Multistrada reaches its peak: Ducati all-rounder gets uprated chassis, electronics and more

These are the first official pictures of the new, performance-enhanced, Pikes Peak version of Ducati’s already brilliant Multistrada V4.

• We’ve ridden it: Ducati Multilstrada V4 Pikes Peak review

And, with its new, single-sided swingarm, lighter, 17in wheels, revised steering geometry, uprated electronics and a sportier riding position, not to mention racy MotoGP livery, we’ve no reason to doubt the Italian firm’s claim that it’s the “sportiest Multistrada yet”.

Related articles on MCN

• Standard Ducati Multistrada V4 review
• Ducati looking carefully at synthetic fuel for future models
• Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak pre-production model ridden

As with previous Pikes Peak models (the first coming in 2011, the most recent the 2019 1260 158bhp V-twin), the new bike is inspired by (and named after) Ducati’s success at the American hillclimb, even though the race now excludes bikes following Ducati rider Carlin Dunne’s tragic, fatal crash in 2019.

Like those predecessors, the new Pikes Peak features race replica (in this case MotoGP-inspired) livery and revised styling including a smoked, cut-down screen, two-tone black/red seat complete with V4 logo, plus race-style Ducati Corse badge on the front ‘beak’.

There are bigger changes under its skin. Although the Multistrada V4’s 170bhp Granturismo engine is unchanged, the Pikes Peak comes with a road-legal titanium and carbon Akrapovic silencer and gets an additional Race riding mode which is a first for the Multistrada V4 family.

This allows a more gradual intervention of the rev-limiter, as desirable when riding hard at high revs, an even more direct throttle response plus a new quickshifter setting to allow more aggressive downshifts.

But the biggest changes are to the bike’s chassis. Conceived exclusively as a road and track machine, the Pikes Peak gets a road-style 17in front wheel (previous MTS V4s use 19-incher), while both front and rear rims are Marchesini forged aluminium items which save 2.7kg over those of the Multistrada V4 S and contribute to the PP’s overall weight reduction of 4kg. Those 17in wheels also allow the use of sports tyres in 120/70 and 190/55 fitments.

The Multistrada V4’s monocoque frame also gets revised steering geometry to compensate for new wheel size, with rake now 25.75º compared to the S’s 24.5º.

Brakes are uprated slightly, too, comprising 330mm twin discs and top spec Brembo Stylema calipers from the Multistrada V4 S but now with the more race-orientated pads from the Panigale V4 superbike. While the racy new single-sided swingarm is another first on a Multistrada V4.

Finally, the Pikes Peak also gets a significantly revised riding position intended to be sportier than the standard Multistrada V4 and comprising higher and more rearset footpegs and a lower and narrower handlebar.

Elsewhere, the Pikes Peak inherits most of the class-leading equipment from the Multistrada V4 S, including Ohlins semi-active suspension, radar-controlled Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and top-spec, 6.5-inch colour TFT dash.

No price has yet been revealed but the Pikes Peak is expected in dealers as early as December.

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A Peak-y blinder: Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak ridden ahead of 2022 release

First published on September 27 2021 by Adam Child

The new Ducati Pikes Peak V4 will be the most powerful and sports-focused Multistrada seen so far when it goes on sale next year.

Related articles on MCN

• Standard Ducati Multistrada V4 review
• Ducati looking carefully at synthetic fuel for future models
• Ducati Multistrada 1260 S review

Although Ducati are refusing to confirm the final specification of the new Multi, an exclusive test ride on a prototype test mule at the Modena circuit in northern Italy confirmed a move to 17in wheels and semi-active Öhlins suspension.

A tweaked version of the stunning Granturismo V4 powerplant is expected to make a fraction more power than the current Multistrada V4’s 168bhp.

Ducati have opted for shorter-stroke semi-active Öhlins suspension instead of the Skyhook Marzocchi items found on the 2021 Multistrada V4S and V4 Sport. The set-up appears similar to the Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 system seen on the Ducati Panigale V4S.

The new bike retains three of the standard Multistrada’s riding modes (Sport, Touring and Urban), with Enduro mode replaced by a track-focused Race mode. There’s also a refreshed raft of rider aids, including lean-sensitive traction control and ABS, plus wheelie control and an up-and-down quickshifter.

While there is no information yet about the new bike’s weight and chassis dimensions, the seat height certainly seems lower than standard.

On track the Pikes Peak is in a different league to the conventional Multi V4. Fitted with Pirelli SC1 slicks for our test, it was incredibly stable under heavy braking and made light work of even the slowest turns.

Taut and accurate, it also changed direction rapidly on its 17in wheels and, on board, it was clear that Ducati have reduced unsprung weight and possibly the bike’s overall weight, too. It really is staggeringly easy to fling the Pikes Peak from one side to the other.

  

In Sports mode it’s quick but not aggressive, and even in the sharper Race mode is still manageable and fun to ride hard. It’s a strange sensation riding a Multistrada to the limit on a track – and there’s no disguising that this is a large motorcycle.

But when it goes on sale next year, it will be capable of running wild in a trackday fast group and, given that it’s a Multistrada, deliver a superb ride home afterwards.

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Spyshots: Road and track focused Ducati Multistrada V4 on the way

First published 26 May 2021 by Jordan Gibbons

Spyshots have emerged that show Ducati are testing a new version of the V4 Multistrada, which should be an even better performer on the black stuff. Rumours have been floating around of a high-performance version ever since the latest V4 Multi was released.

Related articles on MCN

• Standard Ducati Multistrada V4 review
• Ducati looking carefully at synthetic fuel for future models
• Ducati Multistrada 1260 S review

The previous 1260 had a top of the range ‘Pikes Peak’ edition, however since the race no longer runs and super-naked duties have gone to the Streetfighter V4, it was assumed the machine had been consigned to the history books. Now these shots show that Ducati appear to be working on a new replacement.

The biggest change between this model and the standard V4 Multistrada is the 17in front wheel and single-sided swingarm. When the Multistrada was first launched as an upright sports tourer, a 17in front wheel was the natural choice if you were to fit sporty tyres.

However, as the quality of 19in fronts has improved and people have been drawn towards more adventurous riding, Ducati fitted a 19in front to the V4 Multistrada as a best-of-both-worlds solution. This disappointed hardcore fans and those who used their Multi as a sports-tourer rather than an off-road adventure bike.

At the same time, the single-sided swingarm was also ditched and despite the double-sided unit arguably being better, the single-sided arm is a Ducati trademark and some owners missed it.

  

It’s also clear from these photographs that Ducati have stuck with the performance focused ethos of the Pikes Peak edition. The electronic Skyhook suspension is gone in favour of fully adjustable Öhlins to appeal to riders who never want to go off road while a set of Brembo Stylemas appear to be biting a set of 330mm discs – both from the Streetfighter V4.

Also interesting is that Ducati obviously see the BMW S1000XR as the competition, as they’re seen testing back-to-back against it on track.

The BMW does have the option for electronic suspension, so whether Ducati will buckle and offer this as an option for the 17in-wheeled version remains to be seen.

There’s been no word from Ducati about this new model but we imagine they will look to unveil it later in 2021 for a 2022 launch. The Pikes Peak was always top of the range, so expect this V4 version to be the best part of £21,000 in standard trim, with plenty of accessories on offer to tempt you, too.