Back in 2003, Ducati took a risk. Up to that point, the company was known almost exclusively for its sportbikes; machines like the 916, the 998, and the Monster, all of which leaned heavily into the idea of Italian performance and design. The Multistrada changed that. It wasn’t quite a superbike, not quite a touring bike, and not exactly an adventure bike either. What it offered was a little bit of everything.
The first Multistrada was built to carve mountain passes as easily as it devoured freeway miles, and it opened the door to riders who wanted Ducati performance in a package they could ride every day. In doing so, it shaped an entirely new segment: the performance sport tourer. While other brands were pushing traditional adventure bikes, Ducati doubled down on the idea that touring didn’t have to mean sacrificing sharp handling or speed.
Over the years, the Multistrada grew into a family of its own. There were Enduro models built for dirt, touring models built for distance, and the Pikes Peak editions built for riders who wanted sharper reflexes on the road. Each version pushed the Multistrada further, but the core mission remained: combining comfort with performance.
Now, Ducati has introduced the Multistrada V4 RS, the most aggressive version to date. Priced at $39,995, it’s a bike that blurs the line even further between touring machine and superbike. Ducati is calling it the ultimate sport tourer, and on paper, that’s hard to argue with.
At the center of the Multistrada V4 RS is the 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4, an engine originally developed for the Panigale superbike lineup. It’s a 90-degree V4 that revs all the way to 13,500 rpm, producing a claimed 180 horsepower. To put that in perspective, that’s more power than Ducati’s first-generation Panigale V4 made when it launched in 2018.
The RS pairs the motor with an STM-EVO dry clutch, chosen not just for its racing pedigree but for the feel it delivers under hard riding. Add in an Akrapovič exhaust, and you get both reduced weight and a soundtrack that leaves no doubt about the bike’s intentions. Ducati also shortened the final drive compared to the Pikes Peak model, which means quicker acceleration and punchier response at the expense of some top-end cruising efficiency.
Perhaps the most interesting feature is the “Full Power” riding mode. On other Multistradas, Ducati scales back output in lower gears, prioritizing smoothness over brute force. The RS ditches that approach, giving you the full 180 hp in every gear, paired with a dedicated throttle map.
At 465 pounds curb weight, the RS undercuts the Pikes Peak by about seven pounds. Ducati achieved this through a mix of materials and clever engineering. The titanium rear subframe alone saves 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) compared to the standard steel version, and the use of carbon fiber on the front mudguard, handguards, and beak shaves a few more. A lithium-ion battery trims additional weight while lowering the bike’s center of gravity.
But Ducati didn’t just focus on cutting weight—they also made sure the bike stays practical. The titanium subframe is reinforced to handle a full set of panniers and a top box, giving the RS legitimate long-distance touring ability despite its sportier focus.
The chassis is built around a monocoque aluminum frame and Ducati’s signature single-sided swingarm. The wheels are Marchesini forged aluminum units in 17 inches, wrapped in Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV Corsa tires sized 120/70 at the front and 190/55 at the rear. Suspension comes courtesy of Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active units, the same setup once used on the Panigale V4, tuned here for a balance of comfort and aggression.
Braking hardware mirrors Ducati’s top-tier sportbikes. Twin 330 mm discs up front are paired with Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers and performance brake pads lifted directly from the Panigale. The system is backed by Bosch-Brembo cornering ABS, giving riders consistent performance even in tricky conditions.
The Multistrada has always been a testbed for Ducati’s electronics, and the RS takes that reputation further. The big debut here is Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO), a predictive algorithm that adjusts electronic interventions in real time. It doesn’t just react to what the rider is doing—it anticipates it, adapting traction control, wheelie control, and stability systems before things get out of hand.
Riders have access to five riding modes (Race, Sport, Touring, Urban, and Wet), four suspension presets (Track, Dynamic, Touring, Low Grip), and four power delivery maps. All of this is displayed on a 6.5-inch TFT screen with RS-specific graphics.
For touring, Ducati includes its radar-assisted features: Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, and Forward Collision Warning. These systems, once considered luxuries, are quickly becoming must-haves in the touring segment, and Ducati has been one of the first to integrate them seamlessly into performance bikes.
Gallery: 2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 RS
One of the most impressive aspects of the RS is how Ducati balanced its mission. The titanium subframe and carbon fiber panels clearly serve the sport side, but the reinforced luggage mounts and electronic aids remind you this bike is still designed for big miles. It’s not a stripped-down superbike in disguise—it’s a machine that takes the concept of sport touring and pushes it to its logical extreme.
The Multistrada V4 RS doesn’t replace the Pikes Peak or the standard V4 models. Instead, it sits above them, as a halo product for riders who want the sharpest, most uncompromising version of the Multistrada yet. It’s a bike that celebrates how far the platform has come since 2003.
Ducati expects it to arrive in dealerships by March 2026, and while pricing in the US is set at $39,995, local taxes and options could push it higher depending on the market. For that price, buyers will get a motorcycle that blends the performance of a Panigale with the practicality of a Multistrada—something that, even two decades ago, would have sounded impossible.
Source: Ducati
