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“Another Multistrada?”
Yup, I said the same thing when Ducati premiered the 2024 Multistrada V4 RS this morning. The Italian ADV lineup already consists of the base Multistrada V4, S trim, Pikes Peak, Rally, and Grand Touring. Now, the MTS family will make room for what the Bologna brand calls the “sportiest, most sophisticated, and exclusive Multistrada ever created.”
Desmo debut
Up to this point, all Multistrada V4s housed Ducati’s 1,158 cc Granturismo V4 engine. Pairing performance with practicality, the Granturismo employed valve springs in lieu of Ducati’s trademark Desmodromic valvetrain. The RS changes all that.
Featuring a 1,103 cc Desmosedici Stradale powerplant derived from the Panigale V4 sport bike, the top-spec Multi whips up 180 horsepower (at 12,500 rpm) and 87 foot-pounds of torque (at 9,500 rpm). That equates to a 10-horsepower gain over the Granturismo V4, even if the RS’s Desmo concedes five foot-pounds of torque in the process.
To maximize acceleration, Ducati also equips its “sportiest” MTS with a 15-tooth front sprocket and 43-tooth rear sprocket (whereas all other Multistrada V4s feature a 16-tooth front and 42-tooth rear sprocket). An air filter from the Panigale V4 R and an Akrapovič silencer help clear the Stradale’s fiery airways, while Ducati's STM-EVO SBK dry clutch provides that signature bag-of-bolts jangle coveted by brand loyalists.
What the RS gains in outright power, it loses in convenience, though. Ducati lists 9,000-mile service intervals for both V4s, but the Granturismo benefits from 36,000-mile valve checks while the Desmosedici Stradale halves that mark with 18,000-mile valve checks. Most Ducatisti will hardly bat an eye at such concessions, and Ducati arms the RS accordingly.
Kissing cousins
Ducati officials confirmed that the incoming RS won’t replace the platform's Pikes Peak variant. On the other hand, the newcomer borrows much from its race-inspired cousin. The aluminum, single-sided swingarm comes to mind first. The Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension and 17-inch Marchesini forged aluminum wheelset aren’t far behind. Both the Pikes Peak and RS flaunt a carbon fiber beak and front mudguard, but the latter also tacks on carbon fiber heat shields and model-specific handguards.
With the chassis largely consistent across the two variants, many of the dimensions remain the same, as well. That includes the 25.75-degree rake, 4.7-inch trail, 6.7 inches of wheel travel (fore and aft), and 33.1-inch seat height. Ducati doesn’t list the Multistrada RS’s weight but it claims that the model’s titanium subframe, additional carbon fiber parts, and compact new battery save 6.6 pounds on the Pikes Peak’s 527-pound running weight.
Taking advantage of the trim’s sporting nature, Ducati shifts the footpegs higher and rearward to maximize lean angle, while the rigid-mounted handlebar and softer grips grant more feel and feedback. The RS also gains Pirelli’s track-worthy Diablo Rosso IV Corsa tires and eye-catching, red-painted Brembo Stylema calipers.
When it comes to electronics, Ducati makes no compromises. We’re talking four power modes (Full, High, Medium, and Low), four riding modes (Race, Sport, Touring, and Urban), wheelie control, bi-directional quickshifter, lean-sensitive traction control, and engine braking control. For the touring crowd, radar-aided adaptive cruise control and blind spot detection enhance on-road comfort and safety. The RS also retains the 6.5-inch TFT display found on its MTS kin, but it touts its own Panigale-derived graphics layout.
What’s the damage?
Starting at $37,995, the 2024 Ducati Multistrada V4 RS sure puts a price on performance — a hefty one, at that. At that exclusive price point, each example will bear a numbered badge on the triple clamp. Despite the extra ornamentation, Ducati simply designates the RS as a numbered series, not a limited series.
As always, Ducati offers an extensive accessories catalog for the model. Customers can expect Multistrada V4 RS units to hit North American dealerships starting in February 2024.
| 2024 Ducati Multistrada V4 RS | |
|---|---|
| Price (MSRP) | $37,995 |
| Engine | 1,103 cc, liquid-cooled, 16-valve, V-four |
|
Transmission, final drive |
Six-speed, chain |
| Claimed horsepower | 180 @ 12,500 rpm |
| Claimed torque | 87 foot-pounds @ 9,500 rpm |
| Frame | Aluminum monocoque |
| Front suspension | Öhlins 48 mm fork, electronically adjustable compression and rebound damping; 6.7 inches (170 mm) of travel |
| Rear suspension | Öhlins shock, electronically adjustable for spring preload, compression and rebound damping; 6.7 inches (170 mm) of travel |
| Front brake | Dual Brembo Stylema four-piston calipers, 330 mm discs with ABS |
| Rear brake | Brembo two-piston caliper, 265 mm disc with ABS |
| Rake, trail | 25.75 degrees, 4.7 inches (120.0 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 62.7 inches (1,592 mm) |
| Seat height | 33.1/33.9 inches (840/860 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.8 gallons |
| Tires | Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV Corsa 120/70ZR17 front, 190/55ZR17 rear |
| Measured weight | N/A |
| Available | February 2024 |
| Warranty | 24 months |
| More info | ducati.com |
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