Ducati Multistrada V4S

What if a touring motorcycle could feel refined, brutal and intelligent at the same time?

Riding the Ducati Multistrada V4 S through misty Italian mountains shows how far modern adventure touring has evolved.

Preview – Ducati Multistrada V4 S, Technology Meets Italian Soul

Walking through the medieval streets of Gubbio, surrounded by stone walls and vintage Vespas, it’s hard to imagine a sharper contrast than the Ducati Multistrada V4 S waiting for the next day. Where the Vespa celebrates simplicity, the Multistrada represents the cutting edge of motorcycle technology, yet both are unmistakably Italian.

The Multistrada V4 has long been one of the benchmarks in the adventure-touring segment, blending sportbike performance with long-distance comfort. For its latest evolution, Ducati hasn’t reinvented the concept, but refined it focusing heavily on comfort, electronics and subtle mechanical improvements to stay ahead of strong German and Austrian competition.

At the heart of the bike remains the charismatic V4 engine. It now runs more efficiently thanks to rear-cylinder deactivation at idle and low revs, reducing fuel consumption without altering the riding experience. In practice, the system is completely transparent. What remains is a powerplant that feels almost dual-natured: smooth and civilised in villages, yet ferocious once restrictions disappear. The way it combines high-revving excitement with low-rpm composure is still one of the Multistrada’s greatest strengths.

The quickshifter is among the best in the business, making the absence of an automatic transmission feel irrelevant. Ducati clearly believes that rider involvement still matters and with a gearbox this refined, it’s hard to disagree. Shifts are seamless, precise and perfectly matched to the engine’s character.

"The quickshifter is among the best in the business, making the absence of an automatic transmission feel irrelevant."

Off the asphalt, the Multistrada V4 S continues to impress. On mist-covered gravel climbs in the Umbrian mountains, traction control and throttle response are fine-tuned on the fly by Ducati’s team. Despite wet leaves, loose stones and deep ruts, the bike remains composed and confidence-inspiring. Its weight is noticeable on challenging surfaces, but never overwhelming. This is still a large motorcycle, yet one that masks its mass remarkably well.

Much of that confidence comes from Ducati’s electronics. Adaptive suspension with bump-detection anticipates road imperfections, while the ride-height lowering system subtly drops the bike at low speeds to improve accessibility. Heated grips and seat, extensive personalisation options and radar-based adaptive cruise control all enhance comfort, especially on long days. At times, the sheer number of features risks information overload but Ducati counters this with intuitive controls and clear warnings designed to refocus rider attention when needed.

New lightweight forged wheels reduce unsprung mass, sharpening the handling further, while revised luggage positioning improves passenger comfort. The Multistrada V4 S is clearly designed as a complete package, especially for riders who travel two-up or cover serious distances.

Price places the bike firmly in premium territory, particularly once options are added. Yet the Multistrada doesn’t pretend to be a bargain. It presents itself as a technologically advanced, emotionally engaging flagship: one that rewards riders willing to embrace both its power and its complexity.

The Ducati Multistrada V4 S doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. Instead, it offers a distinctly Italian interpretation of modern adventure touring: fast, refined, unapologetically high-tech and still capable of delivering genuine excitement through the mist.