2018–2020 · Adventure · Buyer's Guide
Canyon Carver With Touring Credentials
The Pikes Peak is the Multistrada 1260 built for riders who care most about the road between the viewpoints. The 1262 cc Testastretta DVT L-twin makes 158 hp at 9,500 rpm and 96 lb-ft at 7,500 rpm. It sits in a steel trellis frame on forged wheels, with fully adjustable top-shelf suspension at both ends, a sport exhaust and that race-inspired livery. ABS, traction control, ride modes, Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up/Down, cruise control, keyless ignition and a TFT with smartphone connectivity all come standard. Within the Multistrada range this is the sharpest, most focused version, and it looks the part.
Be clear about what this bike is. It runs 17-inch wheels front and rear, and by my adventure yardstick a 17-inch front wheel rules out real off-road work. So treat it as a tall, premium road machine that happens to wear adventure clothes. It suits the experienced rider who covers long paved days and wants a Ducati with presence. Build quality is good, but it has a few known annoyances. The clutch is heavy, the gearbox can be sticky at low speed, and on the stock fueling the engine can stall as you roll to a stop. Budget for a dealer who knows the model.
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 tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 |
| Seat height | 32.5 in (825 mm) |
| Wet weight | 505 lb (229 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 gal (20 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Connectivity
Drivetrain
Safety
Thumb the starter and the sport exhaust sets the tone right away: a deep, uneven twin-cylinder bark that sounds expensive and stays with you all day. At 32.5 in (825 mm) the seat is tall but adjustable, and you sit upright behind wide bars with a commanding view over traffic. The bike carries 505 lb (229 kg) wet. You notice that pushing it around the garage, and you forget it once you're rolling. Around town your left hand works harder than you'd like, because the hydraulic clutch is heavy and neutral can be hard to find at a light. After a few hundred miles I'd check the engine casings too. The silver paint rubs off where your riding pants touch it, a small but telling detail on a bike this well dressed. Out on an open two-lane with the cruise control set, it settles into a relaxed, unhurried rhythm.
Over the years I've heard a lot about this bike from other riders: in the paddock, over coffee with owners, on club nights, and in the messages people send me directly. On the Pikes Peak the pattern is fairly clear. Owners talk most about how it moves through corners, and their main complaint comes once the road turns into a highway.
Agility is the praise riders repeat most. For a big sport-tourer, owners describe the Pikes Peak as surprisingly quick to change direction, and they credit the forged wheels and the Öhlins suspension for it. Some add that the damping keeps the ride composed and makes the bike hold its line more precisely through a corner. The twin gets its share of praise too, for torque that stays smooth and plentiful across the whole rev range.
Wind is the complaint that comes up on long runs. Owners report a lot of noise and buffeting at highway speed, enough to take the edge off a long day in the saddle. The fix they mention is an aftermarket screen.
Sticky gear change and heavy clutch
The gear change can be sticky and the hydraulic clutch heavy, particularly at low speeds. Finding neutral can be difficult.
Rear brake fading or dragging
Some owners report rear brake pad issues at low speeds or poor performance, possibly due to bleeding issues or master cylinder heat.
Leaking front brake reservoir
The front brake reservoir may leak fluid, a known issue that sometimes normalizes with use but may require a seal replacement.
Fuel level sensor failure
The fuel level sensor may fail, causing inaccurate gauge readings. Ducati typically replaces it under warranty.
Engine stalling when coming to a stop
Many owners experience the engine stalling or idle dropping too low when pulling in the clutch at low speeds, often attributed to lean fueling from the stock ECU map. A reflash or careful adjustment of idle/throttle settings frequently resolves the issue.
Engine casing paint wear
The silver paint on the engine casing can rub off from contact with riding trousers, revealing bare metal.
Where this Ducati Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak 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 Pikes Peak is actually built for.
This is your bike. A 200 to 400 mi day of curves and scenery is exactly what the Pikes Peak was built for. You get adjustable suspension, cruise for the connecting miles and a Ducati worth looking back at.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
It will carry you over Beartooth in style, but it's a sporty choice for big two-up mileage. Luggage and heated grips are extras, and the chain needs looking after on the road.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
Honestly, no. With 17-inch wheels and 505 lb (229 kg) wet, this is a pavement machine. It's a great ride to the trailhead, but it's the wrong tool for a multi-day BDR.
Made for AZBDR — Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route · California BDR South · COBDR — Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2016
Superbike Soul, Touring Bones
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 Pikes Peak. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Successor · 2022–2024
The Track-Bred Road Tourer
Competitor · 2019–2024
177 Horses, Street-Legal Superbike
Roughly $2,300 cheaper used than this bike at 6 yr
Competitor · 2015–2019
Superbike Engine, All-Day Posture
Roughly $3,500 cheaper used than this bike at 7 yr