Ducati Multistrada 'Granturismo' revealed

DUCATI has shown the first of its 2013 range in the form of an updated set of Multistrada models.

 The new range topper, the Multistrada 1200 S Granturismo, gains bigger panniers, a top box, extra LED lights and a bigger screen. All the Multistradas get a 'second generation' Testastretta 11° engine – no details yet on what that means, though.

All the S models, including the Granturismo and the newly-embellished Pikes Peak model that celebrates Ducati's latest win at the legendary hillclimb, gain the new Skyhook suspension. Again, details are thin on the ground at the moment as to precisely how it works, but it seems near-identical to the adaptive system that's just debuted on BMW's S1000RR HP4. That means multiple damping settings and the ability to alter the damping automatically, reacting to riding inputs and circumstances to give a better ride/handling compromise than a conventional, non-adaptive system could achieve. Gunmetal-grey forks seem to be the visual clue to the system.

Add in eight-setting traction control, three-setting ABS and multiple “Riding Modes” and you have a bike with almost endless permutations of electronic wizardry. Now for the arguments over whether or not that's a good thing...