2022 Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak

When we took the new Multistrada V4 out for a test at the beginning of the year, we were impressed. It did everything it said on the tin, and more. Now though, a year after the first V4 Granturismo powered Multistrada was unveiled, Ducati have pulled the covers off this; the Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak. It’s the sportiest Multistrada to ever exist, and according to Ducati, the most powerful model in the whole ‘crossover’ segment.

As per previous ‘Pikes Peak’ Multistradas, this one is pretty trick. It might be based on the Multistrada V4 platform, but it’s had a lot of work done, cosmetically, as well as technically. The biggest technical differences are probably the new 17 inch front wheel and single sided swingarm; but they’re by no means the only ones.

The new 17 inch front wheel is there to give the Pikes Peak more precision and responsiveness; which I’m sure it will. Especially when you take note of the fact that the Marchesini forged ally rims are 2.7kg lighter than the standard wheels on the ‘Strada V4 S. You also get Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 suspension, the same system as Panigale and Streetfighter V4 S.

As well as the single sided swinger, the Pikes Peak’s got some racy new geometry at the front end too. The steering head’s been sharpened up, altering the rake and trail, giving the bike a much sportier shape.

Uncrashable?

And that’s not all that’s sporty about the new Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak. The 1160cc V4 Granturismo engine makes 170hp and 125Nm of torque. Ducati are convinced that makes the Pikes Peak the most powerful ‘crossover’ motorcycle in existence, and I’d be inclined to agree with them. Although it would be good to get them all together for a big drag race, just to check.

Like the Ducati Multistrada V4 S, the Pikes Peak comes with front and rear radar, so you get the Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Detection. You also get all the same riding modes, plus the new Race Riding Mode. In Race Riding Mode, you get a softer rev limiter, more aggressive downshifts from the blipper and full power.

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Wheelie control and the cornering ABS system have also been given updated strategies, for better control and even more safety! Could this be the world’s first un-crashable motorcycle? I doubt it.

Everything about this Multistrada has, seemingly, been designed to turn a very good all-rounder (one of the best all-round motorcycles going), into something that looks like an all-rounder, but is actually very sporty. But is it too sporty? They’ve given it a MotoGP inspired colour scheme, for Christ’s sake! And they’ve even said it’s not only been designed for those who love the ‘mountainous twisties’ but the ‘racetrack’ too.

Peaking

I think it is going to be an absolutely incredible bike, I really do. But I can’t help thinking that making a Multistrada so sporty, is maybe slightly missing the point of a Multistrada a little bit. But then again, very few Multistrada owners ride their bikes on anything other than tarmac, where having a bike that handles well, goes fast and has a load of extra ground clearance, can only be a good thing.

So maybe, for 90% of people, the new Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak is actually the most perfect Multistrada ever.

If you’re one of the 90%, you should be able to pick up a 2022 Pikes Peak from your local Ducati dealership as of December this year (2021). We’re still waiting to find out how much they’ll be, but I would suggest that if you have to ask, you probably can’t afford one.

**Update – the new Pikes Peak will be £24,595.

Boothy