Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Granturismo comes to cap the range of Multistrada 2013. Equipped with a complete kit and luggage of a great capacity and accessories, aiming at improving comfort with the long course, this variation is announced like most road of Ducati. An ultra technological trail GT made to travel quickly and far, in total security… but which has its price.
If Ducati is a recognized manufacturer, it is in particular for its red motorcycles, its many titles in Superbike, and of the emblematic models like the 9000 SS, the 916 or Monster. But it will not be a worthless question for all that today. The motorcycle that we test is gray and does not have the role to trace trajectories with the short-nap cloth of the vibrators.
Not, it is the news Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Granturismo, kind of Madam more Multistrada family, built on the basis of 1200 S: generous kit bag shop, avoid-cylinders, additional fires with LED, tires Pirelli Angel GT, ergonomics more touring… in short, all that it is necessary to do the world tour. We tested his comfort on the roads of Corsica, and best not covered!
Ultra tenantable, but super bags broad!
Being well useful by its gray dress (dyed single), Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Gran Turismo presents a luxurious aspect and raceway Audi Allroad on two wheels.
Does one have to see there the influence of the new German owners of the Italian brand? Always it is that in this Granturismo version,Ducati Multistrada 1200 S fills the tank with equipment And the first thing which jumps to the eyes, it is incontestably the size of the bags! With 1090 mm broad, they exceed largely on the sides and it will be necessary to pay great attention in interfile because this Multistrada Granturismo with the hypertrophied bags will threadless although one authenticates GT. But, benefit of this opulence, interior volume is impressive.
With 73 liters per bag, it is possible to arrange a crash helmet and it still remains to place several civil behaviors. No trail can propose as much throw weight: 194 liters in all with the top puts of 48 liters. For the departures in weekend, it is one all the same more. Ducati also raised the handlebar of 20 mm and addition one avoids broader breeze and of the saddles comfort.
Civilized Testastretta
Bulky and somewhat intimidating with the stop, Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Granturismo requires raising the bulge high to climb on its saddle perched to 850 mm. And it will be all the more the case for the passenger, even higher perched and obstructed by the contour of the bags. Over one day of strolls, that can become handicapping.
Once installed, one discovers a fine motorcycle, because helped well in that by the narrowness of his twin-cylinder. The environment is luxurious and the very modern instrument panel. No need to turn the ignition key: the system free hand makes it possible to actuate the key starter out of pocket.
The engine Testastretta 11° starts in a humming contained. While drawing on the clutch lever, very flexible for a Tran’s alpine mechanics, and by actuating the first report, one measures how much Ducati worked to make flexible its engine derived at the origin from Superbike 1198. And, in fact, this second generation of Testastretta block is shown more livable than the engine of first Multistrada 1200: more flexible under 2500 tr/min, rounder, less noisy… It is a true progress with the daily newspaper.
Astonishing Skyhook suspensions
On the other hand, the touch of road offered by the suspensions semi active DSES Skyhook is shown always a little particular. Having for vocation to limit the mass transfers (with braking as with acceleration) and thus to preserve a constant plate, these suspensions developed in collaboration with Sachs gum much the feed backs. An aspect to be integrated is in its control.
The Skyhook system also adapts the irregularities of the road to guarantee best comfort on board and also for the best security. A passage to pass in holes or small backs of donkey reveals a damping enough bluffing. Further, a root strongly damaged the flat rim of the roadway. Even while passing above to 80 km/h, the shock the driver informs, but the motorcycle does not dance on its suspensions.
The Skyhook suspensions cannot anticipate a shock, but their action on the work of hydraulics (relaxation and compression) is sufficiently fast to limit the effects of pumping. It is enough to simulate an emergency braking to notice that the diving of the fork is moderate all the same taking into account the strong clearance (170 mm). Always with a same aim: to preserve a relatively constant plate some is the difficulties.
Comfort and protection, except for the feet
So once charged, the motorcycle seems badly balanced to you, you can always use the Duet mode – even Duet plus luggage – Skyhook suspension. Rocked by the quiet character of force the block Testastretta 11°, the crew can then benefit from comfort offered: high protection (except for the feet), powerful damping, comfort of remarkable saddle… one can largely cut the road in Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Granturismo.
Moreover, the rhythm does not matter: stability remains impeccable from 0 to 180 very precise km/h, and guidance always. If one had told us, 10 years ago, that Ducati would leave a large trail GT traveller, one would not have believed it! And yet… For as much, that the aptitudes of such a machine any ground remain very theoretical (wheels of 17 inches, general rigidity…) and Multistrada Gran Turismo will not venture further an Yamaha TDM 900 would dare to do it.
Assessment: More expensive than a GT, but more player
Sold 21,290 €, Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Granturismo is thus 1,300 € more expensive than the version S. It remains placed however well taking into account its enriched equipment. Nevertheless, if this range of price is considered, one has a large range of motorcycles suited to the travel: Honda Crosstourer in version Travel Comparative with 17,790 € – as in our comparative large trials 2013 – or BMW R 1200 RT with 20,735 Euros in version Pack RT3 – as in our comparative GT 2013.
Then, finally, Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Granturismo must propose its versatility to convince. Rigged to travel to two, it can, once removed from its implements GT, to become again “a simple” Multistrada 1200 S. a motorcycle technological and developing, player on the sinuous courses, very powerful in free version… But the starting setting is high in the absolute.
