“In your face” is perhaps the first thing that the Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro comes across as. That’s because it’s pretty much as intimidating as adventure tourers come. But that monstrous size reassures you in some way that this motorcycle will get you across continents without breaking a sweat, and that this Ducati can do.
On the outside
The massive, hawk-like façade and imposing stance will undoubtedly grab a lot of attention. The beak-ish cowl packs a set of dual headlights and a high flyscreen, typical of the Multistrada series. Sitting behind it is the voluptuous 30-litre fuel tank that blends nicely into the deep, swooping and rather comfy saddle.
The 1200 Enduro is the tallest motorcycle in the Multistrada series, and that height is a result of the larger 19-inch front tyres. Plus, the rims have their spokes sitting on the outside of the rim. This arrangement of spokes allows the rim to take a lot more abuse than the regularly spoked ones. Suspension travel is 200mm both up front and at the rear, and to handle the rough stuff better, there’s a double-sided swingarm instead of a single-sided one.
From the saddle
The TFT instrument cluster on the 1200 Enduro is similar to what you get on other Multistradas. It’s crisp, easy to read, and extremely configurable. But what it packs is a lot more impressive rider modes. You can choose them via the buttons on the left handle, and once you get a hang of the system, it’s surprising how much you can change on the bike from your perch, and that includes everything, from the suspension to the engine's characteristics. You get four modes to choose from – Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro – which you can switch while on the move. Further, the modes are customisable when the bike is standing still.
Depending on the modes, there are three levels of power output – 160hp (Sport and Touring) and 100hp (Urban and Enduro); the lower outputs are to keep the bike from losing control in low-traction conditions/slippery terrain. Additionally, there are eight levels of traction control, wheelie control and ABS, and Ducati's electronic Skyhook Suspension which offers four settings and 24 levels of preload. The bike even gets hill-hold control.
The comfort zone
Straddling yourself in is quite a climb. Thankfully, there’s a sturdy centre-stand, but getting the bike on and off it requires a lot of muscle. In some ways, the bike is better suited to taller, well-built riders. Surprisingly, the bike is quite easy to ride once you’re on the move. The enormous seats have you nearly cocooned inside, the wide handlebars allow for a relaxed riding position, and the manually adjustable visor does a brilliant job of protecting you from windblasts. Despite this, in case you get tired, all you need to do is stand up; the spiked foot pegs hold your feet in place brilliantly, the contoured fuel-tank is easy to grab with your knees and you can ride this way all day.
Pulling power
The Enduro’s 1,198cc, L-twin engine gets Ducati's Testastretta DVT (Desmodromic Valve Timing). This allows for high efficiency at low revs and strong performance as engine speeds pile up. This motor pulls quite smoothly right from 2,000rpm and that means there’s little need for constant change of gear. However, keep an eye for false neutrals between fourth, fifth and sixth gears. Not only is the engine responsive, power delivery gets stronger as you spin it faster and feels particularly strong around 6,000rpm. Just that the bike feels a bit jerky in the Urban mode.
Ride and handling
Where the bike surprises is the manner in which it changes its character depending on the rider mode you choose. As mentioned earlier, it feels a lot more manageable than its size suggests, once you get on the move. While it feels a touch underpowered in the Urban mode, this is useful when riding in slippery conditions.
One issue on the bike is the amount of heat generated in slow-moving traffic, and all of that heat is directed towards your left thigh. But nothing a quick blast on an open straight section of road cannot solve.
The suspension feels quite soft and absorbent in the Touring mode and bumps are dealt with quite comfortably. The bike does wallow and feels a bit springy over bumps, and that takes away a bit from the handling front. Switch to Sport and the bike feels crisper and even encourages you to ride hard. Impressively, despite all the bulk and size, this Multistrada can give sportier machines a run for their money.
But the Enduro mode is the real party trick here. It makes the bike so much fun to throw around in the dirt. Yes, you need a lot of strength to make the bike move the way you want it to and this is where the electronics come into play. With the ABS switched to level one, the anti-locking brake mechanism remains active on the front wheel, while it switches off at the rear. This way, you can lock the rear wheel and get the bike to slide around. If you still feel that the ABS is too intrusive this way, you can switch it off altogether. But you need to be careful as this is a heavy motorcycle and should to be handled carefully.
Is it worth the money?
All in all, this is an extremely capable motorcycle, but it isn’t for everyone. Also, this isn’t exactly a machine meant for city spaces, and even if you can buy one, it requires a certain level of rider skill to be appreciated fully. If you have all these bases covered, this bike will serve you well on your forthcoming adventures.
