Ducati Multistrada 1200

Ducati has launched Multistrada.Ducati.com, ending the speculation as to the name of the companies upcoming multistrada replacement – the Mulitstrada 1200.  Not “Strada Aperta” or Cayenne as some have speculated.  The website is essentially a countdown to the bikes reveal on November 9th, 2009, only definitively offering that the bike has a name, Multistrada 1200, and a headlight… Unless you pause the video and do some image enhancement, at which point some details are obvious…

The new windcreen is narrow, recalling the Hypermotrad Touring screen, but likely adjustable.  The windscreen also appears not to extend as far down the bikes front fairing as seen in the “Strada Aperta” shots run by MCN and Hell for Leather.  So we could be looking at variants on a base model.

The handguards are recalling the Hypermotad, with integrated signals, so no real surprises there. While the mirrors in keeping with the entire look are more angular, though not bar-ended as with the Hypermotard. Despite the lack of soft curves, the front really does keep with the “tradition” off the 1098/1198 which harkens back to Ducati’s 916. And of course it’s narrow in a do not adjust your vertical, do not adjust your horizontal sort of way. Visually you could call it a 1098 tall then. To be honest, given our history with the Multistrada as a bike, we’re pleased the new bike retains the old name for a sense of continuity.

A Ducati UK Press Release has hit the wires ending speculation as to the new Multistrada 1200′s power plant:
“Bologna, October 30th 2009: Ducati have now confirmed that the Multistrada 1200, which for months has filled international publications, forums and blogs with rumours and speculation, will have its official public presentation at the EICMA 2009 International Motorcycle Show in Milan, where the brand new model will take centre stage.

From November 10-15, in Hall 18 of the Milano Fiera, the exciting new motorcycle will be exhibited to the public for the first time, preceded by a dedicated unveiling to International Press during a conference on November 9th. Faithful to the original intuition, which combined sport bike technology with comfort and versatility, Ducati now extend the concept further with a brand new Multistrada 1200 designed to satisfy the demands of all motorcyclists. With completely new, but purely Ducati look and style, the Multistrada 1200 delivers sport bike power and excitement, being easy to ride and with a high priority on safety and comfort.

Ducati have designed a motorcycle to tackle all kinds of journeys and road surfaces using technology derived from the Bologna made race bikes in MotoGP and World Superbike. From a sport bike for outright excitement to a tourer for long journeys with passenger and luggage, and from an everyday bike which can breeze through the daily commute to an agile enduro able to tackle off-road routes, the brand new Ducati is transforms itself to suit the rider’s demands.

The heart of the Multistrada 1200 is derived from the World Championship-winning Superbike 1198 Testastretta engine, modified to provide unprecedented smoothness and tractability. Referred to as the Testastretta 11°(eleven degrees) , it represents a milestone in combining performance with usability.”

Given the choice of power plant, we’d estimate the new Multistrada’s output around 140 to 150 hp and 80 to 85 lb-ft of torque, making the Ducati a power leader in the “big trailie” class. Suddenly the Triumph Tiger and KTM 990 SMT and Adventure are looking a bit soft around the power curve by comparison.

Mind you that sort of power seems at odds with the claim of “an agile enduro able to tackle off-road routes”. We’d conjecture that if Suzuki can do change-on-the-fly power for the GSX-R 1000 mapping and BMW can add a traction control option to the R1200GS Adventure in the form of antislip, there’s no reasons the Multistrada 1200 couldn’t be augmented by power management technologies to help the “road warrior” go “adventuring”. Given that Ducati has been pushing traction control forwards with the 1198 and Streetfighter, the concept doesn’t seem outlandish.

As with you, we’re waiting with anticipation to see the final specifications of the Multistrada 1200.