Ducati Multistrada V4

It’s a well-known fact that the Ducati Multistrada V4 S is one of the fastest, most agile, incredibly comfortable, and technologically advanced adventure tourers you can buy right now. In fact, it is such an accomplished motorcycle that it should be the top choice for riders planning to circumnavigate the globe on two wheels. While all of this already held true for the 2025 model, Ducati went ahead and gave the 2026 iteration a few updates to take things a step further. And as luck would have it, I got to be one of the fortunate ones to live with the bike for a few days and put it through a proper road test. Here’s how those glorious days went.

Apart from mild tweaks to the colour scheme and graphics, the Multistrada V4 S remains largely visually unchanged, and we’re glad for that. The beak area had a more prominent blacked-out portion, and the side panels bear the V4 badge more loudly and proudly, by means of a larger font size.

There, however, is no denying that the motorcycle looks big, proportionate, and utterly gorgeous, to put it mildly. In fact, it looks better in the flesh than it does in pictures, as I realised after spending some time with it. Park the Multi among a sea of big bikes, and it will still pull in a crowd of admirers. The Panigale-inspired front fascia looks sinister and blends with the fuel tank so gracefully that its massive 22-litre volume is completely masked. The prominent air vents and winglets on the fairing speak of its sporty intentions, while the stubby tail with an exposed sub-frame beautifully completes the design.

The Multistrada V4 S is a typical Ducati when it comes to quality levels and leaves no room for complaint. The sparkling finish on the paint, aluminium handlebar clamp with neatly sculpted ‘Multistrada’ branding, and the tightly put-together panels—everything exemplifies the attention to detail shown by the makers. If I were to nit-pick, the small storage compartment on the tank could do with a more tactile and seamless closing mechanism. The existing one demands a lot of pressure and two to three attempts to shut properly.

One of the reasons the Multistrada V4 S is an ideal bike for globe-trotting is the sheer comfort it offers riders of almost all heights and builds. The seat is generously spacious and features adequately dense cushioning, making it suitable even for full days in the saddle. Similarly, the wide handlebar and well-positioned footpegs offer an upright and commanding riding posture that never feels tiring. What’s especially commendable is the range of seat height options available:

Standard: 840–860mm

Accessory low seat: 810–830mm

Accessory low seat with lower suspension kit: 795mm

Accessory high seat: 890mm

Further enhancing comfort and accessibility is the auto-lowering device, which is part of the Ducati Skyhook Suspension Evo. It lowers the motorcycle by adjusting the preload at crawling speeds—below 10kmph, to be precise—or when the rider comes to a halt, making it easier to place both feet on the ground. Once the bike gets moving and crosses 50kmph, the preload is automatically restored to its preset level to favour riding dynamics.

The DSS Evo suspension itself is a brilliant piece of componentry when it comes to delivering a supremely comfortable ride quality across most scenarios. In the V4 S model that we have here on test, you can also select any of the preset suspension damping settings independently of the ride mode, and even on the fly. Regardless of the setting you choose, the Multistrada feels comfortable. It irons out undulations exceptionally well, as if it’s crushing everything in its path—especially in Comfort and Touring modes. While the Dynamic setting is also absorbent, it makes the bike feel more taut and stable, favouring sporty handling. And boy, does the Multi handle well, which I’ll get to shortly. In Enduro mode, the suspension stiffens up quite noticeably. It works best when landing jumps hard or aggressively bashing a trail, as slow and easy off-road riding makes it feel a bit too rigid and unforgiving.

The 1,158cc Granturismo V4 engine of the Multistrada V4 S is an absolute powerhouse and can put many sportbikes to shame when it comes to outright performance. It’s not just jaw-dropping on paper with its 170bhp output, but also makes the bike feel like a rocketship on the road. The surge of torque is relentless right from 3,000rpm, but the real madness begins beyond 6,000rpm, where the Multi starts gobbling up the road at a pace that’s difficult to comprehend. The urgency with which it growls forward makes you forget that you’re riding a near-230kg behemoth. 100kmph arrives in a jiffy, and it crosses 150kmph even before you realise. And if you’re in Sport mode with the throttle response set to sharp, even 200kmph shows up in no time.

That said, the Multistrada can be equally well-behaved when you want it to be. Slot it into Wet mode and the power delivery becomes far more linear, with a noticeably gentler throttle response. It still feels alive and quick even in this mode, mind you, but far more restrained than in the performance-oriented settings. There are five ride modes in total, and each one allows independent customisation.

Once I got comfortable with the bike, I found myself being brave enough to keep it in Sport mode with the traction control and wheelie control dialled down to their lowest levels of intervention. What followed were plenty of jumps over speed breakers, slides in almost every gear, and a whole lot of laughter inside the helmet.

The engine is tractable enough to make riding in traffic easy, and the heat management is impressive. It uses Ducati’s rear cylinder deactivation system, which temporarily shuts off the rear two cylinders at slow speeds (introduced for the 2026 model) or when stationary, to reduce heat generation and improve fuel efficiency. Activation and deactivation depend on rider inputs and the demand for torque and speed.

When it comes to handling, the Multistrada V4 S continues to leave you in awe. It feels incredibly light on its feet for a motorcycle of this size, weight, and with a 19-inch front wheel. Tip it into a set of fast, flowing corners and this Italian machine dives in with minimal effort, carrying speed with such precision that it feels almost rail-guided. Even if your inputs are abrupt or the road throws mid-corner bumps your way, the Multi takes it all in stride with remarkable composure. The weight is also very well managed, and manoeuvring the bike through crawling traffic never feels like a chore. Adding to its handling and stability is the new aluminium swingarm, mounted on a pivot positioned 1mm higher to reduce squat while cornering.

Equally impressive are the brakes, which perfectly complement the brutal engine performance. The Brembo hardware delivers bite in abundance, and the front lever offers excellent feel, allowing the rider to precisely judge the bite point. While the initial bite may not be as sharp as that of its Panigale siblings, the stopping power builds progressively as you squeeze the lever and culminates in a strong, confidence-inspiring clamp onto the discs. The latest model also gets a larger rear disc, which is linked to the front, and both work in unison depending on the braking situation and selected riding mode.

Typical of a Ducati, the Multistrada V4 S comes loaded with crucial electronic aids, all of which work with near-magical seamlessness. While most of these have already been covered, it’s worth reiterating that the bike gets multi-level traction control, cornering ABS, wheelie control, ride modes, power modes, and electronically adjustable suspension. All these features can be monitored and controlled via an intuitive 6.5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity.

What truly left me impressed, however, are the radar-based features, with adaptive cruise control being the highlight for me. When cruise control is activated and a vehicle appears ahead in your lane, the bike automatically slows down and then accelerates back to the set speed once the road clears—all without any rider input. The radar system is also used to alert the rider of vehicles in their blind spot through a warning light on top of the mirror. Additionally, new for the 2026 model is front collision warning, which activates a large red flashing signal on the TFT when you approach a vehicle too quickly. All of these features can be deactivated if desired.

If you’re conservative with your throttle inputs or cruising on the highway at steady speeds, the Ducati Multistrada V4 S returns a fuel efficiency of around 15kmpl. That translates to a range of close to 300km with its massive 22-litre tank filled to the brim. Naturally, being generous with the throttle will bring that figure down alarmingly, sometimes to single digits.

The Ducati Multistrada V4 S is a motorcycle that demands respect and careful handling, because going incredibly fast feels so effortless that you might unknowingly start pushing your limits. It truly is a sportbike dressed up as an ADV. Thankfully, it also comes equipped with some of the most intelligently developed electronic aids to have your back, just in case. The Granturismo engine is a masterpiece, offering immense character, entertainment, and tarmac-ripping performance. In the handling department, it feels almost like a sportbike — albeit a very comfortable one. And the Skyhook suspension is nothing short of an engineering marvel. As with most Ducatis, it also looks like a million bucks, and the quality levels are top-notch. Not to forget, with a valve clearance interval of 60,000km, maintenance shouldn’t be a burden either.

Priced at Rs. 30.61 lakh (ex-showroom), the Multistrada V4 S is undeniably expensive, especially when you consider the BMW R 1300 GS Option 719 variant, which is nearly Rs. 5 lakh cheaper. But that’s always been the case with Ducatis—you pay a premium for the exotic experience these motorcycles deliver, something that’s hard to match.

Photography by Kapil Angane