Ducati Multistrada Not Dead Afterall?
The pace of Ducati rumors surrounding the forthcoming Strada Aperta Adventure tourer are accelerating about as fast as a 1198 as we approach the EICMA show in Milan next month. Some are candid, some appear to be planned leaks by the factory itself, and the latest one appears plain wacky. Spanish language Solo Moto claim that the Multistrada name is not dead and in fact the new bike will be called the Multistrada 1200 and be available in 4 distinct models!
The original, Pierre Terblanche penned, 2-valve Multistrada was a sales success for the factory but the styling was very polarizing (the new model seems to be destined to equally controversial). Solo Moto believes Ducati wish to re-use the name, however, ducatinewstoday argues that there are more reasons to support a change. These include the use of a 4-valve motor (the factory seems to want to separate the 2-valve and 4-valve models – consider the distinction between the Monster and Streetfighter) and a desire to appeal to the adventure tourer market – something that was always beyond the Multistrada’s remit.
Apart from the late name change from Strada Aperta to Multistrada, Solo Moto also claims the engine will in fact be 1198 based but with a single fuel injector rather than the usual two for a claimed 130bhp. This faux pas alone shines a light on the veracity of Solo Moto’s claims since only the 1098R has 2 injectors per throttle body.
The rumor goes on to suggest there will be 4 distinct model variants. Aside from the usual standard and Ohlins equipped ‘S’ models there is to be a ‘T’ (touring) model with hard saddle bags and a taller screen and, get this, an ‘R’ model. Contrary to what you might think, the ‘R’ model stands for ‘Rocks’ sports a 19″ front wheel in line with it’s more serious off road abilities. Having got this far you might expect the suggestion that gullible is found under ‘H’ in the dictionary!
ducatinewstoday continues to believe that the new machine will be 1098 powered, producing around 140bhp from a slightly detuned Streetfighter powerplant and likely be named the Strada Aperta (‘Open Road’ in Italian). We hope beyond hope that the ugly snout seen in so many of the spy photos will not feature on the final bike but it is only a matter of weeks before all will be revealed at the EICMA show in Milan beginning November 10th.
Source: SoloMoto (English translation) via Asphalt & Rubber
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Seems kinda odd to have two separate models to replace the Multistrada, but I guess if they did it with the Monster/Streetfighter, maybe it will work here too. Maybe the 2-valve version won’t be so ugly then either.
@Don, There are supposed to be 4 models in Ducati’s 2010 roadmap. So we have the Hypermotard 796, the Multistrada / Strada Aperta and what else?
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