New Ride: Ducati Multistrada V2
I’ve had my wonderful Ducati Scrambler for almost six months now, and it has been an absolute joy to ride. I love everything about it, from its character to its versatility. However, with plans for some proper touring on the horizon, I realised it might be time to think about something more suited to long-distance adventures. I needed a bike that could comfortably carry everything I’d need for extended trips away from home.
Read on to find out more...
The Ducati Multistrada V2S has been on my radar for a while now. Every time I visit SMC Bikes, I find myself drawn to it, trying to keep my wallet firmly in my pocket. But on a recent trip to SMC, where I popped in for a butty, a brew, and a bit of a mooch, Josh made me an offer I couldn’t refuse - a brand-new Multistrada V2 at an excellent price. While it wasn’t the V2S I had been eyeing, the deal was too good to pass up, and I knew it was the right choice for my touring plans.
Initially, I thought about keeping the Scrambler alongside the Multistrada, but after a lot of thought and some chats with friends, it made sense to trade it in. As much as I’ll miss the Scrambler, I know it’s the right decision for now. Someone else will get to enjoy it, and I’ll be ready to take on the open road with the Multistrada, fully prepared for the touring adventures I’ve been dreaming about.
I picked up the new bike recently, and thankfully, the weather held off so I didn’t have to ride in the rain, though the conditions were far from ideal. The Multistrada is a completely different beast compared to the Scrambler - it’s much bigger, and you feel like you’re sitting in the bike rather than on it. Riding it back to my unit was an absolute joy. Even though the journey was relatively short and I didn’t get beyond third gear, the experience was incredible and left me grinning the whole way.
Planned changes
I don’t plan to make many modifications to the bike. While I’d love to add an Akrapovic exhaust, it’s not something I really need. My focus will be on fitting some crash protection and sourcing panniers and a top box to get it properly set up for touring.
The other thing I'll change is the number plate, I'll get another 6.5 x 6.5 metal pressed plate from EJ-PARTS.co.uk like I had on my Scrambler.