DUCATI MULTISTRADA V4 RALLY

Pricier and heavier but so much more capable than the regular one

- AKSHAY JADHAV

DUCATI MULTISTRADA V4 RALLY Engine: 1,158cc liquid-cooled V4 Power: 170PS @ 10,750rpm Torque: 121Nm @ 8,750rpm Weight: 238kg Gearbox: 6-speed Price: 29.72 lakh ex-showroom

"Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally" - it's quite a mouthful, isn't it? However, Ducati hasn't just scrambled a few words together to name this one-it has made sure that the word 'Rally' means something, and here it means business.

With a price tag of ₹29.7 lakh ex-showroom, the Multistrada V4 Rally is the most expensive ADV motorcycle in its segment in India right now, and after riding it for almost a couple of hundred kilometres, I can see why.

First look at this mammoth and you are surely going to doubt if you could tame it. It looks and is huge with its attitude-packed stance, thanks to the aggressive headlight design and the sculpted panels. The massive 30-litre fuel tank doesn't shy away from embracing the curves too and sticks out rather proudly, making the bike look tall and butch. Come to the rear and you will find a neat and minimalistic tail section. The exposed rear sub-frame, dipped in red, completes its personality.

Before we get to the word 'Rally', we have to talk about the word before it, 'V4'-this angry bird gets the 1,158cc liquid-cooled V4 Granturismo engine at its heart. It pumps out 170PS at 10,750rpm and 121Nm at 8,750rpm. Performance on the highway is brutal enough to keep your core engaged to the max. It's notoriously aggressive-every time you twist that throttle, it will remind you that you've saddled up on Ducati's V4 engine. However, with every additional kmph on the speedo its heavy 260kg weight fades into the rear-view mirrors.