Two Ducatis open this week’s proceedings. One is the brand new Ducati Multistrada V2 journey bike, whereas the opposite is the final customized motorbike that the legendary XTR Pepo will construct on fee. We additionally function the brand new Mud Moto Hightail electrical filth bike and a extremely artistic customized Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 from India.
2025 Ducati Multistrada V2 Ducati has simply pulled the covers off the most recent iteration of their mid-sized journey touring bike—the 2025 Ducati Multistrada V2. The adjustments are delicate and quite a few, however the Borgo Panigale marque is making severe headway into dream-touring-bike territory.
First up is the sunshine massaging of the entrance finish to enhance aerodynamics—however the enhancements are for rider consolation moderately than velocity. The form of the adjustable windscreen has been improved, and cutouts within the aspect of the entrance fairing channel contemporary air to the rider’s legs. The headlights and daytime working mild are impressed by the latest-generation Panigale and Multistrada V4, and the beak has been barely shortened.
The Multistrada’s ergonomic upgrades actually catch our eye. A brand new monocoque aluminum body has been designed, utilizing the motor as a burdened member. At a mere 199 kg [439 lbs] dry for the bottom mannequin Multistrada V2, and 202 kg [445 lbs] for the upgraded Multistrada V2 S, it’s the lightest bike in its class.
The Multistrada V2’s working gear consists of 45 mm Marzocchi forks and a Sachs rear shock. Each are electronically adjustable with 170 mm of journey. The edges are aluminum numbers, with a 19” hoop up entrance and a 17” on the again.
Semi-active Ducati ‘Skyhook’ suspension has been added to the Multistrada V2 S, together with a intelligent system that lowers the bike down a couple of inches on the press of a button. This, together with totally different seat positions and thicknesses, means the bottom seat peak is simply 790 mm. The low weight and seat peak choices will go well with a variety of riders; now if solely different producers would comply with go well with.
Apparently, Ducati has lowered the engine capability from 937 cc to 890 cc, however energy has been elevated to 115 hp (over the earlier mannequin’s 113 hp). The brand new V2 additionally sports activities variable valve timing with a shorter first and second gear, with the valve timing serving to optimize efficiency, energy supply, and gas consumption.
In typical Ducati trend, there’s additionally a full suite of digital goodies that include the brand new Multistrada V2. This features a new dashboard design, 5 driving modes, and cruise management. The dashboard has a USB socket, and the taillight will flash beneath heavy braking. Cornering ABS, traction management, wheelie management, and engine brake management are all in there as properly.
Ducati is making nice strides in usability, approachability, and liveability (with 18,000-mile valve examine intervals). For those who’re out there for an journey touring bike, the Multistrada V2 is admittedly exhausting to stroll previous. [Ducati]
Ducati Monster by XTR Pepo Whereas this motorbike seems outrageously good, it serves as a cautionary story to its builder—the legendary XTR Pepo—about massive goals and unpaid payments. The bike has been 95% full since 2022, but it surely has remained that approach, because of Pepo’s buyer going darkish and leaving the Spanish builder in a precarious monetary place.
As an alternative of the bike languishing in his workshop although, Pepo has determined to indicate it off in its present state.
The bike initially began as a 1993 Ducati Monster 900, however there’s not a lot of the Monster left. The entrance forks had been swapped to a set from a Ducati 1098, whereas a contemporary set of OZ Piega cast aluminum wheels had been bolted on. The clip-on bars, fork clamps, and rear units are from S&P, and the Aviacompositi dashboard is protected by a customized windscreen.
In typical Pepo fashion, the bodywork is all carbon fiber and is supported by customized aluminum bracketry. Tremendous-twin endurance racers served as inspiration for the construct, therefore the extremely lithe fairing and seat. The carbon tank is modeled on a Ducati 749R and the seat is perched on a modified subframe.
The totally adjustable rear shock is from YSS and the rear wheel hugger is a carbon XTR Pepo merchandise. The brake setup options Discacciati rotors and a rear Brembo disc—however that’s all there’s because the consumer ghosted Pepo earlier than his grand plans for the entrance brakes could possibly be realized.
The engine obtained an intensive clear after it was dismantled, and the internals had been blueprinted. The heads had been ported and the engine was reassembled with high-compression pistons, a light-weight flywheel, and a slip-assist clutch.
A Silent Hektik ignition system was put in, together with Okay&N pod filters throwing air and gas down a pair of 41 mm Keihin FCR flatslide carburetors. Sizzling air exits by means of a Wolfman two-into-one exhaust, with a Spark megaphone muffler poking out the right-hand aspect of the customized stomach pan.
A race-inspired livery was laid down by Artenruta Portray, Pepo’s favourite paint store. Because it stands 95% full, Pepo has shaved nearly 41 kilos [90 pounds] off the load, whereas growing energy to 80 hp on the rear wheel. All indicators level to the bike being an absolute observe day weapon for the highway—if it ever will get completed.
Given the difficulties Pepo confronted all through the construct, he’s determined to place buyer commissions on an indefinite maintain. Studying between the strains, we hope meaning he’ll nonetheless construct bikes of his personal design to promote after the very fact. With Pepo’s observe report of constructing beautiful bikes, that might be an excellent comfort. [XTR Pepo | Images by Jose Martin]
Mud Moto Hightail Straight out of Bend, Oregon, USA comes the Mud Moto Hightail—a model new, all-electric filth bike constructed to tackle the likes of the Stark Varg. Mud Moto has set its sights on constructing an approachable, performance-oriented electrical filth bike, and the Hightail is their first try. And what an try it’s.
With a wheelbase and seat peak two inches shorter than the typical 250 cc motocrosser, the Mud Hightail’s compact design is the primary field an electrical filth bike ought to tick. The seat peak nonetheless towers at 890 mm, however that’s nonetheless quite a bit decrease than the typical filth bike. Mitigating the tall seat peak is the sub-100-kilogram [220-pound] weight, which is over 18 kg [40 lbs] lighter than the Stark Varg.
The design is on development with the present crop of electrical bikes. However what we particularly love, is how Mud has retained all of the design components that make a dust bike a dust bike.
The excessive entrance fender bleeds into fashionable, angular bodywork that makes it look far more like a standard motorbike than an e-bike. A 21” entrance wheel is paired with an 18” rear, and the entrance and rear suspension programs each function compression and rebound adjusters.
The 4.4 kWh battery has sufficient juice for round two hours of exhausting driving (or about 35 miles), whereas the electrical drivetrain pumps out 42 hp and 60 Nm of torque. Utilizing an 11:1 discount, the motor converts that 60 Nm determine to a claimed mind-bending 660 Nm restrict on the rear wheel, which is greater than most vehicles.
There are 4 totally different journey modes accessible, that are displayed (together with velocity, battery proportion, and estimated journey time) on the small display in entrance of the seat. To chop down on trackside charging, the battery is swappable and might be modified out in beneath a minute—quicker than fumbling round with a jerry can.
Made within the USA and priced at $10,950 it’s not precisely an inexpensive train—however there’s no approach a petroleum filth bike might match the Mud Hightail’s low working prices. Then there’s the additional advantage of with the ability to rise up to shenanigans with out alerting the neighbors. In spite of everything, who can put a value on enjoyable? [Dust Moto]
Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 by TNT Bikes This brushed aluminum creation is the most recent launch from Naveen Nandal and the crew at TNT Bikes. Commissioned by Royal Enfield themselves, it’s an essay on transformation. The entire undertaking time included over 500 hours of meticulous design, 3D modeling, and closing fabrication.
Beginning with a factory-fresh Royal Enfield Shotgun 650, the TNT crew stripped the bike down, discarding the forks, bodywork, rear subframe, and swingarm. Up entrance is a set of girder-style forks that retain the manufacturing facility headlight and nacelle, which sit above a home made aluminum entrance guard and a beefy 150-section tire.
Impressed by the Continental GT café racer, the customized aluminum gas tank options hand-crafted ‘wings’ that tie in with the fork legs. Behind it’s a CNC-milled seat pan (produced from aircraft-grade aluminum) that’s house to a customized leather-based seat and an built-in brake mild.
The bike’s pièce de résistance is the single-sided swingarm and customized rear suspension, which had been additionally CNC-machined from aluminum. The chunky swingarm carries a large 240-section rear tire, whereas the waspish rear finish floats over it.
The double-rocker rear suspension system was hand-made from hardened metal, with the distinctive setup positioning the rear shock longitudinally throughout the body. Not solely is it visually putting, but it surely’s a stunning little bit of useful design too. The engine is generally inventory; air is sucked in by means of Okay&N pod filters with a customized chrome steel exhaust enhancing each efficiency and sound.
The Shotgun 650’s aesthetic is as putting as its engineering. The combination of uncooked aluminum, matte teal-green, and black paint is daring, but delicate.
Naveen describes the bike as a tribute to Royal Enfield’s legacy, mixing custom with fashionable innovation. The customized touches, just like the aluminum bash plate and the reimagined dashboard, embody this philosophy properly. He’s nicknamed it ‘Parivartan,’ which is Hindi for ‘transformation.’
It’s a becoming title for a exceptional creation that celebrates Royal Enfield’s evolution. [Source]
