Ducati Multistrada 950 Buyer's Guide

The Machine's Character

The Multistrada 950 is the entry point to Ducati's adventure-touring line, and it's the level-headed one in the family. Its 937 cc Testastretta 11° L-twin makes 113 hp and 71 lb-ft, and it sits in a steel trellis frame with a 19-inch front wheel and suspension you can adjust at both ends. ABS, traction control and ride modes are standard, along with a TFT display and a slipper clutch. Electronic Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS), cruise control and Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up/Down are options. The design is the real calling card: modern, sharp and unmistakably Ducati. Looks matter here!

It's smooth and tractable on the road, built for daily use and long days. If you want a Ducati that hits hard at the top end, look elsewhere: this engine trades that last bit of excitement for usability. You get generous lean clearance and a bike that suits solo commuting as well as two-up touring. The honest caveat is the adventure label. With 6.7 in (170 mm) of travel and 7.2 in (184 mm) of ground clearance, this is a road bike that tolerates gravel. It also ages with known flaws: false neutrals, warping front discs and corrosion on bolts and exhaust headers. Buy with open eyes.

Hard Numbers

Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.

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Key specifications
Power	113 hp (83 kW) @ 9,000 rpm
Torque	71 lb-ft (96 Nm) @ 7,750 rpm
Displacement	937 cc
Engine	L-twin
Cooling	Liquid-cooled
Gearbox	6-speed
Final drive	Chain
Fork	Upside-down (USD)
Front tire	120/70-19
Rear tire	170/60-17
Ground clearance	7.2 in (184 mm)
Front travel	6.7 in (170 mm)
Rear travel	6.7 in (170 mm)
Seat height	33.1 in (840 mm)
Wet weight	500 lb (227 kg)
Fuel capacity	5.3 gal (20 L)
Fuel economy	43 mpg (US)

Equipment check

Chassis

Electronic Suspension Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) Realtime road adaptationAcceleration stability Optional
Front Suspension Adjustable Standard
Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard
Cruise Control Optional

Comfort

Heated Grips Optional
Luggage System Optional

Connectivity

TFT Display Standard

Drivetrain

Quickshifter Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up/Down Clutchless ridingFull throttle upshift Optional
Slipper Clutch Standard

Lighting

Cornering Lights Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL) Cornering light visibility Optional

Safety

ABS Standard
Traction Control Standard
Ride Modes Ducati Ride-by-Wire Power Modes Selectable ride modesRefined throttle response Standard

Known issues

Gearbox false neutrals

drivetrain occasional

The transmission can momentarily fail to engage a gear, leaving a neutral between gears, especially when shifting from second to third or when the engine is cold, which can be a safety concern during overtaking.
Engine stalling when clutch pulled at high speed

fuel system occasional

A number of 2019 base model owners reported the engine stalling after pulling in the clutch at motorway speeds, with the revs dropping to zero; dealers diagnosed the fault as sticky throttle bodies caused by an anti‑corrosion coating, often resolved by raising the idle speed and cleaning the intake.
Front brake disc warping

brakes occasional

Some owners experience warping of the front brake rotors, leading to pulsing through the lever and reduced braking performance, often requiring disc replacement or skimming.
Grabby clutch engagement

drivetrain common

The clutch engagement is abrupt, making smooth low‑speed control difficult and sometimes causing unintentional wheel slip or lurching, particularly in traffic.
Premature corrosion on metal components

bodywork occasional

Metal surfaces such as engine case bolts, brake disc carriers and exhaust headers can develop corrosion prematurely, especially on bikes ridden in wet or coastal environments.

The Numbers Compared

Compare the technical specifications of the Ducati Multistrada 950 with other bikes in its class.

Head-to-head: Ducati Multistrada 950 vs. its rivals

Power

113 hp This bike 125 hp KTM 1090 Adventure 95 hp Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 100 hp Suzuki V-Strom 1000 112 hp Yamaha XT1200ZE Super Tenere

Torque

71 lb-ft This bike 80 lb-ft KTM 1090 Adventure 72 lb-ft Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 76 lb-ft Suzuki V-Strom 1000 86 lb-ft Yamaha XT1200ZE Super Tenere

Displacement

937 cc This bike 1050 cc KTM 1090 Adventure 998 cc Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 1037 cc Suzuki V-Strom 1000 1199 cc Yamaha XT1200ZE Super Tenere

Wet weight

500 lb This bike 534 lb Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 503 lb Suzuki V-Strom 1000 575 lb Yamaha XT1200ZE Super Tenere

Seat height

33.1 in This bike 33.5 in KTM 1090 Adventure 34.3 in Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 33.5 in Suzuki V-Strom 1000 33.3 in Yamaha XT1200ZE Super Tenere

Alternatives to the Ducati Multistrada 950

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 950. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.