Model Update: 2019 Ducati Multistrada 950 S

Ducati's Multistrada 950 benefits from a number of updates in 2019, including the addition of an 'S' spec edition with Ducati Skyhook suspension.

The new Ducati Multistrada 950 takes things to the next level thanks to a series of improvements designed to make for a safer and even more enjoyable motorcycle, alongside the addition of a higher specification S version featuring state-of-the-art electronics.

2019 Ducati Multistrada 950 S

The 2019 Multistrada 950 combines Multistrada 1260 and Multistrada 1260 Enduro design features, taking the ‘lightest’ elements from both, with the distinctive horizontally extended headlight, the ‘beak’, adjustable screen, side ‘wings’ and tank – takes its cue from the Multistrada 1260.

The rider’s seat, passenger seat, rear grab rail, the design of the exhaust and swingarm and the wheel sizes are, instead, taken from the Multistrada 1260 Enduro. This mix has produced a bike with classic Multistrada lines that’s also compact, and not just visually.

2019 Ducati Multistrada 950

A standard feature on the Multistrada 950 is the 840mm high seat, which helps instil a sense of comfort. A lower seat (820mm high) is available so riders can place their feet on the ground more easily, as is a higher (860mm), even more comfortable option.

The Multistrada 950 screen allows for one-handed vertical adjustment within a range of 60mm; the accessory line also includes a lower screen. There are two 12V power sockets, one in the zone immediately beneath the passenger seat, the other in the dashboard zone. These can be used to power items such as thermal clothing, intercoms or mobile phone chargers. There’s also a USB port underneath the seat, which can be used to charge smartphones.

2019 Ducati Multistrada 950 S

A spacious stowage area under the passenger seat contains tool kit, motorcycle handbook or other personal items. To make the Multistrada an effective long-distance tourer, accessories include
spacious panniers and a top case. The passenger grab rail has specifically been designed to minimise bike width.

The new Multistrada 950 also comes with a six-axis Bosch IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), Bosch Cornering ABS, Vehicle Hold Control (VHC) for easier uphill starts (especially when the bike is carrying passenger and luggage) and a hydraulic clutch.

2019 Ducati Multistrada 950 S

Like other bikes in the Multistrada family, the 950 has an assertive-looking, high-tech headlight. At the rear there is a LED tail light.  On the S version, the headlight assembly is a full-LED model featuring Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL) which optimise lighting on bends according to the bike lean angle.  The Multistrada 950 also has an all-new function that switches off indicators automatically according to lean angle. Thanks to the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) the indicators shut off after completing a turn or travelling a prolonged distance.

2019 Ducati Multistrada 950 S

What’s more, the swingarm and wheels – both the newly designed alloy wheels and spoked versions – are lighter. An upgraded rider-bike interface (HMI) is now more user-friendly than ever. Indicators feature an auto-off function that takes into account both lean angle and distance travelled.

The new Multistrada 950 S offers cutting-edge technology to enhance both safety and riding pleasure. Electronic suspension with the Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) system continuously adjusts fork and shock absorber damping so the suspension responds instantaneously to changes in road surface.

Ducati Quick Shift up & down (DQS) allows clutchless upshifting and downshifting and the bike also features a full-LED headlight, 5″ colour TFT display, a Hands Free system, Cruise Control and backlit switchgear controls.

2019 Ducati Multistrada 950 S

The Multistrada 950 is powered by the twin cylinder 937cc Testastretta 11° with Desmodromic timing. Euro 4-rated (in countries where Euro 4 standards apply), this liquid-cooled engine has four valves per cylinder and bore and stroke measurements of 94 and 67.5mm respectively. Engine power amounts to a maximum of 11 hp at 9000 rpm and a maximum torque of 96Nm at 7750rpm. The compression ratio is 12.6:1.

The Multistrada 950 gulps in the fuel mix through 53mm cylindrical-section throttle bodies controlled by an advanced Ride-by-Wire system. The exhaust system is of the 2-1-2 type with lateral silencer. The self-servo wet slipper clutch can now be operated with less on-lever effort thanks to the new hydraulic control system.

Maintenance intervals are also set at 15,000 km or 12 months, with valve play inspection every 30,000 km.

2019 Ducati Multistrada 950 S

The Multistrada 950 frame features a solid Trellis section with large-diameter, low-thickness tubing and two lateral sub-frames, closed off by a rear load-bearing techno-polymer fibreglass element to maximise torsional rigidity. The Multistrada 950 has a minimum ground clearance of 183.5mm. A 1594mm wheelbase distributes rider and luggage (where applicable) weight, enhancing the vehicle’s dynamic performance. The new, lighter, shell-cast aluminium twin-sided swingarm is painted black.

Brembo M4-32 monobloc radial calipers with four 32mm diameter pistons and two pads are featured alongside a radial pump with adjustable levers and dual 320mm front discs. At the rear a 265mm disc is gripped by a floating caliper, again by Brembo.

The Multistrada 950 features redesigned wheels that reduce overall weight by 500 g compared to the previous model. Wheels measure 3.0” x 19’’ at the front and 4.5” x 17’’ at the rear and mount Pirelli Scorpio Trail II tyres (120/70 ZR19 at the front and 170/60 ZR17 at the rear). Moreover, the 20-litre tank puts plenty of miles between refuelling stops.

2019 Ducati Multistrada 950 S

The Multistrada 950 S is also available with tubeless tyre wheels with aluminium rims that have 40 cross-mounted spokes and gravity-cast hubs; these mount chunky Pirelli SCORPION Rally tyres, better suited to off-road riding.

The electronics package now includes Bosch Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Vehicle Hold Control (VHC) and, on the Multistrada 950 S, semi-active Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS), Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) (available as an accessory for the Multistrada 950), Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL) and Cruise Control. Both the Multistrada 950 and the Multistrada 950 S can mount the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS).

Ducati Riding Modes, first introduced on the Multistrada in 2010, allow selection of different pre-set modes that optimise bike behaviour according to individual riding styles and road conditions. The Multistrada 950 has four Riding Modes (Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro), each programmed to act on the electronic Ride-by-Wire (RbW) engine control system and the ABS and DTC levels.

2019 Ducati Multistrada 950 S

The Multistrada 950 S can be started without an actual mechanical key thanks to the new Hands Free system that raises security standards.

The Multistrada 950 instrument panel with revised, upgraded interface, consists of a large easy-to-see LCD showing primary and secondary information.  The S version, instead, has a high resolution TFT display, the same as the one on the Multistrada 1260 S and Enduro.

The Multistrada 950 is available in Ducati Red while the Multistrada 950 S comes in Ducati Red and Glossy Grey.

2019 Ducati Multistrada 950 features

• Colours – Ducati Red with Ducati Red frame and Glossy Black wheels
• 937 cm³ Testastretta 11° engine
• 113hp at 9000rpm and 96Nm at 7750rpm
• Exhaust with single silencer
• Tubular steel Trellis frame with cast aluminium double-sided swingarm
• Seat height 840 mm
• Height-adjustable screen
• Fuel tank capacity 20 litres
• New cast alloy wheels
• Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tyres, 120/70 ZR17 at the front and 170/60 ZR17 at the rear
• Fully adjustable 48mm fork with 170mm of travel
• Fully adjustable shock absorber with 170mm of travel
• 4 Riding Modes (Sport, Touring, Urban, Enduro)
• Ducati Safety Pack (3-level Bosch Cornering ABS, 8-level DTC)
• Vehicle Hold Control (VHC)
• LCD Instrumentation
• Ready for Ducati Multimedia System (DMS)
• Ready for Ducati Quick Shift up & down (DQS)

2019 Ducati Multistrada 950

2019 Ducati Multistrada 950 S features

• Colours  – Ducati Red, Glossy Grey
• As per the Multistrada 950 plus
• Hands Free System
• Semi-active electronic suspension – Ducati Skyhook Suspension
• Ducati Quick Shift up & down (DQS)
• Full LED headlight with Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL) system
• Cruise Control
• Dash with 5″ TFT colour screen
• Backlit switchgear controls
• Cast alloy / spoked wheels option

Multistrada 950 Personalisation packages

• Touring Pack: panniers, heated grips, centre stand
• Sport Pack: Ducati Performance silencer by Termignoni, water pump cover in billet aluminium, LED indicators.
• Urban Pack: top case, tank pocket bag with Tanklock flange, USB port to charge electronic devices
• Enduro Pack: supplementary LED lights, engine crash bars, aluminium radiator guard, aluminium sump guard, steel footpegs.

2019 Ducati Multistrada 950 Specifications