DUCATI: Multistrada V2

Insight from Alan Dowds…

We raised an eyebrow when Ducati released the details of its next-generation V-twin motor a couple of months back. Okay, the purist in us appreciated the light weight, and a reset of the mad power escalator for what is, after all, a middleweight powerplant. But dropping the desmodromic valves, like shelving the single-sided swingarms, lost a few cool engineering points (though saves on servicing costs).

The main concern though, was the power output, especially when it comes to replacing the high-performance Superquadro motor in the Panigale and Streetfighter V2 models. The 890cc engine makes 120bhp in its high-power tune, which is 35bhp down on the old Pani lump: a lot of ponies to make up for with lighter weight and sharper handling.

There’re no such concerns here though. The 2025 Multistrada V2 also gets the new non-desmo V-twin engine, in a 115bhp tune, and that’s much closer (almost identical in fact) to the old 937cc Testastretta 11° V-twin engine used in 2024. Indeed, the new lump seems like the ideal solution for those lower-output applications in the Multistrada, Hypermotard 950, Monster, and DesertX (though we’ve not seen new versions of the last three as yet).

A fresh engine isn’t all we get for 2025 on the Multi V2 though. It gets a new chassis, with a monocoque aluminium main frame and cast aluminium dual-sided swingarm. Those new parts, alongside the 54.9kg motor, makes this the lightest Multistrada ever: the base V2 is 199kg ready to ride without fuel, which is around 18kg lighter than before. The V2 S is a few kilos heavier though, which is down to extra kit like the Ducati Skyhook electronic suspension set up. That system uses Marzocchi suspension parts now with 45mm USD forks and rear monoshock, with similar mechanical units on the base bike. There’s a 19-inch front wheel as befits the mild off-road pretentions of the Multistrada, with wire-spoked rims as a factory option, both wearing Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tyres in 120/70 19 front and 170/60 17 rear sizes. Standard Ducati 2025 roadbike-spec Brembo brakes round off the chassis spec: four-piston radial calipers up front with 320mm discs.

There’s a fairly standard 2025 Ducati roadbike electronics suite as well. It’s not as flash as the V4 rocketship, but the middleweight Multi has a proper six-axis IMU assisted ECU which controls the cornering ABS and traction control, wheelie control, and engine brake control, all accessed via the new 5-inch colour LCD dash and new switches. Quickshifter, cruise control, Ducati Multimedia phone link, cornering LED headlights and a full suite of rider and power modes round off the spec on the V2 S, with the V2 only missing out on the Multimedia system as standard. The V2 S also has the electronic Skyhook suspension set up, which is integrated into the riding settings, and also has a new minimum preload function, dropping the bike down at a standstill for easier loading and unloading.

A tempting proposition for some 2025 touring antics then, and all priced from £13,995 (V2) or £16,390 if you must have the electronic suspension (and the lovely green paint option) on the S.