Ducati Multistrada 1260 and 1260 S (2018-2020, including Pikes Peak, D-Air, Grand Tour, Enduro) Maintenance Schedule
The Ducati Multistrada 1260 maintenance schedule and service intervals — sourced from the owner’s manual.
This maintenance schedule is for all models of the Ducati Multistrada 1260 released in 2018, including the variants with different trim levels.
All variants of the Multistrada 1260 use the same basic motor — a 1262cc DVT liquid-cooled 4 valve per cylinder dual spark L twin. In base trim it makes 83 kW (113 hp) at 9000 rpm, and 96 Nm (71 ft-lb) at 7750 rpm. The Enduro uses the motor from the last gen Multistrada.
Here are the basic different trims of the Ducati Multistrada 1260. They vary in engine, suspension, brakes, electronics, and a few aesthetic features like carbon fibre panelling.
| Part | Base 1260 | 1260 S | 1260 D-Air | 1260 Pikes Peak | 1260 Enduro (2019+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fork | 48mm | Sachs Skyhook | Sachs Skyhook | Öhlins | Sachs Skyhook |
| Rear shock | Sachs | Sachs Skyhook | Sachs Skyhook | Öhlins TTX36 | Sachs Skyhook |
| Brakes | 320mm discs, Brembo M4.32 | 330mm discs, Brembo Evo M50 | 330mm discs, Brembo Evo M50 | 330mm discs, Brembo Evo M50 | 320mm discs, Brembo M4.32 |
| Display | LCD | TFT | TFT | TFT | TFT |
| Wheel size | 120/70-17 190/55-17 | 120/70-17 190/55-17 | 120/70-17 190/55-17 | 120/70-17 190/55-17 | 120/70-19 170/60-17 |
| Wheel type | 5-spoke Y-shape cast light alloy | 5-spoke Y-shape cast light alloy | 5-spoke Y-shape cast light alloy | 3-spoke W-shape forged light alloy | Tubeless spoked wheel light alloy |
| Electronics | RbW, IMU, Cruise | RbW, IMU, Cruise, Multimedia, Bluetooth | RbW, IMU, Cruise, Multimedia, Bluetooth, D|Air ready | RbW, IMU, Cruise, Multimedia, Bluetooth | RbW, IMU, Cruise, Multimedia, Bluetooth |
The Multistrada 1260 uses the same motor found in the Ducati Diavel 1260, as well as the XDiavel, which had been using it for a couple of years already.
Note that the Multistrada 1260 Enduro was released a year the other models.
The Multistrada 1260 still uses timing belts. This was replaced with a timing chain in the 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 and V4S, which was a huge upgrade.
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What you need to service the Ducati Multistrada 1260
If you’re servicing your Multistrada 1260, you need the following consumables, per the manual.
Items are largely the same across the Multistrada 1260 line. The part that’s different depends on your brakes — most of the upper-spec models have M50 calipers, but the base model has M4.32 calipers up front.
| Component | Ducati Multistrada 1260 spec |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | Ducati recommends Shell Advance 4T Ultra 15W-50 engine oil, or another full synthetic JASO MA2 engine oil that meets API SN and JASO MA2 as well, e.g. Motul 7100 15W-50. |
| Oil filter | The standard part is 44440038A, same as for many Ducatis. You can also use a Hiflofiltro HF153RC. |
| Spark plugs | The standard spark plug is a NGK MAR9A-J. |
| Timing belts | Don’t forget to change the timing belt! The part number is 73740342A. |
| Air filter | The standard air filter is a 42610341B. You can also use a DU-1112. |
| Coolant | Use ENI Agip Permanent Spezial antifreeze or an equivalent. |
| Brake fluid | Use DOT 4 brake fluid, e.g. Castrol DOT 4 full synthetic. |
| Brake pads | Front brake pads: * Use FA630HH for the base and Touring model (320mm rotors/M4.32 calipers) * Use FA447HH for all S models with 330mm rotors and M50 calipers. Rear brake pads: FA209/2HH for them all. |
| Fork oil | Ducati recommends Shell Donax TA fork oil, a 1 L bottle will cover you. |
| Chain | Keep the chain on the Diavel lubed and cleaned with a Motul chain care kit. |
Regular maintenance for the Ducati Multistrada 1260
This is maintenance that you can do yourself (though the manual says you need a dealer to do it).
Do this maintenance more often if you use the Multi under extreme conditions — e.g. very damp and muddy roads or a dusty and dry environment, especially considering the chain, brakes, and air filter.
Every 1 000 km / 600 miles OR 6 months (whichever comes earlier), perform the following maintenance:
| Regular maintenance — Ducati Multistrada 1260 |
|---|
| Check engine oil level (Motul 7100 15W-50) |
| Check brake fluid level (Castrol DOT 4) |
| Check tyre pressure and wear |
| Check the drive chain tension and lubrication (Motul chain care kit) |
| Check brake pads, replace if necessary. |
Ducati Multistrada 1260 Maintenance Schedule Table
The following is the list of maintenance operations and to be done on this motorcycle with a distance or time interval — whichever comes earlier.
This maintenance schedule is in the same format as in the manual, though altered to fit this screen.
The basic maintenance intervals of the Multistrada are oil changes / general inspections every 15000 km (9000 mi), with a valve service and spark plug change every two of those (30000 km / 18000 miles).
Notes:
- In case of off-road use, it is necessary to perform the maintenance operations more frequently than scheduled.
- Items marked [D] may need specialist equipment by a dealer.
- Keep following the schedule in the pattern shown.
| Km. x 1000 | 15 | 30 | 45 | 60 | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mi x 1000 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | (months) |
| [D] Reading of the error memory with DDS 2 and check of software version update on control units | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Check the presence of any technical updates and recall campaigns | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Change engine oil and filter (Motul 7100 15W-50, HF153RC) | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Clean the engine oil mesh filter assembly | – | ||||
| Check and/or adjust valve clearance | • | • | – | ||
| Change timing belts (73740342A) | • | • | 60 | ||
| Change spark plugs (MAR9A-J) | • | • | – | ||
| Clean plugs with metal mesh filters on heads | • | – | |||
| Clean air filter | • | • | – | ||
| Change air filter (DU-1112) | • | • | – | ||
| Check brake and clutch fluid level | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Change brake and clutch fluid (Castrol DOT 4) | 36 | ||||
| Check brake disc and pad wear. Change, if necessary | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Check the proper tightening of brake calliper bolts and brake disc flange screws | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Check front and rear wheel nuts tightening | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Check frame-to-engine fasteners tightening | • | • | • | • | – |
| Check wheel hub bearings | • | • | – | ||
| Check and lubricate the rear wheel shaft | • | • | – | ||
| Check the cush drive damper on rear sprocket | • | • | – | ||
| Check the proper tightening of final drive front and rear sprocket nuts | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Check final drive (chain, front and rear sprocket) and sliding shoe wear | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Check final drive chain tension and lubrication (Motul chain paste) | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Check steering bearings and lubricate, if necessary | • | • | – | ||
| Change front fork fluid (Shell Donax TA) | • | • | – | ||
| Visually check the front fork and rear shock absorber seals | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Check the freedom of movement and tightening of the side and central stand (if any) | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Visually check the fuel lines | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Check rubbing points, clearance, freedom of movement and positioning of hoses and electric wiring in view | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Lubricate the levers at the handlebar and pedal controls | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Change coolant | • | 48 | |||
| Visually check the coolant level and sealing of the circuit | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Check tyre pressure and wear | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Check the battery charge level | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Check the operation of the safety electrical devices (side stand sensor, front and rear brake switches, engine kill switch, gear/neutral sensor) | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Check lighting, turn indicators, horn and controls | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| [D] Activate LED front lighting (if any) through DDS 2.0 | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| [D] Reset the Service indication through the DDS 2.0 | • | • | • | • | – |
| [D] Final test and road test of the motorcycle, testing safety devices (ex. ABS and DTC), Cruise Control device, electric fans and idling | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| Softly clean the motorcycle | • | • | • | • | 12 |
| [D] Fill out that the service was performed in on-board documentation | • | • | • | • | 12 |
About the Ducati Multistrada 1260
The Ducati Multistrada 1260 is an update from the earlier Multistrada 1200 DVT. It brings the higher capacity 1262 DVT engine from the Diavel.
Like every other Ducati Multistrada since 2003, the Ducati Multistrada 1260 is a sport touring motorcycle that is highly adept at both sport and touring.
Unlike the first Multistradas, however, the newest Multistradas (including the Multistrada 1260) come with a varying degree of off-road capability — particularly the Enduro models with their spoked rims.
Back to the motorcycle, the Multistrada 1260 is powered by a has a 1262cc 90-degree L twin engine with DVT, which is “Desmodromic Variable Timing”, i.e. variable valve timing to optimise for both low-end torque and high-end power.
The engine is a water-cooled, DOHC four valve per cylinder engine, as all high-end Ducatis have been since the 1200 (and superbikes before that).
The Multistrada 1260 isn’t just an engine, though. Even in base form, it comes with a comfortable riding position, fully adjustable high-spec suspension and brakes, and can be equipped with a number of packages depending on your flavour of adventure — urban to extreme.
All Ducati Multistrada 1260 models come with cruise control and an IMU, which give them lean-sensitive ABS and traction control.
The higher-spec versions (e.g. the Multistrada 1260 S) come with even more gear, including Ducati Skyhook suspension, adjustable riding modes, and bigger and better brakes.
Servicing the Ducati Multistrada 1260 means a full valve job every 18000 miles (30000 km), with other services halfway through. The valve job means removing the fairings and serving both opener and closer valve clearances for all eight valves — quite a job, and pretty time-consuming. As part of a full service, it gets a little expensive, but you can partly avoid that by going to local mechanics rather than Ducati specialists who can cost up to twice as much. Some enterprising home mechanics do a valve service at home.
Otherwise, you change the oils and other fluids regularly, and keep the chain lubricated of course, and servicing the Ducati Multistrada 1260 becomes like owning and maintaining most other bikes.
The Ducati Multistrada 1260 was largely retired and replaced by the Ducati Multistrada V4.
Ducati Multistrada 1260 Owner’s Manual
The above info was sourced from the owner’s manual for the Ducati Multistrada 1260.
You can download it from the Ducati website here.
