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COPYRIGHT 2003 Ehlert Publishing Group
Ducati's latest offering, the Multistrada, is a category-buster. It's not quite a naked or full-faired sportbike, yet it is sporty. And it's not quite an adventure-tourer, since it has no off-road pretensions, but look at that long-travel suspension, ground clearance and tall seat height. It's certainly not a cruiser-so what the heck is it?
Loosley translated into English, the name Multistrada means "Multi-Roads" or all roads, but to fully understand the motorcycle requires an understanding of the design philosophy behind it. As Ducati's development staff told us at the "Strada's press introduction, there's a legendary pass near the factory in Bologna, Italy, called Passo della Futa, the road over which weaves a torturous path through the Apennine Mountains before finally reaching Florence.
As it follows the river Ravena out of Bologna and gains altitude, the road becomes increasingly more serpentine. For the first part, the pavement is smooth and wide. Farther up, the road conditions deteriorate, with water or ice concealed in the shadows, and potholes, bumps or even washboard pavement in the corners. Switchbacks and a variety of decreasing-radius, increasing-radius, double-apex and even off-camber corners abound. This region, known as Emilia Romagna, is the birthplace of Ferrari, Maserati and Ducati, and it is home to some of the most demanding motorsports enthusiasts in the world. This is where the need for, and the idea that led to, the Multistrada was born.
Pierre Terblanche, Ducati design director and chief designer on the Multistrada project said, "This is a bike that reaches its full potential in the hands of experts who want to rip around mountain roads and zip along coastal strips. At the same time, the Multistrada allows everyday enthusiasts to fully explore and expand their talents on this most exhilarating of bikes." Development, which Ducati says took 50,000 labor...
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