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SPORTS VS ADVENTURE: A NEW BEGINNING WITH THE DUCATI MULTISTRADA V4S (PART 2).

As a quick reminder, last time we spoke about the ergonomics, tech features, engine, touring capability, suspension, and brakes. 

One thing I want to start with today are the Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2 tyres, which come as standard on this bike. A quality rubber is hugely important, and the Pirelli’s don’t disappoint. The V4S has a whopping 19-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear wheel. It’s no surprise that these tyres feel fantastic on the road and give you confidence going into every corner. It’s also worth pointing out how stable and planted the V4S feels, the overall confidence the machine gives you is fantastic, and on a motorcycle that’s crucial. The Pirelli’s are an award-winning set of tyres, so expect nothing less than confidence-inspiring performance. A good set of tyres also benefits the range you will get out the bike and the Ducati Multistrada V4S is expected to make 180 miles (dependant on riding style) on a full tank. 

Another place where the Multistrada wins, is its screens. Both the wind deflector (which is movable with a simple handle to provide ample cover) and the lovely 6.5-inch TFT dash. Ducati have really nailed the easy-to-use system and lovely colour range of the new screen. One thing you want when having to glance down at the dash, is easy to read numbers and the stark comparison between my 2018 H2SX is huge, as that model year was yet to adapt a TFT.

The Multistrada also has some fancy electronics such as Ducati Connect which lets you connect your phone and even run satellite navigation through the main dash, although the phone holder on the tank is better suited to holding the remote key, as appose to a phone bigger than a Nokia 3210. The remote key was actually a nice feature too, if you remember not to leave it in the bike. The joystick control on the handlebars is another easy-to-use feature and being able to adjust suspension settings on the fly is a great addition to any motorcycle. 

Moving onto the exhaust note, and I have to be truthful here, as I’m mainly a sports bike rider, it is hard to fall in love too much with an adventure bike sound, but the Ducati Multistrada does a good job and the burble of the V4 is a pleasant, but not deafening sound. I can’t though compare it to a sports bike, and in reality, that’s a good thing, because if you are travelling long distance then you would eventually become annoyed with the drone of a loud exhaust. 

But out of everything that I love about the Multistrada V4S, the one big reason why I love sports bikes, are the way they look. For some people the look of a bike is not that important, but for me, and I think the reason why many people get into motorcycling in general, is that sports bikes just look cool, like a motorcycle should look, in my opinion. If for example I had the option between a Panigale and a Multistrada, I would have to choose the Panigale every single time. It wouldn’t be as comfortable or as practical, but then that’s not what I normally use a motorcycle for, I use them in a one hour slot at the weekend to pull some straight line sprints and ‘attempt’ to get the knee down round some twisties. If I needed a bike for long distance, the Multistrada would be close to perfection, and in all honesty, I think it’s one of the best-looking adventure bikes out there. Not forgetting, it’s a Ducati, they look good and other people show interest in what you’re riding. But for me, at the moment, (and the Multistrada was definitely convincing me to change my mindset) a bike is for a weekend blast and whilst I think the V4S could scratch that itch, it’s not it’s primary focus. 

As an adventure bike, I would have to give the Multistrada V4S a 9/10. I genuinely think it’s a brilliant piece of kit, and in a perfect world, a two-bike garage, it could definitely make it’s way into my collection, but for the moment, it’s hard to lose the thrill of a 200HP supercharged missile. It is worth mentioning though that Ducati have recently released an RS version, with extra power and sportiness. I haven’t ridden it myself, but I think there will definitely come a time, where sport-adventure bikes are so close to sports bikes that they become the best all-rounder, and the sports bike market will continue to decline as comfort + power become the more sensible decision. I’m definitely open to being further convinced that adventure-sports bikes are the way forward, and I think something like the RS Multistrada or BMW M1000XR could be the perfect balance of comfort and a little bit of spice. 

Thanks for reading the second part of SPORTS VS ADVENTURE and we’ll be sure to release some similar content to this, in the future. 

SPORTS VS ADVENTURE: A NEW BEGINNING WITH THE DUCATI MULTISTRADA V4S (PART 2). | SuperBike