The Ducati Multistrada 1200 is an entirely new concept for the very active factory in Bologne. To coin a phrase it is the Swiss Army Knife of Bikes.

This bike is currently on offer with the following options:-

Extreme Touring
Colour coded top box, Smoked Screen and Zumo Sat nav kit

Extreme Sport:
Carbon front mudguard, Type approved carbon silencer and smoked Screen

Both of these offers have a value of close to £1000 and are limited to 31st October 2012

Ducati have striven to combine 4 motorcycles into 1, and as such have produced the Multistrada 1200 that is capable of Urban, Sport, Enduro and Touring..........How??

By the use of a powerful 1198 L-Twin engine mounted in an all new slim, lightweight chassis that has been built to cope with a mulitude of demands. A series of different ignition and fueling maps for different ridestyles available at the flick of a switch (whilst riding). Each of the modes also affects how traction control and ABS reacts. ie. in Enduro mode both ABS and Traction control would be switched OFF allowing the bike to move around more.

The Ducati Multistrada 1200S model comes with the very latest Ohlins electronically adjustable suspension that allows ride height as well as reaction rates to be changed. All of these adjustments can be applied on the Multistrada 1200 by selecting one of the 4 set modes as mentioned above, or alternatively offer an infinate number of rider selected personal preference options.

A round display to the right of the instrument cluster clearly displays which preset mode is being used at the time.

4 Variants are available:-

1) The Ducati Mulistrada 1200 (Standard)
4 modes adjusting traction control levels along with power

2) The Ducati Mulistrada 1200 ABS
4 modes adjusting traction control and levels of ABS along with power

3) The Ducati Mulistrada 1200 S Sport and (4) The Mulistrada 1200 S Touring
4 modes adjusting Traction control and levels of ABS along with power, plus 4 different suspension levels at the flick of a switch (or rider settings can be applied).
Key differences between the Ducati Multistrada 1200S Sport and 1200S Touring is that the Sport comes with Carbon fibre air intake and air exhaust vents whereas the Touring model is offered with Heated handlebar grips, a centre stand and luggage in the form of panniers. (Top boxes are available as an accessory option).

What are the 4 available modes ?

Sport Mode
150 horsepower on tap and an incredible torque delivery from the new testastretta 11 degree L-twin engine are combined with a sports oriented suspension setup. Precise and focused sports bike handling benefits from a slight reduction in the Ducati traction control intervention to level 3 for expert riders who's comfort zone is closer to the limit.

Touring Mode
Still producing 150 horsepower yet with power characteristics altered to a touring configuration with much smoother torque delivery - but the Ducati Multistrada 1200 is ready to respond when needed. Safety is enhanced further with the most advanced ABS technology on a road bike. The Ducati traction control is set to level 5 (intermediate intervention), specifically intended for a stable and relaxing ride. The suspension setup ensures maximum comfort for both rider and pillion.

Urban Mode
Selecting the urban riding mode on the Ducati Multistrada 1200 instantly changes the power to 100 horsepower and the suspension to the perfect setting for tackling the maze of city streets full of speed bumps and drain covers. The traction control level is set to 7, providing high system intervention so that the rider can enjoy enhanced safety even in the most chaotic of stop start traffic. Perfect for navigating the urban jungle 365 days of the year.

Enduro Mode
Should your journey take you off the beaten track, the Ducati Multistrada 1200 has the capability to take poor and undeveloped road surfaces in its stride. Select the enduro riding mode and the bike will be transformed to suit your uneven surroundings. With a smooth 100 horsepower power limit, higher suspension and the option to disable the ABS. Ducati traction control is reduced to level 1 providing almost no intervention.

On the touring model, the pannier mounting brackets are so subtle that you hardly realise their existance when the luggage has been removed.

All derivatives of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 utilise a keyless ignition system that allows the bike to be started as long as the rider has on his person the remote transponder that initialises the ignition when within a 2 metre range of the machine. A keyless fuel cap is also available as an accessory option.

As if not enough Ducati knew that cost per mile is also a big factor in touring.

Doubling the mileage between valve clearance inspection has been made possible with the introduction of a new valve seat material combined with improved combustion efficiency and temperature management designed into the Multistrada’s new Testastretta 11° engine.  

So called because of its minimised 11° of ‘valve overlap’ - the interval of crankshaft rotation during which both the intake and exhaust valves are open at the same time - the new Desmodromic power plant not only transforms the world championship-winning 1198 configuration into a super-smooth 150hp motor for sport touring, but also improves fuel efficiency, emissions and cost of scheduled maintenance.

MCN article where "Adam Child was blown away by the new Ducati Multistrada 1200" and he actually only followed it!!