DUCATI’S MULTISTRADA V4 EXPERIENCE

With the relatively recent introduction of the Multistrada V4 – now Ducati’s biggest-selling model in Oz and around the world – one of the biggest hurdles for Ducati Australia is helping consumers understand how much of a step-up this flagship new model has made. As the V4 is bristling with rider aids and tech that’s above and beyond what we’ve seen on bikes to this point, simply walking around an MTS V4 on the showroom floor is hardly an insight into the heart and soul of the Italian masterpiece. And that’s exactly why the ‘Multistrada V4 Experience’ was born for Australian customers.

For a minimal fee (just $50, which includes the demo bike!), intrigued riders booked in for a two-hour session that’s specifically designed to help them understand the intricacies of the bike, followed by a spirited ride through some suitably scouted Multi territory aboard, of course, brand new Multi V4s. We headed out to the picturesque Colo River location on the infamous Putty Road to join the Ducati Australia crew plus a bunch of adventure bike lovers in search of all the goodness the Multi offers.

Nick Selleck, Product Genius for Ducati’s adventure segment in Australia, was our host for the day. Over the past year, he’s had a hand in helping the factory with product development, training dealers and helping riders experience Ducati’s adventure range, along with giving the factory invaluable insights into what Australian riders are looking for in the soon-to-be-released DesertX.

Nick’s knowledge of the Multistrada and its extensive cache of engineering feats is surpassed only by his ability to explain it to those attending. Always engaging, Nick’s real world adventure touring knowledge genuinely puts all the rider aids and design element into perspective. Of course, Nick’s skills on a bike need no introduction. Suffice to say he’s ADV’d all over these shores and the world.

Once thoroughly acquainted with the bike and suited up, riders rolled out for a 40-minute curated ride with Nick as their guide. There’s nothing quite like the growl of eight four-cylinder Ducs short-shifting up the torque-friendly curves of Putty Road – all in the name of tasting some of the power and endless rider aids onboard. The journey wound through the hills and valleys before heading off the black-top and onto suitably slippery dirt roads on a feisty ride that perfectly showcased the ‘many roads’ nature this bike embodies. Upon return, a quick debrief on the ride was had, along with more than a few laughs and a serious appreciation for what Ducti has achieved in the Multistrada V4.

With the top-end of the ADV market not short on talent, Ducati’s hands-on approach to ensuring customers fully understand their offering is a blessing for anyone thinking the long-distance adventure bike thing might be for them. The insights into the bike and its development are second to none. And let’s be honest; it’s a pretty damn good day out with a mate on some top-shelf machinery, twisting the throttle.

Lastly, a li’l heads up. We hear there will be DesertX Experiences coming up before too long. Stay tuned for more on that, and we’ll see you there!