Motorcycle specifications Ducati620 MULTISTRADA 2005 Enjoy-machine

When a machine is successful, manufacturers tend to produce several versions. Just think of the Monster: launched in 900 cm3, its success was such that an imposing family was born. For 2005, the Multistrada appears in a 620 version, so that more people can discover its new-fangled talents.
Apart from a few details, it's visually impossible to tell the 620 from the 1000. The only way to tell them apart is by the swingarm. On the smaller model, the swingarm is a conventional one, rather than the single-arm model used on the larger model. A closer look at the specification sheet reveals more. As the Ducati's twin is less powerful, the bike's components have adapted. The fork is no longer a Showa but a Marzocchi (with the same diameter), and the brake discs are smaller, as is the rear tire. The Sachs rear shock absorber replaces the Showa unit. The fuel tank is reduced from 20 to 15 litres; as the small twin-cylinder consumes less fuel, range should remain at a reasonable level. The essential remains the same: the 620 Multistrada is a copy of the 1000, from the tapered pots to the distinctive fork head. It's impossible not to have fun with a machine like this. But you still need to appreciate a typically Ducati comfort.

Over the years, the Ducati family has expanded considerably, becoming more and more accessible. 15 years ago, Ducat' was all about sports bikes and that was that.
Today, the 620 Multistrada represents the Italian manufacturer's most accessible motorcycle, the latest result of a long and thoughtful (and also somewhat American marketing) expansion of its customer base. Easy to handle, the Bologna trail bike is almost worthy of the accessibility of Japanese motorcycles, but it retains those little imperfections that will make some people grumble or delight those who defend machines that are "endearing through their flaws". There's the high seat, whose design would benefit from being widened at the front. The mirrors are moderately effective, the steering is bad (like all Ducatis), and it's not particularly cheap... In short, everything needed to make this little Italian machine very different from a bland Japanese basic.

Aside from this surprising ease of use for a Ducat, there's also the 620 twin that appeals to us. Not particularly powerful, but quite supple and lively in the mid-range. With the Multi weighing in at around 200 kgs, the engine is sufficient to enjoy the ride, and you can unleash its horses with less apprehension than on the more "spirited" 1000.
As the 620 must weigh around twenty kilos less than the 1000 DS, the Multi's handling is as efficient as it is pleasing. In a way, it's a combination of a Freewind and a Monster. Comfort is average, braking quality is top-notch and the design is striking.

Like its big sister, the 620 Multistrada lends itself to a wide range of exercises. Its name was not chosen at random. Half-trail, half-roadster, half-roader and a tad sporty, this charming motorcycle could well change your mind about Ducatis...

M.B
(test text inspired by T. Baujard's article
Moto-Journal n° 1 652 - manufacturer's photos)