2016–2019 · Adventure · Buyer's Guide
Italian Twin, Built Rough
The Multistrada 1200 Enduro is Ducati building its road all-rounder properly for dirt and distance. At its heart is the 1198 cc Testastretta DVT L-twin with 160 hp and 100 lb-ft. Its variable valve timing gives a broad, even spread of pull rather than a peaky character. The engine sits in a steel trellis frame with a 19-inch front wheel, 7.9 in (200 mm) of travel at both ends and electronically adjustable suspension. Cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, ride modes, cruise control, a steering damper and a center stand all come standard. In the big-adventure class, nothing else looks or sounds quite like it.
On pavement it keeps the sporty manners you expect from a Ducati, with generous lean clearance and real shove low in the rev range. The 7.9 gal (30 L) tank and 37 mpg make it a genuine distance machine. This bike is for the experienced rider who wants one motorcycle for interstates, mountain passes and long gravel days. The honest caveat is mass. It weighs 560 lb (254 kg) wet, and the 34.3 in (870 mm) seat can't be adjusted for height. The travel meets my adventure minimum without going past it, so treat it as a big-trail bike and not a technical tool. On any used example, confirm the rear shock recall (NHTSA #17V274) has been done.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 160 hp (118 kW) @ 9,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 100 lb-ft (136 Nm) @ 7,500 rpm |
| Displacement | 1198 cc |
| Engine | L-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-19 |
| Rear tire | 170/60-17 |
| Wheelbase | 62.8 in (1594 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in (205 mm) |
| Front travel | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
| Rear travel | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
| Seat height | 34.3 in (870 mm) |
| Wet weight | 560 lb (254 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 7.9 gal (30 L) |
| Top speed | 145 mph (233 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 37 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Connectivity
Drivetrain
Lighting
Safety
I've spent years listening to Multistrada 1200 Enduro owners, in paddock conversations, at club nights and through the messages riders send me directly. The pattern is clear. Owners broadly praise the engine, the suspension and the long-distance comfort, and the complaints that keep coming back are about size and price.
Riders consistently single out the engine. They describe seamless power across the rev range, a satisfying kick up top and no clatter at low rpm. The semi-active suspension gets just as much agreement, with owners saying rocky ground can feel almost like tarmac. Many report that the Enduro riding mode makes it far more capable in rough terrain than the standard Multistrada. On long days, the big fairing and tall screen create a calm pocket of air, and the brakes earn credit for strong, progressive stopping with ABS that riders trust on dirt and pavement.
Shorter riders say the seat is among the tallest in the class, and the wide tank makes getting both feet down harder, especially off-road. Owners who know the standard Multistrada find the Enduro more cumbersome in slow maneuvers and quick direction changes. Some also mention price: new, it was one of the most expensive adventure bikes, which narrowed its appeal.
Rear shock absorber eyelet may break
The Sachs semi-active rear shock lower eyelet could crack and detach from the swingarm during intense off-road use, affecting handling and posing a crash risk. A recall (NHTSA #17V274) was issued for 2016-2017 model year units to replace the shock with a reinforced design.
Where this Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Multistrada 1200 Enduro is actually built for.
This is a great fit. It has Ducati manners in the curves, an upright seat for 300-mile days and cornering lights for the ride home after sunset on the Blue Ridge.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
The huge tank, cruise control and adjustable screen suit big park-to-park days. Budget for the optional luggage, and keep in mind that this tall seat makes loading up two-up a bigger job.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2015–2017
Italian Muscle, Digital Brains
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Successor · 2019
Italian Muscle, Full Travel
Roughly $1,300 cheaper used than this bike at 7 yr
Competitor · 2017–2020
160 Horses, 21-Inch Front
Roughly $2,000 cheaper used than this bike at 8 yr
Competitor · 2017
Continent Eater With Bite
Competitor · 2014–2018
The World-Eater With Range
About the same used price as this bike at 8 yr
Competitor · 2016–2017
Triple Engine, Fully Loaded
Roughly $3,700 cheaper used than this bike at 9 yr
Similar Character · 2016–2017
The Tarmac-Biased Triple
Roughly $3,400 cheaper used than this bike at 9 yr