2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 First Look: 18 Fast Facts (Updated with Prices)

November 4, 2020

2021 Ducati MST V4 S Sport specs and prices — S Sport

Updated November 5, 2020, with Pricing Info Below

The most anticipated motorcycle in Ducati’s 2021 lineup, the Multistrada V4, was unveiled Wednesday during an online video hosted by Ducati Motor Holding CEO Claudio Domenicali.

Ducati frequently calls it a “maxi enduro,” which positions this bike as a more competitor to the BMW R 1250 GS and KTM 1290 Adventure. Following are the first-look fast facts of the new Multi, the fourth generation of the legendary “four-bikes-in-one” motorcycle.

1. The new Multistrada V4 is available in three flavors – base, V4 S, and V4 S Sport. The significant differences between the V4 and V4 S models are the addition of:

Marzocchi Ducati Skyhook Suspension Evolution
Larger 330mm front brake discs squeezed by Brembo Stylema 4-piston calipers
Full LED headlight with daytime running lights and cornering lights
6.5-inch full-color TFT screen
Ducati Connect to connect the bike to a smartphone
Ducati Quick Shift for clutchless up/downshifts
Cruise control
Vehicle Hold Control for easier starts on hills

2021 Multistrada V4 S gray — S model shod with optional spoke wheels and Pirelli Scorpion STR tires

The V4 S Sport is further upgraded with “sport livery,” an Akrapovic carbon-fiber and titanium exhaust, and a carbon-fiber mudguard.

2. Powering the new Multistrada lineup is the 1158cc Granturismo engine, which creates 170 horsepower at 10,500 rpm, and 92 ft/lbs of torque at 8750 rpm. We covered all the details of the engine here, Ducati Multistrada V4 Engine.

3. The drastic difference is that this engine doesn’t use the Desmodromic valve train and instead uses spring valves. This equates to 36,000-mile service intervals for the new MST V4 versus 15,000 miles on the Multistrada 1260 – something many touring riders will appreciate, although many diehard Ducati fans will complain. Ducati says, “No other production bike currently available on the market goes that far.” Oil changes are also now 9500 miles vs. 7500 miles.

4. The engine also continues to offer four riding modes: Sport (170 horsepower), Touring (170 horsepower), Enduro (115 horsepower), and Urban (115 horsepower).

5. Just as Ducati sidelined the Desmodromic valve train, the Borgo Panigale company also abandoned the trellis frame and the single-sided swingarm. Replacing them are an aluminum monocoque frame and dual-sided swingarm designed for increased rigidity and lightness.

6. In regards to weight, the models weigh (ride ready):

529 pounds (V4)
536 pounds (V4 S)
533 pounds (V4 S Sport)

To put these numbers into perspective, the 2020 Ducati Multistrada 1260 base model weighs 512 pounds and the 1260 Enduro tips the scales at 570 pounds.

7. As always, electronics are plentiful on the Multistrada V4. The Ducati arrives with:

Eight-level traction control
Eight-level wheelie control
Three-level cornering ABS that can be disabled (also shuts off the rear in Enduro mode for rear brake lock-up)
Quickshifter for clutchless up/downshifts (S model only)
Vehicle Hold Control for easy starts on hills (S models only)
Radar Control (S models only), which allows the bike to have adaptive cruise control and blind-spot detection (a first for a motorcycle)

8. Typical of Ducati, the base V4 is equipped with a 50mm, upside-down fork that’s fully adjustable, along with a Marzocchi monoshock, while the S models get semi-active Marzocchi suspension controlled by the Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) Evolution system. The DSS provides electronic adjustment of the preload and hydraulic brakes in compression and extension of the rear shock absorber. “Fine adjustment takes place instantly and is integrated into the Riding Modes or can be personalized via the on-board computer,” according to Ducati. The semi-active system interfaces with the sensors to “read” riding style and road surface conditions and, continuously, adjusting the setting.

9. For the first time, the DSS suspension features a new Autoleveling function. This recognizes the bike’s load and then automatically adjusts the setting. The system is offered in addition to the options already available: rider only, rider with luggage, rider with passenger, or rider with passenger and luggage.

10. Suspension travel remains the same as the Multistrada 1260 with 6.7 inches up front but grows to just over 7 inches out back. Ground clearance is now 8.6 inches, up from the 1260 Enduro’s clearance of 8.1 inches.

11. Gone are the 17-inch wheels on the former Multistrada 1260. Like the 1260 Enduro, all V4 S versions have with 19-inch front/17-inch rear light-alloy cast-aluminum wheels. The Multistrada are shod with Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tires (120/70 x 19; 170/60 x 17). Spoked wheels are available from the factory. This means all Multistradas in the 2021 lineup – 950, 950 S, 1260 Enduro, and all V4s – use the 19/17-inch wheel setup. None are available with the traditional street-going 17/17 setup.

12. The Multistrada V4’s ergonomics were tweaked to place the rider in a more “dominant” position that caters to both on-road and standing off-road riding stances.

13. The V4’s seat has two-positions for adjustable heights: 33.0 and 33.9 inches.

14. The dashboard and controls of the new V4 models are also updated. The base model features a 5-inch TFT display, and the S models a 6.5-inch display. Ducati says the left control now allows “even easier and quicker menu navigation.” Riding Modes can be selected thanks to the new Mode button. On S models, the Adaptive Cruise Control is entrusted to the classic dedicated button to which the + and – buttons are added. These are used to increase or decrease the distance the rider wants to keep from the vehicle in front.

15. The fuel tank holds 5.8 gallons, up from the 1260’s 5.2-gallon tank, but down from the 1260 Enduro’s 7.9 gallons.

16. Another new addition is a storage area over the fuel tank that houses USB port and room for a mobile phone. The right side of the dashboard also features a 12-volt power socket. The Hands-Free Ignition returns.

17. The design has changed drastically over previous generation Multistradas, including sharper lines that mimic the sportier side of the bike, aerodynamic slots on the fairings, and a lack of rear side fairings that expose the trellis-style upper seat frame.

18. Ducati says the bikes will be available in dealerships in January 2021.

2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 (V4 S and V4 S Sport) Specs

ENGINE

Type: V4 Granturismo; 90-degree V4 w/ counterrotating crankshaft
Displacement: 1158cc
Bore x stroke: 83 x 53.5mm
Maximum power: 170 horsepower @ 10,500 rpm
Maximum torque: 92 ft-lbs @ 8750 rpm
Fueling: 45mm elliptical throttle bodies
Valvetrain: DOHC; 4vpc
Exhaust: Double catalytic converter w/ 4 lambda probes
Transmission: 6-speed
Clutch: Hydraulically actuated assist-and slipper
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS

Frame: Aluminum monocoque
Front suspension; travel: Fully adjustable 50mm inverted fork (V4 S and V4 S Sport: Fully electronically adjustable semi-active 50mm inverted fork); 6.7 inches
Rear suspension; travel: Fully adjustable shock (V4 S and V4 S Sport: Fully electronically adjustable semi-active shock); 7.1 inches
Wheels: Cast aluminum
Front wheel: 19 x 3
Rear wheel: 17 x 4.5
Tires: Pirelli Scorpion Trail II
Front tire: 120/70 x 19
Rear tire: 170/60 x 17
Front brakes: 320mm semi-floating discs w/ radially mounted Brembo monoblock 4-piston/2-pad calipers and radial master cylinder (V4 S and V4 S Sport: 320mm semi-floating discs w/ radially mounted Brembo M50 Stylema 4-piston/2-pad calipers and radial master cylinder)
Rear brakes: 265mm disc w/ Brembo 2-piston floating caliper
ABS: Cornering aware