With all that bodywork, the Multistrada 950 S looks imposing. And with a standard seat height of 840mm and weighing 229kg, it would also be slightly intimidating for some individuals to mount and dismount. It is also quite a task to move around. However, once you get on, the Multistrada 950 S’ ergonomics feel nothing less than great. The seat is designed to encapsulate you and the shape of the 20-litre fuel tank ensures the thighs are well supported.
Having ridden over 200kms at a stretch, the seat never made me writhe or fidget and the windscreen, which can be adjusted on the fly offered enough protection for a quiet ride. Speaking of which, the ride experience the Multistrada 950 S offers is Cloud Nine material, thanks to the Ducati Skyhook active suspension. The system allows to set up preload and damping settings at both ends with just a push of a button on the left-side switchgear. It then adjusts the suspension automatically on the fly, almost like blending into its surroundings.
In the softer settings, the Multistrada 950 S feels the plushest and compliant over anything the road throws at it. Although, it does tend to dive and squat more and the feel from the tyres is a bit vague. Switch it to the medium or firmer settings and the ride is slightly more leveled and the response from the Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tyres are higher. What I also liked is that these settings are retained even after turning the bike off.
Now, the Multistrada 950 S with its wide handlebar offers a good amount of leverage. It holds the line on corners with accuracy, feeling more like a sporty streetfighter with a 19-inch wheel and long-ish fork than a typical adventure-touring motorcycle. It feels stable and agile on open roads but could be a task when maneuvering through traffic. That said, I loved the seating ergonomics on the Multistrada 950 although it feels a bit off for standing - something that can be fixed with a taller handlebar.
Nonetheless, each time I twisted the throttle, the strong nature of the 937cc, L-twin motor left me grinning. This motor, which the Multistrada 950 shares with the manic Hypermotard, churns out 113bhp and 94Nm. With the BS6 revisions, it feels smooth and so does the fueling - with no snatching action even when whipping the throttle. The Multistrada 950 holds a major chunk of its torque in the low to mid-range and offers ample power to get out of a corner or make a pass, without usually needing to downshift. Interestingly enough, the gearshifts are smooth but the lever action from the new hydraulic clutch could have been lighter.
On the open roads, the Multistrada 950 S feels unstoppable, and cruising over 130kmph is a no-brainer. Although, city life is not the Multistrada’s cup of tea, and it makes sure you know by heating up in a matter of minutes. And the wide handlebar means filtering through tight spots would need heavy calculations. The brakes on the Multi were upgraded a couple of years ago and the bike comes with cornering ABS. While the bite from the front end feels strong, the setup seems to lack feel at the rear- something we suspect could be an issue solely with our test bike.