What Did You Do On Your Multistrada Today? - Page 28 - Ducati.ms

Motozen · May 14th, 2011, 6:15 pm

Zion NP to the Burr Trail

DucButter · May 14th, 2011, 8:35 pm

California gold Country. Snow is finally starting to melt.

Sierra Buttes Highway 49

Karlg · May 14th, 2011, 8:42 pm

Apple orchards in bloom in Upstate, NY, with waterfalls running from all the rain.

idleidolidyll · May 14th, 2011, 11:40 pm

The Autumn rains stayed away this morning so I decided to go have a good hard thrash so I could get used to what the MTS1200S can do.

Normally I judge my corner speed by the amount of slide or wheelspin going in or coming out. I must say I'm finding that its quite a steep learning curve on this bike. The DTC, and ABS combo take away a lot of the clues I usually have and instead of riding by the throttle, I'm learning to judge my pace by how I think the computer will control the bike.

I find the bike is a little slow steering compared to my KTM 690 SMC (supermotard) as would be expected but I still haven't found it's upper end corner entry speed. I'm progressively pushing a little further into corners at pace faster each time but I'm not there yet.
Once in the corner though, DTC allows me to get hard on the power way earlier than I feel I can on other similar bikes. My KTM 950SM would have been wheelspinning around the corners given the same throttle I'd been using on the MTS and the DTS gives plenty of confidence to keep the bike leaned over while pouring on the power rather than gently feeding it in. The bike decides how much it can use without wheelspin or wheelstand and the exit speed is outstanding.
Yes, I've felt the rear wheel let go briefly many times now but every time DTC catches it before I do and I'm learning to trust it. I can also feel the bike pulling small wheelies out of corners as the handlebars go light but DTC keeps the wheel down and I cant get it to pull a high wheely on corner exit.

In the past I would go hard on a well known bit of road then adjust tyre pressures/suspension etc based on the amount of slide/wheelspin etc plus on the heat of the tyre and how feathered up it was just after I stopped. However, on the MTS there's way less feedback as the computer is taking over so much; I just cant get the tyre too feathered up. It's worn all the way across but not tortured like my KTM's would have given.

This is a super fast bike and traction control works very well in Sport mode. I've also switched to Urban in pouring rain which helps a lot. In Sport mode I've had one 'moment' when the wheel spun up on a wet shiny piece of road and it spun quite quickly until DTC caught it. It never felt dangerous but did make me realise that on shitty wet surfaces Sport mode is probably not the right choice if I want DTC to help out.

Gotta go for a ride with some of my fast friends so I can judge where this bike fits but with 1300km on the clock; I reckon it's an Alpha Male, a Pack Leader and it will take a very special rider on another special bike to lose me in its mirrors.

IBails · May 15th, 2011, 4:10 pm

Well had my first long distance two up ride yesterday. This was interesting as it allowed me to discover more about the bike. My partner felt the rear seat more comfy than the RT , but the higher position meant getting blown around more. Her feeling was the bike was more a nicer ride up the mountains and less nice on the higher speed straights, seem right to me !

I noticed that the bike was a bit undersprung in the rear, I didn't have the preload wound up fully and it wasn't a big enough issue to adjust as we weren't getting into it much. Did notice some flat spots in the fuelling both in touring and Sports mode, around 3500 RPM winding on out of corners the motor would be flat and then go, this was not DTC but just like the motor got two much air and not enough fuel.

All up the bike is very good two up, I enjoy the motor and power. Still sorting out handling, I think I'm going into corners at higher speed , bike gives me a sense that my entry speed is to low , compared to normal other bike feeling, and I find I'm having to adjust bike through the corner , I 'm sure I'll sort.

Bike scrapes pegs pretty easlily , this was a surprise the fisrt time it happened but I am getting used to it now , was scraping toes but I make sure I get them on the pegs now to ovoid road trying to push my boot off the peg.

I have standard suspension, have the rebound compression backed off a bit from standard, I usually do this to start , new shocks take a while to free up . Very happy with the overall feel . So far enjoying the bike , have a few more things to do, need exhaust , and tank bag the most , after that I'm ready for a good long trip in 10 days.

bwhip · May 21st, 2011, 12:19 am

Did a little off-roading today (sort of). The nice asphalt ended, and was replaced with pothole-filled, gravel covered, semi-pavement. And the Multi handled it quite well!

More on the blog: The Latebraker.com blog

IBails · May 21st, 2011, 12:35 am

Decided to adjust the chain. The bottom bolt was quite hard to remove, but having read the board I took care. Ran a tap through the bottom thread , going in from the top, this has fixed the fitting. Was pretty easy to adjust, but after a ride it seemed a little tight so I pulled it apart again an re did, ten minutes now I know how. I also adjusted my bars a little further foward, they feel suits me and I have better rear vision from my mirrors. Bike is starting to free up, can now cruise at 100 kph in sixth gear and the bike does not complain. Off for a long trip soon can't wait , this will get me into the bike and I suspect will allow me to work out what I need to do to get it as I want.

Torch11 · May 21st, 2011, 4:04 am

Picked up bike 8.00 am after 12000 oil change . The dealer was down loading latest computer update . Something to do with steering lock so got the update as well .went to make some enquiries about different rubber . My second set of STD scorpions are stepping like first set . I only do road riding so tyre dealer suggests diablo Rosso 11 or diablo rosso corsa . I think I need to try a new tyre as problems with even wear on STD tyres .why are these tyres so expensive ???

MTScott2 · May 21st, 2011, 6:48 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by IBails

Decided to adjust the chain. The bottom bolt was quite hard to remove, but having read the board I took care. Ran a tap through the bottom thread , going in from the top, this has fixed the fitting. Was pretty easy to adjust, but after a ride it seemed a little tight

What riding mode setting were you in when you adjusted it?
Manual says to be in a certain mode and weight setting...
I think it said urban with single rider???
Check it out...

IBails · May 21st, 2011, 8:03 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTScott2

What riding mode setting were you in when you adjusted it?
Manual says to be in a certain mode and weight setting...
I think it said urban with single rider???
Check it out...

Must fix my profile, I have the ABS with standard suspension. Adjusted on side stand to gauge. The chain will tighten with load and loosen when load is taken off, therefore adjustment with centre stand will cause a tight chain. Was quite aesy to do the second time round, fisrt time in 20 odd years I've adjusted a chain !