Ducati Multistrada 620

Ducati has made a bike for beginners that doesn’t compromise on thrills, writes Janie Omorogbe of The Sunday Times - driving.timesonline.co.uk

Whenever I mention motorcycles to non-biking friends, most recognise only two brands: Harley-Davidson and Ducati.

Both manufacturers have been around for so long that they’ve established a cult following. Many people buy into the lifestyle and image of these particular motorcycles as much, if not more than, the bikes themselves by buying branded clothing and accessories....

Ducati has made a bike with those customers in mind — the new entry-level Multistrada 620. It’s daring but not insane and allows you to live the dream.

Ducati bikes have always stood out from the crowd. Their distinctive looks are a trademark and, quite frankly, a form of art.

The Multistrada, however, looks quite odd, although I have begun to get used to its bulbous front end with the quirky fairing, half of which moves with the handlebars.

If you park and put the steering on full lock, it has the strange effect of looking as though the top half of the windshield has been sliced off, just as you’d take the top off an egg with a knife.

The 620 resembles its 1000cc sibling so closely it is difficult to tell them apart. Only the double-sided swingarm, compared with the the single-sided swinger on the 1000, gives it away.

The tubular steel frame is exposed and the fat twin exhaust pipes sit underneath the seat, protruding slightly. The 618cc engine is taken from the Monster 620. It’s air-cooled, producing 63bhp and 43 lb ft of torque and can easily propel you to more than 100mph.

But straight lines are not where this motorcycle excels. It’s more at home against the backdrop of the stunning Italian countryside. Sadly I had to make do with Bedford Autodrome.

As I leant the 403lb bike further and further over, I gained speed and confidence with each lap of the circuit. I kept expecting something to touch down, but it didn’t. It seems the only thing that will limit how far the bike will lean is the rider.

The 620 is less powerful than its big brother but it’s great fun and unintimidating, which makes it perfect for new riders.

With those novices and perhaps women in mind, the 620 has a revised seat height that, at 32in, is 1in lower than the 1000cc bike.

Other changes include a smaller fuel tank at 15 litres and 28lb shaved off the weight. The mirrors have been set further apart to aid visibility but they’re still too small to be of much use and vibrate so much that you can’t see clearly anyway.

Something else that shudders from the pulsating twin cylinders are the clocks. The instrument panel is suspended behind the windscreen in a trellis-like framework.

This has a tendency to resonate with engine vibration in true Ducati style.

Finding your way around the six-speed gearbox has been made easier by the addition of a lighter clutch lever.

The disc brakes work well, and the suspension, bearing in mind the potholed Italian roads it’s designed for, does the job.

Commuters will love the agility that comes with the Ducati badge and the upright riding position means it’s easy to see the road ahead — ideal if you’re on a congested motorway or trying to pick a path through taxis, buses and courier bikes.

The bike is available in black, yellow and Ducati racing red, and there is a range of tempting accessories.

VITAL STATISTICS

Model Ducati Multistrada 620
Engine 618cc, air-cooled, L-twin cylinder
Power 63hp at 9500rpm
Torque 43 lb ft at 6750rpm
Fuel 40mpg (estimated)
Top speed 120mph (estimated)
Insurance Group 11
Price £5,495
Verdict Fun and rider friendly, a good all rounder