EICMA 2018: Here’s the new-for-2019 Ducati Multistrada 950 and 950S

Ducati has just launched it’s new Multistrada 950 and, alongside the stock model, is the Italian firm’s first ever higher-tech ‘S’ version of the model (below).

For 2019 the new Multistrada 950 comes with a 6-axis Bosch IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), Bosch Cornering ABS, Vehicle Hold Control (VHC) for easier uphill starts (especially when the bike is carrying passenger and luggage) and a hydraulic clutch.

The swingarm and wheels – both the newly designed alloy wheels and spoked versions –
are lighter too.

An upgraded rider-bike interface (HMI) is now – according to Ducati – more user-friendly and elsewhere the bike’s indicators feature an auto-off function that takes into account both lean angle and distance travelled.

Then there’s the new Multistrada 950 S, which gets electronic suspension with the Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) system which continuously adjusts fork and shock absorber damping so the suspension responds instantaneously to changes in road surface. Ducati Quick Shift up & down (DQS) allows clutchless upshifting and downshifting and the bike also features a full-LED headlight, 5″ colour TFT display, a Hands Free system, Cruise Control and backlit switchgear controls.

From a styling viewpoint, the new Multistrada 950 inherits the side ‘wings’ from its bigger 1260
counterpart and it’s 937cc twin cylinder Testastretta 11° engine puts out 113bhp (83 kW) @ 9,000rpm and 71lbft of torque @ 7,750rpm . The bike also comes equipped with a self-servo wet slipper clutch that now requires less on-lever effort thanks to the new hydraulic control system.
Maintenance intervals – set at 15,000 km or 12 months, with valve play inspection every 30,000km.

The tubular steel Trellis frame is linked to a new, lighter double-sided aluminium swingarm, giving. The 19″ front wheel is mated to 170mm of suspension travel and the Strada comes with a 20-litre fuel tank.

The electronics package now includes Bosch Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Vehicle
Hold Control (VHC) and, on the Multistrada 950 S, semi-active Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS),
Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) (available as an accessory for the Multistrada 950), Ducati
Cornering Lights (DCL) and Cruise Control. Both the Multistrada 950 and the Multistrada 950 S can
mount the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS).

The Multistrada 950 is available in Ducati Red while the Multistrada 950 S comes in Ducati Red and Glossy Grey.

Ducati Multistrada 950

PRICE: £11,755
• Colours
o Ducati Red with Ducati Red frame and Glossy Black wheels
• Main as-standard features
o 937 cm³ Testastretta 11° engine with 113 hp at 9,000 rpm and 96 Nm at 7,750 rpm
o Exhaust with single silencer
o Tubular steel Trellis frame with cast aluminium double-sided swingarm
o Seat height 840 mm
o Height-adjustable screen
o Fuel tank capacity 20 litres
o New cast alloy wheels mounting Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tyres, 120/70 ZR17 at the front
and 170/60 ZR17 at the rear
o Fully adjustable 48 mm fork with 170 mm of travel
o Fully adjustable shock absorber with 170 mm of travel
o 4 Riding Modes (Sport, Touring, Urban, Enduro)
o Ducati Safety Pack (3-level Bosch Cornering ABS, 8-level DTC)
o Vehicle Hold Control (VHC)
o LCD Instrumentation
o Ready for Ducati Multimedia System (DMS)
o Ready for Ducati Quick Shift up & down (DQS)

Ducati Multistrada 950 S

PRICES: Red = £13.355, Grey = £13,555, Red + Touring Pack = £14,383, Grey + Touring Pack = £14,583, Red + spoked wheels = £13,905, Grey + spoked wheels = £14,105

• Colours
Ducati Red with Ducati Red frame and black wheels with red trim (or spoked wheels), Glossy Grey with Ducati Red frame and black wheels with red trim (or spoked wheels)
• Main as-standard equipment – as per the Multistrada 950 except for:
o Hands Free System
o Semi-active electronic suspension with Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) system
o Ducati Quick Shift up & down (DQS)
o Full LED headlight with Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL) system
o Cruise Control
o Dashboard with 5″ TFT colour screen
o Backlit switchgear controls
o Cast alloy / spoked wheels option

Personalisation packages
• Touring Pack: panniers, heated grips, centre stand
• Sport Pack: type-approved Ducati Performance silencer by Termignoni (complies with EU
homologation requirements), water pump cover in billet aluminium, LED indicators.
• Urban Pack: top case, tank pocket bag with Tanklock flange, USB port to charge electronic
devices
• Enduro Pack: supplementary LED lights, engine crash bars, aluminium radiator guard,
aluminium sump guard, steel footpegs.