Motorcycle specifications DucatiMultistrada V4 Rally 1160 2026 A little further on, the journey begins

Luggage and mud are not included in the standard equipment. But the Multistrada V4 Rally will quickly make you realize that it's itching to have them.
For 2026, Ducati's big explorer is getting some fine-tuning. Not enough to fundamentally transform it; just enough to improve the various stages of the journey.

To begin with, it is equipped with DVO technology, which appeared on the latest Panigale V4. This algorithm simulates dozens of sensors to make the electronic assistants more precise and therefore more efficient.
Next, the suspensions. The rider can now adjust them while riding, independently of the riding mode. For low-speed driving, they are automatically "lowered" at speeds below 10 km/h.
Then the brakes. The Rally uses the combined braking strategy of the standard MTS V4, with the front brake acting when the rear brake is applied. It has been redesigned to suit the machine's bolder ambitions.

The dashboard has not been forgotten, with a small overhaul of the interface, with better access to the suspension and heating elements when fitted; the heated grips are standard, not the seat.

A little more torque a little higher up the revs (from 121 Nm to 123.8 Nm), a revised center stand, the installation of the 2.0 shifter for more direct contact, a shock absorber with 2 mm more preload range (18 mm -> 20 mm), a rear brake disc that increases to 280 mm - the new Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally may look just like the old one, but Bologna has worked hard to make it more usable.

A long way to go

Genesis of the Multistrada V4 Rally

With the Rally, Ducati offers a complete range of products, the height of which can only be achieved with a big rig, loaded with fuel to the very top of the frontier. Just to keep going until your bladder is the strongest.
This version means extra liters in the belly, sprinkled with a desire to cross mountains and rocks.

It's not lost on you that the MTS Rally looks a little taller. Because it is. The suspensions offer a few mm more travel to reach 200 mm on either side. That's reassuring when you're dealing with a few rough patches. Without going for pure enduro - a bike of this tonnage will hardly be at ease there. The bubble, 40 mm higher and 20 mm wider, also contributes to this impression.

It also feels more robust. This is partly due to the larger aluminum engine cowling, and much more to the more pronounced shoulders. The adoption of a large fuel tank led to a redesign of part of the front end. As a result, the rider benefits from greater protection thanks to the bubble and reflectors. These even limit disturbance to the passenger. The Multistrada V4 Rally moves the luggage mountings further back to give the passenger more space. It also features a center stand, larger footrests with more rubber to reduce vibration, tubeless spoked rims and a ventilated housing in the left fairing to accommodate a laptop.

Don't forget to bring an extra water bottle for everyone on board, as the stages can be long. This Multistrada is the most generous in terms of fuel capacity, with 30 liters on board. 8 more than the V4 and V4 S. Ducati applies the same philosophy as for the old 1260 Enduro, but also for competitors such as the BMW 1300 GSA, Triumph 1200 Tiger Rally Explorer and Honda Africa Twin Rally Adventure, all of which are equipped with a generous fuel tank. With normal driving, over 400 km is conceivable. But the V4 tends to be greedy when you're happily making the most of its 170 hp.

There's no reason why the Rally should be more or less motorized than the other Multistrada V4s. Firepower is on hand in all circumstances. Even if this much potato is more megalomania than real utility. Powerful and full-bodied, it gains strength throughout the acceleration phase, with a fieriness worthy of a true sports car.
Since its launch, the Granturismo V4 engine has been able to "switch off" its rear cylinders when stationary, to limit fuel consumption and heating. Ducat' has added a special feature to this Rally. Deactivation can continue while riding, at low speeds, where you don't need a lot of watts. But as soon as you weld, the sparks start flying again, and the cavalry rides in. Depending on the horizon, things can go very fast.

A guard to open the roads

A little less so when it comes to getting into the dirt. Although the front and rear suspension lines are 30 mm and 20 mm higher respectively, ground clearance has only increased by 10 mm, to 23 cm from the ground. But this doesn't mean the machine will be limiting its Swiss Army knife image. Better still, its electronics reinforce it. The Enduro riding mode is modified specifically for the Rally, the controlled damping adapts accordingly, traction control is set to a lower level, the power limit remains at 115 hp, and anti-stoppie, wheeling control, rear ABS and cornering are deactivated.

Another electronic bonus is the Easy Lift function. The Multistrada seat is high. The saddle on a Rally is even higher: 870 or 890 mm (the seat is adjustable). Fortunately, Marzocchi's Skyhook electronic suspensions can minimize rear shock preload to lower the bike; on all V4 S-type Multistradas since 2022. Easy Lift goes a step further, opening up the suspension hydraulics to reduce the effort required to straighten the bike. If this continues, we'll soon have a piston lifting the bike for us... lol.

To underline the Mutlitstrada's position in the hierarchy, Ducati has fitted the latest radar system with adaptive cruise control and blind spot detection. In fact, the Rally is available in 3 packages:
- Radar, with adaptive cruise control and blind spot detection systems
- Adventure Travel & Radar, with aluminum seats + heated seats
- Full Adventure, with all this + Akrapovic silencer + carbon front mudguard.
Otherwise, as standard, it's an airbus with near-autopilot: 4 power modes, 4 riding modes (Sport / Touring / Urban / Enduro), adaptive LED cornering lights, traction / engine braking / wheeling / stoppie controls, semi-active suspensions, hill-start assist, Up&Down shifter, keyless start, IMU inertial unit, 6.5" color TFT screen, multimedia system with phone pairing - and some really cool riding gear. An aluminum monocoque frame houses a 50 mm inverted fork and 330 m brake discs with Brembo Stylema calipers. It could brake like a V4 Panigale... if it weren't for the 260 kilos involved.

Hypertrail by Ducati envisions great epics in this Multistrada V4 Rally definition. It's powerful (very), expensive (too), over-equipped and envious of raids. But let's keep our wheels in the right places. It's still a premium, multi-compartment SUV...

M.B - Manufacturer's photos

What do the Driving Modes say?

Sport: The Sport driving mode is the most efficient on asphalt. The Rally delivers its 170 hp with a direct, nervous response, managed by a sporty Skyhook suspension setting. Ducati Traction Control and Ducati Wheelie Control are kept to a minimum, and ABS is set to level 2, allowing controlled rear wheel lift to maximize braking performance, while maintaining cornering functionality.

Touring: Maximum power from the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally remains at 170 hp, but throttle response is smoother and more progressive. DTC and DWC intervention levels have been raised for greater vehicle control. The ABS is set to level 3, the safest and most cautious level, thanks to rear-wheel lift limitation, optimized combined braking and active cornering. Suspension settings are designed for long trips, offering maximum comfort for rider and passenger.

Urban: Power is reduced to 115hp, with a particularly smooth and progressive response, while suspension tuning adapts to the roughness of urban roads with their bumps, holes and manholes, managing continuous surface changes to best effect. DTC and DWC are set to a very high intervention level. ABS is set to level 3.

Enduro: Enduro mode allows the Multistrada V4 Rally to exploit its off-road potential to the full, aided by the 19-inch front wheel, the ergonomics specially designed for stand-up riding (even more advanced than on the Multistrada V4) and the greater ground clearance offered by the suspension. The Enduro riding mode limits engine power to 115 hp with a dedicated engine mode, characterized by a more dynamic and direct response than the equally powerful Urban Mode. Enduro mode also adjusts the DSS Evolution suspensions specifically for off-road driving, indicating the selected load mode with a specific icon representing an off-road helmet. The DTC and DWC systems switch to the lower intervention level, and the ABS is set to level 1, suitable for off-road use on low-grip terrain. In this case, the rear wheel lift detection function, the cornering function and rear wheel intervention are deactivated.