old motor. Maximum torque is also a fraction down – 67.9lb-ft at 8250rpm versus 69lb-ft at 6750rpm – but Ducati claims the new bike delivers at least 75% of that peak all the way from 3500rpm to 11,000rpm thanks to its variable inlet camshaft timing. Both the power and torque a little lower than numbers achieved by the same engine in the Panigale and Streetfighter V2 models, and for the Multistrada V2 there are different gear ratios, with a shorter first and second, to suit its role.

As on other models with the V2 engine, there’s a quickshifter as standard.

There are four power modes effecting the engine’s response and output, tied to five riding modes – sport, touring, enduro, urban and wet – that also adapt the rider-assist systems including the cornering traction control, cornering ABS, wheelie control and engine brake control. Each can also be set independently.

2025 Ducati Multistrada V2 - Handling & Suspension (inc. Weight)

Another departure from Ducati’s heritage comes in the form of the Multistrada V2’s cast aluminium chassis, which follows the direction taken by larger Multistradas as well as the latest Panigale and Streetfighter models and replaces the more traditional steel trellis frame used on the previous generation.

It’s a monocoque design, using the engine as a stressed component, and retains a steel trellis for the seat subframe above a new swingarm, also made of cast aluminium. Allied to the lightweight engine, the chassis change helps the Mulitstrada V2 to an 18kg weight reduction compared to its predecessor, with the base model coming in at 199kg and the S version at 202kg, each measured in running order but without fuel. The tank measures 19 litres, which is 15kg-worth of petrol, so fully-fuelled the two models should weight 214kg and 217kg respectively.

Whether you opt for the base model or the S, you get fully-adjustable suspension with Marzocchi 45mm USD forks and a Marzocchi monoshock mounted horizontally at the rear. The difference comes in the method of adjustment. The base bike’s suspension is manually adjustable, while the S uses electronic adjustment paired to Ducati’s semi-active ‘Skyhook’ system that monitor’s the bike’s position in relation to a fixed point above it – the ‘Skyhook’ – and constantly alters the damping to keep it as stable as possible in. That includes not only reacting to bumps, but also to acceleration and braking by adding anti-squat and anti-dive. The suspension modes can be changed independently of the riding modes, and the V2 S also gets a ‘minimum preload’ function that drops the ride height at the touch of a button, helping you reach the ground more easily.

As standard, there’s 170mm of suspension travel at each end, and the combination of a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel – cast alloys come from the factory, but wires are optional – and Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tyres mean there’s a modicum of off-road potential.

The brakes are Ducati’s favoured Brembos, with the usual setup of dual 320mm discs at the front and a single 265mm disc at the back, both governed by cornering ABS.

2025 Ducati Multistrada V2 - Comfort & Economy

While adventure-style bikes like the Multistrada are normally associated with towering seats – often putting them out of reach, both literally and figuratively, to riders with stubbier pins – Ducati has made an effort to ensure that pretty much anyone will be able to get to grips with the new V2.  

As standard there’s a two-position adjustable seat that can be set at 850mm or 830mm, but optional high or low seats can push that envelope to a high of 870mm or a low of 810mm. Opt for the S model with its electronic suspension, and you can electronically drop the ride height, too. Allied to the optional low seat, that can bring the height down to as little as 790mm.

The bike is narrow, too, further helping reach the ground, and Ducati claims the new bodywork is a boon to comfort, with tank sculpted to improve control and ‘air conveyors’ built into the side panels to feed cool air to the rider’s legs and reduce heat soak.

2025 Ducati Multistrada V2 - Equipment

Ducatis have long had strong electronics packages and the Multistrada V2 is no exception, combining a new 5-in TFT dash with five riding modes, four power modes, a host of rider-assist systems and a trio of ‘infomodes’ that change the dashboard display to suit different situations.

Standard kit includes not only a quickshifter but cruise control, a USB socket and an emergency brake light system that flashes the brake lamp during emergency stops. On the S model, there’s the Ducati Multimedia System, too, and the option of turn-by-turn navigation.

New for the latest Multistrada is the ‘coming home’ light function that keeps the headlight on for a period of time after you’ve turned the ignition off, helping illuminate the garage or the route to your door.

The ‘Travel’ version of the V2 S comes with plastic luggage, also available as an option on other variants of the bike, giving 60 litres of space. Larger aluminium cases with 76 litres of room are optional, along with elements including the centre stand (standard on the Travel model, along with heated grips). Wire wheels are another option, as is a Termignoni exhaust.

2025 Ducati Multistrada V2 - Rivals

Like a lot of adventure-adjacent bikes, the Multistrada V2 is really aimed at on-road use and that means it’s rivals include not only high-rise machines but more conventional sports-tourers. Customers considering the new bike might be tempted away by the likes of the Yamaha Tracer 9, which in GT and GT+ forms get even more toys for 2025, up to and including Yamaha’s new Y-AMT automated manual transmission. Triumph’s Tiger 900 GT Pro is a more direct competitor, and buyers with more of an off-road yen might be tempted by the likes of Honda’s Africa Twin or one of KTM’s 890 or upcoming 990 Adventure models.

Yamaha Tracer 9 GT | Price: £14,350

Read more

Power/Torque

117.3bhp / 68.6lb-ft

Weight

231kg (kerb)

Triumph Tiger GT Pro | Price: £14,095

Read more

Power/Torque

106.5bhp / 82.6lb-ft

Weight

222kg (kerb)

Honda Africa Twin | Price: £13,249

Read more

Power/Torque

100.6bhp / 82.6lb-ft

Weight

231kg (kerb)

2025 Ducati Multistrada V2 - Verdict

Launched in 2017 as the Multistrada 950 and again as the ‘V2’ in 2022, this latest iteration comes with the new engine and should present a very useful package given the popularity of the previous versions. If the V4 is too big, too fast, too expensive and/or too tech-laden then the V2 might be the answer.

We’re hoping the seat height and therefore riding position for the taller rider is suitable, and there’s a decent enough range to match. The Ducati faces some stiff competition in this class which presents an ideal opportunity for a group test in 2025.

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2025 Ducati Multistrada V2 - Technical Specification

What is MCIA Secured?

MCIA Secured gives bike buyers the chance to see just how much work a manufacturer has put into making their new investment as resistant to theft as possible.

As we all know, the more security you use, the less chance there is of your bike being stolen. In fact, based on research by Bennetts, using a disc lock makes your machine three times less likely to be stolen, while heavy duty kit can make it less likely to be stolen than a car. For reviews of the best security products, click here.

MCIA Secured gives motorcycles a rating out of five stars (three stars for bikes of 125cc or less), based on the following being fitted to a new bike as standard:

• A steering lock that meets the UNECE 62 standard

• An ignition immobiliser system

• A vehicle marking system

• An alarm system

• A vehicle tracking system with subscription

The higher the star rating, the better the security, so always ask your dealer what rating your bike has and compare it to other machines on your shortlist.