The Multistrada V4 Rally is a gorgeous-looking motorcycle. But get close to it and you will see how big and intimidating it looks. The fascia hasn’t changed much in years and it continues to churn out that angry look. On the side, those large body panels – especially around the fuel tank, give out a massive road presence.

Then the combination of a tall windscreen, wide handlebar, large seat and a lot of mass around the engine area has made this Ducati look outstanding. In fact, these styling aspects make the Multistrada V4 Rally one of the best-looking motorcycles ever launched in India. Plus, when you add a pillion and all the luggage, the motorcycle looks quite big and that is how the transcontinental motorcycles are supposed to be.

The major highlight of this motorcycle is the 1158cc V4 engine which makes 170bhp of peak power at 10,750rpm. Moreover, the torque stands at 121Nm at 8750rpm. Now I have ridden plenty of adventure bikes in the past, but this is the first time I’m riding something so powerful and torquey.

This engine is phenomenal and it is punchy and churns out torque whenever you want and with that strong mid-range, you are looking at doing some illegal speeds in no time. Due to its extreme refinement and low NVH, this engine makes you believe that you can continue to increase the speed gently, and eventually, there will be a point when the speedometer will scare you. For aggressive riding, there’s a bi-directional quickshifter, which performs flawlessly, and with the right roads, the Multistrada V4 turns into an extreme sporty motorcycle. Even with such a high-performance engine, the folks at Ducati have done really good work with the heat management. However, the only time I could feel the heat was while I got stuck in really bad traffic at the hottest time of the day. Sadly, the bike stalled a few times due to it.

On the move, this Ducati hides its weight so well. The Multistrada is a large motorcycle, but when it is on the move – be it while riding slow speed or touring on the highway – the bike manages to impress you thoroughly. The motorcycle is super easy to handle – thanks to that commanding riding position and the wide handlebar. Plus, the large comfy seat and electronic suspension allow you to have a dynamic riding experience. But the main credit goes to that chassis, which has been developed to give the rider the best of all the worlds.

Is it a good idea to buy the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally? The answer is a big yes and it is an even bigger yes for someone who has a big bank balance. Yes, Rs 36 lakh is a lot of money but for that much, you are getting not just an adventure motorcycle. You are getting a bike that will show you what real comfort is when it comes to long-distance touring. You get a motorcycle that is equipped with one of the most powerful engines and along with that, you get electronics and rider aids which are usually seen in cars that cost over a crore in India.