Ducati releases updated version of hardcore adventure touring Multistrada
Standard Ducati Multistrada V4 S not enough for you? Need even more capability and performance from your V4-powered mega-adventure tourer? Then step this way and check out the new 2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally.
It is, like the Adventure version of the BMW R1300 GS, a more ‘serious’ option, with both a bit more off-road ability, and much more capable long-distance kit – including a cavernous 30-litre fuel tank, lovely.
The basics are broadly similar to the other Multistrada V4 models, meaning the 170bhp 1,158cc Granturismo V4 engine which uses conventional valve gear instead of the pricey, complex desmodromic setup used on previous V-twins and the sportier Panigale and Streetfighter V4 models.
It also needs much less frequent valve gear adjustment: up to 60,000km or 37,000 miles on this model, which is pretty impressive. The GT engine also features variable rear cylinder de-activation, which lets it shut off cylinders when idling or cruising, reducing emissions from the exhaust and heat transfer to the rider and pillion.
This slick motor is bolted into a monocoque style frame design, which on the Rally model is attached to a heavy duty dual-sided swingarm, all the better for handling tough off-offroad uses. The rest of the chassis is also designed for more dirt abuse: there’s wire-spoked wheels, with a 19” front rim, with Pirelli Scorpion rubber, and a larger tough engine skid plate/sump guard.
The front brakes feature Brembo Stylema monobloc radial calipers, radial master cylinder with adjustable lever, and dual 330 mm front discs. Meanwhile, the back brake features a new, more powerful system, with a massive single 280mm diameter disc gripped by a Brembo floating caliper.
The suspension has the biggest updates on the chassis front though, compared with the 2023 Rally. You still get semi-active Marzocchi suspension, with Ducati’s Adaptive Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS), but now it’s an EVO system.
Ducati says that setup allows for adjustment of the preload and hydraulic compression and rebound damping of the fork and rear shock absorber, so full adjustability compared with just preload and compression on the old forks. Hydraulic damping adjustment is instantaneous and integrated into the Riding Modes which can be customized via the on-board ECU.
The semi-active system, equipped with a fork sensor that measures the position of the front wheel, interfaces with the various on-board sensors to “read” riding style and road conditions and continuously adjust the setup, for the perfect setup in any riding, road, and/or load condition.
To enhance the Multistrada V4 Rally’s off-road capabilities, the suspension features 200mm of travel, increasing the travel by 30 mm and 20 mm at the front and rear respectively, compared to the Multistrada V4. Ground clearance reaches 230mm (10mm more than the Multistrada V4), making riding easier on the most challenging sections.
Furthermore, thanks to the Adaptive DSS EVO system, you can quickly adjust the starting setup according to the various load situations or rely on the Autolevelling function, which looks at the bike’s load and setup and automatically adjusts to keep the ideal ride height.
The Ducati Skyhook Suspension EVO, introduced on the 2025 Multistrada V4 S and now on the Rally, adds the ability to customize the hydraulic damping of the suspension even on the move. Thanks to a dedicated button, you can change the suspension response, regardless of the selected Riding Mode, for greater comfort during a relaxed ride or more support and feedback when tackling the curves of a mountain route.
The system can also identify the approach to bumps or potholes: through the fork sensor, the system recognizes that it has encountered a pothole or bump when it detects a sudden acceleration of the front suspension. This Bump Detection function improves rider comfort by adjusting the compression and rebound damping of the monoshock accordingly, thus absorbing bumps as much as possible.
Also on the V4 Rally, the Adaptive Ducati Skyhook Suspension EVO offers two new strategies to better adapt to road conditions and the rider’s riding style. When the Offroad Suspension Mode is selected in AUTO mode, the Adaptive DSS EVO system can detect whether the rider is riding on a gentle dirt track or a more challenging route and adjust the hydraulic settings to best suit the terrain.
Furthermore, in all Suspension Modes in AUTO mode, the Adaptive Ducati Skyhook Suspension EVO analyses the rider’s riding style and, similarly, determines the most suitable suspension hydraulic settings for that specific situation.
Finally, there’s a new automatic lowering and levelling system, that makes it easier and safer to get your feet on the ground during low-speed manoeuvres, especially with a pillion. The Automatic Lowering Device (ALD) allows for a quicker and more significant reduction in the bike’s ride height than the Minimum Preload system, by electronically resetting the shock absorber preload.
The system is automatic (it can be deactivated by the rider) and lowers the bike when speeds drop below 10 km/h, returning it to the riding position at 50 km/h on-road and 20 km/h off-road.
To facilitate raising the bike from its side stand, the Easy Lift function adjusts the suspension hydraulics. The function fully opens the valves of the semi-active units for approximately three minutes after the ignition is turned on to maximize oil flow, thereby softening the suspension and making it easier to raise the bike from the side stand. Clever stuff.
Away from the suspension updates, Ducati’s given the 2026 Multistrada V4 Rally its latest set of rider aids, including the Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO) and wheelie control algorithm updates.
That allows for an “instantaneous estimate of the physical, kinematic, and dynamic parameters that cannot be measured in practice, which impact ground forces, accelerations, and the maximum torques that the vehicle can withstand in various riding conditions”.
Thanks to the additional parameters calculated by DVO, the DWC system is able to define wheelie and wheelspin targets with much greater precision than was possible using data provided by the inertial platform. All of which means, we think, safer and more controlled wheelies…
There are updates to the front and rear radar cruise control system, and you also get new cornering lights, the 2.0 version of the Ducati quickshifter system, and a new centre stand that’s easier to get the bike onto. Magical stuff. On a more mundane level, there’s a new, stronger design for the optional top box and rack, which gives more back support to a pillion on long runs.
The new Multistrada Rally will be available from next month, priced from £25,095 in base ‘Radar’ form, £27,295 for the Travel/Radar model with added heated dual seats and aluminium panniers, or £28,645 for the Full Adventure model which has all that plus an Akrapovic can and carbon fibre front mudguard.
The jade green paint is an extra £500 option, and engine bars are an extra £565. More info at www.ducati.com or at your local dealer.
2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally Tech Highlights
FROM £25,095
Colours
o Ducati Red/Brushed Aluminium with black spoked wheels
o Jade Green/Brushed Aluminium with gold spoked wheels
Main Standard Features
o Ducati V4 Granturismo 1,158 cc engine with valve clearance adjustment every 60,000 km and Extended Rear Cylinder Deactivation
o Aluminium monocoque frame, steel tubular subframe, and aluminium double-sided swingarm
o Marzocchi Adaptive Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) EVO semi-active electronic suspension with Autolevelling, Automatic Lowering Device, and Easy Lift functions. 200 mm travel front and rear
o New Suspension Mode with advanced Adaptive DSS EVO strategies
o 120/70-19″ and 170/60-17″ spoked wheels with Pirelli SCORPION Trail II tyres
o Bosch-Brembo ABS 10.3ME Cornering braking system with new Rear-to-front strategies
o 330 mm diameter front discs with Brembo Stylema® 4-piston radial calipers
o Larger 280 mm rear disc
o More protective front end, with a windshield increased by 20 mm in height and 40 mm in width. Deflectors with modified trailing edges for greater rider and passenger cover
o Wider, more pronounced profile micro-cast steel rider footpegs for off-road use and removable rubber insert. Passenger footpegs with larger rubber insert to reduce transmitted vibrations
o Full LED front headlight with improved efficiency with DRL, Coming Home function, and Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL) for improved efficiency
o Dashboard with 6.5″ full-TFT colour screen
o Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
o Four Power Modes
o Five Riding Modes (Sport, Touring, Urban, Enduro, Wet)
o Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) DVO
o Ducati Traction Control (DTC)
o Engine Brake Control (EBC)
o Hands-Free Start
o Ducati Connect with phone, music, and map navigation apps
o Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) 2.0
o Radar system with Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Forward Collision Warning
o Vehicle Hold Control (VHC)
o Redesigned centre stand for easier lifting of the motorcycle
Optional Trim Variants
o Radar (front/rear radar)
o Adventure Travel & Radar (front/rear radar, aluminium panniers, heated seat)
o Full Adventure (front/rear radar, aluminium panniers, heated seat, Akrapovic muffler, carbon fibre front mudguard)
2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally specs
Engine: Granturismo 90° V4, counter-rotating crank, , 16v DOHC, liquid-cooled, 1,158cc
Bore x stroke 83mm x 53.5mm
Compression ratio: 14:1
Fuel injection: Continental electronic fuel injection system, 46mm equivalent elliptical throttle bodies with ride-by-wire
Peak power: 170bhp (125kW)@10,750 rpm
Peak torque: 123.8Nm@9,000 rpm
Clutch: Hydraulically-controlled slipper wet clutch.
Frame: Aluminium monocoque frame
Front suspension: Marzocchi 50mm fully adjustable USD fork, electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment with Adaptive Ducati Skyhook Suspension EVO (DSS), integrated stroke sensor
Rear suspension: Fully adjustable monoshock, electronic adjustment with Ducati Skyhook Suspension, automatic fast lowering device between 10km/h and 50km/h, aluminium double-sided swingarm.
Wheels: wire-spoked tubeless rims, 3.00 x 19 4.50 x 17
Tyres: Pirelli Scorpion Trail II 120/70 19 170/60 17
Brakes: Dual 330mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc M5- Stylema four-piston calipers (front), single 280mm disc, Brembo dual-piston caliper (rear). Cornering ABS.
Dash: Digital unit with 6.5″ TFT display
Kerb weight: 240kg (no fuel)
Seat height: 870-890mm standard, with high/low seat accessories can be 805-905mm
Wheelbase: 1,572mm (61.9”)
Rake/Trail: 24.7°/105mm
Fuel capacity: 30l (6.6 gallons)
Rider aids: Riding Modes, Power Modes, Bosch Cornering ABS, Ducati Brake Light (DBL), Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO), Ducati Traction Control (DTC) DVO, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) DVO, Auto tyre calibration, Engine Brake Control (EBC) DVO, vehicle hold control, Ducati cornering light
Equipment: Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down 2.0, Ducati Skyhook Suspension, Coming Home, TFT colour display, Extended Cylinder Deactivation (ECD), Hands-Free, Full LED lighting system, Full LED headlight, Daytime Running Light (DRL), Self-cancelling turn indicators, Heated grips, Minimum Preload, Full-map navigation system, 12V socket, USB port, Backlit handlebar switches, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Sistema radar (Adaptive Cruise Control + Forward Collision Warning + Blind Spot Detection)
Warranty: 48 months, unlimited mileage
Service intervals: 24 months 15,000 km (9,000 mi), valve check 60,000 km (37,000 mi)
Emissions/consumption: Euro 5+ 152 g/km 6.6 l/100 km