2020 Multistrada 1260 Ducati Powerful Naked Bike Review Specs

The new 2020 Multistrada 1260 Ducati Powerful Naked Bike is among those machines that can easily take riders into the next level of “comfort zone,” where the pleasure of riding and adventure meets each other.

An upgraded Ducati Testastretta DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) 1,262 cu cm engine, advanced electronics, chassis, and aesthetic update features the new fairing panels and lighter wheels come standard in Multistrada 1260.

When the motorcycle was launched back in 2010, it revolutionized the motorcycling world by offering four different experiences in one bike, i.e., from aggressive sports riding to long-distance touring and from daily runabout to enduro. With its four souls, variety of unique features, and riding modes, the new 2020 Multistrada 1260 Ducati Powerful Naked Bike’s design brings a whole recent performance, comfort, ride, and ease of riding.

The powerful 1,262 cc Ducati Testastretta DVT engine is Euro-4 approved, and it delivers low-to-mid range torque to ensure better rideability in everyday use. With 85% more torque available at 3,500 rpm, delivery at 5,500 rpm is 18% higher than the predecessor model. The Multistrada 1260 offers the greatest torque output in its class at 4,000rpm, i.e., in the most frequently used rpm range.

2020 Multistrada 1260 Ducati Powerful Naked Bike – Features

Unique and elegant design

The new 2020 Multistrada 1260 Ducati Powerful Naked Bike has successfully maintained the characteristics of its family, i.e., clean surfaces, impressive lines, and rear visual mass. Additionally, the new side fairing panels lend the front end a cleaner and sleeker appearance. There are many aspects like frame, which offers an optimal balance of weight, rear aluminum subframe with incorporated luggage mounts, ergonomic, practical switchgear, and the new key with aluminum inserts that provide a beautiful appearance.

The signature element of the Multistrada 1260’s design is the five Y-spoke wheels. Everything on the motorcycle has been designed for extreme effectiveness and practicality. The rear grab handle is derived from the Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro that can now accommodate the Touratech aluminum side panniers given as an alternative to the plastic panniers.

The under-seat profiles have been redesigned to ensure seat height adjustment. They have been resized carefully to be less obvious when installed, and lastly, the Ducati Multistrada 1260 gets a brand new number plate holder and LED rear turn indicators.

TFT Instrument Panel

The 2020 Multistrada 1260 Ducati Powerful Naked Motorcycle contains a high-visibility LCD instrument panel with a revised information layout and simplified menu management. Now riders can easily access the menu by new icons for the best switchgear; an empty dot means a simple press of a button is required, while the solid drop means the rider has to press the button a bit longer.

Many improvements have been made in the navigation, including the thoroughly revised interface for the new 5-inch TFT instrument panel. The new TFT panel gives higher resolution, better readability in the sun, enhanced graphics layout for user-friendly navigation through the preset menus and selectable settings. In addition, Riding Modes have been assigned a different color so that riders can quickly identify them.

Engine Features

The DVT engine optimizes the high-rpm performance by independently varying the timing of the camshaft that controls the intake valves and the camshaft to ensure more excellent power delivery. At low-to-mid rpm, it smooths operation making power delivery more fluid and enhancing torque. The engine has an increased displacement of 1,262cc, setting the new benchmark for rideability and performance. The Ducati engineers developed this new engine from the Multistrada 1200 powerplant and ensured the highest possible torque delivery at low-to-mid RPMs. With 85% of the engine’s torque available under 3,500rpm, delivery at 5,500rpm is 18% higher than the previous 2019 Multistrada 1260 model. It gives the highest possible torque output in its class at 4,000 rpm in the most frequently used rpm range.

The more significant displacement by the engine was achieved by increasing piston stroke from 67.9 mm to 71.5 mm, which required new connecting rods, cylinders, and crankshaft. The DVT system was recalibrated to ensure more extraordinary low-to-midrange torque delivery, offering greater power output to 158hp at 9,750 rpm and peak torque to 13.2 kgm at 7,500 rpm. Both intake and exhaust had to be redesigned to achieve unbeatable performance. The exhaust piping was redesigned, the pre silencer comes with a new inner layout and a brand new silencer. At the intake end, the air intake mount was redesigned.

The new belt covers come with the DVT logo on a metal support. In contrast, the new generator cover of the 2020 Multistrada 1260 Ducati’s engine has been redesigned to accommodate the advanced gear sensor that is a core component of the DQS Up and Down. The gear lever linkage has been changed, and it contains a shorter stroke for precise engagement. Both the new generator and clutch covers are painted in Mercury Grey color. Another important and unique part is the clutch slave cylinder with a more compact and integrated design.

Desmo Delight

The new Testastretta DVT engine features the Desmodromic valve actuation system that has made Ducati’s Bologna-built motorcycles famous worldwide. This unique system closes the exhaust and intake valves mechanically, with the same accuracy as opened. The renowned term desmodromic comes from the Greek words desmos (link) and dromos (stroke), and it refers to the mechanisms with a control to operate them in one direction and another to activate them in the other. The soundness of the system, used on all Ducati models, is demonstrated by its utilization of Ducati Corse’s Superbike and MotoGP motorcycles.

In the Testastretta DVT engine, the Desmodromic valve actuation offers a clear advantage over the traditional valve spring; at low revs, the system needs significantly less force because of the no springs to be compressed. It makes it possible to keep the individual valve timing adjuster compact which minimizes their weight and allows them to be smoothly integrated.

Innovative Technology

The new 2020 Multistrada 1260 Ducati Powerful Naked Bike contains the new throttle control that works with the Ride-by-Wire system to control engine power output. This control system offers a smoother throttle response for a better riding experience.

The new 2020 Multistrada 1260 Ducati Powerful Naked Bike comes with the Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that controls Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), electronic speed control, and Bosch Cornering ABS. The four Riding Modes are incredibly effective and supported by the Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) Evolution. It configures the suspension setup dynamically in response to different road and riding conditions, maintaining performance, control, and comfort. The new 2020 Multistrada 1260 Ducati is equipped with Vehicle to Hold Control (VHC) and Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up and Down, also supplied as an option.

Frame

The chassis of the 2020 Multistrada 1260 Ducati Powerful Naked Bike features a new frame and a more extended swingarm. The steering angle has been increased from 24-degree to 25-degree while the new swingarm is about 48mm longer. It, along with its new engine’s character and suspension setup, lends the bike sharper handling skills in curves while guaranteeing complete stability even when riding two-up at full load with the side panniers.

The chassis design contains a frontal Trellis frame with large-diameter yet thin tubing and two new lateral subframes closed off by its rear load-bearing element made up of fiberglass-reinforced plastic for greater torsional rigidity. The single-sided swingarm features a single die-cast part with fabricated and welded core sections. It offers a robust, lightweight, and hollow component that contributes to the Multistrada’s sure-footed handling.

Suspension

The new 2020 Multistrada 1260 Ducati Powerful Naked Bike comes with a brand new Kayaba 48mm upside-down fork having a dedicated cast bottom bracket, fully adjustable for spring preload, rebound, and compression. The rear section is controlled by a Sachs monoshock, also flexible in rebound and compression and with spring preload adjustable by using a new handy remote manual adjuster. The spring works progressively, offering augmented riding comfort even when the motorcycle is fully laden. The suspension system provides 170mm travel, guaranteeing comfortable riding even with the bike loaded, as well as safe handling on soft off-road routes.

Tires and Rims

The new 2020 Multistrada 1260 Ducati Powerful Naked Bike comes with light-alloy five Y-spoke wheels that are 340-gram lighter than those used in the 2020 Multistrada 1200. All the versions are equipped with 3.5×17-inch front wheels and 6×17-inch rear wheels, attached with Pirelli Scorpion Trail II 120/70-17 tire on the front and 190/55-17-inch on the rear.

2020 Multistrada 1260 Ducati Powerful Naked Bike – Technical Specifications

Engine

Transmission

Chassis

Dimensions and weights

Warranty & maintenance

Emissions and consumption