Ducati Multistrada 1000 (2003 - 2007) review

A wonderfully capable all-rounder that will satisfy your need for speed or go the whole distance. It's just a good job you don't have to look at it when you're riding it.
Great fun on any road surface as long as it isn't gravel.
A candidate for 'Most ugly motorcycle of all time' and ineffective mirrors

There's a gap ahead of around four or five bike lengths. Even on these beautiful Sardinian twisty mountain passes, this is just out of my journalist's comfort zone. For those of you not in the know, this comfort zone is a gap that looks as if you're a bit slow compared to the guy ahead, rather than just hanging back and looking cool.
This isn't good news and very bad for my reputation, especially in the bar tonight.

Got to dig deep and make some time up. So now I'm desperately hanging on the the guy in front, I'm braking later and later with those top-line Serie Oro Brembos in a bid to make up the shortfall and trying to lean the bike over that little bit more on those chunky Pirellis.

The guy ahead in full leathers is knee down on another Multistrada and I'm inching forward bit by bit. Got to do better than that. It's time for the chunky shuffle. Get that massive derriere off the firm, yet comfortable seat beneath it and get her on her ear. Beneath me, the Multistrada isn't moving

There's a gap ahead of around four or five bike lengths. Even on these beautiful Sardinian twisty mountain passes, this is just out of my journalist's comfort zone. For those of you not in the know, this comfort zone is a gap that looks as if you're a bit slow compared to the guy ahead, rather than just hanging back and looking cool.
This isn't good news and very bad for my reputation, especially in the bar tonight.

Got to dig deep and make some time up. So now I'm desperately hanging on the the guy in front, I'm braking later and later with those top-line Serie Oro Brembos in a bid to make up the shortfall and trying to lean the bike over that little bit more on those chunky Pirellis.

The guy ahead in full leathers is knee down on another Multistrada and I'm inching forward bit by bit. Got to do better than that. It's time for the chunky shuffle. Get that massive derriere off the firm, yet comfortable seat beneath it and get her on her ear. Beneath me, the Multistrada isn't moving

Seats0
Suspension FrontShowa 43 mm upside-down
Suspension RearProgressive linkage; hydraulic remote pre-load control. Single-sided aluminium swingarm
Adjustability FrontFully adjustable fork
Adjustability RearFully adjustable Showa monoshock
Wheels Front3.50x17
Wheels Rear5.50x17
Wheels Made OfNew 6-spoke design in light alloy
Tyres Front120/70 ZR 17
Tyres Rear180/55 ZR 17
Brakes Front2x320 mm discs, 4-piston calipers
Brakes Rear245 mm disc, 2-piston caliper
ChassisTubular steel trellis
Cubic Capacity (cc)992
Valves4
Max Power (bhp)84
Max Power Peak (rpm)8000
Torque (ft/lb)62
Torque Peak (rpm)5000
Bore (mm)94
Stroke (mm)71.5
Valve GearDOHC
Compression Ratio10
Valves Per Cylinder2
CoolingAir cooled
Fuel DeliveryElectronic
Stroke TypeFour Stroke
DriveChain
Max Power87
Top Speed