Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
Now, today, Ducati announced a major update for their Multistrada V4 adventure bike, along with the super-sporty Pikes Peak version.
we’ll go through all of the details with the key things that you need to know about.
Engine Changes for Euro 5B Compliance
Now, probably the reason that this bike has been updated now, as well as being a few years since the last update, is the fact that we’ve got new emissions regulations coming in with Euro 5B or 5 plus.
So while the engine, the brilliant V4 Gran Turismo, is funded fundamentally the same with the same 170 horsepower peak, the same peak torque figure.
They’ve just cleaned it up a bit to keep it within the constraints of the new requirements. Presumably, part of that has been the exhaust system.
Improved Sound for the Multistrada V4
And while they were working on it, they also say they took the opportunity to enhance the sound. Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
it was one of the parts of the bike that I just found a little bit disappointing.
It felt like it could have been more basey and rich, even from a stock exhaust system that passes these requirements.
They say they’ve given it a more personal tone, so hopefully that means a bit more personality.
I’m certainly looking forward to hearing what this new one sounds like, because, of course, being a V4, it’s got bags of potential.
New Extended Rear Cylinder Deactivation
Now, the other thing to point out with the engine is the fact that it now gets their extended rear cylinder deactivation, which pretty much trickles down from the Rally variant of the Multistrata V4, and I also think the diavel V4 Power Cruiser.
You see, the previous generation did have standard rear cylinder deactivation.
And the general idea of this is to keep you cool when you’re sat at the lights in traffic by shutting off those rear two cylinders, which are right under your nuts.
While you’re sitting there, the front two cylinders are keeping the engine ticking over, and then the whole thing kicks back in as soon as you touch the throttle.
Now, the extended version, which was previously, like I say, only on the rally, maintains this behavior at low speeds as well.
So it should also keep you cool when you’re riding in slow moving traffic, for example. Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
It’s a little bit weird to think about the fact that effectively you’re just riding a 500 cc parallel twin at low speeds.
Fuel Efficiency Improvements
But as well as the cooling benefits, you’ve also got to consider that they say overall this version of the engine is now 6% more fuel-efficient.
And that should be welcome news indeed, because this has always been one of the more thirsty adventure bikes on the market.
Chassis and Swing Arm Enhancements
Generally, though, I’m not expecting this bike to be massively different to ride because of the same output figures from the engine and also the fact that the chassis is largely the same, too.
The only change in the press release that I think is worth mentioning is the fact that they’ve moved the swing arm pivot up by a millimeter, and this is said to improve the anti-squat behavior of the bike.
In their words, they said the intention is to make riding more precise and effective, even at full load. Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
Passenger Comfort and Luggage Adjustments
And in fact, full load riding, so with a passenger and luggage, is a little bit of a common theme amongst some of these updates.
Take the luggage, for example, they’ve moved it back by 25 millimeters, and that’s said to give the passenger a little bit more space, especially for their legs.
And also the rear rack is a little more robust, which means that the top box becomes a more reassuring backrest for the passenger.
Auto-Leveling and Suspension Upgrades
Then you’ve also got the suspension So the preload on the rear shock now has a greater range. Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
And so combined with the auto-leveling feature that basically automatically adjust the preload, no matter how much you’ve got loaded up on the bike,
it should be able to quickly and conveniently find the optimal setting, regardless of how much you’ve chucked on the back there.
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And I guess the other thing to consider as well is the fact that they’ve moved the luggage back by 25 millimeters, and that might allow the passenger to move back a little bit as well.
And so presumably all of that weight has a bit more leverage over the rear shock, so more of a range of preload must be a good thing.
There are plenty of things, in fact, to get stuck into here with the suspension.
New Auto Ride Height Feature
So the other thing they’ve included now is an auto ride high feature, which kicks in at speeds of under 10 km/hour and then automatically jacks back up at over 50 km/ hour. Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
The idea is it makes it easier to get both your feet down when you come to a standstill, which is always a good thing if you’ve got the bike really loaded up.
I assume this is a response to the BMW R1300 GS, which was released with a similar feature earlier this year, I did think it was really rather good.
Now, it’s worth pointing out that the previous generation Multistrada V4 did have a very similar feature called minimum preload.
But with this one, you had to manually press a button on the switch gear to get it to drop down.
a manual button or automatic, I much prefer that GS version because you just don’t have to think about it and it feels totally natural.
Skyhook Suspension and Fork Sensor Innovations
Then we’ve got to mention new fork sensor, which ties into their Skyhuck semi-active electronic suspension system. Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
The general idea of Skyhuck is that it keeps the main body of the bike traveling level, almost as if it suspended from a hook in the sky, hence the name.
And the suspension does all the work with wheels to soak up any undulations in the road or surface.
I think it looks really impressive as to how composed the main part of the bike is.
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As part of this new system, though, it does say with this fork sensor, it can bring in some predictive behavior, like a feature that they’re calling bump detection.
From what I’ve read, I think how this system works is that if the fork sensor hits a sudden bump, like a pothole or something like that, then in real-time,
it will immediately completely back off the dampen on the rear shock in order to give you the maximum chance of soaking up that hit.
And look, I think that’s going to be especially comforting to passengers because we’ve all been over potholes or speed bumps where it basically launches the passenger out of the seat. Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
it’s going to be a bit of a weird review, taking a 20-odd thousand pound adventure bike to seek out potholes to absolutely middle at a good speed.
Lastly, on the suspension, specifically, you can now change the settings on the fly regardless of which riding mode you’re in.
And so that’s going to be particularly handy if you ride in between motorways and then straight onto back roads, for example, where you might want to preserve that sporty throttle response, but be able to dial in the comfort and composure of the ride.
Brake System
So let’s move swiftly onto the brakes, which are linked.
If you use the front brake lever, for example, it will electronically on your behalf apply both the front and rear brake calipers in order to stop the bike as quickly and safely as possible. Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
It’s becoming an increasingly common feature on bikes of all different genres, but specifically on a big bike like this, when you’re two up with luggage, it’s something that I probably rather have than not.
New for this update, though, this 2025 bike, well, as well as the front lever being linked, you’ve also got it on the rear brake pedal, too.
So the rear brake pedal will effectively operate both brakes.
This one I’m a little bit less sure about because it is nice to have the option to drag the rear brake, for example, when you’re riding at lower speeds, it can give you a bit of extra control.
Updated Radar Technology and Collision Warnings
Now onto the tech package and the Multistrade E4 was in fact one of the first bikes to get radar technology with active cruise control, powered by the radar at the front, and also blind spot warnings, powered by one at the rear.
This year, So front collision warnings have also been added, and so I assume that’s going to flash a warning up on the dash when it thinks you’re approaching the traffic in front at a potentially dangerous rate. Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
Sounds fairly sensible to me to make use of the hardware that’s on the bike in this way.
And the only thing I will say is it’s a bit of a shame they haven’t added rear collision warnings as well.
Now, they’ve put this on the 2025 GSs, and essentially what it does is flashes the rear indicators to warn traffic behind you if they think they’re approaching a potentially dangerous rate. Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
Still could be one for a mid-cycle update.
Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO) for Better Control
Now, on top of that, in the tech department, they’ve also got this new system called DVO, which stands for Ducati Vehicle Observer, and it was first announced, I think, for their production bikes on on a recent Panigale V4 announcement.
But previous to that, it trickles down from tech that was developed for their Moto GP program.
Basically, I think this is a software thing which they say simulates the inputs of 70 sensors integrated with the data from the measurement units, so the lean angles and stuff like that.
It gives them a view of the bike and the way that the bike’s behaving in much greater detail. Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
As for what benefit this translates to for the rider, well, the result, they say, is refined strategies for the cornering ABS, the Ducati Wheelie Control, and also the Ducati Traction Control System.
So hopefully a safer bike to ride at speed.
New Riding Modes, Including Wet Mode
Riding modes have also been mixed up a little bit, so there’s now a wet mode for the first time.
This one limits peak power to 115 horses, and of course, ramps up the traction control keenness and also the ABS,
although it does sound quite similar to the urban riding mode, which was on the previous generation and also still exists on this new one, too.