Rennie Scaysbrook | November 4, 2020
The 2021 model year will see the fourth iteration of the Ducati Multistrada debut in the new V4.
Designed as a new machine from the ground up with three variants in the base model V4, V4 S and V4 Sport, the new Multistrada is now even more focused on being four-bikes-in-one, the phrase Ducati coined in 2010 when the second edition was released.
Go anywhere, do anything. That’s always been the Multistrada motto, and the new V4 aims to take that notion further than ever before.
The V4, now devoid of the company’s trademark desmodromic valve actuation system, pumps out a claimed 170 hp and 92 lb-ft of torque, and can go a massive 60,000 km (37,282 miles) before needing a valve service.
The motor is based on the same V4 that sits in the Panigale V4 S, although the rev ceiling has been lowered to 12,000 rpm to extend the life of the components.
The three models get varying levels of suspension, with conventional springers on the V4, and electronic Marzocchi units with the Ducati Skyhook suspension and auto-leveling feature on the V4 S and V4 Sport. The auto-leveling feature electronically senses the load on the chassis (rider/rider and passenger/rider with luggage, etc), and automatically adjusts itself to suit.
V4 S pictured.
There are other differences between the base model and V4 s and Sport editions. The latter two get Brembo Stylema calipers and 10mm larger discs at 330mm; a larger 6.5-inch TFT display that houses the Ducati Connect application that enables turn-by-turn navigation; increased options for riding and suspension modes; and the famed radar system that detects modulates the adaptive cruise control and alerts riders to cars/bikes in the rider’s blind spot. That system, however, won’t be available until the summer of 2021 in the U.S. as Ducati pushes to get the system through certification in this country.
All three machines come with LED lighting front and rear and the new Daytime Running Light, as well as revised ergonomics and access to the massive accessory catalog, where you can option your bike right up with different seats, screens, chassis protectors like sump guards, travel options for luggage and exhaust mufflers from Akrapovic. The V4 S also has the option of being able to run spoked aluminum wheels if the cast ones that come as standard don’t take your fancy.
No MSRP has yet been confirmed by Ducati North America, but expect units to be in dealerships by January this next year.
