REVIEW: 2007 DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1100

The Ducati Multistrada introduces a new generation of sport bikes, capable of excelling on every road you challenge with amazing sports performance, outstanding comfort and everyday-use versatility. Ideal for a day in the mountains, the daily commute or a weekend tour, the Multistrada is aggressive like a sport bike when the road turns twisty, yet smooth and relaxed when scenery beckons.

For 2007, the Multistrada features a potent new 1100 Desmo engine with a quieter more robust ‘wet’ clutch, comfort enhancing vibration-isolated handlebars, and a new maintenance program that reduces costs by as much as 50% --  the Multistrada’s all-round performance is better than ever.

Developed on the winding mountain roads and city streets of Italy, the Multistrada is a real-world motorcycle for real-world riders, a dream come true, a high performance sports bike that doesn’t compromise comfort, versatility or practicality.

The Multistrada breaks down all the barriers. Its unique versatility is a matter of design. On mountain roads its impressive cornering performance comes by way of Superbike-grade suspension, world-class brakes and the renowned Ducati Trellis frame. For long journeys, the longer travel suspension smoothes the way, vibration isolated handlebars reduce fatigue and the relaxed riding position optimises comfort for both rider and passenger. In town the agile chassis, wide bars and broad power of the new 1100 engine make crossing busy city traffic an adventure to look forward to.

It is this extreme versatility and all-round performance that prompted US magazine Cycle World to nominate the Multistrada ‘Best Sport Tourer’.

The Multistrada is available in two versions: The impressive Multistrada 1100 and, for those who demand the ultimate in sport performance, an all-conquering ‘S’ version, the Multistrada 1100 S.

MULTISTRADA 1100

The new Multistrada 1100 widens the horizons of all those who are ‘sport motorcyclists’ at heart but still want a bike they can use seven days a week.  Riding a Multistrada makes every road a thrill.  The punchy new 1100 Desmo L-Twin engine delivers smoother, more tractable power delivery and, coupled with a refined chassis, delivers confident handling and optimal comfort, even over long distances.

The unmistakable Ducati Trellis frame combines with fully-adjustable suspension to adapt the bike to any road condition and every riding style, while rider comfort has been further improved with new vibration-isolated handlebars.

Superb road holding, a powerful new 1100 engine and all day comfort gives the versatile Multistrada a unique personality and character in true Ducati style.

The 1100 is the latest evolution of the Multistrada concept, introduced by Ducati at the start of 2003. It contains all of the innovations that helped to make the model a true point of reference for a totally new market segment.

The characteristic two-part nose fairing, with a transparent screen that moves with the handlebars, allows better than average steering manoeuvrability. The unique tank and seat assembly comes from a single moulding and provides a fuel capacity of 20 litres; one of the innovations on the Multistrada 1100 is the inclusion of a fuel reserve sensor. The joint action of the fuel level gauge and the new sensor guarantees a reliable and constant indication of the amount of fuel remaining in the tank at all times.

Two display management functions are new features on the 1100 model: trip fuel and auto ‘light off’ system. The former is an additional trip meter that is activated when the fuel reserve light is on, while the latter is a feature that automatically switches off the lights after 60 seconds of key-on if the engine is not running.

Other style features of the Multistrada that remain unchanged on the 1100 version are the front headlight cluster, the single-sided aluminium swingarm, the tail section and the aggressive exhaust unit.

Like the rest of the 2007 range the Multistrada 1100 fully complies with EURO 3 exhaust emissions: the lambda probe inside the muffler unit combined with a three-way catalytic converter ensure maximum efficiency. The function of the lambda probe is to detect the amount of oxygen present in exhaust gases and gauge the fuel mixture. In this way the oxygen concentration through the catalytic converter allows the correct chemical reaction and the three-way converter oxydizes the unburnt hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide and reduces the nitrogen oxides.