The Ducati Multistrada V4, the fourth-generation of one of the most successful vehicles in Ducati history, will be the first motorcycle to feature front and rear radar technology when it debuts November 4.
The new Multistrada will be unveiled in full in November.Photo courtesy of Ducati
The radar systems are designed to be capable of supporting a safe journey while making the driver feel more comfortable on the bike. The system has its roots in a collaboration with the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering of the Politecnico di Milano that began in 2016 seeing if a car-derived system would work for a vehicle with just two wheels. Then, the company moved to work in close cooperation with Bosch to assist in the development of a two-radar system that is coming to fruition in the V4.
Each radar has compact dimensions (70 x 60 x 28 mm, similar to a modern action camera) and integrates perfectly into the bike, weighing only 190 grams (four-tenths of a pound). They are positioned in front of the controls for the adaptive cruise control. The radar system has its deceleration and acceleration limited in order to ensure the rider can maintain constant control of the vehicle.
The rear radar detects and reports vehicles positioned in the motorcycle’s bind spot. The blind spot detection system also signals when vehicles are approaching from behind at high speed.
The radar system weighs less than 1 pound, total.Photo courtesy of Ducati
Also included with the generational redesign of the mode are a new, light, and compact engine that Ducati promises is designed to “meet the needs required for ‘adventouring’ use without neglecting emotion and sportiness”. The motorcycle will also have “record-braking maintenance intervals”. Details of the new engine will be revealed on October 15.
