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Recognizing that owners of expensive Italian motorcycles weren’t responding well to the 600 mile first service interval on Ducati bikes, the OEM in 2007 launched a bid to further improve the brand ownership experience by aiming to reduce the frequency of needed service with its new models.

“Ducati Motor Holding has extended by 25 percent the maintenance service intervals giving us an opportunity to change the customer perception that our product is ‘high maintenance’,” Ducati wrote in a bulletin to dealer service managers in 2007 before promptly extending the service interval on its bikes to 7,500 miles.

Now, with an updated valve seat material in the new Testastretta 11° engine, the 2010 Multistrada 1200 goes 15,000 miles before the need for major engine service.

The 417-lb., 150hp Multistrada 1200 is scheduled to arrive in North American showrooms in April. The standard model (MSRP: $14,995) features optional ABS ($1,500). The flagship Multistrada 1200 S ($19,995) has ABS and Ducati Electronic Suspension by Öhlins as standard equipment. It also comes in ‘Sport’ edition, with specific components in carbon fiber; and in a ‘Touring' edition, with side luggage, heated grips and a center stand.

2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200