Ducati Multistrada 1200: specifications, pros and cons, compatible accessories
The Multistrada that invented the category, and two families of codes that are not interchangeable
The 1,198 cc Testastretta in touring form, with four riding modes and the chassis that set the standard. For accessories, one date matters: 2015, when the arrival of variable DVT timing brought a new fuel tank and bodywork with it. Before and after, the codes are different.
- In summaryUsed touring bike: hand protection, tank grip, and more light.
- Do this right awayBarkbusters handguard kit, the right one for your model year.
- Attention2015 divides everything: handguards, decals, and protective films.
- For the milesKaoko mechanical cruise control, with no electronics.
- BrandsBarkbusters, Eazi-Grip, DENALI, Kaoko.
Who it's recommended for
It's the right bike if
- You're looking for a used maxi touring bike with real character: 150 horsepower and the Testastretta twin-cylinder engine
- You're interested in value for money: used, it's one of the best deals in the category
- You travel two-up with luggage, staying on asphalt and easy gravel roads
- You're willing to keep up with maintenance: it's a Ducati, and model years matter
- You know whether yours is from before or after 2015: almost all codes depend on that
Look elsewhere if
- You're looking for off-road capability: 17-inch wheels and a road-oriented setup; the DesertX is a different bike
- You want pannier racks or crash bars from us: they are not in the catalog for this model
- The maintenance costs of a large-displacement Ducati twin-cylinder engine weigh on you
- You're looking for recent electronics: this is a bike that went out of production in 2017
- Order without checking the year: the 2010-2014 handguard kit does not fit the DVT
In a nutshell: this is the Italian maxi touring bike to buy used, not configure new. If you want the same setup with more widely spaced maintenance intervals and an active accessories catalog, the Multistrada V4 is its successor; if you're looking for something lighter and less demanding, the Multistrada 950 serves the same purpose.
Technical specifications
| Engine | Testastretta 11° twin-cylinder, 1,198 cc; with variable DVT timing since 2015 |
|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp at 9,500 rpm |
| Torque | 124 Nm at 7,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed, chain final drive |
| Chassis | Steel trellis frame, semi-active suspension on S versions |
| Wheels | 17-inch front and rear |
| Fuel tank | 20 litres |
| Seat height | 825 mm, adjustable |
| Production | 2010-2017, replaced by the Multistrada 1260 |
Pros and cons
Pros
- One hundred and fifty horsepower with the character of the Testastretta
- Four riding modes and chassis dynamics that set the standard in the category
- Semi-active suspension on S versions
- Used prices are now attractive
- Dedicated handguard kits available for both generations
Cons
- Demanding maintenance, especially on the early model years
- No luggage frames or crash bars are listed for this model
- Large-displacement twin-cylinder fuel consumption
- 2015 splits the accessory codes into two families
- Discontinued since 2017: some parts are harder to find
What to fit, in order of priority
On a large touring bike, what you need is to protect your hands, keep your grip on the tank and see better at night.
- 1
Barkbusters handguard kit, from 2015Two-point mounting, the type that really protects in a fall. Also fits the Multistrada 950 and 1200 Enduro. The bar and shell are selected separately. - 2
Barkbusters handguard kit, 2010-2014The code for pre-DVT model years: the handlebar changes, so the mounting point changes. The two kits are not interchangeable. - 3
Tank traction stickers, from 2015The listed fitment for the 1200S, 1260 and 1260S: improves knee grip and protects the paint from jacket zippers. - 4
DENALI auxiliary light mounts, 2010-2014They attach to the bike's mounting points instead of using zip ties: no vibration and stable aim over time. - 5
Kaoko mechanical cruise controlA ring on the handlebar end that keeps the throttle in place, with no electronics or control units. It changes the day on motorway stretches. - 6
Instrument protection, 2010-2014Rigid film for the dashboard. For models from 2015 onward, there is a code shared with the 950 and 1260.
Compatibility table
2015 and the arrival of the DVT engine divide the catalog in two.
| Accessory | 1200, 2010-2014 | 1200 DVT, from 2015 onward | Other models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barkbusters handguard kit | dedicated code | dedicated code | 950 and 1200 Enduro |
| Anti-slip tank stickers | no | yes, 1200S | 1260 and 1260S |
| Instrument protection | 2010-2014 code | 2015-2021 code | 950 and 1260 |
| DENALI spotlight mounts | yes | no | no |
| Kaoko cruise control | yes, from 2010 | to be checked | no |
| Luggage racks and crash bars | not listed | not listed | no |
Brands with dedicated accessories
BarkbustersHandguardsTwo kits with two mounting points, one for 2010-2014 and one from 2015 onward, shared with the 950 and 1200 Enduro.
Eazi-GripGrip and filmsAnti-slip tank stickers for models from 2015 onward and instrument protection for both generations.
DENALILightingSpotlight mounts dedicated to 2010-2014 models, mounted on the mounting points.
KaokoCruise controlMechanical throttle stabilizer for the Multistrada 1200 and 1200 S from 2010.
Frequently asked questions
Which handguard kit do I need for my Multistrada 1200?
It depends on the year. For 2010-2014 models, there is a dedicated code; from 2015, with the arrival of the DVT engine, another is required, which also fits the Multistrada 950 and 1200 Enduro. The two are not interchangeable because the handlebar changed.
What changes between the 1200 and the 2015 1200 DVT?
The engine gains variable valve timing, but for accessories, the tank and bodywork, which have changed, matter most. For this reason, stickers, films, and instrument protection have different codes before and after that year.
Do you have luggage racks or crash bars?
No, they are not listed for the Multistrada 1200. We carry products for hand protection, tank grip, dashboard film, lighting, and cruise control.
Do the 1200S stickers fit the 1260?
Yes: that Eazi-Grip code is listed for the Multistrada 1200S from 2015, 1260, and 1260S. The same applies to the instrument protection, which is shared by the 950, 1200, and 1260 from 2015.
Does the Kaoko cruise control work without electronics?
Yes, it is purely mechanical: a ring on the handlebar end that locks the throttle in the selected position. It requires no control units or connections to the electrical system.