Two tall and heavy tourers with superbike engines go head to head.
Published on Jul 20, 2025 01:00:00 PM
9,642 Views
Follow usIn this week’s oddball specification comparison, we have pitted the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS against the BMW M 1000 XR - a battle of two tall, comfortable all-round machines with engines derived from their respective superbike counterparts.
| Engine and output | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ducati Multistrada V4 RS | BMW M 1000 XR | |
| Engine | 1,103cc, V4, liquid-cooled | 999cc, inline-four, liquid-cooled |
| Power | 180hp at 12,250rpm | 201hp at 12,750rpm |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 800hp per tonne | 901.34hp per tonne |
| Torque | 118Nm at 9,500rpm | 113Nm at 11,000rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 6-speed |
The Multistrada V4 RS is the only model in Ducati’s adventure bike lineup to use the Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine, same as the one in the Panigale and Streetfighter models. Similarly, the M 1000 XR uses an engine borrowed from the S 1000 RR and both of these bikes are hilariously powerful for the category of machine they find themselves in.
In keeping with their engine layouts, the character of each bike’s power delivery will be distinct. From the table above it is plain to see the Ducati V4’s larger torque figure also arrives earlier in the rev band, while the straight four motor on the Beemer is a little more peaky in comparison. While the Ducati may be making ‘only’ 180hp in standard form, optioning the titanium full-system Akrapovic exhaust from the vast Ducati accessories catalogue frees up a few more ponies.
The bikes will also have very different exhaust notes with the M XR having a typical high-pitched wail - a defining characteristic of a straight four motor - while the Multistrada V4 RS has a typically grumbly and rough note at lower revs which crescendoes to a yowling scream in the upper echelons of the rev band.
| Weight and dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ducati Multistrada V4 RS | BMW M 1000 XR | |
| Kerb weight | 225kg (wet, without fuel) | 223kg |
| Seat height | 840-860mm | 850mm |
| Ground clearance | NA | NA |
| Fuel tank capacity | 22 litres | 20 litres |
| Wheelbase | 1592mm | 1548mm |
With tall seats, long wheelbases and 220+ kilo kerb weights, neither bike is going to be as sharp and poised as a superbike or even a supernaked. While the weight figure seems to be quite similar, the Multistrada V4 RS will quite likely weigh in excess of 240 kilos once its 22 litre fuel tank is brimmed, although we don’t have an exact number for it. Ground clearance figures too remain unspecified but considering both of these are tall machines, it shouldn’t be a point of contention.
| Suspension, tyres and brakes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ducati Multistrada V4 RS | BMW M 1000 XR | |
| Suspension (F/R) | USD fork / Monoshock | USD fork / Monoshock |
| Tyres (F/R) | 120/70-ZR17 / 190/55-ZR17 | 120/70-ZR17 / 200/55-ZR17 |
| Brakes (F/R) | 330mm dual discs / 265mm disc | 320mm dual discs / 220mm disc |
Not just their engines, these bikes also utilise top-spec hardware in terms of their cycle parts. The Ducati Multistrada V4 RS uses Ohlins semi-active electronically adjustable suspension at both ends and stopping duties are handled by Brembo Stylema calipers mated to huge brake discs. Pirelli supplies the sticky Diablo Rosso 4 Corsa rubber which is wrapped around forged Marchesini wheels - all of this wouldn’t look out of place on a flagship superbike.
Similarly, the BMW M 1000 XR too uses top-shelf hardware with fully-adjustable electronically-controlled suspension and monobloc brakes, both very closely related to the S 1000 RR. While it comes standard with forged aluminium rims, the M Competition accessory package gives you carbon fibre wheels, in addition to a lot more. Clearly, these bikes have the go to match their show.
In addition to the usual laundry list of electronic rider aids such as riding modes, traction control, cruise control and the like, these bikes have a whiff of exclusivity about them. The M 1000 XR can be had with bodywork that’s almost entirely made of carbon fibre, it uses special billet parts and even the graphics on the TFT display are M-themed.
Similarly, the Multistrada V4 RS is a numbered model that comes with a titanium subframe and multiple carbon fibre parts and forged aluminium rims as standard. It is also one of only four existing Ducati models to still employ a single-sided swingarm, if that look is something that’s important to you.
| Price | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ducati Multistrada V4 RS | BMW M 1000 XR | |
| Price (ex-showroom, India) | Rs 40.67 lakh | Rs 45.50 lakh |
With a price tag of over Rs 40 lakh each, these bikes are extravagant luxuries that can provide mind-warping thrills and speed to their lucky few owners. While practical considerations are thrown out of the window, one point that stands out to this author is that this is perhaps the only comparison between an equivalent BMW and Ducati model where the Italian brand’s offering is actually more affordable than the German one.
Also See: Harley-Davidson Street Glide vs rivals: price and specifications compared
Honda Gold Wing vs BMW K 1600 GTL: price and specifications compared
Copyright (c) Autocar India. All rights reserved.