Power, precision, and purpose. As we rode nowhere, something that seems to happen more often than it probably should, it quickly became clear that the 2025 Ducati Multistrada V4 RS is no ordinary adventure-tourer.
It’s a brutal, beautiful fusion of MotoGP DNA and long-distance functionality. It did however take us a little while to see it shine thanks to some rain – actually lots of rain. Our first couple of stints on the RS were damp and disappointing.
That’s no fault of the bike, but it saw us undertaking the kind of riding where traction control becomes your best mate, and you’re more worried about road slime than apexes. On the upside, it gave us a solid sense of the Ducati’s weather protection.
The upper legs stayed mostly dry thanks to the broad fairings, but the shins were not so lucky. Spray from traffic hit us every time. Still, even in the wet, there was something special bubbling beneath the surface.
When the skies cleared and the roads stayed dry long enough for a proper fang, the RS revealed its true nature: a road-focused weapon that just happens to wear adventure gear. That’s never more evident than when you flick it into Race mode.
Suddenly the RS feels more like a Panigale V4 S in a touring suit. That’s no accident, as it shares the same 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine, lifted straight from Ducati’s superbike stable.
Tuned for road use but still putting down a stonking 134kW of power and 118Nm of torque, this bike absolutely hauls. We’re talking effortless power wheelies in first and second, and a throttle response so sharp you could shave with it.
The front end sticks like a race bike and as an added advantage, the RS is lighter than the epic Pikes Peak variant, thanks to a titanium rear subframe. The 3kg saving is subtle, but you feel it when flicking between bends.
And it’s not just power that impresses, it’s how accessible it is. Despite the fire-breathing V4, you can happily cruise along in fourth at 60km/h and the bike doesn’t protest. It’s as happy playing nice as it is being a brute.
The riding position is sporty but comfy, and one of the first things you notice is the revised ergonomics. The 860mm seat height (adjustable) puts you in a commanding position, and at 183cm, this writer could still flat-foot the RS comfortably.
The seat design is narrow at the front but flares nicely for comfort. It’s firm, but well-shaped for long days. Compared to earlier Multistrada offerings, you feel like you’re on the bike rather than in it.
There’s more room to move, and when you start pushing harder through the twisties, sliding off the seat feels natural. It’s the most “Panigale” a Multistrada has ever felt and we’re definitely not complaining.
Ducati has nailed the user interface this time too. The 6.5-inch TFT dash is bright, clear, and genuinely intuitive. Ride modes, including Race, Sport, Touring and Urban are easy to cycle through, and you can fine-tune settings with minimal fuss.
That includes traction and wheelie control, engine braking, and ABS. The adaptive cruise control is worth shouting about. It uses radar to manage distance and works better than most systems we’ve tried.
Switching between near, medium, far, and very far is done with a simple +/- toggle next to the cruise control switch. That “near” setting’s a bit tight for our liking, but it works. The first time it brakes for you is a little unnerving, but you get used to it quickly.
The Ducati Connect system now properly integrates with your phone and headset. It displays caller ID on the dash and lets you use the navigation system via the Ducati Link app. That said, downloading the nav app takes a while, so do it at home on Wi-Fi.
Exhaust note wise, this thing sounds like a monster. That dry clutch clatters gloriously at idle, and once you twist the throttle, the Akrapovič titanium exhaust lets out a bark that most bikes just can’t match.
It’s aggressive, raspy, and perfectly suited to the RS’s character. The up/down quick shifter is as good as they come with silky smooth and dead accurate shifts. It makes fast road riding feel effortless and actually enhances low-speed commuting too.
That isn’t something we say often about performance bikes. Braking is predictably phenomenal. Up front, you get Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers with twin 330mm discs, and a 265mm rear disc out back.
It’s got enough bite to make your eyes widen, but with enough finesse to trail-brake into corners with confidence. The emergency brake light system is a standout feature, flashing the rear brake light under hard braking to warn traffic behind you.
One of our riding mates commented on how effective it was during a spirited mountain run. Little things, big difference. But as much as we love it, the RS isn’t perfect. You can’t fit a top box due to the titanium subframe, for example.
It makes sense from a weight saving perspective, but feels odd on a bike designed to tour. You can add panniers, but it limits its long distance practicality a bit. Heated grips aren’t standard either. On a $57,400 ride away bike, that’s a little ludicrous.
Fuel economy isn’t brilliant either (we averaged 6.9-litres/100km), and while it’s not terrible considering the performance, the Multistrada isn’t winning any efficiency awards either. With a 22-litre tank, you’re looking at a realistic range of around 300km.
It’s also worth noting that while the RS shares a lot with the Pikes Peak, it’s built for more aggressive road use. If luggage options or pillion comfort matter more to you, the Pikes Peak might be the better fit.
It still gets the semi-active suspension, same engine, and tech the RS does, and simply misses out on the titanium weight savings. The 2025 Ducati Multistrada V4 RS is a road-going missile wrapped in carbon, with just enough touring DNA to keep you comfortable.
It’s razor-sharp, stupid fast, and brimming with character, from its snarling soundtrack to its aggressive posture. It’s not trying to be the most versatile, but it’s certainly having a crack at being the most exciting. In that mission, Ducati has absolutely smashed it.
If you you want a Panigale V4 S with handlebars and the ability to disappear into the horizon, the RS is calling your name. Available online in Red, White and Black, it’s backed by a 2-year unlimited kilometre warranty.
You can find out more about the 2025 Multistrada V4 RS on the Ducati Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership.
Our test bike was supplied by Ducati Australia/New Zealand for independent review purposes.
