Introduced in 2003, this Ducati nameplate was created as a versatile sport-touring adventure motorcycle intended to handle both paved roads and rougher terrain. Ducati has described the name as meaning “multi road,” reflecting the model’s original brief: a machine that could cover different kinds of riding without losing the brand’s sporty character. The first version, the 1000 DS, established the concept and launched what Ducati later described as a family that has evolved through multiple generations.
Over time, the model moved from its early air-cooled, twin-cylinder roots into a broader lineage that became one of Ducati’s most important modern families. A major turning point came with the Multistrada 1200, which Ducati highlighted as the model that introduced Riding Modes and the idea of a motorcycle that could change its character for different situations. That helped define the nameplate as more than a simple touring bike; it became Ducati’s flagship expression of long-distance versatility with a distinctly performance-oriented edge.
The range has continued to evolve rather than disappear, and Ducati currently treats it as an ongoing family rather than a discontinued model. Newer generations have expanded the concept into V2 and V4 variants, keeping the original purpose intact while modernizing the platform, electronics, and engine choices. Across its life, the nameplate has remained centered on the balance between sportiness, comfort, and all-road capability, making it a significant and enduring part of Ducati’s modern motorcycle history.