The 9 photos series is back with the 2014 Ducati Multistrada 1200 range. Where touring meets passion. The 2014 Ducati Multistrada family continues the technically advanced and award-winning range with the Multistrada 1200, 1200 S Touring, 1200 S Granturismo and 1200 S Pikes Peak. All models of this multi-tasking motorcycle feature confidence-inspiring, intelligent electronics to ensure they are instantly ready for every road.S versions also feature the advanced Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS).

Combining ground-breaking design and unprecedented technology, the Multistrada’s Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro Riding Modes enable a truly enjoyable and customisable riding experience separated by just one click. The four-bikes-in-one concept makes instant adjustment to power and torque delivery in addition to electronic adjustment of suspension settings, traction control, ABS and Ducati Skyhook Suspension, instantly transforming the Multistrada 1200 to suit its rider and environment with even more precision.

Hailed as a true ‘game-changing’ motorcycle, the Multistrada 1200 has attracted all types of riders by removing the borders between motorcycle categories. With the latest 150hp Testastretta 11° DS engine, a class-leading dry weight of just 194kg (428lb)* and the application of advanced ergonomics, the Multistrada 1200 is not only powerful and playful, but also a comfortable and versatile adventure on two wheels. The eight-level DTC and new three-level ABS introduce the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP) concept to the Multistrada family, further underlining Ducati’s focus on performance safety.

The 2014 range includes the Multistrada 1200 with the associated Riding Mode technologies of Ride-by-Wire (R-b-W), Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and ABS, while the Multistrada 1200 S Touring is equipped with Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS), R-b-W, DTC and ABS with additional side luggage, heated grips and centre stand. The touring flagship of the range, the Multistrada 1200 S Granturismo, with extra side luggage capacity, top case, additional LED illumination, enhanced wind protection and long-distance tyres, is also available in Ducati red for 2014. The Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak continues to celebrate the sporting side of the model’s character with a replica of the famous mountain race bike in its stunning race-winning livery.

Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS)

The ‘S’ versions of the Multistrada 1200 are equipped with electronic 48mm Sachs front forks and rear single shock, both featuring the new Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) system. The innovative technology features a semi-active suspension management that constantly re-adjusts damping to maintain optimum vehicle composure – as if the motorcycle was suspended from the sky.

The innovative system removes the compromise of conventional, passive suspension by continuously re-evaluating the dynamic relationship between the wheel following the road surface and the comfort provided by a constantly steady vehicle body. With the intelligent DSS system, many of the negative attributes of a soft or hard set-up are eliminated without compromising performance in the environments for which they were intended.

DSS uses data delivered from a number of sensors situated both on the “sprung” and “unsprung” sides of the chassis to calculate and provide the smoothest possible operation. Vertical accelerometers situated on the front lower triple-clamp and in the rear sub-frame deliver “sprung” data, while additional sensors on the front fork leg lower and rear swingarm – close to the wheel hubs – deliver “unsprung” data. DSS then uses an algorithm in its programming which considers an imaginary fixed reference point above the vehicle: “a hook in the sky”. The system then responds to the inputs of both the vehicle and wheel movements with instantaneous damping adjustments to help maintain a constant relationship between the Multistrada and the reference point, providing optimum vehicle equilibrium and a smoother ride.

To smooth-out the longitudinal forces created by braking and acceleration/de-acceleration, the system employs the Ducati Traction Control (DTC) longitudinal accelerometer sensor and the new ABS pressure sensors to instantly calculate and execute a response that will reduce the positive and negative pitching effect subjected to the vehicle.

DSS works by instantly calculating all relevant data and responding with immediate adjustment of the compression or rebound damping appropriate to the current Riding Mode. The resulting increase or decrease in damping significantly reduces the magnitude of force generated when riding over uneven terrain or when braking, accelerating or de-accelerating, enhancing motorcycle stability and considerably increasing comfort for both rider and passenger.
Normal suspension adjustments to rebound and compression damping and rear spring pre-load are automatically integrated with the Multistrada’s Riding Modes and can be further personalised by entering a user-friendly control panel in the instrumentation. In addition to the Riding Mode of Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro, there is also an option to quickly change the suspension setting to suit ‘rider only’, ‘rider with luggage’, ‘rider and passenger’ or ‘rider and passenger with luggage’. DSS recognises any personalised settings as its new “zero point” and reconfigures itself ready to interact.

Bosch Brembo Braking system with the latest ABS

As an integral part of the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP), the Multistrada 1200 is equipped with the very latest Bosch ABS 9ME controlled Brembo braking system, an unbeatable combination of state-of-the-art security and track-proven power. Shorter stopping distances with enhanced stability are vital prerequisites, whether for Sport or Touring, but add full Riding Mode interaction to the set-up, and the latest system enables zero-compromise performance for Urban and Enduro also.

Using the same processor that controls the ABS of the 1199 Panigale Superbike, the Multistrada provides an optimised front-to-rear combined braking system in Urban and Touring Riding Modes, instantly adjusted when operated in Sport and Enduro Riding Modes, riding environments in which a less automated control is normally preferred. The stability-enhancing front-to-rear combined braking feature uses four pressure sensors – one in the front and rear master-cylinder and one in the front and rear calliper circuit – to precisely understand the vehicle’s braking performance and provide an additional and optimised braking pressure on the rear when the front brake is applied.

Underlining its similarity to the 1199 Panigale, the ABS system also enhances control by maintaining optimum ground contact for the rear tyre during severe braking with a rear-end anti-lift feature in addition to providing ABS function on the front brakes only in certain conditions.

The system integrates perfectly with Ducati’s four-bikes-in-one Riding Mode concept by dividing its features into a three-level operating system. Level two provides an appropriate combined front/rear balance and no lift-up detection for Sport riding, while level three delivers optimised combined braking with lift-up detection to provide the maximum security management for Touring and Urban use. Level one provides maximum performance for off-road use, removing lift-up detection and enabling the rider to drift the rear-end under braking with a pre-set number of seconds of front only ABS.

The front brakes use twin radially-mounted Brembo four piston, two pad callipers actuated by a master cylinder with an adjustable lever. The fronts grip 320mm discs, while a single 245mm disc on the rear is gripped by a single Brembo calliper. Typical of all Ducatis, these components ensure high performance braking and set the standard in this segment.

All 2014 Multistrada models are fitted with the Bosch-Brembo ABS system as standard equipment, delivering outstanding braking performances in all conditions and providing a major contribution towards performance safety. An option to disable the ABS in each individual Riding Mode is available via the instrumentation, and the system allows the setting to be saved and memorised at the next ignition-on.

The Testastretta 11° DS

The second generation Testastretta 11° DS engine introduced a number of important and highly effective enhancements, increasing torque to 12.7kgm (91.8lb-ft) and overall mid-range power delivery with even smoother operation. The improvements perfectly complemented the Multistrada 1200 by using a combination of new technologies proven on the 1199 Panigale’s Superquadro engine, and established technologies reintroduced to further enhance the overall package.

The Testastretta 11° DS’s fuel injectors target spray directly onto the rear of the hot intake valve instead of the relatively cold surface of the intake port wall. The enhanced vaporisation achieved as the fuel hits the valve, fully atomises the incoming charge, eliminating the chance of compromised combustion efficiency experienced if droplets of fuel enter in liquid form.

The second generation engine introduced a secondary air system, ensuring performance-optimised fuel mapping for smoother cycle-to-cycle engine operation, without compromising emissions and reintroduced the concept of Dual Spark (DS) with two spark plugs per cylinder-head providing a twin flame-front for complete and efficient combustion across a shorter period of time.

First introduced for the Multistrada 1200 in 2010, the Testastretta 11° engine effectively took the fire-breathing 1198 Superbike power plant and re-engineered it with increased user-friendliness. Engineers achieved this to great effect by reducing the amount of valve over-lap from around 41° – typical in performance engines that operate constantly at high RPM – to just 11°, which reduced peak horse-power slightly, but enhanced mid-range and overall smoothness – classic prerequisites for touring.

The overlap angle is defined as the interval of crankshaft rotation, measured in degrees, during which both the intake and exhaust valves are open at the same time. This overlap occurs between the end of the exhaust stroke and the start of the intake stroke. On the Testastretta 11° engine, this angle has been reduced and the fresh inlet charge flow less compromised by the exiting exhaust gases, resulting in a much smoother combustion, improved fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions. Unburnt hydrocarbon emissions (pre-catalyser) and specific fuel consumption (and consequent CO2 emissions) are considerably reduced.

With 150hp and 12.7kgm (91.8lb-ft) of torque, the Testastretta 11° DS set a new standard for Ducati twin-cylinder engines. Constant attention to every last detail enabled Ducati to achieve an excellent torque curve at low rpm, which remains strong through a wider range, further enhancing the Multistrada 1200’s effortless ridability.

The Multistrada 1200 engine features an oil bath clutch with ‘slipper’ function and super-light feel at the lever. Its design uses a progressive self-servo mechanism that presses the plates together when under drive from the engine, enabling the reduction of the clutch spring rates. This results in a much lighter clutch lever at the handlebar, ideal in stop-start traffic or long journeys. When the drive force is reversed (over-run), the same mechanism reduces the pressure on the clutch plates, enabling them to provide a race-like ‘slipper’ action, which reduces the destabilizing effect of the rear-end under aggressive down-shifting and provides a much smoother feeling when closing the throttle or down-shifting under normal riding conditions.

The simple and minimalistic layout for the exhaust system uses two primary manifolds flowing directly into the triple chamber single silencer. In addition to carrying out the 2-1-2 compensator function, the silencer contains the catalyser and sound-absorbent materials. The two compact and lightweight aluminium alloy end pipes depart in a low, lateral configuration to keep the overall weight to a minimum.

Service Intervals of the Ducati Multistrada 1200

Constant investment in quality by design, advanced materials and engineering techniques, has enabled the distance between major service intervals (valve clearance check) to be set at an owner-friendly 24,000km (15,000 miles). This has been achieved partly by the introduction of a new valve seat material and partly by the improved combustion efficiency and temperature management designed into the Testastretta 11° DS engine.

Production of the Multistrada 1200 S

Ever wondered what went into the production of a great touring machine, the Ducati Multistrada. This is National Geographic’s Mega factories series, covering the Ducati Multistrada.

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National Geographic Megafactories Ducati Multistrada

In HD no less.