Ducati’s 2026 Multistrada V4 RS reveals just how far the Italian manufacturer is willing to push the boundaries of adventure touring. This isn’t your typical mid-cycle refresh with new graphics and a couple of electronic tweaks. The RS treatment transforms an already impressive machine into what might be the most track-capable adventure bike ever produced.
Racing DNA Meets Real-World Touring
The heart of this transformation lies in borrowing liberally from Ducati’s superbike playbook. That 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine — the same unit powering the Panigale V4 — delivers 180hp through a dry clutch setup and screams to life via an Akrapovič titanium exhaust. It’s an approach that sounds borderline excessive until you realize that Ducati has managed to retain the Multistrada’s touring soul while injecting serious track credentials.
What sets the 2026 model apart from its predecessor is the introduction of the Ducati Vehicle Observer system, essentially bringing 70 MotoGP-derived sensors to bear on everyday riding situations. The DVO algorithm processes real-time data to refine everything from traction control to wheelie management, making the bike safer and more precise on road or track.
Shedding Pounds
Carbon fiber components replace heavier alternatives throughout — front mudguard, handguards, heat shields, and that distinctive front beak all shed pounds while adding to the aesthetic. The new techno-polymer tail fairing, mounted on a titanium subframe, drops 4.4lbs compared to the Multistrada Pikes Peak while maintaining practicality with top case mounting capability.
New five-spoke Marchesini forged aluminum wheels wrapped in Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV rubber hint at the bike’s dual personality. They’re light enough for track duty but robust enough for loaded touring, perfectly embodying the Multistrada’s versatility.
The updated Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 suspension deserves particular mention. While the hardware remains unchanged, revised algorithms better balance everyday comfort with sport riding performance across four distinct modes. Combined with the upgraded Brembo braking system featuring larger 280mm rear discs, the chassis modifications create a machine that’s noticeably more capable on both ends of the performance spectrum.
Spec Sheet
Engine: 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4
Power: 180hp
Torque: 87lb.ft
Wheels: 17″ Marchesini forged aluminum (120/70 front, 190/55 rear)
Suspension: Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active
Electronics: Ducati Vehicle Observer, 5 riding modes, 4 power modes
Production: Numbered series with Italian flag badge
Pricing & Availability
The 2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 RS arrives at US dealers in January with an expected price around $39,995. As a numbered series production, each bike features a distinctive black anodized aluminum plate on the triple clamp, complete with Italian flag graphics and sequential numbering.
Recap
2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 RS
Ducati transforms the adventure touring formula of the Multistrada V4 RS by combining a 180hp Panigale V4 engine with MotoGP-derived electronics and extensive carbon fiber components, creating what may be the most track-capable ADV bike ever produced.
