Ducati has revealed a new addition to its ever-popular adventure bike lineup, the Multistrada 950. The bike, which was unveiled at Milan’s EICMA show, has been released in an effort to provide riders with a more accessible and affordable version of the Multistrada, and Ducati CEO, Claudio Domenicali, described the new machine as the company’s “swiss army knife”.
He went on to add that the Multistrada 950 is “made for those who seek comfort and style and want superior performance without feeling intimidated”. 
Powered by the same 937cc Testastretta 11 degree L-twin engine that can be found in the company’s Hypermotard 939, the Multistrada 950 will become the smallest of Ducati’s adventure bike offerings, behind the Multistrada 1200, and the 1200 Enduro.
The engine will pump out 113hp and 70.9lb/ft of torque, and it’s mated to a six-speed transmission with a cable-actuated assist-and-slipper clutch. Like its bigger brothers, the 950 is chain driven, and it will feature the Ducati Safety Pack, so you can expect ABS, Ducati Traction Control and four riding modes in the form of Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro.
Visually, the bike looks very much like scaled down hybrid of the 1200 and the 1200 Enduro, with the headlights, screen, beak and fairing coming from the standard 1200, and the narrower mid-section and rear end, grab rail, exhaust, double-sided swingarm and wheel sizes being taken from the 1200 Enduro. Domenicali commented that the 950 “perfectly blends the design of the Multistrada 1200 and that of the Multistrada 1200 Enduro”.
While the 1200 and 1200 Enduro are some of the most technologically advanced adventure bikes on the market, the more accessible 950 foregoes some of these technologies and riding aids that are found in the larger models. DVT, DSS, Ducati Wheelie Control and cornering ABS are all absent from the 950’s spec sheet.
A pair of Bremo M4.32 radially-mounted monoblocs and 320mm discs will handle the braking, and as standard the 950 will come with Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tyres. When it comes to suspension, the bike offers a fully-adjustable KYB 48mm upside down fork at the front, while a fully adjustable Sachs monoshock is used in the rear.
The bike retains the same 20-litre fuel tank as found in the Multistrada 1200, and when filled to the brim it’ll weigh in at 226kg (as opposed to the 1200’s 232kg). Standard seat height is 33.1 inches, but low (32.3 inches) and high (33.9 inches) options are available. Under the seat you’ll find a USB socket for charging devices, and a handy storage compartment.
In keeping with Ducati’s premium image, the 950 will have an LCD dash, while a 19 inch front wheel has been included to hint at dual purpose use.
When it comes to personalisation, there are a number of accessory packs available: the Touring Pack will set the bike up for long-distance summer tours with panniers and a centre stand; the Sport pack sees the inclusion of a Ducati Performance Termignoni exhaust, billet aluminium frame plugs and front brake fluid master cylinder cover; with the Urban pack you’ll get a top box with tank lock and a USB charging hub; and the Enduro adds LED lights and a number of Touratech add-ons (engine guards, radiator guard, larger kick stand pad, bash plate and off-road foot pegs).
How much will all of this cost you? The standard bike will cost £10,995 in red (£11,195 in white), while it’s expected that the Touring version will be around the £12,295 mark.
Updated (31/7/17): The bike has now been available for a few months and we’ve been lucky enough to get our hands on it, so check out five things we love about the Ducati Multistrada 950 here
