The Adventure Bike That Could Be The Perfect One-Bike Garage
Adventure bikes are currently the most desirable motorcycle style because of their sheer versatility. Not only do they excel at doing it all on the road, but they can also excel in challenging off-road conditions. This trend is consistent across the board, from affordable entry-level ADVs to flagship options. However, you get the most with the premium bunch.
Flagship ADVs offer a near-perfect do-it-all package that makes the extra cost worth it. Among the premier lot, an uber-cool Ducati ADV stands out not just for acing every practical and capability front, but also for its exotic appeal and looks. That makes it the perfect choice for a one-bike garage.
Here’s Why ADVs Are The Go-To-Choice For A One-Bike Garage
Plenty of do-it-all motorcycle options span segments. We have the Triumph Tiger Sport 660, the Yamaha Tracer 9, and the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+ sport tourers that do it all. Among naked bikes, the Yamaha MT-09 and the Honda CB650R E-Clutch are solid examples. Honda even surprises us with the Gold Wing luxury tourer that can do it all. Even cruiser bikes hop onto the do-it-all bandwagon with examples like the Honda Rebel 1100 DCT and the Kawasaki Vulcan S.
Want sportbikes that can do it all? The likes of the Yamaha YZF-R7 and the Honda CBR650R E-Clutch have you covered. But despite the variety, none can match the well-rounded appeal that a do-it-all ADV brings to the table. This is mainly because they excel on both tarmac and trail. They combine long-distance touring comfort, everyday commuting practicality, and rugged off-road capabilities in one well-rounded package.
Some Stand Out Profoundly With Little To No Compromises
While entry-level and middleweight ADVs are pretty impressive, the flagship bunch stands out for its near-perfect packaging. Their top-spec performance, complemented by adaptive and electronically adjustable underpinnings and a slew of premium ride-enhancing electronics, culminates in a near-perfect riding experience. The most popular flagship ADV is the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT.
It stands out as the most affordable ADV (under $20,000), with standard electronic suspension and a dual-clutch automatic transmission. But it sacrifices riding engagement and visual flair. The do-it-all BMW R 1300 GS rectifies most of the Africa Twin’s shortcomings, but it comes at a premium, with a price tag over $20,000. Can a motorcycle famous for track-bred drama actually survive the demands of daily riding? The answer lies in how Ducati engineered every component of this ADV from the ground up.
The Ducati Multistrada V4 Is A Do-It-All ADV That Balances Form, Function, And Exotic Appeal
At $19,995, It Undercuts BMW While Delivering More Exotic Performance
Multistrada is Italian for ‘many roads,’ and Ducati has made sure its flagship ADV lives up to its name. The Multi has been around since 2003, and Ducati has refined this ADV into something more powerful, more versatile, and more reliable than its predecessors. Today, the Multistrada V4 has become an ADV that demands attention and respect. While it’s neck and neck with its rivals in versatility, the Multistrada V4 stands out with uncompromising exotic appeal and sportbike-inspired performance and dynamics.
A powerful V4 engine, a unique monocoque chassis, highly capable suspension, powerful brakes, and comfortable ergonomics make this do-it-all Ducati ADV. Despite its size, Ducati has kept the Multistrada V4’s weight in control. For reference, this large globetrotter is nearly 100 pounds lighter than the smallest Harley-Davidson Softail cruiser. All of this for under $20,000 is an impressive deal.
Its striking design language contributes notably to its exotic appeal. The Multistrada V4 has a tailor-made design that prioritizes practicality without compromising the key visual elements that set a Ducati apart. The Multistrada features several design elements, including a front-loaded layout, a sleek rear section, a compact nose, and crossover cues inspired by Ducati sportbikes. Its contrasting sub-frame design and the gorgeous showcase of its V4 engine further contribute to the visual drama.
Powered By A Dramatic Yet Practical V4
The Multistrada V4 packs a liquid-cooled 1,158 cc 90-degree V4 Granturismo engine. Producing 170 horsepower at 10,750 RPM and 91 pound-feet of torque at 9,000 RPM, this is one of the most powerful ADV engines today. But Ducati has tuned this V4 to be more practical and versatile for daily ridability. With an 83 mm bore and 53.5 mm stroke, this engine produces linear power and torque at low speeds while maintaining a spirited reserve for top-end performance.
Notable features that help the Multi V4 engine excel on all fronts include variable valve timing, a counter-rotating crankshaft, and a Twin Pulse firing order, delivering a broader powerband for both city and highway use. Ducati’s decision to ditch its famed Desmodromic valve system has made the Multi V4 engine much more reliable, as shown by its extended service intervals of 37,000 miles for valve clearance checks. The engine oil service is due at 9,000 miles or 12 months, further solidifying its worry-free ownership experience.
Brembo Brakes, Marzocchi Forks, And A Monocoque Frame That Weighs Less Than You’d Expect
A lightweight aluminum monocoque frame pairs the V4 engine’s spirited character with everyday reliability. It uses the engine as a stressed member to keep dimensions compact and curb weight low. The main frame is attached to a bolt-on sub-frame and a double-sided swing arm. Thanks to this weight-saving chassis design, the 2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 has a dry weight of just 505 pounds, quite commendable for a flagship adventure tourer.
The chassis uses fully adjustable Marzocchi suspension. The front features 50 mm inverted forks with adjustable compression and rebound damping, offering 6.7 inches of travel. The rear gets a fully adjustable monoshock with remote spring preload adjustment and 7.1 inches of travel. The rear suspension offers automatic fast lowering when ridden between six and 30 mph. This improves maneuverability, especially for shorter riders on urban roads.
Braking duties are handled by dual 320 mm semi-floating discs coupled to radially mounted Brembo monobloc four-piston calipers up front. The rear gets a single 280 mm disc coupled to Brembo two-piston floating calipers. Helping this tall-riding ADV excel at being an impressive corner carver are its grippy Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tires: 120/70 section up front and 170/60 section at the rear. These tubeless tires wrap around lightweight cast alloy wheels: 19-inch up front and 17-inch at the rear.
An Adjustable Seat And Upright Stance That Make 500-Mile Days Feel Manageable
Despite its intimidating size, Ducati has made clever choices to make the Multistrada V4 a daily-rideable ADV. As mentioned earlier, the weight savings play a vital role. This is further complemented by its standard adjustable seat height between 33.1 and 33.9 inches. The rider sits in a bubble of comfort thanks to the low seat height, a tall windscreen, and an upright riding stance.
Standard Quickshifter And Cruise Control — Plus A $30,000 Version With Radar And Blind Spot Detection
Ducati has packed the Multistrada V4 with solid technology to boost its do-it-all appeal. It gets riding modes, power modes, cornering ABS, traction control, and LED lighting. Features like wheelie control, cornering lights, and vehicle hold control further demonstrate the effort put into making this ADV versatile in its riding appeal. Connected features abound, thanks to a five-inch TFT display that supports smartphone connectivity. Ducati also offers quickshifter and cruise control as standard fitment on the Multistrada V4.
Furthermore, if you’re willing to shell out more money, the $29,995 Multistrada V4 S unlocks a more desirable suite of electronics. It differs from the standard V4 model with superior suspension, braking, and electronics. The V4 S gets electronically adjustable, semi-active Marzocchi suspension managed by the Ducati Skyhook Suspension Evolution System. This system adjusts damping in real time. On the braking front, it gets larger 330 mm front discs paired with Brembo Stylema calipers. The electronic suite also includes radar-assisted adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, and forward collision warning. It also features a larger 6.5-inch TFT display.
Source: Ducati
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