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

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.

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.

2020 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour Chassis

It's impossible to miss the exposed steel-tube Trellis frame shot in Ducati Red and it contrasts against the blackout engine and Sandstone Grey sheet goods. The frame uses the engine as a stressed unit to displace a large chunk of structure in a bid to keep weight down, so it checks in with a 525-pound wet weight that makes it easy to muscle around in the parking lot/garage.

Ducati's own Skyhook Suspension EVO feature provides electronic control over the 48 mm inverted front forks as well as the monoshock that tames the single-side swingarm out back so you get dynamic, automatic control over the suspension qualities sans tools and the associated dirty knees. The steering head sets a rake angle of 25 degrees with 4.37 inches of trail that collectively give the GT a definite eagerness in the corners in spite of its overall height.

Speaking of height; the stock saddle is adjustable with a range that runs from 32.5 inches to 33.3 inches high, and while that's a nice feature, it's still a bit tall for riders with short inseams. Having said that, the lofty seat is typical of the genre, so there's that.

Cast-alloy rims round out the rolling chassis with Pirelli Scorpion Trail II hoops in a 120/70 up front opposite a 190/55, both in a 17-inch diameter with a “ZR” rating that will stand up to any and all speed and corner-carving abuse you care to dish out.

As for the anchors, Brembo supplies the hardware with its monobloc M50 Evo calipers in a four-pot design that grab the dual 330 mm front discs, and a twin-piston caliper to bite the 265 mm disc out back. Not only does ABS come stock, but it benefits from the IMU to deliver corner-sensitive performance that'll keep you from overdoing it in the turns, plus the Vehicle Hold Control holds the rear brakes for you so you can safely put both feet down during takeoffs on a grade.

2020 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour Drivetrain

Power for the Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour comes from a Testastretta L-Twin, and it's here that the technological fandanglery really takes hold. It's a liquid-cooled mill that sports dual-spark heads for positive flame-front propagation, and it rocks four valves per head for efficient aspiration.

As you'd expect, the poppets are timed by Ducati's signature Desmodromic valvetrain that eliminates the valve springs in favor of a pull-closed cam so it's utterly immune to harmonic valve float. Additionally, the cams come with a variable-timing feature that deepens the torque well without sacrificing top-end power. Bore and stroke mike out at 106 mm and 71.5 mm, respectively, and that gives the mill its 1,262 cc displacement with a smokin'-hot 13-to-1 compression ratio that'll put you at the premium hook for every fill-up. Yeah, that's pretty high, but that's the price you pay for the whopping 158 horsepower and 95 pound-feet of torque the engine brings to the table.

A ride-by-wire throttle control gives you control over the induction with dual, 56 mm elliptical throttle bodies that meter the fuel-air ratio, but it doesn't stop there; Ducati chucks on a variable power mode system along with traction- and wheelie-control features that come bundled together under the Riding Modes feature for quick and easy setup changes using the left-hand handlebar switches. It comes set up to receive an anti-theft system, but that remains part of the optional equipment for the time being.

A six-speed transmission and chain-style final drive takes care of business, and here we find a final bit of fandanglery with the Ducati Quick Shift feature that lets you switch both up and down the range without ever touching the clutch lever.

2020 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour Pricing

For its inaugural release, the Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour commands a $23,295 price. It is available only in the monochromatic Sandstone Gray over black finish with red trim.

2020 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour Competitors

No doubt about it, Ducati's Grand Tour is a tough act to follow, but I think Triumph may have a viable answer to the Italian stallion in its Tiger 1200 XRt. Like the Duc, the Tiger doubles down on the forward fling control with both a bird's beak fairing and a front fender that also acts as a fork guard. I've never been a fan of the Tiger's fairing, but it does fit well with the rest of the design. It's a given that the Triumph ride is going to have a bit of a utilitarian panache that falls at the opposite end of the spectrum compared to the sexy curves Ducati brings to the table.

A tall windscreen and handguards protect the pilot with heated handgrips as part of the stock package to break even with the Multistrada. LED lighting takes care of business across the range, but unfortunately for Triumph, the Tiger does not come stock with any kind of luggage to cede a definite advantage to the GT. Trumpet slips again in the stems, 'cause, while both ends are fully adjustable, the British marque has no answer for Ducati's electronic suspension control, and the ABS is of the standard variety with no lean-sensitive wizardry to be had.

In another parallel, the Tiger's seat can be adjusted from 32.87 inches off the ground up to 33.66 inches high, and that will equally tax the vertically-challenged riders out there. The Tiger runs with a liquid-cooled inline triple that delivers 141 ponies and 90 pounds o' grunt, which is impressive and all but still falls short of the numbers the Testastretta puts up. Triumph's biggest triumph becomes apparent at the checkout with its $21,300 sticker that leaves the Multistrada GT looking a trifle proud.

He Said

“Ducati never fails to impress, and this ride is certainly no exception. It's got the technology you demand and the power you crave, and while it's billed as a touring adventure bike, I look at it and see one hell of a commuter bike that has the potential for year-round use in warmer climes. This is a definite candidate for a topcase to expand the cargo capacity, and I don't think that would mar the looks one bit.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “The gray-black tone-on-tone colorway looks fabulous with the red frame and fairing accents. It's a beautiful bike. Being a Multistrada, you know it's built to cover the miles, and the center stand, heated grips, and stock hard cases reinforce it's tour-readiness. The re-mapped Diavel engine installed on the Multistrada 1260 S last year gives smooth, manageable power delivery, and the Grand Tour makes good use of that performance upgrade.”

2020 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour Specifications

Further Reading

Triumph Tiger 1200 XRt

See our review of the Triumph Tiger 1200 XRt.

Ducati Diavel / Diavel S

See our review of the Ducati Diavel / Diavel S.

Ducati Multistrada 1260

See our review of the Ducati Multistrada 1260.

Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro

See our review of the Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro.

Ducati Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak

See our review of the Ducati Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak.

Ducati

Read more Ducati news.