2018 Multistrada 1260

Description

The Multistrada 1260 is the most powerful trail of the Italian brand, which in 2018 grows in displacement in all its versions: Multistrada 1260, Multistrada 1260 S, Multistrada 1260 S D-Air and Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak. Not only is the 1262 cc engine new, so is the frame, electronics, fairing and wheels, which are lighter than the previous ones. The MTS is not a conventional trail, because the brand itself states that its is a sports and a tourism at the same time, and also serves for day-to-day and even for off-road, hence the different driving modes for adapt it to each circumstance.

The Multistrada 1260 stands out for its advanced electronics, a great help to manage the almost 160 HP of its two-cylinder Desmo engine, the Testastretta DVT that provides a very fluid drive both at high and low speed thanks to its configuration with variable distribution. The standard version has a new throttle control which works in conjunction with the Ride-by-Wire system, achieving a smoother response when opening the gas. An inertial IMU platform from Bosch is responsible for managing the eight-level traction control (DTC), the anti-wheelie system, also with eight levels, -Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) -, the ABS with cornering assistance and with the control speed. The optional two-way quick change system -Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) – and Vehicle Hold Control -help in hill starts (VHC) – are other aids available in the 2018 version.

Each of these aids come into operation differently depending on the selected Riding Modes: Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro. The Sport is the fastest, in which the 158 HP of the engine is available with very low levels of traction control, ABS and antiwheelie. Touring provides the same power as the anteiror, but active safety is improved by increasing the levels of the other controls. In Urban mode the power is lowered to 100 hp, while the controls are in the maximum position to adapt to the state of the asphalt. Finally, the Enduro mode also sets the power at 100 hp, leaving the ABS, DTC and DWC at very low levels, and turning off the detection of the lift and the ABS of the rear wheel, and the assistance in curves.

The management of the modes is managed through the high-visibility LCD screen that allows you to easily navigate each of the menus – they are accessed through the button on the left handlebar. The information displayed on this screen is very complete: speed, speed of rotation, gear engaged, engine temperature, fuel level, remaining range, instantaneous and average consumption, consumption, ambient temperature, ice warning … Note that the Multistrada It uses a smart key, an electronic key with a range of two meters and that includes an extendable mechanism that serves to open the seat and the tank cap.

New in the Multistrada 1260 is the automatic turn signal cancellation that is activated with the tilt angle. Thanks to the inertial platform, the turn signals are canceled after completing a turn or after covering a certain distance (ranging from 200 to 2,000 meters depending on the driving speed at the time the turn signal switch was activated).