2020 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour
It’s Ducati’s Most Tour-Worthy Multistrada To Date
by TJ Hinton
Ducati’s Multistrada lineup is widely considered to be among the most capable touring-adventure bikes in the world, and the Italian giant ramps up the pressure another notch with its new-for-2020 Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour. Top-shelf features and long-distance, globetrotting comfort are the hallmarks of this new bike. It carries the Testastretta DVT engine with over 150 horsepower on tap, so this is far from an all-show/no-go sort of machine. Unique livery and striking graphics compliment the typically sensuous lines and curves that define Ducati’s look.
2020 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour Design
New Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour: Destination everywhere by Ducati
In spite of its attention to aesthetics, the Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour has an entirely function-driven form that starts out with the typical bird’s beak front fairing that projects over the front wheel, even though the real fling-control duties fall to a close-fit fender. The fender uprights double as grit guards for the swept area of the inverted inner fork tubes to fend off debris that could otherwise lead to premature fork-seal failure.
Recessed LED headlights give the visage an angry bird look and split both day and night for maximum two-way visibility, and in a bid to boost nighttime confidence, an inertial-measurement unit reads vehicle lean angles to enable a set of cornering lights. A tall-but-narrow windshield protects the pilot’s upper torso with a pair of stock handguards to complete the package, and I’m proud to see the front turn signals married with them in a bid to keep the front end clean.
In profile, the Grand Tour displays the sexy S-curve that defines the Multistrada family.
Instrumentation is bundled together in the five-inch, full-color TFT display screen for a one-stop shop that doubles as an interface for the various ride-quality systems that we’ll get to shortly. In profile, the GT displays the sexy S-curve that defines the Multistrada family with a tall, 5.3-gallon fuel-tank hump ahead of a deep swale for the pilot’s butt. A short rise to the p-pad forms a butt stop and lofts the passenger a bit, and there’s a set of robust J.C. handles and fold-up footpegs to round out the pillion equipment.
Stock, hard-side panniers provide some secure dry storage with a wee luggage rack over the tail for some open-air cargo capacity. The taillight rides slung under the tip of the ass end and the rest of the gear in the rear – taglight, license plate, and turn signals – are combined on a short mudguard that, like the front, gets some help by a hugger over the rear wheel. If you’re into cold-weather riding, the stock heated handgrips are just for you.