Motorcycle. New Multistrada and Diavel RS, Ducati unveils its exceptional range

Ducati's expertise in adapting its motorcycles by adding equipment to the base models is well known. For example, most motorcycles are available in an S version with Ohlins suspension, except for the Diavel, X-Diavel, Desert X, and Hypermotard.

The brand is also known for its performance-focused machines like the Panigale, which were born to ride on the track even though they are homologated. So, of course, everyone was surprised to see the arrival of a Multistrada RS in 2023, a high-performance machine, firstly because we had never seen an RS before, but also because the Multistrada is primarily dedicated to touring.

At the San Marino Grand Prix, Ducati unveiled the new version of the Multistrada RS and the all-new Diavel RS in the expert hands of Marc Marquez, current leader of the MotoGP world championship, and Francesco Bagnaia, the two factory riders.

These machines are numbered, but that's not their main interest. What changes compared to the basic Multistrada and Diavel, so to speak, is above all the engine, since we find that of the Panigale V4. The Desmosedici Stradale engine of 1103 cc, 4 cylinders in V with desmodromic distribution, a counter-rotating crankshaft and twin pulse ignition, things new on these motorcycles.

Ducati adds to this the Akrapovic silencer, Ohlins suspension and a dry clutch that remains associated with the brand even if most machines have not been equipped with it for a long time.

You add a lot of carbon fiber parts and the all-new DVO (Ducati Vehicle Observer) system for the electronics and you have what makes up the RS range of motorcycles.

The real novelty of this end of 2025 is the Diavel V4 RS. It has many carbon elements such as air intakes, the single-seater rear subframe, mudguards, etc. to save 3 kg on the scale.

The engine boasts 14 more horsepower with 182 horsepower in total and a 0 to 100 km/h in 2'52'' in the hands of Marc Marquez. We must add the single-sided aluminum swingarm, the brakes derived from those of the Panigale V4, the brand's sports car, and the livery specific to the RS as well as the dashboard animations.

To take advantage of it, you will have to pay €38,990, which is €10,800 more than the Diavel V4.

For its part, the Multistrada is evolving. It's not a real novelty but there are some changes including this time the possibility of having a luggage rack and a top case so as not to lose its original vocation, that of traveling.

It also receives the DVO electronic system, the 180 horsepower V4 engine (2 less than the Diavel) with desmodromic distribution, the dry clutch, the Ohlins suspensions with new damping laws, the ABS in curves, a larger rear disc at 280 mm and new forged rims to lighten the unsprung masses.

The titanium rear subframe is lighter, but it now allows for a top case, which wasn't the case until now. Compared to the Pikes Peak version, also with 17-inch wheels and a single-sided swingarm, our RS weighs 2 kg less and develops 10 more horsepower. You'll have to add €7,000 for a total of €39,790.

For now, the RS range consists of only two motorcycles, the Multistrada RS and the Diavel RS, but why not see a Streetfighter V4 RS arrive in the future on the same principle? Time will tell, it will undoubtedly depend on the commercial success or not of these RS.