As if the Monster 797 and 1299 Superleggera weren't enough, Ducati has whipped back the sheet on the Multistrada 950 in Milan. Even though it runs with a smaller, less powerful engine than the full-fat Multistrada, Ducati says its latest adventurer offers the same go-anywhere versatility at a more accessible price point.
According to Ducati, the new 950 combines the best of the Multistrada 1200 and the Multistrada 1200 Enduro to create a lighter, more approachable beast. Nestled within the chassis is a liquid-cooled Testastretta twin, but displacement has dropped from 1198cc to 937cc for 113 hp (84 kW) of power and 96 Nm (130 lb.ft) of torque. The engine is hooked up to a six-speed gearbox with a cable-actuated slipper clutch.
As for the chassis, the front wheel is hooked up to an inverted KYB fork, while the rear is connected to Sachs shock with remote preload. Both offer the same 6.7 in (17 cm) of travel. The case aluminum wheels measure 19 inches up front and 17 inches down back, and are wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tires, chosen for their balance of road and gravel performance.
Just like its bigger brother, the Multistrada 950 can be electronically tweaked to deal with a wide range of road surfaces and conditions. Switching between sport, touring, urban and enduro modes changes the tune of the fly-by-wire throttle, and alters the way the traction control and anti-lock brakes work. It should be easy to switch modes while rolling too, thanks to the bike's big digital readout.
There are plenty of options when it comes to customization, with a range of packages named to match the different riding modes. The Sport Package includes a titanium Termignoni exhaust, while the Enduro Package brings extra engine and pipe protection for serious off-roading. In Touring trim there's 12.3 gal (56 liters) of extra storage from color-matched panniers, and the Urban Package bikes get a special top case.
When it lands in showrooms in January 2017, you'll pay US$13,995 for a Multistrada 950 in Ducati Red, and the Star White Silk version will cost $14,195.
Source: Ducati