DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1260 (2018 - on) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Annual servicing cost: £230
Power: 156 bhp
Seat height: Tall (33.3 in / 845 mm)
Weight: High (514 lbs / 233 kg)

Prices

New £14,295
Used £10,000

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

If it was our money we’d save our cash over the pricier Ducati Multistrada 1260 S model and opt for this standard Ducati Multistrada 1260. On the road you don’t miss many of the extras from the S.

The same engine performance, the same fun, and almost the same comfort. Why would you pay more?

Highlights

  • Longer-stroke 1262cc motor
  • Conventional fully adjustable suspension
  • 2kg lighter and £2900 cheaper than the S model
  • Calmer chassis geometry and a longer swingarm
  • Updated rider aids

This bike was replaced by the 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The standard KYB forks and Sachs rear shock are impressive in all conditions. The ride is plush, but there’s enough control when you test the sporty side of the Ducati; for 90% of the time the suspension is faultless. Comfort is on a par with the pricier S model. The Brembo stoppers are a slightly lower spec, but on the road you don’t notice. Both the standard and S model share the same excellent cornering ABS.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
5 out of 5 (5/5)

The base model shares the same new, longer-stroke 1262cc, DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing), X-Diavel derived engine as the S model, with new mapping and exhaust. This equates to 156bhp @9500rpm and 95.5ftlb @7500rpm, 6 more bhp than previously with a significant increase in torque, especially lower down in the rev range.

The new 1260 provides even more drive than before. The low down grunt is class leading, pulling hard from as little as 3500rpm. You can leave 30mph zones in fifth gear and it will pull smoothly, and it will drive with force. At low speed it's clatter free and at motorway speeds around 80mph, it’s hovering just over 4,000rpm, directly in the meat of the torque. A stunning engine.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Cycle parts are all top notch and Ducati claims improved fit and finish for the 1260. Service intervals are 9000-miles, or every 12 months.

In November 2019, Ducati also introduced the '4Ever Multistrada' scheme; giving all machines in the 2020 Multistrada range a four-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

£2900 cheaper than the acclaimed S model and just as good on the road. You even get the same engine and chassis as the S model, but lower spec gadgets and brakes, plus the suspension is now manual, not semi-active.

Equipment

4 out of 5 (4/5)

The standard model has the same rider aids as the pricier S model, which includes; cornering ABS, traction control, anti-wheelie, gear-by-gear engine braking and the four rider modes, Sports, Touring, Urban and Enduro.

You also get the same keyless ignition, cruise control, self-cancelling indicators, hill-hold control and back-lit switchgear.

But you don’t get a TFT dash with Bluetooth connectivity and LED cornering headlights. You also have to change gear manually as only the S model comes with the quickshifter/autoblipper.

Ducati Multistrada 1260 dash

Specs

Engine size 1262cc
Engine type Liquid-cooled 8v V-Twin
Frame type Tubular steel trellis
Fuel capacity 20 litres
Seat height 845mm
Bike weight 233kg
Front suspension 48mm KYB Fully-adjustable
Rear suspension Single Sachs full-adjustable
Front brake 2x320mm four-piston radial Brembo calipers
Rear brake 265mm rear disc with twin piston caliper (cornering ABS standard)
Front tyre size 120/70x17
Rear tyre size 190/55x17

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption -
Annual road tax £117
Annual service cost £230
New price £14,295
Used price £10,000
Insurance group -
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two years

Top speed & performance

Max power 156 bhp
Max torque 96 ft-lb
Top speed -
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range -

Model history & versions

Model history

  • 2010: Multistrada 1200 launched. 1198 superbike-derived motor, long travel suspension, a comfy riding position and a whole host of electronic gadgets. Standard, S and Pikes Peak versions available.
  • 2013: Multistrada 1200 S gets semi-active electronic ‘Sky Hook’ suspension.
  • 2015: Multistrada 1200 range gets Ducati Variable Timing motor, as well as chassis, styling and electronics updates.
  • 2018: Multistrada 1260: Long stroke motor from X-Diavel, calmer chassis dimensions, electronics upgrades and slight styling tweaks

Other versions

  • Multistrada 1260 S
  • Multistrada D/AIR
  • Multistrada Pikes Peak
  • Multistrada Enduro

Watch the Ducati Multistrada 1260 S motorbike review video here:

Owners' reviews for the DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1260 (2018 - on)

4 owners have reviewed their DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1260 (2018 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1260 (2018 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 4.8 out of 5 (4.8/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Engine: 4.8 out of 5 (4.8/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Value vs rivals: 4.2 out of 5 (4.2/5)
Equipment: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Annual servicing cost: £230
5 out of 5 Loving the 1260S
02 November 2021 by Darren65

Version: S

Year: 2019

Annual servicing cost: £300

Power, handling, comfort, all superb. Only real negatives, coming from a GS, having a chain drive seems agricultural and the plastics don’t feel as robust

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Steering is lovely with loads of feedback. Brakes great. People complain about rear brakes but I’ve never found them wanting

Engine 5 out of 5

Awesome engine. Loads of grunt, loads of power and it does 50mpg 2 up

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Looks and feels lovely, but doesn’t feel as bomb proof as a GS

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

None yet

Equipment 5 out of 5

Equipment superb. Ride modes are impressive. Skyhook suspension is great. Loads of rider electronic aids. Love the hill hold braking and also the quick shifter is a dream to use. Luggage 1st class and you can get 2 lids in the top box

Buying experience: Dealer bought (used). Great experience

5 out of 5 Awesome multistrada . 70th birthday treat .
09 January 2021 by Steve wright

Year: 2020

Annual servicing cost: £200

No bad points so far .Had Bikes since 1966 and this is the best to date .

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Rode for 3hrs and could have done more . So comfortable

Engine 5 out of 5

Awesome grunt .

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5

cruise control

Buying experience: Ducati dealer . Good trade in deal

4 out of 5
15 October 2020 by Bruce

Version: 1200

Year: 2018

Annoying vibration around 4k revs Front rotors warped at 2.8k Neutral difficult to find (may be associated with auto blipper fitted as an extra) Handling inferior to 2013 Multi - not as sharp Seat not brilliant ( will fit a Sargent seat as I did on the previous one - brilliant) Throttle very snatchy and causes bike to surge when just opening throttle a little bit - this doesn't help low speed manoeuvring and stalls common Engine pulls much better than 2013 model and more low down grunt. Although about 20 kgs heavier the 1260 seems lighter to move around garage weight must be lower down Shit back brake - fit organic pads much better Finish very good Lovely bike when you get it going but in its third iteration I would have hoped the fuelling and rear brake issues would have been resolved.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Only just got bike but excellent condition for two years old

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5

Buying experience: Ducati nottingham excellent so far

5 out of 5 Classy red beast
07 March 2019 by Milntown62

Year: 2018

Annual servicing cost: £190

The Ducati is a brilliant ride experience. Fantastic speed. Superb brakes.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5

The bike has immense power.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5

I love the cruise control. The standard screen is a bit noisy but I bought some spacers, which improved it. The standard seat takes some bedding in but it's great now. I love the quickshifter as an extra and the luggage, centre stand and heated grips. The hill start is a great extra too, but I think the backlights on the handlebars are just ok. It's annoying using the key for the fuel cap when the bike has keyless ignition. I still look at the bike everyday and love it. That’s what makes it special to me.

Buying experience: I bought from a Ducati dealership. Great service.

Back to top