Ducati Multistrada V2S 890 2026: Are 20,000 Euros Too Much? Our Honest Review

When list prices for a mid-size crossover approach or exceed 19,500 euros, expectations skyrocket immediately. The new Ducati Multistrada V2S 890 (2026) inherits heavy shoes to fill and steps onto the market with top-tier numbers: 115 horsepower, a 202 kg curb weight, semi-active suspension, and a prestige badge that appeals to many.
Yet, the question every enthusiast asks on social media and that drives Google Discovery searches is singular: does it make sense to spend this kind of money on a "baby" Multistrada, or is the price tag out of touch? We thrashed it for miles across every terrain to give you an unfiltered answer.
The Economic Impact: A Substantial Check
Walking into a dealership and configuring a V2S with a few accessories means nearly 20,000 flat euros leaving your bank account. At this price point in the crossover segment, the competition offers no discounts, featuring twin-cylinder and even triple-cylinder machines of larger displacement.
The deciding factor, however, does not lie in cubic centimeters, but in the engineering substance that Borgo Panigale poured into this project. We are not looking at a nicely dressed entry-level bike, but a motorcycle inheriting the refined electronics of its larger siblings. Still, the psychological impact of that price exists and must be placed squarely on the scale.
On the Road: High Performance, But No Miracles for Speed Freaks
As soon as you roll the wheels out of town, the V2S justifies a large share of its chassis pedigree. The 890 cc engine pulls with vigorous mid-range progression, and the semi-active management works surgically: it digests ruined asphalt and instantly stiffens when you decide to pick up the pace through twisties. Front-end entry precision is world-class, and the Brembo brakes inspire total confidence.
However, one must contend with the reality of numbers and price expectations. For nearly twenty thousand euros, the performance offered is high, but not earth-shattering. If the buyer's goal is the search for extreme performance, heart-stopping acceleration, or a disguised superbike top-end rush, the Multistrada V2S 890 is not the right tool. Its power delivery is exceptionally usable and round, tuned for balance and fast touring, not track duty or pure power exhaustion.
What They Don’t Tell You (Flaws Emphasized in Our Test)
Despite dynamic excellence, our endurance test brought to light rough edges that, on a bike at this price point, make one raise an eyebrow:
City Character: In urban traffic and at low revs, throttle response shows slight roughness (the classic on-off effect) and thermal management frequently triggers the cooling fans, overheating the swingarm area.
Stationary Maneuverability: With a supportive seat and dynamics-focused geometry, average-height riders must pay close attention during engine-off maneuvers or when parking on counter-slopes.
The Gap Between Price and "Brutality": Anyone spending maxi-bike money just to stay in a prestigious middleweight displacement expects fireworks that, due to power delivery choices, simply aren't here.
The Unfiltered Crazywheels.it Verdict
So, is the Ducati Multistrada V2S 890 worth all that money?
If you are looking for a budget bargain or maximum raw power for the lowest possible price, the answer is no. You are paying for exclusivity, ultra-refined chassis dynamics, and an electronics package among the best on the market. But if riding demands maximum balance, surgical precision, and refined riding pleasure—accepting that the horsepower on tap is built for the road, not the track—then the expense makes logical sense. For those seeking the extreme, alternatives exist elsewhere; for those seeking the perfection of dynamic balance, this is a razor-sharp scalpel.
