Written by Tim Huber.
Unlike the Hypermotard, MH900e, Supermono, and Sport Classic, Pierre Terblanche?s design for the original Ducati Multistrada received a less-than-positive reception from the motorcycling public upon its release. Routinely included (and ranking high) on lists of the ugliest motorcycles in modern history, the first-gen Multistrada was all kinds of awkward. Between the cyclops headlight, a windscreen and fairing top that turned with the forks, and a sporty 999-esque tail that just didn?t mesh well with the trailie-vibe, the Multistrada was largely regarded as a visual mess.

Underneath the ill-favored bodywork however, the Multistrada boasted a solid engine backed by a well-engineered frame and quality components ? the up-specced S model even more so. With top-shelf Brembo brakes and Ohlins suspension fore and aft, and a healthy 92hp on tap, the Multistrada 1000S DS is a competent performer that lends itself particularly well to customization. So when a customer approached Northern Italy?s Nico Dragoni Motociclette with the idea for a modern Ducati build, Giada and Nico, who run the operation, suggested starting with a 1000S.
?The client requested something that would perform well and not have too extreme of a riding position, but beyond that, he gave us carte blanche on the project,? Giada tells us. The duo started by completely stripping down the 2005 S DS donor to a rolling chassis. The stock subframe was lopped off and a new, shorter hooped unit w...