Ducati has explained its “Globetrotter Attitude” and how it applies to the new 2016 Multistrada 1200 Enduro.
The new bike is due for launch in Australia next month and takes Ducati into a new market segment and the tough environment of off road adventure riding.
Ducati says the standard high-tech equipment featured on the new Multistrada 1200 Enduro is designed to make this motorcycle perfect even when riding conditions are at their toughest.
Every technical choice was carefully evaluated by focusing on the rider and on the rider’s safety and comfort.
But Ducati also knew that worldwide support for the bike was crucial to its success, and points out that there is now a network of 766 Ducati dealers and service points in 90 countries around the world.
The new Multistrada 1200 Enduro has been designed to deal with the most remote of areas and toughest conditions, while still being built to ensure ultimate safety for everyday use.
The very long list of upgraded features starts with the 30 litre fuel tank. Its capacity is 10 litres more than that of the Multistrada 1200 allowing over 450 km range between fuel stops. The tank is protected by aluminium side panels.
The front wheel is 19” as opposed to the 17” wheel used on the standard Multistrada. The front mudguard and beak have been set to improve the rider’s protection from debris.
The swingarm is double-sided to handle the stress of off-road riding, rather than the single-sided unit on the Multistrada 1200.
The exhaust silencer sits higher and is narrower than the twin silencer on the Multistrada 1200, making water crossing easier and safer.
And then there are nice little touches like the gear lever that has an articulated design to prevent breakage in the event of a fall or impact, and a skid plate that protects the bike from obstacles.
The handlebars are 50mm higher and the mirrors are positioned so they don’t interfere with the rider’s arms when riding while standing on the pegs.
The electronics and rider aids on the new Multistrada 1200 Enduro are also impressive.
Bosch Cornering ABS is standard. It proportions braking power between the front and rear and limits braking when leaning through corners. The system has three settings to adjust for different conditions.
There are full LED headlights with a cornering function that light the shadow area on the inside of corners.
And a new Vehicle Hold Control function that modulates the rear brake as the rider operates the clutch and throttle will make uphill and fully loaded starts easier, especially on slippery ground.
The engine management system has four power modes, 8-level adjustable traction control and wheelie control, and cruise control.
The suspension is semi-active and adjusts to maintain optimum control in any situation and any load condition.
Finally the instrumentation is a 5” colour TFT display with infotainment and handsfree systems built in.
The Ducati’s obvious competitor in the market is the KTM 1290 Super Adventure, which is currently priced at a few thousand dollars less.
The 2016 Multistrada 1200 Enduro is due in Australia in April, and its pricing starts at $29,990.