Ducati Multistrada V4 S at autoX Awards: Best Bikes of 2025 Ranked

Fight me all you want, but the best kind of motorcycle today is the adventure tourer – the ADV. No other category of motorcycle offers such a perfect mix of comfort, performance, and versatility. And when it comes to top-dog ADVs, the conversation can’t be had without mentioning the Ducati Multistrada V4 S. It’s one of those rare machines that can conquer the Spiti Valley one day and chase lap times at the Buddh International Circuit the next.

The current-generation Multistrada V4 arrived in 2021, featuring a fiery Panigale-derived V4 motor. For 2025, Ducati has given it a thorough revision – sharper styling, new features, subtle chassis tweaks, and even more electronics wizardry. All of these changes result in a package that’s more potent than before. That said, the 1,103cc V4 Granturismo engine, producing 165bhp, remains the show-stopper, and for good reason. On the surface, it’s a superbike engine, but except for the fact that it can rev to the moon, you’d be hard-pressed to tell; for the beauty of this powertrain is its wide powerband, smooth delivery, and flexibility in all riding conditions. This engine offers breathtaking performance at every twist of the throttle while keeping you intoxicated with its heady torque at all times. Be it on the track, twisties, or trails, the Multistrada V4 S will keep you grinning like a kid.

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Backing up that powerhouse is a beautifully balanced chassis and a suite of electronics. Despite its towering stance, the Multistrada V4 S was a revelation during our track day at the BIC. Its updated Skyhook semi-active suspension, now integrated with predictive sensors, Brembo Stylema brakes, and Ducati’s new Vehicle Observer (DVO) system make it feel every bit at home on the racetrack as it does on a mountain pass. Sure, it (nose)dives into corners, and its weight and purpose are evident on the track, but its impeccable balance will still let you put a knee down!

The best part? It’s incredibly forgiving to ride at the limit. You make mistakes, fumble your lines, and it will still save your face without a scare. It’s like having a guardian angel – one that also lets the V4 symphony play at full volume as you move along.

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Sure, it won’t outgun the Panigale V4 S in outright lap times, but it’s not the unwieldy bruiser its appearance suggests. It’s perhaps the most complete Ducati at the moment, and that’s saying something, considering Ducati’s current lineup consists of some of the finest motorcycles in the world. Honestly, if there’s one motorcycle I could take home (for free, of course) from this year’s lineup, it would be this one. I say ‘free’ because, well, the Multistrada’s ₹30-lakh-plus price tag makes it a tough pill to swallow, especially when its arch-rival, the BMW R 1300 GS, undercuts it by a few lakh rupees while matching it pound for pound in virtually every department.