Does the Multi still master roads?
Backroads
The Multistrada is an utter joy when fed a long run of empty A- and B-roads. It’s so fluid, so smooth, so easy — and devastatingly quick. But unlike Ducati’s superbikes, this isn’t a brutal, spikey, flighty or fighty kind of speed. Instead, the V4 S floats and flows with a calm, composed, cool-headed confidence.
The throttle response, even in Sport mode, only ever responds with perfectly metered and largely linear acceleration.
Attack bumpy roads and the semiactive Öhlins smothers imperfections while still keeping the rider firmly connected to the surface. It glides across rolling countryside in utter serenity, while inviting you to blast off towards the horizon chased by that V-four’s burbling exhaust growl.
Beautiful steering, incredible ride quality, mammoth acceleration and remarkable refinement. Brakes could be sharper on initial bite, but that’s it.
And then, after 108.2 miles, the fuel light comes on. Just 30mpg… gulp.
Motorways
In sixth gear, the Multistrada thrums along peacefully, the digital rev counter showing 4600rpm at 70mph and a little over 5200rpm at 80mph. There’s no vibration through handlebars, seat or footpegs. The large mirrors are wellplaced and stay sharp at speed. The seat is wide, deep, supportive and comfortable, with room to move about. Handlebars are set wide and not too high, though they are a reach. Plenty of legroom too, especially if you set the seat in the higher of its two positions.
Cruise control makes ticking off multi-lane miles so easy. In use the adaptive radar system isn’t a gamechanger but it does alleviate some of the frustration of meeting slower traffic.
Once again, the only frustration is fuel consumption. Even steady cruising struggles to get an average much above 40mpg. The 22-litre tank holds enough for a theoretical range of over 200 miles but in practice, you’ll stop every 150.
Towns
Wide handlebars, plastic handguards and a £21k pricetag mean you’re never going to pile through traffic. It’s tippy-toe tall for a 5ft 9in rider on the higher 860mm seat-height setting, but a few second’s work drops it to 840mm. The clutch-lever action is light, while low-rev throttle pickup is unhurried in full-power Sport and Touring modes, so there’s no call for the 100bhp Urban mode.
The V-four can deactivate its rear cylinders while idling, to save the rider from roasting at red lights but we didn’t notice anything on our 5°C January ride.
‘An utter joy when fed empty roads’