2017 Bikesales Big-Bore Adventure Bike Comparison: Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro

Ducati's Multistrada range has been a rip-roaring success for the Italian company, and the release of the wire-wheeled Enduro version in 2016 was an attempt to capture an even bigger slice of the adventure market.

Some familiar faces threw a leg over the Multistrada 1200 Enduro when it was first launched, including Australia's two-time MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner who was let loose in Italy for some play time away from the rigours of tarmac testing.

The Multistrada 1200 Enduro will soon have a new sibling in the form of the Multistrada 1200 Enduro Pro, a more off-road focussed machine that adds "accessories designed for the less-beaten track" such as tank bars with LED lighting, a low screen, Termignoni exhaust and Pirelli Scorpion rally tyres.

That will be one for next year, but the Multistrada 1200 Enduro was more than a worthy contender in the 2017 Bikesales Big-Bore Adventure Bike Comparo. It's got real brawn and enjoys getting amongst it both on- and off-road – at a rapid rate of knots if you really want to. And because it only weighs 225kg (dry), it doesn't mind the tighter stuff, as well – places where bikes such as the heavier Triumph Explorer XCa feel the heat.

L-twin goodness
The $29,990 machine (that's for the grey/white version, it's $29,770 for the red livery) – the most expensive on our comparo – is powered by Ducati's awesome 1198cc Testastretta engine. There's a claimed 150hp peak (at 9500rpm) lurking in that mighty L-twin in full power mode, as well as 128Nm of torque at 7500rpm.

That promotes a wonderful seat-of-the-pants experience – ferocious but cleverly tamed power all at once. However, the Ducati still had to lower its colours to the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R on the comparo, with the Austrian clearly the acceleration king. An extra 103cc comes in very handy…

The Ducati does have to clear its throat a little at the bottom end before it really kicks into life, but once it's worked up a head of steam though it's one ripping ride.

The Multistrada 1200 Enduro's six-speed gearbox did produce a few false neutrals on the comparo, especially in the upper reaches of the cogs. The gearing is also quite tall, perhaps a little too much for an adventure bike, so if you want to plonk it in sixth gear and keep the mirrors vibration-less you'll have to be doing well over 100km/h.

The bike does like to chew a bit of juice, but that doesn't really matter when it boasts that massive 30-litre tank. For a machine of this ilk, that's colossal, and the KTM's 23-litre tank (the second biggest on test) wasn't even in Ducati's orbit.

Comfort
If you're made of stern stuff, that can mean very long stints – 400km-plus – in the saddle. And in all reality that wouldn't be a massive chore, as the seating position is comfortable if not a little tight with minimal fore and aft movement. And I could think of worse things than staring at that magnificently crisp and clear five-inch TFT screen for hours on end.

The standard seat height on the Ducati is 870mm, and but here are 850mm and 890mm accessory options available.

Like the BMW R 1200 GS Rallye X and a little less so the Triumph Explorer XCa, the Ducati has a sit-in riding position, and combined with quite a large screen (the easiest to adjust on test) we all enjoyed churning out the miles on the open road. The Ducati has massive bodywork as well, which provides more protection from the elements than any other bike. There are no crash bars on the Italian machine.

Electronic smarts
Standing up on the footpegs was the real fun factor on the comparo, and the Ducati made it an absolute pleasure. It's a joy to throw around, boasting one of the best front-ends in the business. There's a nice balance about the whole plot.

The Ducati has a 19-inch front wheel like the Triumph, Suzuki and BMW, and was fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Rally tyres – the standard hoops.

A great part of the Ducati's electronic package is that you can set the four riding modes – Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro – to stay as they are, rather than having to re-set each time you start it up. Within each of those riding modes you can make your selections for engine power, traction control, ABS, wheelie control and the electronic suspension settings.

Full power with traction control off was a lot of fun!

The semi-active Skyhook suspension is brilliant and the ABS is superb off-road – in fact all the tech amenities on the Multistrada 1200 Enduro are right up there with the best.

The frame is Ducati's signature tubular steel trellis, and the electronic suspension is by Sachs. The suspension travel at both ends is 200mm.

The 1200 Enduro has number of other nice touches, such as the automatic pushbutton steering lock function – a solution to the keyless ignition setup.

Standard features include electronic cruise control, cornering ABS, LED cornering headlights, and a Bluetooth module. The USB charger under the seat is handy, as well as the two auxiliary power sockets.

The adjustable rear brake pedal was well received by the testers, but the sidestand was sometimes prickly to engage – especially with no lug on it to help out the process.

A 'Travel' Pack ($2898) was also fitted to our test bike, which comprises heated grips, a handlebar bag and aluminium panniers by Touratech. There are also Enduro, Sport and Urban packs.

Summing up
Ducati's advance into the more hardcore adventure market is impressive, and isn't really a surprise considering the solid underpinnings provided by the earlier Multistrada offerings.

It looks good, handles beautifully and is an extremely competent all-rounder. But it's also $30K, with BMW and KTM offering similar packages at lower prices.

SPECS: DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1200 ENDURO
ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled Testastretta with variable valve timing, L-twin cylinder, Desmodromic
Capacity: 1198cc
Bore x stroke: 106.0mm x 67.9mm
Compression ratio: 12.5:1
Engine management: Bosch electronic fuel injection
Emissions: Euro4

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 152hp at 9500rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 128Nm at 7500rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, multiplate

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Tubular steel trellis
Front suspension: 48mm Sachs upside-down forks with electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment with Ducati Skyhook Suspension
Rear suspension: Sachs monoshock with electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment and electronic preload adjustment with Ducati Skyhook suspension.
Front brakes: 320mm discs with Brembo four-piston monobloc calipers, ABS
Rear brake: 265mm disc with twin-piston caliper, ABS
Wheels: Light alloy spoked, front 3.0 x 19, rear 4.5 x 17
Tyres: Pirelli Scorpion, front 120/70-19, rear 170/60-17

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 25 degrees
Trail: 110mm
Claimed dry weight: 225kg
Claimed kerb weight: 254kg
Seat height: 870mm (850/890mm optional seats)
Wheelbase: 1594mm
Fuel capacity: 30 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $29,990 plus on-road costs
Test bike supplied by: Ducati Australia
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres

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