2019 Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro review

Ducati has made its formidable Multistrada Enduro easier to live with, thanks to a grunty new engine, less weight, polished electronics and a lower riding position.

The new Multistrada 1260 Enduro is powered by the Italian firm’s Euro4-friendly Testastretta DVT 1262 engine, which started life in the XDiavel and is now fitted to the new road-going Multistrada 1260.

Producing 156bhp it churns out 94ftlb of torque – a colossal amount for an off-roader – but thanks to adjustable rider modes, power maps, traction and wheelie control, it’s easier to manage than you might imagine.

Power delivery is smooth, predictable and there’s never a shortage of instant grunt when you need it – 85 per cent of the engine’s torque is available at just 3500rpm.

Compared to the old 1200 Enduro, the new machine makes an extra 6bhp up top and 17 per cent more torque at 5500rpm.

First gear is lower than the road-going Multistrada 1260’s and the final drive is shorter, too, which helps the new Ducati leap out of muddy corners.

On the road that extra power, torque and tweaked gearing all adds up to extra urgency when you ask for the power.

Once in top gear there’s little need to trouble the standard (and slightly notchy) up/down quickshifter to keep the L-twin engine on the boil.

A 19-inch front wheel, long travel suspension and a wide, 30-litre fuel tank are what separates the 1260 Enduro from its road-going counterpart.

Suspension, mapping and rider aid settings are all tailored for off-road use, too.

For long distance riding on dusty trails, all these goodies are exactly what you need and, like the old model, the new machine is surprisingly capable.

The Multistrada Enduro has always been a tall bike and this has been to the exclusion of some riders.

Seat height is now reduced by 10mm to 860mm, peg rubbers are 10mm thinner and bars are dropped by 30mm.

The 1260 Enduro’s lower centre of gravity makes the Ducati more manageable off-road and will help shorter riders to at least get their tip-toes down at a standstill now. There’s also the option for 840mm and 880mm seats.

The chassis stays more or less unchanged, but front and rear wheel travel is reduced by 15mm, Sachs forks are upgraded and electronic suspension settings revised.

Wheels are lighter and stronger, the double-sided swingarm is half a kilo lighter and rake is up by 1mm.

It’s easier to handle on the dirt, but despite the changes the Ducati is still a big, heavy, powerful machine, so only confident off-road riders need apply.

It’s sure-footed, confidence inspiring and grippy on the tarmac, but with its big front wheel and generous suspension travel the 1260 Enduro has ‘soft and loose’ off-road feel.

New electronic riding aids have been brought over from the Multistrada 1260 and a six-axis Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) takes care of cornering ABS, traction control and even LED cornering lights and self-cancelling indicators.

Knowing the Ducati’s electronics have your back in an emergency braking situation is comforting and the traction control is refined enough to lean on, especially off road.

A new 5” Thin Film Transistor (TFT) high-resolution colour display comes as standard, including a new user interface.

Clear and easy to read, it features all the everyday riding information you need and features multi-layered menus that allow you to adjust the parameters of the riding aids, engine maps and ‘Skyhook’ semi-active suspension. Bluetooth Connectivity allows syncing to a dedicated Ducati app.

The Ducati 1260 Enduro is available as just one very high-spec version. Equipped like a Multistrada S, it comes with a full suite of electronic rider aids, a hill hold system and cruise control.

If you want things like heated grips or luggage, you’ll either have get them from Ducati’s accessory catalogue or choose them as part of the additional Touring, Sport, Urban or Euro packs.

You need to be very serious about your off-road travelling to choose the Enduro 1260 over the standard Multistrada 1260, which is still the better choice for the road, but with its classy new engine, cossetting electronics and more inclusive riding position the new Ducati really is a formidable machine. Perfect for tackling the world’s toughest terrain.

Specs