2018–2020 · Adventure · Buyer's Guide
Italian Muscle, Digital Backbone
The Multistrada 1260 runs Ducati's 1262 cc Testastretta L-twin, and it puts 158 hp with 95 lb-ft under your right hand. This is the road-biased end of the adventure class, built around pavement rather than rock gardens. The chassis wraps a steel trellis frame around fully adjustable suspension, and the electronics do real work: cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, and switchable ride modes that reshape the throttle and power delivery to suit the road. It looks like a proper Ducati and rides like one, which is the whole point of the thing.
On the move it's a fast, comfortable way to cover ground, happiest carving long sweepers and stitching mountain passes together at pace. It rewards a rider who wants presence and speed on the road, not one chasing gravel. The honest caveat sits in the numbers: 17-inch wheels and 6.7 inches of travel mean this is a tourer that can handle a smooth trail, not a dirt bike. Watch for the 2018 side-stand recall on early bikes, and expect the engine-case paint to scuff where your legs rub. Sort those and it ages into a genuinely special road companion.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 158 hp (116 kW) @ 9,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 95 lb-ft (129 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 | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70 ZR17 |
| Rear tire | 190/55 ZR17 |
| Wheelbase | 62.2 in (1580 mm) |
| Front travel | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
| Rear travel | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
| Seat height | 32.5 in (825 mm) |
| Wet weight | 511 lb (232 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 gal (20 L) |
| Top speed | 165 mph (266 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 37 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Connectivity
Drivetrain
Safety
Thumb the starter and the L-twin settles into that hard, uneven idle that tells you exactly what you're sitting on. There's a pulse through the pegs and tank down low that smooths as you wind it out, and the way the sound hardens as it climbs is a big part of the appeal. The riding position is upright and roomy, wide bars in easy reach, and at 32.5 inches the seat sits low enough that most riders will plant both boots. Everything feels premium under your hands, from the switchgear to the way the suspension soaks up broken tarmac. The one physical quirk you notice on a hard road: the seat lets you slide forward, so you brace on the bars more than you'd like. At 511 pounds it carries real weight, though it hides most of it once rolling.
This isn't my own test loop. It's the picture that forms after years of hearing from people who live with the 1260: the back-and-forth at events, and the emails and messages owners keep sending my way. What comes through is a split verdict: real warmth for the engine and its electronics, set against steady grumbles about finish and low-speed manners.
The engine draws the steadiest praise, an effortless, torque-rich pull that stays broad and linear from lazy backroad sweepers to fast touring, with riders returning to the character of the desmo twin. The rider aids earn nearly as much respect: cornering ABS, traction and wheelie control, and switchable ride modes that read as a genuine, tunable safety net. Set up right, the suspension also earns credit for a plush, planted feel mid-corner.
The gripes cluster around daily life with the bike. Finish is the loudest: paint wearing through on the engine cases from light contact, and fasteners corroding sooner than the price should allow. The drivetrain draws the next round, a notchy, reluctant gearbox and a heavy, vague clutch that turn town shifting into work. A few add heavy steering at parking speed and a cramped, forward-sloping seat that leaves taller riders sliding forward.
Side stand weld defect
On 2018 models, an improper weld on the kickstand can fail, causing the bike to fall over. Ducati recalled affected units to replace the stand free of charge.
Ignition coil failure
A small number of bikes have experienced premature coil failure, causing misfires or a breakdown. Replacements under warranty resolve the issue.
Premature engine paint wear
Some owners report the silver paint on the engine casing rubbing off where the rider's trousers make contact, even at very low mileage. Dealer warranty response varies.
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.
If your ideal day is 200 miles of Blue Ridge or Mount Lemmon with real comfort and real speed, this is your bike. It leans hard, covers ground fast, and never feels like a sensible compromise.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
For long hauls and big park routes it brings the pace, the premium feel, and luggage to carry the load. Just know it rides firmer and more focused than a dedicated two-up bagger, so weigh comfort against character.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road