My RTW Motorcycle - How Ducati Out-Germans BMW

Quick Overview

The Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally is presented as a superior adventure motorcycle, outperforming German rivals like BMW through its practical engineering, including a reverse-rotating crankshaft for agility, extended 60,000 km service intervals, and a powerful yet under-stressed V4 engine. Its robust design and user-friendly features, despite minor third-party component flaws, proved reliable during a record-breaking 17-day circumnavigation of the world.

Key Points: The Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally features a reverse-rotating crankshaft, a racing-derived technology that significantly improves turn-in speed by offsetting gyroscopic forces. Its Grand Turismo valves allow for an impressive 60,000 km service interval, offering significantly longer maintenance periods than competitors like the BMW GS. The V4 engine, designed for 240 horsepower in racing, is intentionally under-stressed at 170hp in the Rally model, contributing to its exceptional reliability and durability. The bike's user interface prioritizes simplicity, with a mechanical windscreen latch and a large button for heated grips, contrasting with more complex electronic menus found on other adventure bikes. The robust, pressure-latch side bags proved highly functional, securely carrying 80 pounds of fuel across challenging terrains without issues. Minor failures were limited to third-party components like the key's plastic plate and footpeg rubbers, indicating strong core Ducati engineering. The twin-pulse firing order of the V4 engine provides superior traction and feedback, making the large motorcycle surprisingly easy to control in tight off-road conditions.

Context: Ryan F9, a motorcycle reviewer with an unusually deep understanding of the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally (having provided feedback to its manufacturers), embarks on a record-breaking journey to circumnavigate the world in under 19 days. This video serves as a review of the motorcycle's performance and features during this extreme endurance test, often comparing its engineering philosophy to that of traditional German adventure bikes like BMW's GS series.