Ducati Multistrada 1200 S DAir Buyer's Guide

The Machine's Character

The S D|air is the fully loaded version of Ducati's do-everything flagship, and the hardware backs the ambition. The 1198 cc Testastretta DVT L-twin puts out 160 hp and 100 lb-ft, with variable timing used to smooth the delivery rather than sharpen it. Skyhook semi-active suspension, cornering ABS, traction and wheelie control, and four ride modes let one machine behave like several depending on what the road hands you. The D|air system talks wirelessly to an airbag vest for rider and passenger. Add keyless ignition, cruise control, a color TFT, and cornering LED lights, and you have one of the densest technology packages in the sport-touring class.

Once it's rolling, the 518 lb (235 kg) stops being the headline; the 60.2 in wheelbase keeps things settled at interstate speed without making the bike lazy when you turn it. This is for the rider who wants one bike for 300-mile days, mountain passes, and the occasional unpaved detour, and who genuinely wants the electronics working for them. The honest caveat: it's a chain-drive Italian twin carrying a lot of systems, so it rewards an owner who stays on top of service and reads the known trouble spots below before signing for a used one. At 32.5 in (825 mm), the seat still asks for a decent inseam.

Hard Numbers

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

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Key specifications
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 (1529 mm)
Seat height	32.5 in (825 mm)
Wet weight	518 lb (235 kg)
Fuel capacity	5.3 gal (20 L)

Equipment check

Chassis

Electronic Suspension Standard
Manually Adjustable Front Suspension Standard
Manually Adjustable Rear Suspension Standard
Cruise Control Standard

Comfort

Heated Grips Standard

Connectivity

TFT Display Standard
Smartphone Connectivity Standard

Drivetrain

Slipper Clutch Standard

Lighting

LED Headlight Standard

Safety

ABS Standard
Cornering ABS Standard
Traction Control Standard
Ride Modes Standard

Known issues

Side stand weld defect (recall)

chassis common Recall

The side stand weld could fail, potentially causing the motorcycle to tip over. Affected batches require inspection and replacement; recall covers all 2015-2016 models.
Fuel gauge sender failure

electrics common

The fuel level sender often reads incorrectly or fails completely, leaving the rider without accurate fuel indication. Replacement is a known fix but may recur.
Steering head bearing notchiness

chassis occasional

With mileage above 16,000 mi (25,000 km), the original caged ball steering head bearings can develop a notchy feel. Replacement with tapered roller bearings is a common upgrade.
Electronic throttle glitches in wet conditions

electrics rare

In heavy rain, the ride-by-wire throttle can stop responding, entering a limp-home mode. Replacing the throttle body assembly resolves the issue, often after a week of parts wait.

The Expert Benchmark

Where this Ducati Multistrada 1200 S DAir pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.

What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class

High-Speed Calm

Two-Up Mile-Eating Comfort

Load-Resistant Chassis Balance

Smooth Overtaking Power

Premium Touring Equipment Depth

Daily-to-Touring Versatility

Neutral Corner Flow

This bike Class average

The shape of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S DAir — numbers and character vs. the average Sport Tourer

Head-to-head: Ducati Multistrada 1200 S DAir vs. its rivals

Power

160 hp This bike 165 hp BMW S 1000 XR 160 hp Yamaha MT-10 155 hp Kawasaki GTR 1400 152 hp Suzuki Katana

Torque

100 lb-ft This bike 83 lb-ft BMW S 1000 XR 82 lb-ft Yamaha MT-10 94 lb-ft Kawasaki GTR 1400 80 lb-ft Suzuki Katana

Displacement

1198 cc This bike 999 cc BMW S 1000 XR 998 cc Yamaha MT-10 1352 cc Kawasaki GTR 1400 999 cc Suzuki Katana

Wet weight

518 lb This bike 503 lb BMW S 1000 XR 463 lb Yamaha MT-10 615 lb Kawasaki GTR 1400 474 lb Suzuki Katana

Seat height

32.5 in This bike 33.1 in BMW S 1000 XR 32.5 in Yamaha MT-10 32.1 in Kawasaki GTR 1400 32.5 in Suzuki Katana

The Long-Haul Verdict

Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Multistrada 1200 S DAir is actually built for.

Aerial view of a winding asphalt road cutting through volcanic terrain on La Gomera, Canary Islands. The road curves through sparse green vegetation with rocky volcanic peaks visible in the background and a settled valley to the left. Clear lane markings, dry climate, partly cloudy sky.

Best motorcycle for Highway 1?

Highway 1, the Blue Ridge, and 300-mile days are exactly what this bike is set up for. Comfort, range, and enough power to clear a line of traffic without planning the move first.

Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway

Best motorcycle for Tail of the Dragon?

Heavier than what you'd usually point at the Dragon, but the ground clearance and suspension let you work on lines all day. Respect the weight in the tightest hairpins and it repays you.

Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway

Best motorcycle for Angeles Crest?

On Angeles Crest it has real pace and lean angle, plus the comfort to make the traffic slog out of LA bearable. Less flickable than a light sportbike, but far quicker to cover ground.

Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur

What's new versus the previous generation

If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.

Previous generation · 2010–2014

Ducati Multistrada 1200 (MY2010)

Superbike Genes, Long-Haul Composure

Compare to the previous model →

Alternatives to the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S DAir

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