After more than 25 years of testing, riding, and racing practically every genre of motorcycle imaginable, I’ve been a bit far removed from the motorcycle industry lately. But the chance to ride what could arguably be the current technological tour de force in heavyweight adventure tourers.

The 2022 Ducati Multistrada V4 S, and sample the latest electronic updates the Bologna boys have outfitted it with was an opportunity too good to pass up. In addition, the Multistrada V4 is one of Ducati’s best-selling motorcycles, with more than 10,000 units rolling out of dealer showrooms in its first year. That’s definitely a positive sign.

The plan was to run up to the Big Bear area in Southern California to get a feel for the bike’s new-for-’22 tech features. I focused my evaluation on four areas—the new ‘Minimum Preload’ semi-auto lowering feature, the revised Infotainment system with the Ducati Connect feature, and the existing Blindspot Detection and Adaptive Cruise Control radar tech. When all was said and done, I ended up intensely appreciating one, feeling as if two of them were an outright stroke of genius and being quite happy to take or leave the last.

Mental preparation was the first order of business. It had been several months since I last threw a leg over an ADV bike and a few years since said ADV machine had the name Ducati on its flanks. As I recall, that machine, the 2016 Multistrada Enduro, possessed a magical 1198cc DVT Testastretta Twin in a nice-handling but hefty overall package. With a curb weight of just under 650 pounds and a skyscraper-tall seat height, it was a challenge for all 5’6” of me to wrestle the big Ducati in tight, technical, or loose off-road conditions. The Multistrada Enduro was a heavyweight that demanded respect anytime you left the pavement. 

I know times change, but I was curious to see if the Multistrada V4 S would be a more user-friendly heavyweight ADV machine or just more of the same. While this is by no means meant to be a full-blown review of the Multistrada V4 S—you can read what Senior Editor Rob Dabney had to say about it in his 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 S review—I was hopeful that the new tech Ducati was touting would be a big help on the trail. 

With the destination set for Big Bear up in the mountains, I met Rob at the ADV Pulse Headquarters in Torrance, California early on a Saturday morning, only to find out that I’d pulled a boner move and left my riding boots at home. Ah well, reframing the situation, I took solace in the fact that I still wasn’t too old to make a rookie mistake. Fortunately, ADV Pulse is well stocked up on test products, and we resolved the situation with a great pair of SIDIs in short order. Moreover, the minor mishap proved far less of a time-robbing hassle than setting up navigation and comms using the Ducati Connect Connect and Sygic apps that I downloaded into my iPhone 12, but more on that later. 

The additional “Classic” designation for this crated beauty adds Avus Black finish with silver graphics, chrome touring case mounts, chromed engine and tank guards, as well as the “classic” round valve covers. 

Rare bike dealer and current owner Peter Boggia speculated in an interview with bikebound.com that only 70 of these R100GS PD Classics bikes were built in 1995, and describes finding one in a crate a true oddity. 

Mental preparation was the first order of business. It had been several months since I last threw a leg over an ADV bike and a few years since said ADV machine had the name Ducati on its flanks. As I recall, that machine, the 2016 Multistrada Enduro, possessed a magical 1198cc DVT Testastretta Twin in a nice-handling but hefty overall package. With a curb weight of just under 650 pounds and a skyscraper-tall seat height, it was a challenge for all 5’6” of me to wrestle the big Ducati in tight, technical, or loose off-road conditions. The Multistrada Enduro was a heavyweight that demanded respect anytime you left the pavement. 

Mental preparation was the first order of business. It had been several months since I last threw a leg over an ADV bike and a few years since said ADV machine had the name Ducati on its flanks. As I recall, that machine, the 2016 Multistrada Enduro, possessed a magical 1198cc DVT Testastretta Twin in a nice-handling but hefty overall package. With a curb weight of just under 650 pounds and a skyscraper-tall seat height, it was a challenge for all 5’6” of me to wrestle the big Ducati in tight, technical, or loose off-road conditions. The Multistrada Enduro was a heavyweight that demanded respect anytime you left the pavement. 

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Mexico, North Africa, Europe, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.