A Claimant to the Adventure Bike Crown

Ducati's all-new Multistrada V4 Rally is as equally capable off road as it is on it. And anyone who has piloted a Multistrada V4 over a decent variety of roads will testify that this is quite a statement. Quite a moment in the story of the adventure bike

- Adam Child 'Chad'

MANY MANUFACTURERS CLAIM M they have produced a bike able to take on the world-"a true global explorer", "no dream too big", "no horizon too far" - you have seen them all and they do so with the aim of taking sales away from BMW's imperious R 1250 GS Adventure that has dominated this segment for so long. While many have come close to the mighty GS, none has truly beaten it. At least, perhaps, not until now.

Yes, the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally will set you back by £23.590 (Rs 24.77 lakh) but owners will be buying a rather remarkable and clever motorcycle, one that would certainly make them smile every time they open the garage door.

Let us get the easy bit done first. Ducati have kept the power and torque output of the Rally's Granturismo engine identical to that of the more road-focused V4 and V4 S Multistradas, with peaks of 170 hp at 10,750 rpm and 121 Nm of torque at 8,750 rpm. However, they have added the heat-reducing rear cylinder deactivation system seen recently on the new Diavel V4 that cuts the rear pair of cylinders when the bike is stationary or running below 4,000 rpm (depending upon torque request from the rider). The alloy front frame is the same as the standard bike's, but that is really where the similarities end and where the Rally begins to move the game forward.