As far as adventure tourers go, the Ducati Multistrada V4 S is about as luxurious and about as well equipped as they come. Capable on crossing continents, not just countries. V4 power, electronic prowess from the semi-active suspension to the rider aids suite, all with superior comfort; this tall-rounder is about as impressive as they get.

With some 2025 additions to the Multistrada’s arsenal, has the V4 just evolved to become even more desirable? Or, is it just a little bit too much for the road – as well as being a tad heavy on the wallet and foot?

I head over to Potski Media for a day on the 2025 Multistrada duo, with the day split between this V4 S and the new 2025 Ducati Multistrada V2 S – with brand new V2 engine.

For an already vastly well-equipped motorcycle, the Ducati Multistrada V4 S has a few tweaks, changes, and additions in 2025:

• Euro 5+ homologation – with the same power figures.
• Extended Rear Cylinder Deactivation at a stop (quoted -6% consumption).
• Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO).
• Automatic Lowering Device.
• Ducati Quick shifter/blipper up and down.
• Bump detection – front wheel goes over a bump, the rear gets prepared.
• New Suspension mode management.
• Electronic Combined Braking System with front-to-rear and rear-to-front braking ‘strategies’.
• New Wet Riding Mode, and new off-road mode.
• Ducati Brake Light Evo.
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Blind Spot Assist.
• New dashboard interface – 6.5” TFT with smartphone pairing.
• New swingarm pivot positioned 1mm up.
• Upgraded rear preload (20 mm vs 12 mm)
• New Ducati Skyhook Suspension with fork stroke sensor

The base price for the 2025 Multistrada V4 is £17,695, and is in Ducati dealerships now. Though worth noting, this is the base model price, the V4 S bumps up to £21,495 with the semi-active suspension, and as ridden goes up to around £25,625.

This is getting into the territory of a seriously expensive adventurer. Though you certainly get what you pay for, I do wonder if some of the premium and luxury items on the higher-spec models here are vital for a tour (for me, anyway).

Saying that, rivals like the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S (base price £17,499), BMW R 1300 GS Adventure (base price £18,780) are comparable to the base Multistrada, though they don’t possess quite as much power.

1158cc 170 bhp & 124Nm

At the heart of the V4 Multistrada, you’ll find the latest V4 Granturismo motor with 170 bhp at 10,750 rpm and 125 Nm of torque peaking at 9,000 rpm, with a linear torque curve and buckets of power – perhaps too much for the road if you’re pushing on.

As the motor doesn’t use the trademark Desmodromic valves seen on other Ducati machinery, the valve clearance check is set to a very high 60,000 km, or around 37,200 miles – particularly of note for an adventure tourer that is far more likely to sink the miles over its lifetime.

Despite weighing around 231 kg, once the Multistrada is rolling the weight becomes no concern at all – it’s balanced well, and the delivery of power can get you up to some wicked speeds in next to no time at all. It’s quite possibly the fastest armchair I’ve ever sat in.

Riding the Multistrada V4 S is akin to navigating the country roads on a magic carpet – it is deceptively manoeuvrable when the wheels are in motion, considering the behemoth size (with panniers on, too).

Total running weight is 232 kg (in this radar trim with cast wheels), with aluminium monocoque frame, double-sided aluminium swingarm, and 19” front/17” rear wheels (OEM tyre is the Pirelli Scorpion Trail II). Seat height as standard is adjustable between 840 – 860 mm, though various accessory seats are available.

A key feature on the V4 S is the Ducati Skyhook Suspension, fully adjustable front 50mm fork and rear shock, with integrated stroke sensor up front and automatic lowering between 10/50 km/h (6 to 30 mph~) at the rear. You can now set the suspension response whilst riding, between comfort and dynamic settings, without adjusting the riding mode.

Brakes are in the form of top spec Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers and twin 330mm discs up front and 280mm disc at the rear, with combined braking and cornering ABS. The combined brakes work well, and activates front to rear (or vice versa), and provide great confidence-inducing stopping power for a large bike.

Ducati’s Vehicle Observer is the ‘brains’ behind the all-encompassing electronics suite, from the plentiful rider modes (wet mode and reduced-power enduro mode are notable new features here) and the associated safety aids such as Cornering ABS, the plentiful suspension settings, radar cruise control, and even that sensor in the fork that detects a bump and adjusts the rear suspension in anticipation to adapt.

Overall it’s all seriously intuitive to use, and the 6.5” TFT dash has been updated in 2025 with a new view for efficiency and ease of operation, alongside the ability to pair your smartphone for maps and more. It’s tucked behind a decent one-hand adjust screen, too.

Tours will be an absolute cakewalk on this, if not too easy when you’re two up and packed with luggage. It’s like a rolling 232 kg fortress with all the latest gadgets to make everything easy – sizeable top-load panniers, 22 Litre tanks, radar assisted cruise control, to heated grips and seat are great little touches. Though, the forward collision warning seems a little bit pointless, as it doesn’t apply the brakes for you like on the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ - at least from my brief testing, I didn’t fancy pushing it too far. It’s more of a worried passenger yelling ‘You’re going to crash!!!’ if you get a bit close to the vehicle in front.

Pros

Incredible ride quality

Has quite literally everything you could ever desire for a tour.

Suspension is exceptional.

Cons

Larger size, smaller riders may struggle.

Getting pricey.

If you’re looking for a do-it-all tourer that is a rolling technological fortress with a superb engine, it’s hard to look past the Ducati Multistrada V4 S.

Maybe that's partly to do with its substantially large road presence, but also because it just does everything so well. It's ready to take on cross-continental tours two-up, or weekend blasts in the UK countryside, and handles both with ease. 

You do pay for it, mind, and as ridden a price tag of £25,625 you’ll have to be very certain that you’re in need of all of the electronics chucked on top, here. Without a doubt this will be one of the best purchase decisions you’ve ever made, if you need all of the tech.

Ducati are clearly flexing their guns, here, and it’s well earned respect that they get from me on the latest 2025 Multisrada V4 S. The comfiest and fastest armchair I’ve ever ridden. Cheers to Ducati UK and Potski Media for having me along for the ride!