The bike that can't be pigeon-holed - Ducati Multistrada News

DUCATI claims that its new Multistrada is a bike for all seasons. Touring, B-road scratching and even track days are listed as among its capabilities and I was really looking forward to testing this new concept from Italy.

Even though I liked the radical styling, my first impressions were disappointing. It felt tall and heavy compared to my Super Moto - which is still top of my list for twisty lanes with poor road surfaces - and the suspension was set up on the soft side, which induced a weave when the bike was pushed hard.

Back to the garage and with a couple of clicks on the front end, I left it there for the night. Next day I put it to the test with a trip over Hartside Pass with a couple of friends on Super Moto's, which I reckoned would show how close the Multistrada is to fulfilling the claims made for it.

And it came through with flying colours.

Anyone who is familiar with Hartside will know that it's a succession of tight bends linked with short straights that drop from the Pennine moors of Alston. Over the years it has claimed many riders who have not treated it with respect.

The KTM I was following could hustle through the tighter turns, but on the straights I pulled back any advantages using that torquey V twin power. Maybe the Ducati press release was not that far away!

Onward into the Lake District and things were looking bright. The Super Moto's had to make their customary fuel stops every 60 miles or so but the Multistrada still showed three bars on the fuel gauge after 120 miles, and on the more open A66 from Penrith to Cockermouth the Ducati was in it's element.

So what is the Multistrada? Well think of it as a big trailie like Honda's Africa Twin or BMW's GS range, but with sports suspension and sticky 17 inch tyres, not unlike the early Super Moto's which were converted open class Motorcrossers but with a stronger link to pure road riding and all the comforts that entails.

Pillion capacity, good fuel range and decent instrumentation are all featured in a package that is both striking and stylish as well as practical.

The trademark Ducati steel frame is here as well as single sided rear suspension and under seat exhausts. The new 1,000cc air cooled motor, which is developed from the old 900cc unit, fits the bill perfectly.

The Multistrada is not a bike to be pigeon holed, riders who like the big trail bike scene but yearn for something a bit more sporty will love the bike, as will sports bike owners who feel the strain after a few miles on their race reps.

Tourers who want something a bit different - hard luggage is available as an optional extra - could point this bike southwards for the continent and not be disappointed and, on that note, foreign riders will be knocking on the dealers doors to get their hands on it.

Only a few years ago the market was typically sports or touring orientated and you didn't have much choice. Now the times are changing and the niche markets are being catered for. The Multistrada is one such niche bike and motorcycling is better off because of it.

FACT FILE

Ducati Multistrada 1000 DS

Price: n/a

Insurance: 15

Max speed: 130mph

Economy: 42mpg