Ducati has lifted the covers on two very special additions to its line-up: the Diavel V4 RS and the Multistrada V4 RS. Both machines take already popular models and give them the full RS treatment, which in Ducati’s world means less weight, more performance, and a specification list that reads like a wish-book. Limited in numbers and dripping with exotic materials, these two new bikes are designed for riders who want something sharper, rarer, and very much at the top of the tree.
What links them is Ducati’s celebrated 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine – the same 65-degree unit used in the Panigale and Streetfighter. It’s a motor with MotoGP roots, and in RS form it is paired with a dry clutch, giving that distinctive Ducati rattle and a racing feel that enthusiasts love. Beyond the engine, each bike gets its own dedicated chassis and electronic upgrades, carefully tailored to its character and intended use.
The Diavel V4 RS is perhaps the more eye-catching of the two. Long, low and muscular, it looks every inch the dragster for the road. Ducati claims it is the fastest-accelerating production motorcycle it has ever built, quoting a blistering 0–100km/h time of just 2.52 seconds. That figure puts it ahead of most superbikes and even many supercars. The performance is helped by the bike’s stance and weight distribution, its 240-section rear tyre digging into the Tarmac, and a suite of electronics that include launch control to get the most from every standing start.
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With 182bhp on tap, it has the power to back up the looks, but Ducati hasn’t ignored handling. Forged alloy wheels cut unsprung mass, fully adjustable Öhlins suspension provides precise damping, and Panigale-spec Brembo brakes – complete with massive discs – supply track-worthy stopping power.
As with any RS model, there are weight-saving measures throughout. The Diavel drops around 3kg, thanks to carbon fibre components and a titanium exhaust end cap. Even the dashboard has been given special attention, with RS-specific animations and graphics to underline its exclusivity. This is a bike that’s been designed to turn every ride into an occasion, whether you’re blasting away from the lights or carving a favourite stretch of road.
If the Diavel RS is all about outright acceleration and attitude, the Multistrada V4 RS takes a different approach. The Multistrada has long been Ducati’s flagship for riders who want one machine to do it all – touring, commuting, sports riding, and even light off-road work. The RS version doesn’t abandon that versatility, but it does shift the balance firmly towards performance. Power is set at 180bhp, delivered with the same dry clutch and Akrapovič exhaust system as its sibling, giving both sound and character to match the punch.
One of the most notable technical changes is the titanium subframe – a world first on a production motorcycle. This not only saves weight, but also provides the strength needed to carry luggage or a pillion, keeping the bike’s practicality intact while improving its agility. The chassis is matched with semi-active Öhlins suspension that uses Ducati’s most advanced control strategies yet, able to adapt instantly to changing surfaces or riding styles. Whether you’re flowing through sweeping bends or tackling tight hairpins, the system is designed to keep the bike stable and the rider confident.
Ducati has also introduced its new Vehicle Observer system on the Multistrada RS. This simulates over 70 sensors, constantly reading rider inputs, road conditions, and the behaviour of the bike to fine-tune the electronics. Add in radar-based adaptive cruise control and blind spot detection, along with cornering ABS, traction control and wheelie control, and you have one of the most advanced safety and performance packages available on any production motorcycle.
Other upgrades include forged Marchesini wheels, a larger rear brake, carbon fibre handguards and beak, and a lightweight techno-polymer tail section. All of these changes combine to make the Multistrada V4 RS the sharpest and most focused Multistrada yet, while also trimming a couple of kilos compared with the already hi-spec Pikes Peak edition.
Ducati hasn’t overlooked the finishing touches either. Both RS models wear unique liveries and carry their own serial numbers, marking them out as part of a limited run. RS-branded keys, bespoke dashboard graphics, and an array of carbon fibre details reinforce the sense of exclusivity. For owners, these aren’t just upgrades – they’re reminders that they are riding something few others will ever own.
The RS philosophy is clear: Ducati already makes fast, capable motorcycles, but the RS versions take those platforms and refine them into something purer, rarer and more extreme. The Diavel V4 RS is the choice for riders who want explosive straight-line performance with cornering ability to match, while the Multistrada V4 RS is for those who want to cross countries at speed, enjoying superbike levels of performance without giving up comfort or practicality.
Prices have yet to be announced, but with both machines expected in dealerships before the end of the year, riders won’t have long to wait to see them in the metal. Ducati is positioning the RS line as the ultimate expression of passion for motorcycling, and with the specification, technology and exclusivity on offer, it’s easy to see why.
