Ducati Multistrada V4 RS debuts with Panigale-borrowed engine

A race track might not seem like a natural place for a Ducati Multistrada, but this is no ordinary version of ADV bike. On the face of it, the bikes looks to share much in common with the Multistrada Pikes Peak, but this new Multistrada V4 RS has one huge distinction - its engine. 



In place of the original V4 is...another V4, only this one is derived from the Desmosedici Stradale unit found in the Panigale V4, dry clutch and all. This bumps the power up to 177bhp, while the redline is a heady 13,500rpm.

So the 1,103cc V4 doesn't toast your legs too much in traffic, the ECU deactivates the rear bank of cylinders when you're stationary and in neutral once engine temperatures exceed 70 degrees. How thoughtful. 

The monocoque aluminium frame is the same as the Pikes Peak, which changes the steering head angle from 25.75 to 24.5 degrees, "defining the trail and wheelbase values in function of the greater sportiness of the bike," Ducati says. 

Again, like the Pikes Peak, the V4 RS features a 17-inch front wheel, allowing for a much sportier pair of tyres - Diablo Rosso IV Corsas. These wrap Marchesini forged aluminium wheels which each shave 2.7kg of rotational mass.

You also get Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 smart suspension, something found on the Pikes Peak but with recalibrated electronics controlling the fork and monoshock. It continually adjusts, but the setup's behaviour can also be altered by switching between the Race, Sport, Touring, Urban riding modes. 

The Multistrada V4 S already has a Panigale V4-shared braking system, featuring 330mm front discs and Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers. This features here, but with the ante upped by the use of Panigale V4 pads. At the rear there's a 265mm disc with a Brembo floating caliper, and the whole lot works with a Bosch-Brembo cornering ABS setup. 

The riding position has been tweaked, with footrests set higher up and further back than before. The handlebar is now rigidly fixed, as well as being a bit lower and narrower, and sporting softer grips. 

The bike has been revealed in the fourth episode of Ducati's series of reveals leading up to EICMA, with this one called ‘Choose it All’, such a bike would be the second Multistrada variant to be a part of the 2024 World Premiere series, after the Multistrada V4 S Grand Tour. The first episode was dedicated to the Monster 30th Anniversary. 

The V4 RS is priced at £31,995. Production will be limited, but Ducati hasn't said what to. Each bike will featured a numbered plaque embellished with the Italian flag on the triple clamp.