Is it less grunty than the 1260?

The Multistrada’s new 1158cc V-four makes less torque than the outgoing 1262cc V-twin up to 8500rpm. That sounds like a backwards step, but it doesn’t tell the full story. Torque doesn’t drive a bike forwards; thrust (torque multiplied by gearing) does. To see how the two drivetrains really compare, RIDE dusted off its abacus and calculated the two bikes’ thrust curves, using tested rear-wheel torque.

The result is clear: with its shorter gearing and wider rev range, the new V-four unleashes more force than the V-twin in all gears and at all speeds. Crack the throttle wide-open at 60mph in third and the V-four has a third more shove than the V-twin (690lb of thrust for the V-four, 525lb for the V-twin). At

70mph in top gear the V4 S has 25% more forwards force (375lb versus 300lb for the V-twin). Whatever gear or speed you pick, the V-four wins on both grunt and flexibility.

On paper, the V4 motor has less torque

Previous V-twin has more torque but less forward thrust