Ducati Multistrada 950: Top 5 Facts

Of late, biking enthusiasts across the country have gradually started taking an interest in the premium adventure touring segment. While Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati sells its top-of-the-line Multistrada 1200 in India, some riders found it to be a bit too expensive and over-the-top. In order to cater to riders who want the ‘Multistrada’ experience in a smaller, more-accessible and less complex package, Ducati is all set to roll out the more affordable Multistrada 950 in the country on June 14. So what makes this bike a good deal against other adventure tourers in the segment? Read on to find out! Also read: Ducati Multistrada 1200S: Road Test Review

The powerplant:

The Multistrada 950 is powered by the Hypermotard-sourced 937cc Testastretta L-twin liquid-cooled engine with revised cylinder heads. The powerplant produces 113PS of power at 9000rpm and 96.2Nm of torque at 7750rpm (down by just 1Nm when compared to the Hypermotard). The engine is mated to a 6-speed transmission with straight-cut gears and slipper clutch. Ducati’s Desmodromic Variable Timing (DVT) has been given a miss in order to keep the costs under control.

Electronics and Safety:

With minimalistic yet effective electronics, Ducati has made sure touring with the Multistrada 950 is less intimidating and as safe possible. For starters, the bike features Ducati Traction Control (DTC). To ensure optimised response, this system controls both spark advance and throttle body. There are eight levels in total with level one offering the least amount of interference. As the levels go up, the rear wheelspin tolerance decreases, with the level eight being ideal for low traction surfaces like wet roads. Expert riders can corner-slide by setting the traction level at one or two. This system is also linked to four riding modes (Sport, Touring, Urban, Enduro) and can be personalised by the rider to suit his/her needs. For added convenience, the DTC function can also be switched off completely.

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Additionally, the bike is also equipped with switchable ABS which offers three levels of intervention. The first level is most suitable for off-road use where the ABS acts on the front wheel only and without rear wheel lift-off protection. The third level on the other hand offers maximum stability with the ABS kicking in on both wheels and prevents the rear wheel from lifting off during hard braking.

Chassis and Cycle Parts:

The Multistrada 950 employs a tubular steel trellis frame with two lateral aluminium subframes for maximum torsional rigidity. The swingarm is made of shell-cast aluminium and is twin-sided to offer the best balance between cost control and optimum handling. The suspension duties are taken care by 48mm KYB fully-adjustable inverted forks up front which offer 170mm of wheel travel and a fully adjustable Sachs monoshock rear unit with remote spring pre-load adjustment that offers 170mm of wheel travel. The 19-inch front and the 17-inch rear alloy wheels are shod with Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tyres. The bike is reined by dual 320mm discs with Brembo Monobloc callipers at the front and a single 265mm disc at the rear. Both the brakes are linked to the ABS system.

Maintenance:

Ducati has engineered the Multistrada 950 in such a way to ensure minimal service intervention. The valve clearances need to be checked only at 30,000km and the regular maintenance service intervals stand at a whopping 15,000km or 1 year! Considering Indian conditions, expect service intervals to be shorter than what is recommended by the manufacturer. Ducati’s service centres will also ensure that all the electronics work at their maximum effectiveness with regular software updates. The international version comes with a 24-month/ unlimited mileage warranty. Expect the same to be carried over in the Indian version as well. 

Price and Rivals:

Expect the Multistrada 950 to command a price of Rs 11 lakh, ex-showroom. Once launched, the Multistrada will compete against the Triumph Tiger 800, Kawasaki Versys 1000 and the Suzuki V-Strom. Ducati offers three accessory packs with the international version- Touring, Sport, Urban, and Enduro pack. Expect at least the Urban pack to be offered as an option here.