Ducati Multistrada V4 RS (2024+) Complete Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and service intervals for the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS — sourced from the owner’s manual, also referencing parts diagrams.
The Ducati Multistrada V4 RS is a high-spec sport bike in Multistrada format. Or, it’s a Multistrada with a race-spec engine. Either way, it’s a very unusual motorcycle!
In essence, the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS is a street-oriented Multistrada with a high-power Desmosedici Stradale motor, though slightly detuned for use in the Multi. The 1103cc liquid-cooled V4 makes peak power of 132 kW / 180 CV at 12250 rpm, with a redline of 13,500 rpm.
The rest of the Multistrada V4 RS is similar to the Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP, for example — dry clutch, and lightweight components.
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Service Intervals for the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS
Overall, the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS’ Desmosedici Stradale motor has minor oil service intervals of 9000 miles or 15000 km (which is different from other motorcycles with the same motor — it’s slightly wider).
Every service, change the oil and oil filter, and do a comprehensive check of the motorcycle (see the list below).
The Multi V4 RS’s motor, despite having the same architecture as the one of the Panigale V4, has a wider valve inspection interval of 30000 km or 18000 miles. It’s a middle ground between the Panigale and the Multistrada V4 with the Granturismo V4 engine. But bear in mind that the Multistrada V4 RS’s engine has desmodromic timing, which means there are 16 valves, each with both an opening and closing cam… so 32 measurements and potential adjustments to make.
So besides the standard Multistrada V4 having a valve service interval that’s twice as wide, its V4 Granturismo engine has spring return valves, which makes service easier. If you’re looking for a street bike, the Pikes Peak (which shares 17-inch rims) may make more sense.
Since the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS has a hydraulic clutch and brake, you may find it convenient to change brake and clutch fluid at the same time on both.
The coolant also needs to be replaced periodically.
The Ducati Multistrada V4 RS has high-spec active Öhlins suspension. Ducati recommends as part of the maintenance schedule that you replace the fork fluid 27000 miles or 45000 km.
Finally, keep the chain clean and lubricated.
What you need to service your Ducati Multistrada V4 RS
Ducati specifies fluids that aren’t easy to get online. Even dealers often give substitutes. But here’s what they recommend, plus some alternative suggestions.
| Part | Ducati Multistrada V4 S spec |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | Ducati recommends “Shell Advance DUCATI 15W-50 Fully Synthetic Oil”, or another oil that is the 15W-50, meets API standard SN, and/or JASO standard MA2. A common alternative is Mobil 1 15W-50 Full Synthetic. |
| Oil filter | The Desmosedici Stradale engine uses the same oil filter as many other high-end Ducatis, and you can use a HifloFiltro HF159 as an easy-to-obtain replacement. |
| Spark plugs | Standard spark plugs are NGK LMDR10A-JS (easiest to get from a dealer). |
| Brake fluid/ Clutch fluid | Ducati specifies using DOT 4, so use something high quality like Castrol DOT 4 full synthetic. |
| Front brake | The Multistrada V4 RS has Brembo Stylema calipers. You can also use EBC HH brake pads FA447HH. |
| Rear brake | You can also use EBC HH brake pads FA266HH. |
| Chain management | Ducati doesn’t specify a chain lube, so use something well-liked like Motul chain paste, or maybe clean it with a Motul chain care kit. |
| Coolant | The manual recommends ENI Agip Permanent Spezial antifreeze, or an equivalent. If you track the bike, many prefer Redline Water Wetter and distilled water. |
| Battery | Dead battery? If it hasn’t happened, it will happen. The replacement you need is a Yuasa YT7B-BS (12V – 6.5Ah Dry) (common to many Ducati motorcycles) |
Regular maintenance for the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS
This is maintenance that you can do yourself on your Multistrada V4 RS.
Ducati recommends that if you ride your motorcycle under harsh conditions (e.g. track), you service the motorcycle more often. But the below is a baseline.
Every 1000 km/600 miles OR 6 months (whichever comes earlier), perform the following maintenance on your Multi V4 RS:
| Multistrada V4 RS — Regular maintenance |
|---|
| Check engine oil level, top up if necessary (Mobil 1 15W-50) |
| Check brake fluid level, top up if necessary (Castrol DOT 4) |
| Check tyre pressure and wear, adjust if necessary |
| Check the drive chain tension and lubrication (lube with Motul chain paste) |
| Check brake pads and replace if necessary (FA447HH, FA266HH) |
Ducati Multistrada V4 RS Maintenance Schedule Table
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS.
The maintenance schedule below is in a different format from the manual to make it easier to digest. The standard annual service inspection items are separated out into another list below.
A few notes about maintaining a Ducati Multistrada V4 RS:
- The cams are chain-driven, which means no belts to replace. Hooray!
- Some items like brake/clutch fluid, coolant, and fork fluid, need to be replaced periodically (every 2, 3, or 4 years).
- Some of the below items can only be done by a Ducati mechanic (marked [D]) as they need Ducati diagnostic equipment or resources
The break-in maintenance is not shown, as that’s usually done by a dealer during the warranty period.
| mi x 1000 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | Every |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 15 | 30 | 45 | 60 | (months) |
| Annual maintenance checklist (see below) — Perform | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Change engine oil (Mobil 1 15W-50) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 24 |
| Change oil filter (HF159) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 24 |
| Check and/or adjust valve clearances | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Change spark plugs (LMDR10A-JS) | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Check and clean air filter | ✓ | ✓ | 24 | ||
| Change air filter | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Change brake and clutch fluid (Castrol DOT 4) | 24 | ||||
| Check the tightening of frame fasteners to engine, swinging arm and rear shock absorber | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Check the cush drive damper on rear sprocket | ✓ | ✓ | 24 | ||
| Change coolant (ENI Agip Permanent Spezial) | ✓ | ✓ | 48 | ||
| Replace the fastening screws of the clutch cover, clutch protection cover, generator cover, and oil sump | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Check clutch plate pack thickness | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Change front fork fluid (Shell Donax TA) | ✓ | ||||
| Replace clutch housing | ✓ |
Annual maintenance checklist
Below is the annual maintenance checklist for the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS. Perform it according to the schedule above.
| Ducati Multistrada V4 RS annual maintenance checklist |
|---|
| [D] Read the error memory with DDS 3.0 and check for technical updates and recall |
| Check brake and clutch fluid level Fluid level drops with wear of the brake and clutch. Top up with Castrol DOT 4 or similar |
| Check free play of rear brake lever |
| Lubricate the levers at the handlebar and pedal controls (Lithium soap-based grease) |
| Check the free movement of the side bags and top case tilting system |
| Check front and rear brake disc and pad wear. Change if necessary |
| Check the proper tightening of brake calliper bolts and front and rear brake disc screws |
| Check front and rear wheel nuts and rear sprocket night tightness |
| Check final drive chain tension and lubrication (Motul chain care kit) |
| Check chain, rear sprocket and sprocket wear, and check final drive stretch. Recommend replacing the final drive chain kit within 12000 miles / 20000 km. |
| Visually check the front fork and rear shock absorber seals |
| Check steering tube bearing play |
| Check front and rear wheel hub bearings play |
| Check the freedom of movement and tightening of the side stand |
| Check that all gaiters and flexible hoses in view (e.g. fuel, brake and clutch hoses, cooling system, bleeding, drainage, etc.) are not cracked, are properly sealing and positioned |
| Visually check the coolant level and sealing of the circuit |
| Check tyre pressure and wear (See below for standard tire pressures) |
| Check idling speed |
| Check electric fan operation |
| Check the battery charge level |
| Check the operation of all electric safety devices (side stand sensor, front and rear brake switches, engine kill switch, gear/neutral sensor) |
| Check lighting devices, turn indicators, horn and controls operation |
| [D] Reset the Service indication through the DDS |
| Final test and road test motorcycle, testing safety devices (e.g. ABS, DTC, ACC, BSD, VHC) |
| Softly clean the motorcycle |
| [D] Record the service coupon with service warning light turning off on the instrument panel using the DDS 3.0. If required, indicate that the service was performed in on-board documentation (Service Booklet) |
Ducati Multistrada V4 RS Chain Maintenance
If you ride your V4 RS in a “standard” way, then Ducati recommends cleaning and lubricating the chain every 1000 km / 600 miles or 6 months, or earlier if you ride in adverse conditions. But if you ride aggressively, e.g. at the track, then you’ll need to service it more often.
Ducati recommends Shell Advance chain lubricant, but you can use any high-spec chain lube, like Motul chain lubricant for example.
Ducati recommends checking the chain tension / clearance as part of the standard annual service. too. This is how you do so.
To check the chain slack on the Multistrada V4 RS, measure the distance between the chain and the sliding guard.
- Put the motorcycle on its side stand.
- Push the finger down with a finger and release it.
- Measure the distance between the centre of the chain pins and the lower chain sliding guard.
Target chain slack for the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS: 27-29 mm (1.06 – 1.14 inches)
If the chain slack is out of spec, you need to release the two pinch bolts at the rear on the eccentric hub, use an eccentric wrench to adjust the slack, and then tighten the pinch bolts again. This is a fairly standard procedure on the single-sided swing-arm Ducati Multistradas. The torque spec for the pinch bolts is typically 20 Nm / 14 lb-ft (e.g. on the Panigale).
Tire sizes and pressures for the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS
The manual says that the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS arrives shod with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tubeless tyres. Here are the tire sizes and recommended pressures.
| Wheel | Tire size | Tire pressure (cold) |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70-ZR17 | Road: 2.5 bar (34 psi) |
| Rear | 190/55-ZR17 | Minimum load: 2.5 bar (34 psi) Full load: 2.9 bar (42 psi) |
About the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS
The Ducati Multistrada V4 RS is a Panigale in Multistrada clothing, or a Multistrada with the engine of a Panigale… take your pick.
The Ducati Multistrada has, since the first 2003 model (the 1000DS), been a road and (more recently) off-road adventure sport motorcycle.
The earliest incarnations were purely road, though, designed to carve up the mountains in comfort and style. (Yes, style… age has been kind to Pierre Terblanche’s original model, I think.)
As the Multistrada grew in popularity, so too has it become more polyfaceted. Ducati released the liquid-cooled Multistrada 1200 S in 2010 for the 2011 model year, announcing it as “four bikes in one” at the flick of a switch thanks to its ride modes — a first for motorcycling.
Since then, there have been enduro versions of the Multistrada, too, designed to better take on the challenge of off-road travel. And Ducati also released the Ducati DesertX, based on the same platform as the Multistrada 950 / V2, but with an even more off-road configuration.
At the same time, Ducati has been making more road-focussed Multistradas. The most well-known of these is the Pikes Peak, a Ducati Multistrada designed to do hilly road races. It has high-end sport bike suspension and 17-inch rims front and rear. It’s already very well-loved.
But the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS is even more road-focused.
Like the Pikes Peak, it has 17-inch rims. But what distinguishes the V4 RS is its engine: it’s powered by the same Desmosedici Stradale motor as the Ducati Panigale V4 and Ducati Streetfighter V4. So it eschews the V4 Granturismo motor of the Multistrada V4 (and the Diavel V4), opting for a higher-revving, higher-power, and higher-maintenance engine.
The 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale motor in the Ducati Multistrada V4 makes 132 kW / 180 CV at 12250 rpm, revving out for another 1250 rpm after that. It’s not quite as much power as the Panigale V4, but more than the Multistrada V4 — it’s somewhere in the middle.
Interestingly, the maintenance intervals for the Multistrada V4 RS are between those of the Panigale V4 (and Streetfighter V4) and the Multistrada V4, despite it sharing an engine with the former.
| Item | Panigale V4 / Streetfighter V4 | Multistrada V4 RS | Multistrada V4 (others) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Desmosedici Stradale | Desmosedici Stradale | V4 Granturismo |
| Oil change interval | 7500 mi / 12000 km | 9000 mi / 15000 km | 9000 mi / 15000 km |
| Valve service interval | 15000 mi / 24000 km | 18000 mi / 30000 km | 36000 mi / 60000 km |
So, doesn’t seem so bad — service it twice as often as the Multi V4. But there’s more to it. The Desmo engine has desmodromic valve actuation, which means that the valves are closed mechanically via a camshaft (and rocker), not through a spring.
Aside from the engine and 17-inch wheels, there’s plenty of other stuff that makes the Multistrada V4 RS interesting.
Firstly, there’s more to it than just a chassis and an engine. Ducati intentionally changed the ergonomics on the V4 RS vs the conventional Multistrada V4, moving the footrest higher and further back, and giving it a lower, narrower, and less accentuated handlebar. The whole riding position is much sportier.
Secondly, there are components which are unique to the V4 RS, like the lightweight titanium rear subframe, and the dedicated graphics on the TFT display.
Aside from that, it’s packed with premium components.
It has Öhlins suspension with Smart EC 2.0, the same active suspension used in the Panigale V4 S and Streetfighter V4 S. The suspension has been tweaked for use in the V4 RS, adapted from how it was employed in the Pikes Peak.
The V4 RS also comes with Ducati’s radar-assisted adaptive cruise control system, just in case that will come in useful on track days!
Reference — Ducati Multistrada V4 RS Owner’s Manual Screenshots
The above info was sourced from the owner’s manual for the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS, also consulting parts fiches and other references.
See below for screenshots for reference.
You can download the manual for the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS from the Ducati website here.
