2017 · Sport Tourer · Buyer's Guide
Öhlins Wrapped Superbike Soul
The Pikes Peak is the sharpest reading of Ducati's 1200 sport-tourer, and the hardware explains why: 160 hp and 100 lb-ft from a 1198 cc L-twin, a chassis on 17-inch wheels at both ends with a 190-section rear, and premium suspension that adjusts front and rear. The rider aids cover cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, and ride modes. Cruise control, a color TFT dash, LED lighting with cornering lights, a slipper clutch, and an adjustable screen keep it credible for distance work. It is a touring bike assembled around a genuinely sporting chassis, not the reverse.
It suits the rider who wants one machine for a 300-mile weekend loop and for the roads that make the loop worth riding, and it holds its character over the years because the hardware and finish are good enough to age well rather than get tired. The honest caveats are practical ones. Seat height is 32.5 in (825 mm) and wet weight is 518 lb, which you feel at a gas stop and in a parking lot. Final drive is chain, so maintenance is part of the deal. And the touring kit you probably want is not in the purchase price.
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 | 330 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 60.2 in (1530 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
None of this comes from a press launch. It is what has piled up over years of rider conversations: talk at events, owners comparing notes once they have a season behind them, and messages that arrive long after the sale. On the Pikes Peak those accounts line up unusually tightly.
Two themes dominate the praise. One is breadth: riders describe a machine that does not force a choice between daily use, a hard morning on twisty roads, and a week of long miles. The other is the DVT motor, keen and vocal as the revs climb, mannerly and easy to meter down low. Steering effort surprises people for a bike this tall, and the suspension and brakes get credit for the feedback they hand back.
The fuel level sensor tops the list by a wide margin. Owners describe readings that go erratic, and warranty replacement comes up often. Behind it sit two steadier complaints: a rear brake short on bite that wants bleeding more often than expected, and the cost of ownership, with servicing and genuine pads priced high and pads wearing quickly. A smaller group says the stock exhaust keeps the L-twin too quiet.
Fuel level sensor failure
The fuel sender unit in the tank commonly fails, causing erratic or no fuel level and range indication. Early signs include false empty warnings. Fixed with a revised sensor (revision D) under warranty or replacement.
Gear position sensor glitch
In some cases, the gear position sensor can throw system errors (displaying '- -') and may cause a no-start condition. Usually resolved by a software update or sensor reset.
Where this Ducati Multistrada 1200 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 1200 Pikes Peak is actually built for.
Days of 200 to 400 miles on Highway 1 or the Blue Ridge fit this bike well: upright, wind-protected, and happy to keep going. Just budget for luggage, because none comes with it.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
For repeat runs at the Dragon and Cherohala, the wide bars and deep lean clearance let you work on line and technique instead of fighting the bike. The weight only shows up at walking pace.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
It carries real speed up Angeles Crest and takes suspension tuning as far as you want to go. If you want a small, light canyon tool, look elsewhere. This one rewards riders who like a big, planted bike.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
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 1200 Pikes Peak. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2015–2019
Superbike Engine, All-Day Posture
Roughly $1,700 cheaper used than this bike at 9 yr
Competitor · 2017–2020
Orange Attack, Fully Electronic
Roughly $2,700 cheaper used than this bike at 9 yr
Same Platform · 2015–2017
Italian Muscle, Digital Brains
Roughly $3,200 cheaper used than this bike at 9 yr