Words: Clinton Pienaar Pics: Ducati Press
Variable Valve timing (DVT) and up-graded electronics increases the third generation Multistrada’s offering, and in the process transforms the bike.
A few styling tweaks makes it obvious that this is a new bike but it’s only once you ride the bike and twist the throttle that the new bike actually shows its cards. Technology is a funny old thing, you only need to use it for a short while for it to become the norm and then you actually do not know how you coped without it before. The same can be said for the new engine; yes, the bike is new from the inside out and every possible item has been looked at, redesigned and bettered, but it’s the engine that is the real game-changer here.
This new Multistrada is the first Ducati to come out of the Bologna factory with the latest evolution of the Testastretta 1,198 V-twin, which now features the revolutionary Desmodromic Variable Timing (DVT) in combination with a dual-spark ignition and secondary air bleed. This bumps claimed horsepower from 150hp at 9,250rpm to 160 at 9,500, and claimed peak torque has increased from 125Nm at 7,500rpm to 138Nm at the same rpm. Simply put, there is no comparison between old and new engines.
The new Testastretta 1,198 DVT power plant has a much broader power curve starting from as low as 2,000 rpm. It is so smooth in fact that you’d be hard-pressed to know it is a big V-twin after around 3,000rpm. The difference between this and the previous model is vast.
But how does it work you may be asking?
Well, with some clever engineering that runs two electric motors on each bank which in turn run an oil pump which delivers the right oil flow to the cam phasers, and repositions the cam for the correct valve timing at the right revs. The position of the camshaft is dynamically controlled by a specific sensor mounted on the head covers. The engine’s key parameters (injection, ignition and now cam phasing) are continually fi ne-tuned, depending on torque demand and revs, even the rider’s throttle position controls this as you are the master of your own destiny and can control the smoothness of the operation. All of this, of course, optimises engine surging which is down by a staggering 78% (you read that right).
The performance is up by 7hp and 9Nm at mid revs and the bike uses 8% less fuel to make it easily Euro 4 compliant. Another addition, and one that makes you think that Ducati are serious about this bike being an adventure bike, is the knocking detector on each head, which electronically adjusts the fi ring order when poor fuel or very unfavourable atmospheric conditions are experienced, which negatively affect combustion. In the middle of Africa or high on a mountain are the only places this is going to happen to you so what are they trying to hint at?
This increased performance is also related to upgraded electronics. Ducati’s new electronics suite includes the Inertia Measurement Unit (IMU) from Bosch, which has all features from before (traction control, ABS, four-mode Rideby-Wire) plus wheelie control. It also manages the latest Ducati Skyhook suspension, which is standard on the Multistrada S. This electronically managed semi-active suspension, by Sachs, features an inverted 48mm fork and a single shock. The IMU also manages the latest Bosch Cornering ABS, which prevents the Brembo brakes from locking a wheel even when well leaned over. I still have yet to meet the journalist who is going to test this feature, but you can take their word on it. You again have three riding modes, which are Sport with 160hp instantly on tap, just like a sports bike, Touring, still 160hp but delivered more smoothly which I enjoyed the most and then Urban which gives you only a 100hp very smoothly, but that setting is only if you bat for the other side, alternatively you could buy a 600.
What is the Inertial Measuring Unit (IMU) and what does it do for your riding experience? It constantly measures fi ve different motorcycle movements, roll rate, pitch rate, longitudinal acceleration, transverse acceleration and vertical acceleration which in turn all interfaces with the ABS, the semi-active suspension, traction control, the wheelie control and the headlights by providing up-to-date lean and pitch data. So constantly, while you are riding, the bike is adjusting all of these parameters.
The Ducati Sky Hook suspension has been upgraded and continuously reacts to various riding situations to automatically set the optimal level of damping that ensures comfort, stability, handling performance and safety. At first it’s a little disconcerting as you let off the brakes going into a bend but as soon as you get a feeling for it you actually gain confidence and it enhances your riding experience. The rear spring pre-load is adjusted electronically according to preferred loading configurations, which is single rider, rider with passenger and rider with passenger fully loaded.
DTC (Ducati Traction Control)
A key part of the Ducati Safety Pack, DTC – a pure racing offshoot – is an intelligent system that acts as a filter between the rider’s right hand and the rear tyre. In just a few thousandths of a second, DTC can detect and control rear wheel spin, boosting performance and active safety significantly. There are 8 different levels of traction control.
Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC)
This system was developed from that used on the 1199 Superleggera; using data from the IMU, it analyses the attitude of the bike (to detect any front wheel lift) and controls torque and power accordingly to maximise acceleration in safety without destabilising balance. Like DTC, it features 8-level adjustment and is incorporated into the Riding Modes. So yes, you can set it to have a certain amount of lift and it won’t go further. I did not have too much time to test this system but this is a toy worth investigating further.
Instrument panel and lighting
The dashboard consists of a large high-visibility LCD screen providing all primary and secondary information. On the Multistrada 1200 S the LCD is replaced by a full colour 5” TFT display. Both the LCD and TFT provide info on speed, rpm, selected gear, total mileage, trip1 and trip2, engine coolant temperature, fuel gauge and a clock. Other information shown includes the selected Riding Mode, kilometres remaining, current fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, average speed, air temperature, travelling time and an icy road surface warning.
At standstill it is possible to gain access via the left handlebar switchgear, to a settings menu which enables and adjusts various functions such as DTC and DWC personalisation and the 3-level Cornering ABS function. On the Multistrada 1200 S suspension can also be adjusted through the settings menu. It is also possible, either at standstill or on the move, to select the Riding Mode (Sport, Touring, Urban or Enduro) and load settings to correspond with the current riding configuration; rider only, rider with luggage, rider with passenger or rider with passenger and luggage.
The Multistrada 1200 S features a full LED headlight with Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL) functionality, which activates in curves to give optimal illumination of the road surface. Once again, it is the Bosch IMU inertial platform that makes this new function possible. Another option designed to enhance lighting effi ciency consists of a pair of supplementary headlights, controlled via a dedicated key on the left switchgear, these provide excellent peripheral lighting.
Hands Free Ignition
With the key in your pocket you can simply just jump on and go which is a lot less complicated than the previous model to operate. The steering can also be locked with just a push of a button.
Something new to the motorcycling world is the new smart phone application which can be downloaded for free and interfaces with your bike. Through the app it‘s possible to rate individual aspects of the bike, and submit ideas and comments directly to Ducati. Further, it will deliver easily accessible weekly updates of a variety of content. Your bike comes alive.
Now to the hardware, everything on the new Multistrada 1200 has been designed for practicality and effectiveness. For example, the rider’s seat is narrow at the front, allowing an easier reach to the ground; it’s also 20mm longer and offers 20mm of height-adjustment.
There is also an aftermarket especially low seat that can take you right down to 800mm. The passenger seat is lower and the passenger grab handles are more ergonomic. The new windshield height adjustment system is more fluid and can be operated with only one hand. It has 60mm vertical adjustment available.
The Multistrada 1200 has a dry weight of just 209kg. The air-box is new and has the longer oblong intake tubes which gives an equivalent size of 56mm, the throttle bodies operate independently and there is a new 10 hole Bosch injector attached to each cylinder. The headers are new for increased flow and a catalytic converter is in the silencer which also helps with the Euro 4 compliance. The whole front of the bike is also slightly wider to provide greater rider protection over long distances. There are two 12V power sockets, one positioned immediately underneath the passenger seat and the other on the front section of the bike. The bike still only needs an oil service every 12 months or 15,000km whichever comes first, but at 30,000km is the major service where the valve clearances are checked.
In conclusion, this is a huge step forward for Ducati and their new Multistrada has to stand back for no other bike in this very competitive market of one bike for all applications. It’s a very accomplished motorcycle and stands on top of the technological hill. Expect to see a lot of them on the road soon.
Touring Pack; heated grips, panniers and centre stand
Sport Pack; road-legal exhaust (homologated only for EU) Ducati Performance by Termignoni and carbon fibre front mudguard, machined-from-billet aluminium brake and clutch reservoir caps
Urban Pack; top case, tank bag with lock and USB hub
Enduro Pack; supplementary lights and Ducati Performance components by Touratech - engine protection bars, radiator guard, oil sump guard, bigger kickstand base and off-road foot pegs.
Ducati SA will import the two models and they will be available in the four personalised packs. Contact them on 011 919 1600 to place your order.
