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One of the Best Adventure Touring Motorcycles Just Got Even Better

A number of calibrated upgrades make this already very capable and versatile Ducati just a bit more tempting.

Motorcycle seat with a black and red color scheme, featuring red accents and the "RS" logo on the side panel. The seat has a raised passenger section and is set against a dark background.Ducati
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By Steve Mazzucchi

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When it comes to top-tier heavyweight adventure touring bikes, it’s pretty tough to beat the Germans and the Italians.

By that I mean BMW and Ducati, of course, and even more specifically, the 1300 GS and the Multistrada.

Sport motorcycle with a black, white, red, and gray color scheme, featuring "RS" branding on the side. It has gold front forks, a tinted windshield, and is supported by a red rear stand. The bike is positioned against a gray brick wall background.
Aiming to improve without ruining what’s already great, Ducati made considered updates to the Multistrada V4 RS.
Ducati

Both bikes are available in a number of variants, depending just how premium you want to get. 

The latest salvo in the battle leans hard in the high-end direction, as Ducati levels up its top track/touring star yet again.

Behold are four key updates — plus one thing I am stoked hasn’t changed — of the 2026 Multistrada V4 RS below.

1. Same amazing engine

Nope, Ducati did not update the power plant because, hey, se non è rotto non aggiustarlo.

Close-up of a motorcycle engine and frame, featuring a gold-colored engine casing with visible bolts, a black carbon fiber protective cover, and a silver footpeg assembly. The frame is metallic with a "Titanium" label, and the bodywork is black with angular design elements. The motorcycle model "Multistrada V4" is visible on the right side.Ducati

True to its name, it retains the 1,103 Desmosedici Stradale, essentially a super bike engine stuffed into an ADV, making 180 hp at 12,250 rpm and 87 lb-ft. at 9,500 rpm. The race-derived dry clutch and titanium Akrapovič silencer come right along with it.

2. Touring-ready subframe

As much as this bike is a track beast — Ducati can’t resist drifting that way with basically every bike it makes — let’s not forget its touring intentions, borne out by a titanium rear subframe that accommodates a top case.

Rear section of a motorcycle featuring a black and silver Akrapovič titanium exhaust, a black rear tire, a red and white tail with a red brake light, and a black seat with a silver frame.Ducati

Assuming you are actually using this bike for long-distance journeys, that’s a welcome tweak.

3. Better electronics and suspension

The improved electronics package includes the DVO (Ducati Vehicle Observer) algorithm derived from the brand’s MotoGP program and debuting in the 2025 Panigale V4. Simulating the presence of the 70 sensors found on the MotoGP bikes enables more precise data.

A person wearing a white, red, and black Ducati racing suit and helmet is riding a Ducati motorcycle on a paved track. The motorcycle is primarily black, white, and red with gold front forks and a visible exhaust pipe. The background shows a metal fence, green trees, and a clear blue sky.Ducati

The suspension system — Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 — remains the same, but it has been adjusted to balance everyday riding comfort and sports riding performance. Four suspension modes — Track, Dynamic, Touring and Low Grip — help you further dial in the response.

4. Tweaked wheels and brakes

The Marchesini forged aluminum rims now boast five spokes rather than three.

Front wheel of a motorcycle featuring a black Marchesini forged rim, a large perforated brake disc, a red Brembo brake caliper, and a gold Öhlins front fork with a carbon fiber fender. The tire is a Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa.Ducati

The rear brake set-up is a Brembo two-piston caliper now paired with a 280 mm disc, while the front (shown) features twin Brembo Stylema monoblock four-piston calipers paired with 330mm discs.

5. Carbon-fiber fiesta

Rounding out the updates are a lightweight lithium-ion battery and Multistrada V4 RS-specific techno-polymer tail fairing.

Close-up of a motorcycle front fairing featuring carbon fiber texture, a sleek headlight, red and black accents, and a Ducati Corse emblem. The front suspension forks are gold-colored.Ducati

Sealing the deal are a number of carbon fiber elements, including the front fender, beak (shown), handguards and exhaust heat shields. 

Availability and pricing

The 2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 RS is expected to hit US dealerships in December at a starting price of $39,995.

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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