2020 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour
No it is not a homage to Top Gear’s series on Amazon Prime but instead the Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour is pitched as the premium long-distance touring option in Ducati’s line-up.
The grey paint scheme is somewhat reminiscent of the long-gone ST4S touring machine, but that is where the similarities end.
The 1262 cc DVT version of the Ducati Testastretta engine is now well established and with its variable valve timing the big twin is already pumping out 110 Nm of torque by 3500 rpm, on its way to a peak of 129 Nm at 7500 rpm. It doesn’t mind a rev either with its impressive 158 horsepower peaking at 9500 rpm.
Where the Grand Tour differentiates itself from the rest of the now massive Multistrada line-up is in the creature comforts to make life that little more amenable while on, funnily enough, a grand tour…
A centre-stand, panniers and a new seat also add to the list of standard kit along with heated grips and additional LED lights. The seat is adjustable from 825 to 845 mm.
The trick Ducati Multimedia Bluetooth set-up that links the 5-inch TFT screen to your phone and/or helmet intercom is standard rather than optional on the Grand Tour. Tyre pressure monitoring is also included. Cruise control is standard across the entire Multistrada range.
Skyhook semi-active suspension offers 170 mm of 17-inch wheel travel at both ends.
Braking is by way of Brembo M50 Evo four-piston radial calipers and master cylinder.
Like the rest of the Multistrada line-up the Grand Tour benefits from the latest high-tech rider aids via the full gamut of IMU driven lean-angle sensitive ABS and eight-level traction control system along with hill hold control.
Grand Tour also has the standard 20-litre tank and thus misses out on the monster 30-litre tank of the 1260 Enduro model.
Dry weight is claimed as 215 kg while the wet ready-to-ride number quoted is 238 kg.
Service intervals are 15,000 kilometres with valve clearances checked every 30,000 kilometres.
Grand Tour is perhaps the most handsome Multistrada variant yet to come from Bologna. I dig it.
Ducati Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour Specifications
| Engine type | Ducati Testastretta DVT with Desmodromic Variable Timing, L-twin cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder, Dual Spark, liquid cooled |
| Displacement | 1,262 cc |
| Bore X Stroke | 106 x 71.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13.0:1 |
| Power | 158 hp (116 kW) @ 9,500 rpm |
| Torque | 95 lb-ft (13.2 kgm, 129 Nm) @ 7,500 rpm |
| Fuel Injection | EFI, Ø56mm elliptical throttle bodies with Ride-by-Wire system |
| Exhaust | Stainless steel muffler with catalytic converter and 2 lambda probes, aluminium tail pipes |
| Gearbox | 6 speed with Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) |
| Primary drive | Straight cut gears, ratio 1.84:1 |
| Final drive | Chain, front sprocket Z15, rear sprocket Z40 |
| Clutch | Light action, wet, multiplate clutch with hydraulic control, self-servo action on drive, slipper action |
| CHASSIS | |
| Frame | Tubular steel Trellis frame |
| Front suspension | 48 mm fully adjustable usd fork, electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment with Ducati Skyhook Suspension Evo (DSS) |
| Front wheel | 5-spoke Y-shape cast light alloy, 3.5″ x 17″ |
| Front tyre | Pirelli Scorpion Trail II 120/70 ZR 17 |
| Rear suspension | Fully adjustable unit, electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment, electronic spring pre-load adjustment with Ducati Skyhook Suspension Evo (DSS), aluminium single-sided swingarm |
| Rear wheel | 5-spoke Y-shaped casted light alloy, 6.0″ x 17″ |
| Rear tyre | Pirelli Scorpion Trail II, 190/55 ZR 17 |
| Wheel travel F/R | 170 mm / 170 mm (6.7 in / 6.7 in) |
| Front brake | 2 x Ø330 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo monobloc M50 Evo 4-piston callipers, radial master cylinder, Cornering ABS |
| Rear brake | 265 mm disc, 2-piston floating calliper, Cornering ABS |
| Instruments | 5″ color TFT display |
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Dry weight | 215 kg (474 lb) |
| Kerb weight | 238 kg (525 lb) |
| Seat height | Adjustable, 825 – 845 mm (32.5 – 33.3 in) |
| Wheelbase | 1,585 mm (62.4 in) |
| Rake | 25° |
| Trail | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Fuel capacity | 20 l (5.3 US gal) |
| Seats | 2 |
| ELECTRONICS & FEATURES | |
| Safety Equipment | Riding Modes, Power Modes, Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL), Additional LED lights, Vehicle Hold Control (VHC), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) |
| Standard Equipment | Ducati Skyhook Suspension Evo (DSS), Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS), Cruise control, HandsFree, Hands-Free fuel tank cap, Backlit handlebar switches, 5″ color TFT display, Full-LED headlight, Auto-off turn indicators, Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), Heated handgrips, Center stand, Premium seat, Side panniers |
| WARRANTY & MAINTENANCE | |
| Warranty | 24 months, unlimited mileage |
| Maintenance Intervals | 15,000 km (9,000 miles) / 12 months |
| Desmo Service | 30,000 km (18,000 miles) |
