2023 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally - First Look
Thu, 29 Sep 2022
Ducati ups the adventure with longer-travel suspension and 7.9-gallon fuel tank
Ducati revealed a new Multistrada V4 Rally in the latest episode of its 2023 World Première web series. And while the model name hints at improved off-road capability, the V4 Rally’s feature list leans more for long distance travel and passenger comfort than tackling Dakar.
Not that there aren’t any upgrades to make the Rally model more capable of venturing off the tarmac than existing Multistrada V4 models. The Rally’s semi-active suspension provides 7.9 inches of travel, front and rear, an increase over the 6.7-inch front and 7.1-inch rear travel offered on the other variants. The suspension changes increase the ground clearance by 0.4 inches to 9.1 inches. The Skyhook DSS EVO electronics were also updated for more precise and efficient control over the suspension settings.
Like the Multistrada V4 S, the Rally model comes with a Minimum Preload function to lower the ride height when stopping or at low speeds. The Rally takes this a step further with an Easy Lift function that softens the suspension on start-up to make it easier to lift off the side stand.
Ducati also added an updated Enduro ride mode to join the Sport, Touring, and Urban modes. The Enduro mode restricts the engine output to 114 hp, compared to the claimed full output of 167 hp, while also providing a more dynamic and direct throttle response. The Enduro mode also switches traction control to a lower intervention level while deactivating wheelie control and rear wheel ABS. Cornering functionality and rear lift detection are also suppressed for off-road use.
The Multistrada V4 Rally comes standard with wire spoke wheels, with a 3.00×19″ wheel up front and a 4.5×17″ rear wheel. The wheels come clad in Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tires, but they can also be fitted with Scorpion Rally or Scorpion Rally STR tires.
For the Rally’s V4 Granturismo engine, Ducati introduced an new “extended” electronic deactivation system. On existing models, the rear cylinder bank deactivates during stops, but for the Rally, the system also works at low revs in order to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The rear cylinders restart when the speed increases. The system is calibrated to work in all ride modes and in each gear, except first, so that standing starts make use of all four cylinders.
The Multistrada V4 Rally has a 7.9-gallon aluminum fuel tank, a significant increase over the 5.8-gallon capacity of the other models. Ducati updated the bodywork to maintain the existing Multstrada’s look, and tank height despite the larger fuel capacity. Ducati also adjusted the aerodynamics to improve wind protection for both rider and passenger.
To improve thermal comfort, Ducati added new heat shielding to the subframe and swingarm. The Rally’s side and top case attachments were also moved back slightly to improve passenger comfort.
Other updates include wider footpegs with removable rubber inserts and a beefier sump guard.
In other markets, Ducati offers multiple equipment packages, but for the U.S., the Multistrada V4 Rally comes only in the Adventure Travel and Radar package that adds adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, aluminum side cases, and heated grips and seats. American customers will have a choice of two paint options. The Ducati Red option is priced at $31,495 while the Brushed Aluminum and Matt Black option raises the price to $31,995. Expect to see the Multistrada V4 Rally at Ducati dealerships in May 2023.
2023 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally Specifications | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | Starting From $31,495 |
| Engine Type | Ducati V4 Granturismo, V4 – 90°, 4 valves per cylinder, counter-rotating crankshaft, twin pulse firing order, semi dry sump, liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 1,158 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 83 x 53.3 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14:01 |
| Horsepower | 167 hp at 10,750 rpm (claimed) |
| Torque | 89.2 lb-ft. at 8,750 rpm (claimed) |
| Fuel Injection | Continental electronic fuel injection system, Øeq 46mm equivalent elliptical throttle bodies with Ride-by-Wire system |
| Exhaust | Stainless steel muffler, double catalytic converter and 4 lambda probes |
| Gearbox | 6 speed with Ducati Quick Shift up/down |
| Primary Drive | Straight cut gears; Ratio 1.8:1 |
| Gear Ratios | 1=40/13, 2=36/16, 3=34/19, 4=31/21, 5=29/23, 6=27/25 |
| Final Drive | Chain, Front sprocket z16; Rear sprocket Z42 |
| Clutch | Multiplate clutch with hydraulic control. Self-servo action on drive, slipper action on over-run |
| Frame | Aluminum monocoque frame |
| Front Suspension | Ø50 mm fully adjustable usd fork with internal stroke sensor. Electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment with Ducati Skyhook Suspension EVO (DSS). 7.9 inches of travel |
| Front Wheel | Spoked wheel 3´´ x 19´´ |
| Front Tire | Pirelli Scopion Trail II 120/70 R19 |
| Rear Suspension | Cantilever suspension with fully adjustable monoshock. Electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment. Electronic spring pre-load adjustment with Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS). Aluminium double-sided swingarm. 7.9 inches of travel |
| Rear Wheel | Spoked wheel 4,5´´ x 17´´ |
| Rear Tire | Pirelli Scorpion Trail II 170/60 R17 |
| Front Brake | 2 x 330 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Stylema 4-piston calipers, 2-pad, radial master cylinder with cornering ABS as standard equipment |
| Rear Brake | 265 mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper, with cornering ABS as standard equipment |
| Instrumentation | 6,5´´ TFT color dislay with Ducati Connect and full-map navi system |
| Dry Weight | 500 lb (claimed) |
| Curb Weight | 573 lb (claimed) |
| Seat Height | Adjustable 34.3 – 35.0 inches 34.9 – 35.6 inches with high seat accessory 33.7 – 34.5 inches with low seat #1 accessory 32.5 – 33.3 inches with low seat #2 accessory 31.7 – 32.5 inches with low seat #2 + low suspension kit accessory |
| Wheelbase | 61.9 inches |
| Rake | 24.7° |
| Trail | 4.15 inches |
| Fuel Capacity | 7.9 US gallons |
| Number Of Seats | 2 |
| Safety Equipment | Riding Modes, Power Modes, cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Wheelie Control, Ducati Brake Light, Ducati Cornering Light, Vehicle Hold Control |
| Standard Equipment | Ducati Skyhook Suspension EVO, Ducati Quick Shift, Cruise control, Hands-Free, Backlit handlebar switches, 6,5´´ TFT colour display with Ducati Connect and full-map navigation system, Full LED headlight with DRL, Engine Brake Control (EBC), Extended Cylinder Deactivation (ECD) |
| Warranty | 24 months, unlimited mileage. |
| Service Intervals | 9,000 miles / 24 months |
| Desmoservice | 36,000 miles |
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
More by Dennis Chung
Boomer here that has had a great moto-centric life since 1968 and admittedly a man of the last century. This amazing machine is so far away from what I am used to (Norton 850 to Z900RS) I have to wonder how many of these Ducati figures they can sell and who's buying them? I'd love to try one but the odds of one ending up in my garage with my other 5 bikes are about zero and not because of the price. Just seems too foreign to my sensibilities.
- See 3 previous
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John B on Oct 04, 2022
I hear you, Larry. Ducati sells about 60,000 units annually while Honda sells about 17 million. As such, Ducati doesn't need to sell very many units to meet its goals. Perhaps, this motorcycle appeals more to British and Euro riders. IDK.
I'm a Boomer too (1961-20XX), and I recently had a major health event which reminded me I don't need ANY money in the afterlife. I gave my kids my genes and college degrees so leaving them a bunch of money seems like overkill. Lol! In my current mindset, I buy whatever I want and I'm in the market for a long distance bike. Even so, this motorcycle is not a great fit for me.
A 7.9 gallon tank is ponderous and unnecessary except on a bike that gets terrible fuel economy. A chain drive requires more maintenance than a shaft drive. Except for road construction, I ride on paved roads. On long tours, I don't spend much time riding at triple-digit speeds so the top end is largely wasted on me. I need only three modes: Rain, Road, and Race. Ducati dealers are few and far between in the Western third of the U.S. (where I ride on tour) and this bike is top-drawer expensive.
I want to have a Ducati in my garage because I really like the brand and my local dealer, but I can't settle on a model that checks my boxes and compares favorably with the competition. Perhaps, owning a Ducati is not about checking boxes; you just buy one and enjoy it. Now, there's a concept.
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LookinKool on Oct 04, 2022
No problem... https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
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John B on Oct 04, 2022
I'm right there with you. Here's my current tourer. I can do up to 650 miles in a day before I get too uncomfortable. It's great in the mountains and has cruise control and heated grips. As long as the weather is nice, I'm good. There's something to be said for light weight bikes on a long trip.
https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
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John B on Oct 04, 2022
Very nice! Enjoy!
Not complicated enough, needs more features!
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By Dennis Chung
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