If you think about it carefully for a minute, grand touring motorcycles are the most difficult to develop. These have to house a high-performance engine which must deliver the most varied demands, highway speeds and stability, corner-carving abilities, decent off-road capabilities, and even daily commuting skills whilst being comfortably fast, fun and most of all, reliable. So Ducati starts with their championship-winning V4 engine, carefully nurses it in the chassis of a Multistrada, and covers it with a host of electronics to contain all the fury. And who on earth will say no to that recipe? We spent a week with the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally to be amazed at how those ingredients create an unimaginably fun serving.
It’s V4 Granturismo Heart
A motorcycle is defined and built around its engine, period. If it isn't, then it will be fundamentally flawed. The 1.2L V4 Granturismo from Ducati is a masterpiece. It's a powerful crescendo that is very technically advanced in terms of cramming all the MotoGP learnings for road use while being characterful. The 1158cc V4 develops 168 bhp of maximum power at 10,750 rpm and 121 Nm of peak torque at 8,750 rpm. The engine itself is under-stressed to make it more reliable and extend service periods. It's also smart, as the rear bank shuts off when idle to improve fuel efficiency.
When it comes to delivery, this V4 Granturismo is truly a high-performance engine tuned for sporty output. There is a selection of throttle maps to make it customisable for the kind of delivery expected of it at varying road conditions. Riding it through fast corners and high speeds on the highway is extremely enjoyable. However, we will concede that it becomes a bit out of place off the road. It misses out on the low-speed smoothness required on slippery surfaces, and all the weight makes it a handful to manage. This is where the twins and the triples in the competitive machines make up. But credit to Ducati engineers in calming the V4 to deliver a decently smooth output for low-speed use against the Panigale nature of the V4.
Ride Quality & Electronic Aids
The electronic Skyhook EVO suspension works like a charm, exuding that feeling of floating on roads. It self-adjusts constantly for speeds and surfaces and even mitigates when you have a pillion or panniers on board. It even squats lower for Enduro mode when you need to get off the tarmac into the rough. The nicest bit is that when in Sport mode, it gets stiffer, and you can feel the ride height go up as well. Throw it into a fast corner, and it genuinely holds its lines true at whatever speeds you fancy.
The Brembo Stylema brakes also complement the quick reactions of the shocks. They are sharp and very progressive, so much so that you forget it's a giant 230+ kg motorcycle. Then, you add the vast electronic package offered by Ducati to the mix, which is not intrusive at all. You can throw any situation possible on the road, and it can stabilise and iron out your mistakes. It is a great safety net when travelling to remote areas. Here again, we will mention that off the road, the suspension, while trying to cope with many arbitrary conditions, may be confusing at times. But this is only when you are pushing hard. Most of the general populace would chicken out way before the limits. This is also protected because it's an expensive Ducati, and dropping it will cost you a big hole in your wallet.
It is a Ducati, so expect the highest-spec components and a space-age electronics package. This has radar-guided adaptive cruise control, which is convenient on the highway, but the ace is the rear radar, which scans the road behind you and alerts against blind spots. Frankly, the system works brilliantly and will teach riders to intuitively use their mirrors more often. Another great utility is the hill-hold assist for those tricky climbs.
Improved Fuel Efficiency & Heat Management
Yes, shutting off the rear bank does add to a nearly 5-6% increase in fuel efficiency on the Multistrada V4 Rally. Ducati claims a similar number as the previous V4 returned, but we saw it return 16 kmpl under mixed riding conditions and drop to 14kmpl by being enthusiastic. Combine this with the 30L tank on the Rally, and you get more than 450km on a tank. Now, this is a blessing when it comes to touring motorcycles, as you would not prefer looking for a fuel station on a remote ride.
Ducati knows their motorcycles run hot and have done a lot to keep the heat away from the rider. The channels in the fairing direct the heat perpendicular to the motorcycle to keep you cool. Also, there are ducts to carry cool airflow to the rider's legs, which works well. Even the adjustable windscreen has been made wider to keep wind blasts away from the rider and improve comfort. But all of these solutions need airflow, so if you get caught in a traffic jam, you will cook your legs. After all, this is India, and we do have a lot of congestion; the best practice is to plan ahead and always wear boots higher than your ankles.
All The Niceness Is For A Cost
It is obvious that the glory of having an Italian exotic will be expensive. The Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally, the top of the food chain, is INR 30 lakh (ex-showroom). And the even more desirable Pikes Peak version will cost you a couple of lakh more. So yes, the BMW R 1300 GS Pro is almost INR 10 lakh cheaper, and the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer is INR 9 lakh cheaper, both of them similarly capable. But Ducatisti understand this, and for them, nothing else will suffice. Getting a WSBK-winning V4 with an overkill of electronics almost looks like a bargain when you listen to that V4 sing near 10k rpm.
Photography: Mohd Nasir
Also Read