2018 · Adventure · A variant of the Multistrada 1260
Differences between the standard Multistrada 1260 and the S
Italian Soul, Sport-Touring Muscle
The Multistrada 1260 in this S trim is Ducati's big adventure bike with its priorities set on pavement. A 1262 cc liquid-cooled L-twin makes 158 hp at 9,500 rpm and 96 lb-ft at 7,500 rpm, carried in a steel trellis frame and driving through a six-speed gearbox and chain. The S trim builds on the standard bike's equipment with electronic suspension, an up-and-down quickshifter, a TFT display and smartphone connectivity. Cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control and ride modes are standard as well. Wet weight is 518 lb (235 kg). Technically dense, typically Ducati.
Read the chassis numbers and the intent is clear: 17-inch wheels at both ends with 120/70 and 190/55 tires, and 6.7 in (170 mm) of travel front and rear. That's road hardware in an upright adventure shape, built for mountain passes, fast back roads and long highway days. A 5.3 gal (20 L) tank, an adjustable windscreen and an adjustable seat at 32.5 in (825 mm) point the same way. It suits you if you want sport-bike power with all-day posture, and if dirt means a gravel road rather than technical terrain. Know that before you buy!
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 158 hp (116 kW) @ 9,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 96 lb-ft (130 Nm) @ 7,500 rpm |
| Displacement | 1262 cc |
| Engine | L-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 330 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 62.4 in (1585 mm) |
| Front travel | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
| Rear travel | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
| Seat height | 32.5 in (825 mm) |
| Wet weight | 518 lb (235 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 gal (20 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Connectivity
Drivetrain
Lighting
Safety
The Multistrada 1260 S (AC-S) builds on the standard Multistrada 1260: the upgraded hardware, the key spec changes and where its character shifts. The full ride, specs, scoring and verdict are all right here on this page.
Equipment the S adds vs the standard Multistrada 1260
| Spec | Standard Multistrada 1260 | S | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 320 mm | 330 mm | +0.4 in (+10 mm) |
I've spent years listening to the people who own these bikes: in the paddock, on club nights, in owner chats, and in the emails and messages you send me directly. For the Multistrada 1260, the picture from all that talk is consistent. Riders praise the electronics, the engine and the range of riding it covers, and they complain about the clutch and gearbox, the menus, the costs and the seat.
The praise I hear most often is for the electronics. Riders consistently say the Skyhook semi-active suspension and the rider aids adapt to changing conditions without drama, with cornering ABS, traction control and the ride modes named again and again. Owners also like how much they can adjust: wheelie control and the modes let you tailor the bike's behavior to the conditions, and many describe the package as a safety net. A few add that once the suspension is dialed in, the ride is plush and well damped, and the bike stays composed at speed and planted mid-corner. Set it up first.
Almost as common is talk about how much ground this bike covers. Riders describe it as equally comfortable on twisty roads and on long highway stretches, and they point to the cruise control and the adjustable windscreen. Heated grips come up often too, though those are an option on this bike. The engine gets the same kind of praise: owners talk about a broad spread of torque and a top end that builds with real urgency. Several call the power delivery linear and effortless, at home in lazy sweepers and in fast touring alike, and they credit the desmodromic valvetrain for a character they find addictive. For a bike this size, riders say, it's quick to steer and encourages spirited cornering. It does both jobs.
The most repeated gripe is the clutch and gearbox. Riders report a hydraulic clutch that takes real effort and offers little feel, a gearbox that's clunky and notchy at low speeds, and a neutral that's often hard to find. In town, some call the constant shifting a chore. Next come the menus: owners find the nested TFT menus overwhelming, and they note that you can't fine-tune suspension settings while riding. Cost is a recurring theme too, with riders pointing to a steep purchase price and services that run expensive next to Japanese rivals. Some owners also report fasteners corroding early, which they say sours a premium ownership experience. Less often, I hear about the seat: it slopes forward, pushes you toward the tank and has you repositioning on longer rides, and taller riders mention a cramped leg position from the high pegs. A few describe heavy, clumsy steering at parking speeds and a vague feeling from the front end in tight turns. Neutral takes patience.
Faulty side stand weld may fail
A manufacturing defect in the side stand weld on certain 2018 Multistrada 1260 models could cause the stand to break, leading to a fall. Ducati issued safety recall SRV-RCL-19-004 to replace the stand.
Ignition coil failure at low mileage
Some owners have reported ignition coil failures within the first thousand miles, leading to breakdowns.
Premature paint wear on engine casings
The silver finish on the engine casings has been known to rub off where the rider’s trousers make contact, even at low mileage.
Where this Ducati Multistrada 1260 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
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Multistrada 1260 is actually built for.
Straight talk: on paper this is a road bike in adventure shape. A 17-inch front wheel, 6.7 in (170 mm) of travel and 518 lb (235 kg) point to pavement, not slickrock and sand.
Made for Moab · Bar M / Kane Creek · Imperial Sand Dunes
The hardware lines up well with your days: 158 hp, road tire sizes, electronic suspension and cruise control for 200 to 400 mi (320 to 640 km) of curves and scenery. A strong match.
Made for Highway 1 / Big Sur · Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway
Cruise control, a 5.3 gal (20 L) tank and an adjustable windscreen suit long hauls. Luggage and heated grips are options, so budget for them if you travel two-up and fully loaded.
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 1260. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Successor · 2021
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Successor · 2021–2022
Italian V4 Dressed for Distance
Competitor · 2017–2020
Orange Attack, Fully Electronic
Roughly $1,900 cheaper used than this bike at 8 yr
Competitor · 2019
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Competitor · 2016–2018
The Beast Goes the Distance
Roughly $2,300 cheaper used than this bike at 8 yr
Competitor · 2015–2019
Superbike Engine, All-Day Posture
Roughly $1,100 cheaper used than this bike at 8 yr
Competitor · 2019
Packed For The Long Haul
Same Platform · 2019–2022
Torque Monster In Cruiser Clothes
