What Was New for 2025—and Still Applies in 2026

The current Multistrada V4 generation received an extensive update for 2025 and remains technically identical for 2026. The key changes were a new front-end design inspired by the Panigale V4, with distinctive twin headlights and a new, more sharply styled exhaust; Extended Cylinder Deactivation (ECD), which now shuts down the rear cylinder bank not only at a standstill but also at low speeds and low loads, reducing fuel consumption by up to six percent according to Ducati; DQS 2.0, the new quickshifter generation without a microswitch for a more direct shift feel; and improved aerodynamics with optimized wind protection for both rider and passenger.

Engine: V4 Granturismo, 170 hp, No Desmo, 60,000 km Valve-Clearance Interval

The 1,158 cc liquid-cooled 90-degree V4 uses a counter-rotating crankshaft, Twin Pulse firing order, conventional valve springs instead of Desmo, and produces 170 hp / 125 kW at 10,750 rpm and 121 Nm at 8,750 rpm. It comes with a six-speed transmission, DQS 2.0, ECD Extended Cylinder Deactivation, semi-dry-sump lubrication, Euro 5+ compliance, and a 60,000 km valve-clearance inspection interval.

That 60,000 km valve-clearance interval is the longest in Ducati’s entire model range. For comparison, the Desmosedici Stradale in the Panigale V4 requires a valve check every 30,000 km. The V4 Granturismo is optimized for longevity and everyday manageability rather than maximum engine speed. 170 hp from 1,158 cc may sound less dramatic than the figures produced by the Panigale engine, but for touring use it is exactly the right caliber: enough reserve for two-up highway travel with luggage, combined with a riding character that does not constantly make you think about the limits.

Extended Cylinder Deactivation shuts down the two rear cylinders not only at a standstill, but also at low speeds and under light loads. This reduces fuel consumption, lowers the amount of heat reaching the rider in city traffic, and makes the motorcycle easier to live with in stop-and-go conditions. In city traffic or when riding calmly on backroads, the Multistrada feels more composed than it does under full load.

Standard Suspension: Mechanical Marzocchi—No Skyhook

Up front is a fully mechanically adjustable 50 mm Marzocchi USD fork. At the rear is a conventional, fully mechanically adjustable shock. Suspension travel is 170 mm at both ends. There is no Skyhook Suspension or DSS EVO—that is reserved exclusively for the V4 S.

The standard V4’s mechanical suspension is aimed at experienced riders who prefer to adjust their chassis manually and do not need semi-active control. If you regularly travel with changing loads and do not want to manually readjust the suspension, buy the S with Skyhook.

Brakes, Wheels, Tires

Braking comes from Brembo, with dual 330 mm front discs, Bosch-Brembo 10.3ME Cornering ABS, and VHC Vehicle Hold Control. The standard V4 uses cast wheels measuring 19 inches at the front and 17 inches at the rear, fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tires.

The 19-inch front wheel is the compromise, much like on the BMW GS: capable enough for occasional gravel roads, sporty enough for backroad riding. If you regularly ride away from paved roads, choose the Rally with its 30-liter fuel tank and 200 mm of suspension travel.

Ergonomics: 840–860 mm, Adjustable Wind Protection, Passenger Seat

Seat height is continuously adjustable between 840 and 860 mm, with lower and higher accessory seats available. Weight is approximately 220–228 kg dry and around 245 kg fully fueled. The fuel tank holds 22 liters, providing approximately 338 km of range.

The windscreen can be manually adjusted for height with one hand. Passenger seat and passenger footpegs come standard. The passenger seat is generously sized, with sturdy grab handles, and the rear suspension is designed to cope with two-up riding. The upright riding position is what makes the difference after long days in the saddle: wrists, back, and shoulders are not punished.

Electronics: 5-Inch TFT, Four Riding Modes, Radar Optional

There are four riding modes: Sport, Touring, Urban, and Enduro. The electronics package includes DTC traction control, DWC wheelie control, Cornering Lights, cruise control, VHC, DQS 2.0, ECD, and a 5-inch color TFT display.

The radar system with ACC Adaptive Cruise Control and BSD Blind Spot Detection is optional on the standard V4 and standard only on the V4 S, Rally, and RS. Hands-Free is not available on the standard model and is exclusive to the S. Map navigation is also not standard; the S includes Ducati Connect + Navigation. For buyers, the logic is straightforward: if you want radar and map navigation as standard, buy the S—or add the relevant options to the standard model.

Standard vs. V4 S: What Are You Paying Extra For?

The V4 S is covered in a separate review. The core of the upgrade is Ducati Skyhook Suspension EVO with semi-active control, automatic leveling and Minimum Preload, a 6.5-inch TFT instead of the standard model’s 5-inch display, Hands-Free as standard, map navigation through Ducati Connect as standard, and the radar system with ACC + BSD as standard.

The engine, brakes, and the basic electronics package are identical. If you regularly travel long distances with changing loads and do not want to manually adjust the suspension, the S is the better choice. If you deliberately prefer mechanical suspension and select radar only as an option, buy the Standard and save the money.

Four-Year Warranty—the Only Ducati Model in This Test Series

The Ducati 4Ever Multistrada warranty applies to all Multistrada V4 models: four years with unlimited mileage. That is the longest warranty package in this entire test series. All other Ducati models—from the Panigale to the Scrambler—come with two years.

The four-year warranty is a measurable advantage on a motorcycle that regularly covers long distances and accumulates mileage. A 60,000 km valve-clearance interval combined with a four-year warranty represents the most long-term-oriented maintenance and ownership package in Ducati’s lineup.

Stationary Noise and Tyrol

The standard Multistrada V4’s stationary-noise figure is above 95 dB(A). The exact figure has not been officially published. For comparison, the V4 Rally is rated at 94 dB(A) and is Tyrol-compliant, while the V4 RS is rated at 92 dB(A) and is also Tyrol-compliant. Confirm with your Ducati dealer whether the standard V4 can legally be ridden on restricted roads in Tyrol.

Verdict

The 2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 is the most versatile motorcycle from Bologna: 170 hp, 60,000 km valve-clearance intervals, four-year warranty, ECD, new design, 338 km range. It is not an extreme machine—it is the motorcycle that can handle every day and every road. From €20,890.

 

Quick Check

+ 170 hp V4 Granturismo; 121 Nm; no Desmo; counter-rotating crankshaft; Twin Pulse firing order; 60,000 km valve-clearance inspection, the longest interval in the entire Ducati lineup; ECD Extended Cylinder Deactivation, with the rear cylinder bank switched off both at a standstill AND under light loads, reducing fuel consumption by up to six percent; DQS 2.0; Euro 5+

+ New 2025 front-end design inspired by the Panigale V4, with twin headlights and new exhaust; improved aerodynamics; optimized wind protection for rider and passenger; continuously adjustable 840–860 mm seat height; passenger seat and footpegs standard; 22-liter fuel tank; approx. 338 km range; four riding modes

+ 4-year warranty, Ducati 4Ever Multistrada with unlimited mileage—the only Ducati model in this test series with four years; Brembo 330 mm discs; VHC; 19/17-inch wheels; Pirelli Scorpion Trail II; cruise control; DTC; DWC; Cornering Lights; 5-inch TFT

+ Radar system with ACC + BSD available as an option; mechanical Marzocchi suspension for riders who prefer manual adjustment; model of choice for long-distance riders who want predictable maintenance costs and warranty coverage

 

– Stationary noise above 95 dB(A): exact figure not published; confirm Tyrol status with dealer. V4 Rally at 94 dB(A) is compliant; V4 RS at 92 dB(A) is compliant.

– No Skyhook/DSS EVO, exclusive to S: no semi-active suspension; no Hands-Free, S exclusive; no map navigation standard, S exclusive; 5-inch TFT versus 6.5 inches on S; radar system optional only, standard on S

– Price from €20,890; approximately 245 kg ready to ride, so it is not the lightest adventure motorcycle in the segment; BMW R 1300 GS, KTM 1390 Super Adventure, and Honda Africa Twin are alternative reference models

– “Only” 170 hp, identical to V4 S; RS uses 180 hp Desmosedici engine. For riders focused purely on performance, V4 RS is the right choice; no DVO algorithm standard, while Multistrada V4 RS and Rally include DVO

 

Technical Specifications: Ducati Multistrada V4 Standard (2026)

Make / Model: Ducati Multistrada V4 Standard (2026; 2025/2026 generation); V4 S covered in a separate review; manufacturer: Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., Borgo Panigale, Bologna, Italy

What’s New for 2025/2026: New Panigale V4-inspired front-end design with twin headlights and new exhaust; ECD Extended Cylinder Deactivation, shutting down the rear cylinder bank under light loads and at low speeds as well as at a standstill, reducing fuel consumption by up to six percent; DQS 2.0; improved aerodynamics; optimized wind protection; revised TFT user interface

Standard vs. V4 S: Standard: Marzocchi USD fork + conventional shock, mechanically adjustable, 5-inch TFT, no Skyhook, no Hands-Free, no map navigation standard, radar optional. S: Skyhook DSS EVO with semi-active control, Auto-Leveling and Minimum Preload, 6.5-inch TFT, Hands-Free, map navigation, radar standard.

Engine: Liquid-cooled 90-degree V4 Granturismo; 1,158 cc; no Desmo; conventional valve springs; counter-rotating crankshaft; Twin Pulse firing order; ECD Extended Cylinder Deactivation; semi-dry-sump lubrication; six-speed transmission; DQS 2.0; Euro 5+

Power: 170 hp (125 kW) at 10,750 rpm

Torque: 121 Nm at 8,750 rpm

Top Speed / Consumption: Approx. 250 km/h; approx. 6.5 L/100 km; approx. 338 km range

Fuel Tank / Weight: 22 liters; approx. 220–228 kg dry; approx. 245 kg fully fueled

Transmission / Final Drive: 6-speed; chain drive; DQS 2.0 Up/Down

Electronics: Four riding modes—Sport/Touring/Urban/Enduro; DTC traction control; DWC wheelie control; Bosch-Brembo 10.3ME Cornering ABS; Cornering Lights; cruise control; VHC Vehicle Hold Control; DQS 2.0; ECD; 5-inch TFT; radar system with ACC + BSD available as an option

Front Suspension, Standard: 50 mm Marzocchi USD fork; 170 mm travel; fully mechanically adjustable

Rear Suspension, Standard: Conventional shock; 170 mm travel; fully mechanically adjustable; double-sided aluminum swingarm

Front Brake: Brembo; dual 330 mm discs; Bosch-Brembo 10.3ME Cornering ABS

Rear Brake: Disc brake; Cornering ABS; VHC

Wheels: Cast wheels; 19-inch front; 17-inch rear

Tires: Pirelli Scorpion Trail II; 120/70 ZR19 front; 190/55 ZR17 rear

Ergonomics: 840–860 mm adjustable seat height, with lower/higher accessory seats available; upright touring riding position; one-hand height-adjustable windscreen; passenger seat and footpegs standard; wide handlebar

Stationary Noise: Above 95 dB(A), exact figure not published; confirm Tyrol status with dealer. Tyrol limit 95 dB(A); V4 Rally 94 dB(A), compliant; V4 RS 92 dB(A), compliant.

2026 Colors: Ducati Red; ask dealer about additional options

Warranty / Service: 4 years, Ducati 4Ever Multistrada, unlimited mileage; valve-clearance inspection every 60,000 km; service every 15,000 km / 12 months

2026 Competition: Ducati Multistrada V4 S, separate review to follow: Skyhook, Hands-Free, radar standard, 6.5-inch TFT. BMW R 1300 GS: approx. €21,000, boxer, 145 hp. KTM 1390 Super Adventure S: approx. €24,000, V-twin, 160 hp. Honda Africa Twin 1100 DCT: approx. €17,000, parallel twin, 102 hp.

Price in Germany: From €20,890. V4 Rally from €28,490; V4 RS €38,490.