TRANSPORT

Ducati's Multistrada 950

Like planes, trains, and automobiles, motorcycle brands use aluminium to reduce weight and boost fuel efficiency.
2 December, 2016
Since 1950, Italy's Ducati has been renowned for its iconic high-performance motorcycles.
There is a new Ducati Museum in Bologne, Italy, the birthplace of one of the most desirable bike brands on the planet – but there is one Ducati machine visitors won't be able to find there, namely because it's brand-new for 2017.

The Ducati Multistrada 950 is a smaller version of the Multistrada 1200, and was recently introduced at the EICMA 2016 show in Milan. The Multistrada 950 is designed to be more accessible in both its price range and its lighter weight and riding size, with a lower seat that reaches to a standard 840 mm.

The Ducati Design Center aimed to strike the balance between the compact bike they intended – and a visibly light overall weight that would add to the appeal – while keeping it firmly within the contours of the Multistrada line. That meant the Ducati team looked at two of its flagship models, not just one: the 1200 Enduro also was incorporated into the new 950, with the "lightest" elements of each fused into a truly Ducati product.
According to Ducati, the front-on view with a distinctive headlight, the angular "beak," an adjustable screen, two "wings," and the tank come from the Multistrada 1200. On the other hand, the rider's seat with a narrow midsection, the passenger seat, a rear grab rail, the design of the exhaust, the swingarm, and the wheel sizes were instead taken from the Enduro.

"This mix has produced a bike with classic Multistrada lines that's also compact," the company explains.

The slimmed-down bike has a frame made from billet aluminium, along with other features that include that two-sided, cast aluminium swingarm, and cast aluminium wheels, respectively 19-inch and 17-inch.

This Multistrada has a Testastretta L-twin engine supported on a tubular steel frame, and the 937 cm3 version meets Euro 4 performance standards. It runs at an 83.1 kW/113 hp with a torque max of 96.2 Nm. There is a Bosch fuel injection system, and the transmission is designed with 6-speed gearbox.
The bike is certainly more compact with its 1.6-meter wheelbase, but enthusiasts will readily recognize the brand in this latest Multistrada iteration. The 950 also has a fully adjustable suspension system, with semi-floating disc brakes and radially mounted Brembo Monobloc calipers on the front, and standard ABS systems on the rear brakes.
Standard electronic equipment includes riding modes, power modes, and the Ducati Safety Pack. All told, with a 20-liter fuel tank, the Multistrada 950 only weighs about 227 kilograms.

Additional standard features include the LCD dash display and a USB socket for charging devices in the storage compartment. The custom options are offered in accessory packages designed for specific riding modes.

The Sport adds a Termignoni exhaust and includes billet aluminium frame plugs and front brake fluid master-cylinder cover. The Enduro adds lighting and bolt-on options: engine, sump and radiator guards are included, along with a larger kickstand pad and off-road footpegs. A Touring package adds saddlebags and a centerstand, while the Urban adds a top case and tank bag with tank lock. If the dream Ducati an owner envisions includes all of these things, they are fully compatible.

The real test is in the ride, and the smaller-size Ducati offers real options to riders in ever-growing urban environments. Its compact size makes navigating crowded cities and narrow roadways easier, without sacrificing the capacity for a passenger or the options for a touring experience.
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