KELLY BLACK gets dazzled by Ducati brilliance when the bikes are revealed in Australia…
Ducati has revealed its latest offerings for 2024 – the Hypermotard 698 Mono, Multistrada V4 S Grand Tour & V4 RS, and the DesertX Rally.
The company hosted events in various state capitals recently to showcase the new models to the media, dealers, customers and Ducati aficionados.
Australian Road Rider attended the Sydney event, which was a true Ducati experience, with the room bathed in iconic Ducati red, and a multitude of motorcycles for Ducatisti’s (and the rest of us) to drool over…or maybe that was just me.
Cloaked in black, we had to practice patience as the four new offerings sat in darkness, with just the LED lights illuminated from under the coverings, teasing us as to what was waiting underneath.
Unveiled one by one, the spotlight shifted from bike to bike, with each reveal accompanied by a captivating video to immerse us further into the world of the Italian brand. Watching the DesertX Rally traverse the Atlas Gorges, as the bike sat gleaming in front of you, was enough to make any road rider instantly convert into a hardcore off-road adventure seeker.
Attendees had the opportunity to sit on not just the four new models, but an array of Ducati’s iconic lineup, and the chance to get up and close and personal with the craftsmanship and attention to detail of each machine.
Riding is about feeling the wind in your face, navigating twists, and embracing the freedom of the open road as you leave your life in the dust for a short while. So, whilst features like ventilated smartphone compartments, adaptive cruise control, and hands-free fuel caps are not essential to the essence of the riding experience, even the most hardened riding luddite would soften at the sight of Ducati Cornering Lights, electronic Skyhook Suspension, heated seats, and six customisable riding modes.
All four bikes offered something for everyone, and the ability for riders to customise their experience according to their own preferences and priorities, but for me the Multistrada V4 S Grand Tour stood out as a personal favourite, and I left ready to sell a kidney to finance one.
Multistrada V4 RS ($55,800 ride away)
Multistrada V4 S Grand Tour ($45,200 ride away)
Ducati DesertX Rally ($26,200 ride away)
Hypermotard 698 Mono ($22,800 ride away)
