2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 RS and Diavel V4 RS first look

Sep 15, 2025

Shed not a tear for the 1%, even those few among them who are more into motorcycles than yachts, as they will not struggle to find appropriate baubles on which to spend the proceeds of their stock options. The manufacturers keep producing limited editions and exclusive models, and who better to add to that trend than Ducati?

Ducati has begun its series of introductions of new 2026 models, starting with a new Multistrada V4 RS and Diavel V4 RS, both using the 1,103 cc Desmosedici Stradale V-four engine and lavished with all the up-spec brakes, suspension, electronics, and other features you'd expect. Ducati describes them as "models that represent the pinnacle of sporting excellence in their respective families" and are "designed for those who live Ducati with absolute passion and recognize excellence at first sight." And also designed for those willing and able to spend $40,000 on a new motorcycle, as both will be priced at $39,995 in the United States.

Ducati's video, above, introduces the new motorcycles with acting debuts by Ducati Lenovo MotoGP riders Marc Márquez and Pecco Bagnaia. But beyond the glitz, let's take a quick look at the details of what you get with the new flagships of the Multistrada and Diavel lines.

silver and red Multistrada V4 RS parked on a track stand on a race track — The Multistrada V4 RS is the most powerful and sophisticated entry in the Multi family, with just about every feature you could ask for, from adaptive cruise control to electronic suspension. Ducati photo.

Ducati Multistrada V4 RS

If there's a performance feature available on a current production motorcycle that's not included on the Multistrada V4 RS, I can't immediately think of what it is. In addition to the 180-horsepower Desmosedici Stradale V-four engine in the aluminum monocoque frame, the Multistrada gets the full array of features, not the least of which is the Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 suspension, which not only allows the rider to adjust preload, rebound, and compression damping electronically, but also automatically self-adjusts based on the rider's riding style, Ducati says. Independent of the ride mode selected, the rider can choose from four suspension modes: Track, Dynamic, Touring, and Low Grip.

The five available riding modes are Race, Sport, Urban, Touring, and Wet. They adjust four levels of power, traction control, wheelie control, engine braking, and what Ducati calls Ducati Vehicle Observer, a system developed in MotoGP that draws on sensor inputs to estimate forces acting on the motorcycle, "simulating the input of 70 sensors" to adjust the cornering ABS and wheelie control.

close view of the tightly packaged V-four engine in the Multistrada — The Desmosedici Stradale V-four engine is rated at 180 horsepower in the Multistrada V4 RS. It still has the Ducati dry clutch. Valve adjustment intervals are 18,000 miles. Ducati photo.

Front and rear radar units enable adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection, and forward collision warnings. There's also a bidirectional quickshifter, naturally.

front view of the Multistrada showing carbon fiber beak under the headlight — Carbon fiber pieces, including the front beak, are part of the weight-saving measures on the Multistrada V4 RS. Ducati photo.

The aluminum monocoque frame on the RS is different from the one on other Multistradas, and is intended to match the slightly sportier ergonomics. The handlebar is lower and narrower and footpegs a bit higher and further back for even more cornering clearance. Finally, the Brembo brakes are electronically linked front and rear.

Ducati says both the Multistrada V4 RS and Diavel V4 RS will be produced in a limited and numbered series, though a specific number of units is not mentioned.

black and red Diavel V4 RS parked in a hangar — People argue over what the Diavel is. A sport bike? A cruiser? Ducati called this one a "muscle roadster." Maybe we can all just agree it's burly. Ducati photo.

Ducati Diavel V4 RS

Ducati says the new Diavel V4 RS is the fastest accelerating Ducati production bike off the line, going from a standstill to 60 mph in 2.43 seconds. Though it uses the same Desmosedici Stradale engine as the Multistrada, the Diavel is listed with two more horsepower and two more foot-pounds of torque. It's also rated at 14 horsepower more than the last Diavel V4 tested at Common Tread by former staffer Andy Greaser.

rider's view of the cockpit of the Diavel showing the TFT display — You can mirror the screen of your smartphone on the 6.5-inch TFT display and there's a compartment for your phone that is ventilated, to keep your device from overheating from use for navigation or from charging. Ducati photo.

That record-setting zero-to-60 time is partially enabled by something called Ducati Power Launch strategy. The rider can set the launch control at three levels. With the clutch in, the system keeps engine speed at the optimal level for the launch, based on the setting chosen, and when the rider releases the clutch the system controls the torque to the rear wheel for maximum acceleration. Does this mean anyone can be an expert drag racer? I think I'll assign Dustin to hold the throttle open and dump the clutch and report back to me on how it works before I dare try it myself. The system records your best efforts from zero to 100 kph and from zero to 200 kph and stores them in its memory.

The Diavel gets four riding modes, Race, Sport, Touring, and Wet. They adjust the levels of power, traction control, wheelie control, and the quickshifter. Like the Multistrada, the Diavel deactivates the rear cylinder under certain conditions to keep from overheating the rider.

view of the large rear wheel and tire with single-sided swingarm — It wouldn't be a Diavel without a single-sided swingarm showing off a styled rear wheel, with a massive tire wrapped around it. Ducati photo.

The Diavel also gets some carbon fiber bits to reduce weight, including the single-seat tail section. If you want to take a passenger along, the rear section can be replaced with a pillion. That rear section is just one aspect of what really makes the Diavel stand out from everything else: its looks. From the air ducts to the broad-shouldered, forward-leaning stance, to that huge 240-section rear tire, it's a profile that's clearly recognizable.

	2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 RS	2026 Ducati Diavel V4 RS
Price (MSRP)	$39,995	$39,995
Engine	1,103 cc, liquid-cooled, 16-valve, 90-degree V-four	1,103 cc, liquid-cooled, 16-valve, 90-degree V-four
Transmission, final drive	Six-speed, chain	Six-speed, chain
Claimed horsepower	180 @ 12,250 rpm	182 @ 11,750 rpm
Claimed torque	87 foot-pounds @ 9,500 rpm	89 foot-pounds @ 9,500 rpm
Frame	Aluminum monocoque	Aluminum monocoque
Front suspension	Öhlins 48 mm fork, electronically adjustable for rebound and compression damping; 6.7 inches of travel	Öhlins 48 mm fork, adjustable for rebound and compression damping; 4.7 inches of travel
Rear suspension	Öhlins TTX shock, electronically adjustable for preload, rebound and compression damping; 6.7 inches of travel	Öhlins shock, adjustable for preload, rebound and compression damping; 5.7 inches of travel
Front brake	Dual Brembo Stylema monobloc four-piston calipers, 330 mm discs with cornering ABS	Dual Brembo Stylema monobloc four-piston calipers, 330 mm discs with cornering ABS
Rear brake	Brembo two-piston caliper, 280 mm disc with cornering ABS	Brembo two-piston caliper, 265 mm disc with cornering ABS
Rake, trail	25.7 degrees, 4.7 inches	26 degrees, 4.4 inches
Wheelbase	62.6 inches	63.1 inches
Seat height	Adjustable 33.1 to 33.9 inches	31.1 inches
Fuel capacity	5.8 gallons	5.3 gallons
Tires	Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV Corsa, 120/70ZR17 front, 190/55ZR17 rear	Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV, 120/70ZR17 front, 240/45ZR17 rear
Claimed weight	496 pounds (no fuel)	485 pounds (no fuel)
Available	December 2025	March 2026
Warranty	24 months	24 months
More info	ducati.com	ducati.com