A STUDY IN EXTREMES

Riding the Ducati Multistrada V4S in Mumbai

- Words By: Sohil Nikam

Riding the Ducati Multistrada V4S within Mumbai is an unusual but revealing experience.

This is a motorcycle designed to devour highways and continents, yet here it is threading through stop-start traffic, potholes, flyovers, and the constant sensory overload that defines urban riding in the city. Stripped of its ideal use case, the Multistrada V4S exposes both its brilliance and its compromises, and in doing so, makes a strong case for why it is one of the most technologically ambitious motorcycles on sale today.

REFINED, INTELLIGENT, AND OCCASIONALLY OVERWHELMING

At the heart of the Multistrada V4S sits Ducati’s 1,158cc Granturismo V4 engine. Unlike Ducati's traditional V-twins, this motor is engineered for smoothness, longevity, and everyday usability. In Mumbai traffic, that intent is immediately apparent. Throttle response is progressive rather than aggressive, allowing the bike to crawl without protest at low speeds.

What stood out during my ride was Ducati's cylinder deactivation system. Under light loads, such as steady cruising or crawling traffic, the engine effectively shuts down the rear cylinder bank, allowing the bike to run on just two cylinders. You don't feel this mechanically, but you do sense a calmer, less strained engine character. It's a clever piece of engineering that prioritises efficiency and refinement, especially in urban conditions.

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