More On Multistrada

MORE ON MULTISTRADA

David Edwards

"This is not an enduro turned into a streetbike, it’s a 916 turned into a more comfortable superbike." So said Ducati Director of Design Pierre Terblanche at the 2003 Multistrada’s U.S. press unveiling during Daytona Bike Week. Asked by a pesky reporter (me, actually) if, given the criticism aimed at the bike’s wonky multifaceted fairing, there would be any styling alterations before the bike hits showrooms next March, he leveled his eyes and curtly replied, “No!” Had he a dagger, I might be deceased. Later, Terblanche lightened up, explaining,

“I’d rather have my products talked about than ignored,” noting that some competing products (sorry, Japan Inc.) “pass all but unnoticed.” To be fair, last year’s Milan Show photos did the MS no favors, portraying it as tall and dirtbikespindly. In person, the bike looks much more squat and compact. It also looks > q^ better in red than in silver-though, of course, Ducati provided only silver shots in the press kit... About 25 percent of Multistrada production will be earmarked £ for the U.S. Final price has not been set, but we’re told it will be in the “range of ƒ ƒ the ST family,” which would put it someI J where north of $12,000. ■DavidEdwards 11 ‘m