Richard – Ducati – Multistrada 60.000 km Tour

The story

For a small country, Wales packs a BIG punch (it’s smaller than the US State of New Jersey) it boasts three National Parks – Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire Coast and five areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – Anglesey, the Clwdian Range and Dee Valley, the Gower Peninsula, the Llyn Peninsula and the Wye Valley. Plus, it’s own language – Welsh (Cymraeg) which is widely spoken. It definitely is a land of Myths and Legends and it really is a totally different part of the World. Let the adventure and riding begin.
Day 1: After meeting Doug at Ducati Cardiff and having a full run-through of the Multistrada, making sure I was happy and had a full understanding of the Bike, the team waved me goodbye and I was set free to explore Wales. First port of call after riding through Cardiff city was to Barry, made famous in the last few years due to the TV program Gavin & Stacey and it’s your quintessential British seaside town, right down to the ‘Kiss me Quick’ hats. From there I followed the coastal roads visiting Nash Point, Ogmore-By-Sea and Merthyr Mawr with its ‘Chocolate Box’ cottages, all roses and thatched roofs.
On to Port Talbot with a rich history of Steelwork manufacture and then riding onto a meeting with the Ducati Owners Club who were having a weekend away in Swansea. What a fantastic group of people, with passion for all things Ducati, sharing tales of Bikes and experiences had, over a few drinks. Then a slow ride to Swansea, along the coast road to the Mumbles for a legendary Joe’s Ice Cream which is a ‘Must do thing’ here in South Wales. I carried on with the coast road to Oxwich Bay and Pendine Sands, before making my way to my accommodation for the next few days for a good night’s sleep as tomorrow brings more fun. Not many kilometres covered on the 1st day (150) but enough to start to get a feel for the Big Ducati.
Day 2: Met up with the MD of Ducati Cardiff for a ‘Mystery Tour’ of South Wales, I know this area quite well having visited many times, but the insider knowledge of someone who lives here is incredible, with the short cuts and rat runs to the best Biking roads in the area, missing the Motorways and traffic. A great day was had, where did we go? I haven’t a clue, but I would later come across some of the same roads from a different direction or turning point and try and re-trace the route, but I just kept getting hopelessly lost and always ending up on very dubious one lane road, with not many passing places should something be coming the other way. That’s when local knowledge really pays off, but it all adds to the Adventure and the spirit of exploration. About 370Km travelled.
Day 3: Up early and off, today’s route takes in the bottom part of Wales and up through the middle, passing over the Brecon Beacons. I headed to Tintern Abbey trying to avoid Motorways and dual carriageways the best I could, wanting to take the route ‘Less Travelled’ from there on to Big Pit National Coal Museum, another part of Wales rich history. Up over the mountain towards Elan Valley, now I’ve visited here a few times, but every time I’m blown away with just how stunning a place it is. Not a place for a fast ride, the roads aren’t up to that sort of riding, just take your time and soak up the whole experience. Follow the route around and then take the mountain road to Aberystwyth you won’t be disappointed, as it takes you along to Devils Bridge Falls again on some wonderful roads that are at times quite challenging. From there I cut back down, taking a different route over Brecon to Swansea and my bed for a much needed ‘Kip’. Today’s ride, 10 hours in the saddle and about 450Km covered. The Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally served me well and did not miss a beat, but it does like a drink of petrol when making ‘Good Progress’ using mostly 4th & 5th gear.
Day 4: Another early start as a long hard day of riding. You can get from A to B quicker on main roads around Wales, but that’s not what I wanted. So, the coastal road once more called, starting off towards Tenby in Pembrokeshire and its pretty painted Seaside townhouses before following the road to St Govan, Solva and St Davids – The smallest city in Britain, with one of the World’s most stunning Cathedrals built in the 11th century. Amazing when you think of the tools used in the construction. From there to Porthgain and on to Cardigan passing through, Caban Mwnt beach next and then to Aberystwth for an Ice Cream break and walk along the Promenade, it’s a well-known Biking meet up place and a chance to chat with other likeminded souls. Feeling refreshed I’m off again heading towards Prestatyn and over Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) again to be greeted with stunning scenery and roads which twist and turn for miles. For those of you that shall we say like to ‘Ride Quickly’ beware lots of cameras wanting to catch your Big grin as you enjoy your ride!!
Arrived in Prestatyn, tired but fulfilled after a great day’s ride, the weather so far has been fantastic with warm dry conditions, perfect for enjoyable motorcycling riding, where you just get into the ‘Groove’ – If you know? you know what I mean. 12 hours riding with Ice Cream stop, around another 450Km covered.
Day 5: No rest for the wicked, early start heading again towards Snowdonia for a bit of fun riding the mountain, then heading down to Aberdaron passing through Pwllheil which is a lovely little market town on the coast and the last bit of wide road for a while. June is definitely the start of the Caravan season, with passing spots few and far between, and even thought the Ducati is a motorcycle, things can get a bit tight, allowing for the wide panniers, so beware if taking this route. I crossed the Menai Bridge and went towards Holyhead, which is a bit industrial as it’s one of the main ferry crossings to Ireland. Best to head to Bull Bay and follow the road around to Trwyn Du Lighthouse and its beautiful views. I then carried on via the coastal road back, across from Anglesey to Conwy, a very nice place to stop, wander and enjoy the Majesty of the place. Quick blast back to Prestatyn and my last night in Wales. Short ride today – Just!! 320Km
Day 6: Gentle ride back to home of Ellington near Newcastle, as have half shift to do for Northumbria Blood Bikes, riding up through Cumbria to Northumberland – it’s not my ride in this part of the world on the Ducati to tell, but if you ever get a chance one word – Stunning.
Day 7: Different route back down to Preston Ducati to return the bike, again someone else’s tale to tell of the great roads. Arrived safely and after a chat and a brew with the service manager (who I met at the Ducati Owners Club meeting in Swansea) it was time to hand the keys back for the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally. Great Bike and Great memories had – Perfect.
Many thanks must go to all at Ducati, Mark, Doug and Mike at Ducati Cardiff and all at M & P Swansea and extra special thanks, to my wife Linda for her blessing to go on this mad adventure.
Total Kilometres covered 2,695 – Mission completed.

With out doubt the ride around Elan Valley, the weather was fantastic, the ride around the stunning scenery and the Bike performing wonderfully – Truly a days riding I’ll never forget

Having popped in to Ducati Cardiff to see the new Ducati 698 Mono, I got chatting with Doug the GM at the branch. He knows I have a weakness for a Ducati having already brought a Hypermotard 950 and a DesertX from them. He explained all about the Challenge that Ducati were setting up with the Multistrada V4 Rally to cover 60,000km around Europe with different riders doing a 2,000km section in each country including Wales. Now I’ve owned several Big Touring/Adventure Bikes and the chance to ride the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally around Wales for a week and cover 2,000km in that time, well I thought, that’s a challenge I could really get excited about. So, the application for the Wales section of the Tour was duly submitted and hey presto, here I found myself as 1 of the ‘Riders’
I’ll try and give a you fair and balanced review of my time riding the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally – I already own a similar dual role motorcycle with all the ‘Bells and Whistles’ and many of the safety features of this Ducati, but in a shade of Orange, so a comparison of sorts can be hopefully found. Will I fall in love with the Ducati?
But 1st a bit about me.
My name is Richard and I have an addiction for which there is no cure: Motorcycles – I signed my first ‘Hire Purchase’ form on my 16th Birthday for my 1st Motorcycle and I’ve been buying them and having love affairs with them ever since – None have ended in marriage which would be, to commit to just having the same one forever.
I’m now in my 60th year and over that time I’ve had ‘Affairs’ with 1 American, 2 Germans, 2 Italians, 4 Austrians and more Japanese than I care to remember – Over 100 at last count (and I just love mid 80’s 2-Strokes) and in truth I’ve loved every one of those Motorcycles, some so much that I’ve had 2 or 3 of the same model, just the next generation. While some have been just brief affairs, having only owned them for a matter of months – Before the rose tinted glow of ownership has expired. Others I kept for a few years until something ‘New and Shiny’ has tempted me and my money to part company once more.
The love affair with some Motorcycles has yet to come to an end, hence an ever growing ‘Collection’ which all get used, as that’s what Motorcycling is to me, a form of escape and adventure. Life is not a dress rehearsal – Get out there and enjoy it.
What’s the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally really like, in my opinion?
Well let’s get rid of the Elephant in the room first, there is no getting away from the fact it’s a BIG motorcycle. It’s tall and heavy and with the panniers and top box it’s a very imposing bike. Doug at Ducati Cardiff had given me a full briefing and demo of the many functions and settings available for me to play with and this bike came with it all – heated grips/seat, adaptive cruise control and loads more. I think when they went through the options list they ticked every box. The bike had already been set back to ‘Factory’ as a benchmark to work from, I set off for Barry Island heading through Cardiff in busy traffic, so gave the Urban setting a go and I have to say for such a large bike, it’s surprisingly well balanced and once moving even at low speeds it feels quite light and nimble when filtering through the traffic and caused little problem. When the road opened up, I tried ‘Tour’ and ‘Sport’ modes and found Sport suited my style of riding best. I didn’t go in to the menu further as you can ‘Fine tune’ each setting regards engine braking, suspension etc, perhaps something to play around with on a favourite bit of road where comparisons can be made, but I was more than happy just to stay in sport and staying in 4th or 5th most of the time, just using the throttle to roll on the power and using the engine braking to slow down. The bike has so much ‘Grunt’ it pulls in any gear you find yourself in.
Controls: Are easy to use and change on the ‘Fly’ even with a thicker winter glove on and the large screen gives you all the information you’ll ever need, with the important stuff – speed and revs, taking centre stage on the display. NB: There is a button on the left control, that when you’re coming to stop, you press and it lowers the suspension down by perhaps 20mm, which is fantastic, as at 5’10” I’m not short, but then made putting both feet down to manoeuvre the bike around or in traffic a real breeze.
Tyres: The bike came fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2 tyres, now I’m not normally a great fan of Pirelli tyres, but I have to say they worked extremely well on this bike. Giving good clear feedback on a variety of roads and surfaces, including some gravely roads and paths the satnav took me on and even when pushed hard on the more winding and twisty high speed roads the bike always felt sure-footed and the weather for my whole week stayed warm, dry and sunny (which was a bonus) so can’t comment on what they’d be like in the wet on this bike.
Suspension: the bike was in the Factory setting for sport mode for nearly all of the riding mentioned and gave me no complaints, it’s semi-active that ‘reads’ the road and modifies as you’re going along, but not so intrusive that you ever feel it at work, and never once felt the traction control come in to play) but coped well with all the terrain – speed humps in town, poor surfacing, potholes etc, you get my drift. But I do have to say in many places the roads were superb with miles and miles of good grippy tarmac which made for great fun.
Brakes: What can I say, apart from extremely good with plenty of feel and Anti-Lock if you give it too much heavy braking. All pretty standard stuff on bikes of this calibre.
Riding Position and Comfort: The seat is nice and comfortable and the controls fall nicely to hand, but as with most bikes it’s great to get off after a 150 or so miles, just to stretch your legs, grab a bite to eat a drink and have a chat with your mates if riding in a group. There are, I know people that ride for miles in 1 go, but to me that’s not much fun, yes it will do 300+ miles to tank, but the journey is just as important as the destination.
In Summary: You get a lot of bike for a lot of your money. It comes with a whole host of features. ABS. Adaptive cruise control. Quick Shifter. Semi-active suspension. Traction control. EBC to help optimise cornering. An engine that shuts off the rear cylinders when stopped or at low speeds. Hill start. It’s got everything except the kitchen sink – but you could probably fit one in the panniers and top box!! At the end of the day, it never missed a beat and never used a drop of oil in the 2,695km I rode it and yes it was great fun to ride for the week. Would I want to own one? Yes, it’s a good Bike and if I wanted to put loads of miles on a great European adventure, it would do the job well.