For motorcycle manufacturers, getting the sport-touring equation right can be an elusive affair.
There?s either too much sport, making long treks feel like endurance rallies. Or more commonly, the design favors touring comfort?at the cost of aggressive styling and performance.
If there is an optimal balance of sport meets touring, Ducati found it in the Multistrada 1260S. The bike is versatile, eye-catching, wrapped with loads of ride enhancing tech­?and with 158 horsepower, hauls some serious hiney.  
I discovered this testing a Multistrada for a week from New York City to Connecticut. The bike?s Italian name translates to ?many roads?. So from Tribeca to I-95 to twisty seaside roads, I took the bright red Ducati on as many paths as possible. 
The Bike | The heartbeat of the Multistrada 1260S is its 1262cc, twin-cylinder, electronically fuel injected Testastretta motor. The engine?s 158 ponies are complimented by 95 ft/lbs of torque.
At $20,995, the 1260S is one of seven Ducati Multistrada variants. There?s a smaller 950cc model ($13,995) the base 1260 ($18,695), most expensive Pikes Peak bike ($24,995) and two dirt friendly Enduro versions.   
For a couple grand extra the 1260S brings more comfort and performance tech than the standard Multistrada 1260. That comes first in Ducati?s digital Skyhook Suspension package, which allows riders to adjust damping on the fly, and for passengers specifically.
The 1260S also adds Ducati?s Quik/Shift (D...