Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro, zero off road experience and immediately at the top! [ROAD TEST]

Tomas Del Campo collaborated

Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro – The Multistrada has a large group of enthusiasts, but it wasn't enough. After last year's revolution (here is our road test), with the introduction of absolute innovations such as the engine with DVT variable valve timing, Cruise Control as standard, or integration with Bluetooth, this year he attempted the assault on his Majesty BMW R1200GS, with the Enduro version, which winks at those aiming for off road, or at least the taste of adventure. That “Multi” at the beginning of its name is now further legitimized by the new features. Let's talk about one 19" front wheel, swingarm instead of the rear single-sided swing arm and longer travel suspension, which translate into a vocation for off-road riding, which no one would have ever expected from a Ducati, but also into greater comfort compared to the "standard Multi", which is probably what the customer of a motorcycle like this is looking for.

In fact, if you are unlikely to go on extreme routes, you will be struck by the advantages it brings to the table with a view to long journeys, as well as by its extremely attractive aesthetics, thanks to the innovations introduced. The very powerful 160 horsepower engine remains, it gains a specific Enduro mode, it passes the threshold of 20 thousand euros, with a list price close to 21 (20.990, 1.100 more than the "S" from which it derives). It is a flagship, if we want to define it that way, capable of satisfying the most demanding palates, from many points of view. With the huge aluminum bags it is perfect for a trip, perhaps for two people and without placing too many limits on luggage, it remains a beautiful monster to drive aggressively, with a thrust and a sound that few competitors find, while the innovations allow those who want it to do a couple of off-road trips , or more simply to get out of trouble even if the journey requires a passage away from the asphalt. A complete motorbike with a double soul, even if, if you really love off-roading, you should choose it with knobby tyres, available at no additional cost (which obviously performs less well on asphalt though). Since we are essentially at the end of the season, we can tell you that it has not achieved all the success that could have been expected, but after having driven it we are certain that it could replicate the result of the Multistrada 1200, sold in multiple units in its second year of life.

Aesthetics and finishes:

rating:  

A convincing first time

Presented at the last edition of Eicma, it was admired with a transformation that gave her an even more impactful appearance. In addition to the 19" wheel, it boasts indeed beautiful spoke rims, which keep the tires tubeless thanks to the choreographic attacks on the external part of the matte black channel. In addition to this we then find the oversized tank, an element that transforms it from slim to imposing and is capable of holding a good 30 litres.

The beak is lengthened to offer greater protection from stones, the sides are now made of aluminium, like the kit of optional bags, truly gigantic, with the possibility of loading a lot when traveling (as usual, the exhaust side one has an internal step which slightly reduces its capacity), but with a considerable amount of space in addition to the shape of the handlebar. By choosing them, practicality is preferred (disassembling and assembling them is really very simple and convenient), as well as load capacity, but sacrificing aesthetics a bit, because they require a dedicated and clearly visible attachment structure when traveling without suitcases. There remains the possibility of taking advantage of the integrated attachments and using the smaller matching bags. In this case it is therefore not necessary to mount the additional structure that you see on the sample under test. The limit suggested by the company with mounted bags is high, in fact you can even go up to 180 km/h!

The saddle height increases, which is more "dug" into the bike, to keep it as low as possible. You can choose it in three configurations, from 850 to 890 mm from the ground. We then find features for off-road driving, such as the metal footrests with inserts that can be eliminated when riding with enduro boots, while the rear brake and gearbox are adjustable, again for "standing" riding. For the rest we find the Multistrada discovered last year, with many very well looked after details, flagship equipment and lots of quality. The instrumentation offers, via the 5" display, a myriad of data, while the blocks can also be seen well at night, given that they are backlit. The windshield is adjustable, one hand is enough and you can do it on the move without major problems. In the high position the protection is good and suitable for tackling a long journey without the fear of getting a sore neck.

Engine and performance:

rating:  

Angry and aggressive when everything is asked for, rounded and homogeneous in the "tourist" provision

The Ducati twin-cylinder is increasingly a certainty. Let's start by telling you that it remains almost identical to the Testastretta 1200 DVT tested on the Multistrada S last year, it therefore confirms all its merits. There have been some interventions regarding the variable timing, to give even more torque at the bottom and make the delivery full-bodied in the mids. The power and torque data remain unchanged, with i 160 horsepower at 9.500 rpm and 136 Nm at 7.500. It is obviously a unit Euro 4. Other interventions have instead been designed to allow the Multistrada Enduro to be able to make important fords without problems. A final interesting novelty, given the size at stake, is the introduction of the system Vehicle HoldControl, which acts on the rear brake, facilitating uphill starts. Given that the Enduro veers, at least as a concept, in the "GS" direction, making a comparison with the BMW world, our opinion is that this 1.200 has a character that places it halfway, between the boxer 1.200 and the inline 4 of the Propeller House. It has much of the nastiness of the 160 horsepower of the S1000XR, but combines it with the more captivating sound of a 2 and with the back and push to the bass, unknown to multi-fractionists. If we have to find a flaw it is that, in traffic and when temperatures are high, it heats up a lot, but it could hardly be otherwise.

Moving on to the peculiarities of this new model, gain the Enduro mode. In this case the twin cylinder drops to 100 horsesand releases the rear from the ABS system, allowing it to be blocked if necessary and anti-wheeling is also deactivated. Without changing the traction control settings, however, it is difficult to raise the front of the Multistrada, which always remains firmly planted on the ground. In this, the system for managing the various parameters continues to leave us with some doubts, which can be easily recalled, even while moving, by choosing between the 4 Riding Modes available (Urban, Normal, Sport and Enduro), but when you want to act on a single parameter (there is everything available, given that only traction and wheelie control have 8 levels each), you need to stop and fiddle with the buttons for quite a long time. The most "geeky" Ducati enthusiasts have become accustomed to it and sacrifice one of the preset modes to configure a setting that does what you want in those "5 minutes as a hooligan", which can happen every now and then. So off with traction and wheelie control and maybe the engine at full power. Returning to the “Multi” Enduro, one last important change concerns the ratio, slightly shorter, sacrificing a bit of reach to have more readiness at low speeds and, above all, better manageability off road. All this, at least from what we have been able to see, is not paid for with a tangible difference in consumption.

Ride and handling:

rating:  

She is ready for off road, as long as she finds an expert driver

Someone, seeing it stopped live at the last edition of Eicma, thought it might be an unnecessary gamble. Her fear was that of being in front of a motorbike that winked at enthusiasts of the genre, without being able to offer a real propensity for off-road riding. Ducati was approaching this type of motorcycle for the first time and the doubts were, from a certain point of view, legitimate. However, this was not done lightly. To be clear, the news is not limited to appearance or even to fill a press release, but of substance and full-bodied. In fact, the dimensions of the chassis have also been modified, the trail increases to 110 mm (+4),steerer angle is 21° (opens by 1), while, especially for the new swingarm, the wheelbase gains even 65 mm (it is now 1.594). We then find suspensions with increased travel, but also solutions typical of "technical" motorcycles for off-road riding, such as the fork with the advanced pivot.

In practice, all these changes translate into the fact that, with the new Multistrada Enduro, you can enjoy some nice power traverses on dirt roads, even with the Pirelli Scorpion II. The electronics help, quite a bit, but we are still talking about a motorcycle over 250 kg (254 with full tank), which obviously make it suitable for non-severe off-road use. Furthermore, the protection from stones is adequate, but slipping could be not only dangerous, but also expensive, given that it is a motorbike costing 21 thousand euros (and more with bags and accessories). This Multistrada Enduro, on the other hand, is perfect for dirt roads, where you can maintain a brisk pace without great effort and with a comfort that is completely different from the "S" version from which it derives. Thanks to a specific setting need semi-active suspension with a travel of 200 mm, as well as the possibility of riding it comfortably standing, thanks to the innovations mentioned for the platforms, as well as the handlebars 50 mm higher. The Pirelli Scorpion II are the "smooth" alternative to the knobby, obviously the most popular and the standard one, unless chosen the free off-road option. These are the Pirelli Scorpion Rally, which are approved for speeds up to 190 km/h. In both cases the section drops, because the rear measurement is 170 (“barra” 60), more suitable for enduro. If you are curious to know how far you can dare with the knobby "Multi", starting this year there is a Enduro section of the DRE (Ducati Riding Experience), which "Broadens your driving horizons", thanks to a full immersion of an off road weekend in Tuscany, in the company of expert drivers, led by ex-Dakari driver Beppe Gualini.

Returning to use on asphalt, on the Multistrada Enduro we find the convenient cruise control and there is also the central stand. The transmission chain, however, has been confirmed, in a sector where the cardan is almost a rule (practically only KTM is an exception). The tank is wide, but the knees remain narrow like on the "S" from which it derives. This is not a trivial detail, because it translates into a sportier ride that reconciles the two souls of the Enduro, which is open to off-road riders, but remains one of the best on the road. The bike proves to be very stable on fast speeds and, we have already mentioned the 180 km/h allowed even with bags mounted, but the front end remains well positioned even when going further (obviously with bags removed). The only flaw, if we really want to find it, is that the passenger suffers, in case of slightly sporty driving, because the handles are not very functional, something improves if you try to hold on to the rear, but the definitive solution could be to mount a top case with backrest. It deserves a note the front 19 wheel, because in addition to being a "piece" of the package dedicated to off road, we also really liked it on the road, where the Enduro loses nothing, but rather becomes more rounded and easier to ride.

Price and consumption:

rating:  

Flagship also in price, excellent autonomy

Let's start from what could perhaps be the only sore point, the price. The Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro is a flagship capable of truly taking you anywhere, pleasant to drive, whatever your style or the context in which you ask it to move, with captivating aesthetics and lots of technology and quality. During our test we found them very few flaws, largely negligible. So here it is those approximately 21 thousand euros of its list price seem more than justified, but in absolute value they are a really important figure. The equipment it brings to the table is decent, with only one exception worth mentioning. We would have imagined that we would find an electronic gearbox, at least upwards, which however does not seem to be foreseen at the moment, not even as an option. Instead we find the touring package, which includes the aluminum suitcases you see in the photo (with relative structure) and the heated grips, as well as the practical small handlebar bag, which costs around 1.700 € (currently on promotion compared to its list price of 1.950). In the Urban package (also on promotion), with 975 € you can have the aluminum top case and the tank bag with relative extension cables for the USB socket. Not missing, offered for 914 euros, an Enduro package, with additional protections, including a cage of tubes on which to fix spotlights. You can then use the optional risers to raise the handlebars by a further 20 mm, or purchase quality materials for some details, as usual for Ducati models. Let's say that for a Multistrada Enduro complete with a trio of bags and also perfect for traveling with two, the price rises close to the 24.000 euro threshold. If you want to exaggerate, you can easily go over 25.000, because to give a complete titanium exhaust to your loved one, you need almost 2.200 euros (with 975 you can limit yourself to just the muffler). Whether you have purchased the Multistrada Enduro or not, you can treat yourself to the experience of DRE Enduro with 680 euros (excluding overnight stay), which includes the use of the school motorbikes, in addition to the course and 2 lunches and dinner. Moving on to consumption, as mentioned, the short ratio does not seem to have had much influence on the mileage with one liter of fuel, which remains substantially identical to that of the "S" tested last year. Very reasonable values, given the performance it is capable of. Even in extreme use it does not drop below the threshold of 15 per liter, more reasonably it approaches 18-20, with driving that respects the highway code. With the 30 liter tank, autonomy is therefore never a problem and is well over 500 km.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
The most multi-use "Multi" ever, it can really go off (light), without losing any of its practicality on asphalt, on the contrary
We do not like it:
Flagship also in price, decidedly important

Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro: the Motorionline Report Card

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Test clothing:
Jacket: Dainese D-Explorer Gore-Tex Jacket
Trousers: Dainese D-Explorer Gore-Tex Pants
Gloves: Dainese Ergotour Gore-tex X-trafit Gloves
Boots: Dainese Latemar Gore-Tex Boots
Helmet: AGV AX-8 Dual Evo