I mentioned in the previous pieces that my visits to the World Ducati Week either mark the conclusion of a ride or the beginning of one. This year, it was the latter. As soon as World Ducati Week 2026 concluded, I picked up a motorcycle and just set out. Northern Italy, a bit of Austria, and the Gardena Pass. Sounds good, right? Well, wait till I tell you about the motorcycle I picked up!

Let us start with hints. It was a Multistrada. And that is not a spoiler anymore. There are and have been a fair few Multistradas, so guessing the right one is trickier than it seems. So, this one is the smaller one. No, not the 950. This one has an S in its name. This one has the Ducati Skyhook Suspension. I am quite sure that you already know, but just for the heck of it, it was the Ducati Multistrada V2 S. 

I have always been a fan of the Multistrada and what it represents. It is not a full-blown adventure motorcycle. It is not a pure sports-tourer either. It sits somewhere in the middle. Comfortable enough for long riding days and taut enough for some spirited riding. The new V4 lives up to this description. But the V4 is pricey, and it is probably a bit more to handle if you are not experienced. 

Ducati always knew that they needed a smaller Multistrada to bring more people to the family. That is where the 950 came from. It was a pretty good motorcycle, but once you ride the V2 S, you know exactly how much Ducati has worked on the baby Multi. This one feels like a much more refined package. 

Now, the new V2 is an overhaul. The V2 S, even more so. The biggest change is the engine. From the 937cc Testastretta, we have come to the new 890cc V-twin. It is the same engine that powers the new Streetfighter V2 and the Panigale V2. More importantly, Ducati’s iconic Desmodromic valve actuation is… gone! Sounds like heresy? Travesty? It isn’t. And you get to know that once you spend some time on the motorcycle. 

I rode it for around 2,000 km. Starting from Bologna, I went to Misano, Cortina, Innsbruck, Gardena Pass, and back to Bologna. This part of Europe is a beautiful place to enjoy riding a motorcycle. With the V2 S, I think I had too much fun. I almost wanted to extend the trip, but since the plan was pre-made, I could not. 

Back to the motorcycle. The new engine makes around 115 bhp and 92 Nm of torque. These numbers sound fine, but the best bit is the weight. Ducati claims this is the lightest V-twin it has ever produced. It tips the scales at just 55 kilos. It is considerably lighter than the old Testastretta. 

They have also tried to make the engine friendlier and easier to use. And it shows. They have used a heavier flywheel to make the engine feel smoother, even in the initial throttle opening. This engine does not revolt in traffic. Riding through the urban jungle seems more than doable on this Multi. Overall, in terms of refinement and usability, this new V2 engine is a peach. 

The Rynox Navigator Tank Bag is my go-to for rides like these. Space, waterproofing, and quick access to anything I might need in a hurry.

Despite its composed nature, it still packs a mean punch. As the roads open up, crack open the throttle and you know why this is a Multi. The urgency, the acceleration, it is all there. But it is delivered in a manner that is graceful, predictable, and progressive. It has 5 riding modes: Sport, Touring, Urban, Enduro and Wet. You can either stick with these modes or alter the power and throttle response settings according to your taste. 

Now, for a ride like this, the Touring mode would have sufficed. But I tried Sport once, and never really let go. Sharp and on-hand, just how I like it. It delivers the most direct connection between your right wrist and the rear tyre. More importantly, it is not hectic. It never becomes too much. Remember, smooth and progressive; that is the theme in this mode too. It is just more direct than the others. 

More than the engine, the new V2 also gets a new all-aluminium monocoque chassis. So gone is the steel tubular frame. This has resulted in a substantial loss. A loss of 18 kilos of weight. That is substantial. In this day and age, where a few kilos shed is worthy of praise, 18 kilos is magic. And it shows. The motorcycle simply feels lighter in the way it accelerates, in the way it changes direction, and even in the way it looks. Lithe is the word. 

This is where the S moniker should be addressed. There are two Multi V2 models: Multistrada V2 and Multistrada V2 S. I had the latter. What does it gain? Well, it has Ducati’s latest Skyhook suspension. What I liked even more is the fact that the suspension settings are now unhooked from the riding modes. So you can have the power delivery of Sport mode and suspension good enough for a rough patch. 

Putting the suspension in Comfort mode makes the motorcycle more pliant. Dynamic is the other one I kept going to since it sharpens things up a bit for some spirited riding. But even in Comfort mode, which I used generously, the new Multi does not feel disconnected or vague. It still feels very present. 

A sporty yet long-distance capable Ducati is the idea that gave birth to the Multi. So predictably, the ergonomics are also that way. Most of it remains familiar, but Ducati claim that they have worked on the seat a little. I am a hardened veteran who has ridden superbikes on really, really long roadtrips. Even then, I could not overlook the comfort. I did not feel a hint of fatigue even after hours in the saddle. 

Then there is the list of equipment. Well, the V2 S costs significantly more than the V2. Around 2 lakhs more. For that, you get the Skyhook suspension. Yep, that is more or less it. Make whatever you would of it. I like the suspension. I like the fact that it simply handles everything you throw at it. But if it were up to me, I think I would still save the 2 lakhs. 

So, after 2,000 km, what is the verdict? 

Simply put, the new Ducati Multistrada V2 is a hoot. Notice how I omitted the S? If you are not a die-hard Skyhook Suspension fan, just get the non-S. Ducati have worked hard on the new Multistrada V2, and it shows even on the non-S variant. The engine is smoother, the motorcycle is lighter, and the electronics are an upgrade. It is comfortable, but even in high mountain passes with winding roads, you never feel like it is any less. 

The Axor X-Cross is one of my favourite helmets. Light, comfortable, airy, and looks worthy of a motorcycle like the Multistrada V2 S.

Multistrada means many roads. And every Multi so far has lived up to it. This one just does it with such ease. I feel like this one is going to bring in more people in the Multi family than any model has so far. It is just that good.