First Ride

Ducati has merged the concepts of many motorcycling genres and the new 2010 Multistrada 1200 is the metamorphosis. While the original Multistrada was more of a me-too concept, the brand new Multistrada 1200 is truly Ducati's own take on an objective that until now has been extremely difficult obtain.

The Multistrada 1200 aims to be four motorcycles in one and it excels very well in three areas while showing promise in the fourth. The three first objectives include: 1) sport touring, 2) adventure touring and 3) urban commuter. The fourth objective of the 1200 is to handle off-road riding...and that may come-up a bit short.

At the Lanzarote launch we were not able to really test the motorcycle off-road. So I can't say much about it except that the wheel sizes, tires and fender heights are much more in line with a traditional sportbike. What I can say is that the bike feels a whole lot lighter than its BMW GS nemesis, and both traction control and ABS can be turned off.

The three engine mappings and the electronically adjustable suspension on the "S" model are key to the Multistrada's inevitable future success. The Multi 1200 is brimming with hot new technology that you can actually use every day.

We shall elaborate further in a full review in Ultimate MotorCycling, but my first impression is of an unequalled and perhaps unbeatable package from Ducati. Well done.