A few years ago, we had a few old hand motorcycle guests from the UK at our place and the conversation (as it does) invariably got around to what each persons favourite bike is. The V4 Multistrada came up and was almost unanimously voted as their all-round champion. We sat there like barbels because – well Ducati demo motorcycles have been scarce for a while now and we’d never actually ridden one.
Wandering down to Bikeshop Rivonia at the end of ‘25, we came across not one, but two Multistrada V4 models on the floor. We asked and were handed a key.
Two days in, we understand why our guests chose that bike as their favourite…
Ducati envisioned the V4 not as just another Multistrada, but as the most complete “do-it-all” Ducati ever and by gum, they got it right!!
The “Standard” V4 boasts Ducati’s Red color scheme with alloy wheels and silver calipers. It’s shod in Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tyres. It’s the Ducati entry point, offering that marvelous V4 performance complete with electronics and rider modes in an enormously capable chassis that floats on manually adjustable suspension.
There was a V4-S standing next to it if you’d like something with even more features…
Climbing aboard, the bike feels large with an enormous fuel tank up front, but this really is a case of when you open the throttle, the bulk disappears…
We love the old V-Twin donk because it is so immersive to ride and on our trip from Bikeshop out to our offices on the freeways, we wondered a bit whether the old V-Twin was maybe more exciting.
That was only until we figured that the bike was in touring mode and then we found the sports mode setting. Flippen glorious!
The V4 also introduced an aluminium monocoque frame that uses the engine as a stressed member, a change from the classic trellis frame Ducati used on earlier Multistradas.
Our ride took us from the freeways onto the backroads and then into the gravel. That engine is a peach, the quickshifter butter smooth, the TFT screen easy to read and understand. So well thought out.
So – used, this bike is at R230K which is a great price for this bike but it is also a significant chunk of cash. Let’s engage touring mode, hit the gravel and take it easy.
Ducati got it right! If you think that the Multi is only for the street, you are missing the whole point – Ducati has fitted a bash plate to this one. Go slow, go fast – it’s all the same and it’s as glorious and individual as an Italian bike should be. Yes, yes, we know that this one has mag wheels, but that’s never stopped us.
It’s roomy, well appointed, luxurious and it handled the dirt just as well as it did the tar. Ok we are waxing lyrical here but you need to ride one to understand.
This one’s also got a top-box so go on! Pack your stuff and head out on one of those epic adventure rides.
We guarantee that you’ll love it! This bike was absolutely some of the best ADV fun we had in 2025..
Origins of the Multistrada Line.
The Multistrada name literally means “many roads” in Italian — and that’s the whole point of the bike’s philosophy. Ducati introduced the first Multistrada in 2003 with the 1000 DS, aiming to create a versatile sport-touring motorcycle that could handle town streets, twisty roads, long highway cruises, and even light off-road terrain. It was designed to blend sporty performance with comfort and practicality, something Ducati hadn’t really pursued before.
Over the next two decades the model evolved through several generations (including 1100, 1200, and 1260 variants), gaining key innovations like electronic rider aids and Riding Modes in 2010, features that have become standard on modern bikes.
By 2020, Ducati knew it was time for the biggest change yet. Instead of evolving the older twin-cylinder engines, they engineered a whole new powerplant and platform for the Multistrada and that became the Multistrada V4, launched for the 2021 model year.
At the heart of the Multistrada V4 is Ducati’s 1,158 cc V4 Granturismo engine, a version of the V4 that first appeared in the Panigale superbike but that was reconfigured for touring and adventure use. It delivers much power (around 170 hp) with broad torque, but it is definitely smoother and more refined than previous Multistrada engines. This engine also lost Ducati’s traditional desmodromic valves in favour of conventional valve springs, which allows for longer service intervals (around 60,000 km between valve checks).
A story about evolution… and we are pretty sure that we saw an original Multistrada on the floor not long ago.
At 230 odd K this specific bike feels perfect and in todays money, it’s very much a bargain. A new Multistrada will cost you a whole lot more – and we do understand why that is.
Under the latest team, Ducati South Africa is well organised when it comes to parts and all that, so you are sorted there too.
Ducati has absolutely built a luxury tourer that can scratch on the track with the road riders and hit those beautiful long gravel roads that we are blessed with in SA. We handed it back somewhat reluctantly…
This one is on the floor at Bikeshop Rivonia.
They also had the higher spec model on the floor. Go and ride it.
Engine size 1158cc
Engine type Liquid-cooled 1158cc 16v V4
Frame type Cast aluminium monocoque
Fuel capacity 22 litres
Seat height 840mm
Bike weight 232kg
Front brake 330mm discs with Brembo Stylema four piston radial monobloc calipers. Cornering ABS
Rear brake 280mm disc with two-piston caliper. Cornering ABS
Front tyre size 120/70 x 19
Rear tyre size 170/60 x 17
