This is the 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200, a motorcycle that Ducati touts as being 4 bikes in 1 (Touring, Sport, Urban and Enduro). So far, people seem to be pretty big fans of it. According to Andrea Forni, Ducati's technical director, the most exciting thing about the bike isn't its speed, look or even its switchable electronic suspension -- it's the sound the engine makes.
"We spent a lot of time on getting the sound right. We also worked with a firm of consultants who use special software for sound design, to model shapes of silencers," Forni said. "I researched the harmonics of violins and other instruments for the first time and it turns out that the most pleasing sounds for people to hear are low-frequency notes. We are lucky because Ducati engines have always made lots of sounds like this.”
Click here to listen to the Multistrada in action. If it sounds to you like Ducati is encroaching on Harley-Davidson's signature sound, you're not alone. In fact, Harley actually tried to trademark the distinctive "chug" of its engines back in 1994. After litigating for six years straight, Harley was never able to get the trademark. As a result, we get to experience the aural awesomeness across several manufacturers -- including Ducati.
