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Swingarm Multistrada 1260 on Multistrada 1200?

5K views 33 replies 10 participants last post by  TripleTreat64 
#1 ·
I'm seriously thinking to replace the swingarm of my Multistrada 2017 with the longer one of the Multistrada 2018: I really want to have a more stable bike. I've tried all the adjustments of supensions, I've tried Pirelli Scorpio and Angel GT: I got some improvements, but I would like to improve more. After all, this is why Ducati made this change.
Does anybody know if the 2 swingarms are compatible?
I have checked the part numbers of all the involved parts; for what I see it is possible: besides the swingarm itself, I'll need to change a few other minor parts but the hub is the same (which makes sense).
So, before actually buying it, I was wondering if I am the first one trying this :)
 
#2 ·
If they are compatible I bet you can find someone willing to swap to get a more responsive bike... both riders win.
 
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#3 ·
@EffeRed
If you are going to that expense (not to forget workload and headaches), trade the bike for a 1260.
My personal opinion having ridden both extensively and owning the latter: it's not a big difference in terms of geometry.
However, the Ohlins suspension makes a noticeable improvement but lighter wheels really make the bike as nimble or better than the 1200 with top-speed stability of the 1260 geometry as a bonus.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Not sure what if any instability exist (2016 PP) on my particular bike. Been on fast supertight stuff (Del Pueblo rd and Mt Hamilton CA), including seriously uneven surface roads, with last second hard braking (more like oh-shit moments than professional racer stuff), fast sweepers 100mph, 2 lanes highway 50 to Lake Tahoe, and even some dirt fire roads. Ride local twisties a lot (Virginia City Higway) and have not experienced any stability related problems. In fact my Multi have been very forgiving and confidence inspiring the whole time, about 7,000 miles so far. Feels like a motard on steroids (albeit a 480lb motard) that gobble up whatever come next...
Ps the full Ohlins were dialed in, over a full track day, by Dave Moss.

davemosstuning.com

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#5 ·
@DarR:
I am thinking of buying a 1260: the thing is, for me it's fun to do some work on my bike. What I don't like is to start such a task without knowing if it can work...
Anyway, good to know that you don't see a big difference between the 2 bikes in terms of geometry.
 
#7 ·
I've ridden all varieties of 1200+ multis and 'stability' differences are very subtle (except the Enduro). On the track it might be noticeable (change in turn-in) but riding on the road I couldn't really feel a difference - I'd bet lightweight wheels make a bigger change to the feeling of 'throwability' than the longer wheelbase does - but even so it'd be a fun swap to try (if it's even possible). I really like how the 1200 multi feels very nimble for it's size (and bought lightweight wheels to try to dial it up a bit more), but I could see folks having preferences in the other direction.

Ducati don't seem particularly worried about stability being an issue anyway because they've not added steering dampening.

Where they ARE different is the feel of the suspension... between non-S, Sachs, Ohlins.
 
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#8 ·
I really want to have a more stable bike. I've tried all the adjustments of supensions, I've tried Pirelli Scorpio and Angel GT: I got some improvements, but I would like to improve more. After all, this is why Ducati made this change.
Does anybody know if the 2 swingarms are compatible?
I have checked the part numbers of all the involved parts; for what I see it is possible: besides the swingarm itself, I'll need to change a few other minor parts but the hub is the same (which makes sense).
So, before actually buying it, I was wondering if I am the first one trying this :)
Yes, you're the first and probably the last. Huge hassle for marginal return. Unless you are an experienced suspension tuner with a whole day to test in a controlled environment (see Gorg's DM post), all those changes you made were loose guesswork.

Print out a worksheet with static and dynamic sag, get a couple friends to hold you upright and report back the numbers. How heavy are you? The MTS is undersprung for #200+ riders. I just had my forks rebuilt and that really exposed the rear's weakness.

If you've gone two years and 10K miles already, the forks need oil at least, and the rear shock could use a service depending on use. Hard use? Two years? Service time. Performance tails off so gradually riders neglect suspension maintenance.

Do a service, look around for some lighter wheels, and get your settings right for your weight plus gear. Forget the geometry, that's more for dedicated two-up stability re 1260. I've ridden both in different iterations.
 
#9 ·
@Team Gorgonzola:
I really wish I could say the same about my bike...
I have been riding bikes for 31 years, I did lots of crazy things with many bikes. When I read posts like yours I really don't know what to think, I should be able to do the same! I tried several options, I even focused on my riding style to be more neutral on the handle bar (I come from a racing bike, which allows to be more aggressive of course).
I don't doubt that you, as many others, can have a lot of fun with this bike. For some reasons it's not working for me, maybe my riding still is still not ok.
But maybe I'm not the only one with this issue, otherwise Ducati wouldn't bother to increase the pitch of 50mm. So, I'm gonna give it a try!
 
#19 ·
@Team Gorgonzola:

I really wish I could say the same about my bike...

I have been riding bikes for 31 years, I did lots of crazy things with many bikes. When I read posts like yours I really don't know what to think, I should be able to do the same! I tried several options, I even focused on my riding style to be more neutral on the handle bar (I come from a racing bike, which allows to be more aggressive of course).

I don't doubt that you, as many others, can have a lot of fun with this bike. For some reasons it's not working for me, maybe my riding still is still not ok.

But maybe I'm not the only one with this issue, otherwise Ducati wouldn't bother to increase the pitch of 50mm. So, I'm gonna give it a try!
Maybe the suspension/tire brand and pressure, combination does not work for you. Been riding 2 up with the wife and luggage. The front felt lighter and leave the ground under heavy handed acceleration, and in general the bike felt softer and less responsive, especially on twisties, yet, handling was solid and predictable. I ride angel GT f35/r32

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#10 ·
@TallOne:
Actually I already changed the springs with stiffer ones, but it's a good idea to do more detailed analysis of the bike and measure all the parameters: so far I trusted the shop who changed the springs, you never know...
 
#11 ·
did you feel like the stiffer springs cost you touring comfort. I'd like to go heavier but with Sachs I'd need to go to a single rate spring which I'm worried will cost me more in touring comfort than I'd gain in handling.

Unless someone knows of a spring mfgr doing heavier dual rate springs for sachs (I'd sort of given up on that)
 
#12 · (Edited)
I don't know how much longer the ~one~ swingarm is over the one on your bike. But you can extend your wheelbase rather easily by lowering the rear and raising the front. That will also increase your rake (relative to the road) and your trail. Both of which will increase stability.

One other thing to note; going with a longer swingarm will soften the rear end. there will be more leverage against the rear suspension which will create a softening effect (similar to installing a rear spring with a lower spring rate). At the same time it will also increase what is known as "compliance" with the road's surface.

I have actually gone to the trouble of lengthening swingarms in the past. I have actual experience with the cause and effect issues involved.

You may wish to start by reconfiguring your bike's suspension to lower the rear and raise the front ... that will increase the distance between the axles (aka "wheelbase"). It will also increase the rake up front ... for instance, a bike with a 60 inch wheelbase will increase rake by about one degree for every inch the rear is lowered. The trail will also increase, which will also slow the motorcycle's responses.

IMPORTANT: When you measure your wheelbase when doing these types of reconfigurations, DO NOT measure the distance between the two axles. Instead, set up a carpenter's square on the floor so that the vertical arm of the square is aligned with the center of the rear axle and mark the floor where that vertical arm of the square meets the floor .... then do the same with the front axle, marking the floor where the vertical arm of the carpenter's square aligns with the center of the front axle. Then, measure the distance between the front and rear marks on the floor, and record that figure (write it down). As you make changes to the suspension (lowering the rear and/or raising the front) do the exact same procedure and record any changes as you make changes to your suspension set ups. Using a square to mark the floor where the axles are is the correct (and only correct) way of measuring your wheelbase.

If you've only lowered the rear, make certain to place the bike so that the carpenter's square at the rear aligns with the initial marks you made on the floor and observe where the front axle is now relative to those initial marks ... this will tell you how far forward you've moved the weight bias.

If you only raised the front, make certain to place the bike so that the carpenter's square at the front aligns with the initial marks you made on the floor and observe where the rear axle is now relative to those initial marks ... this will tell you how for rearward you've moved the weight bias.

So maybe lower the rear by an entire inch, and raise the front by another full inch. Take notes, take measurements as you go along, and make note of the bike's response to the changes.

Also remember that installing a longer swingarm is going to change the F/R weight bias ... by quite a bit! If the ~other~ swingarm is (let's say) 2 inches longer than the one currently on your bike, you've just moved roughly 600 pounds 2 inches forward relative to the rear wheel (weight of bike plus weight of rider).

Some things to think about.

.
 
#14 ·
So that suggests roughly 3 links longer (6 links halved). Just estimated, that is ~about~ 2 inches .... roughly so.

Is the specified wheelbase of the two bikes 2 inches or so in difference?

The point there is that I'd guess that Ducati didn't just stick two inches on the rear of the bike, I'd guess that the frames, engine placement, swingarm pivot location, and headstock placement have all been moved around to create a specific weight bias on the longer bike. That said, sticking the longer swingarm on the shorter bike will not replicate the longer motorcycle ... it will create an entirely different machine altogether. As I previously pointed out, a longer swingarm will improve "suspension compliance" which will serve to keep the rear tire attached to the road surface ... which we all know means better traction and handling in all situations (accelerating, braking, cornering). Compliance may have been at least part of Ducati's goals (rather than just sticking 2 inches on the ass end of the longer bike) ... and that can be determined by looking at how Ducati distributed the longer swingarm's increase in length.

That said ....

... I know the manuals for the Supersports, Monsters, and Superbikes all have fully dimentioned frame diagrams near the back of the manuals. Perhaps these Multistrada manuals also contain such data. If so, it would be pretty simple to check engine placement, headstock location, swingarm pivot location, and so on in comparison with each of the two Multistrada models (the one with the shorter swingarm compared to the one with the longer swingarm).

That would be deeply valuable information to study before attempting to attach a longer swingarm to the shorter bike.

Some of that extended swingarm length may have also been applied towards moving the swingarm pivot closer to the countershaft sprocket's center without moving the weight bias too far forward. The closer the swingarm pivot is to the countershaft center the less the bike is upset during acceleration and engine braking, making for a more stable motorcycle when throttling up and throttling back. The closer the swingarm pivot is to the countershaft sprocket center also means that the chain's length will vary less throughout the entire rear wheel travel, meaning a bit more chain tension may be used without worry of binding the rear suspension since the chain's tension will vary less throughout the rear suspension's travel. A bit less chain slop provides smoother throttling up and down without ~jerking~ the bike and upsetting the bike's attitude and destabilizing it, which is especially advantageous while cornering.

.
 
#18 ·
@Rex Coil 7

Thank you for your advice, I agree I need to spend some time doing measurements. Any way you can easily see at a Ducati dealer (if you can see the 2 models together) that clearly the swing arm is way longer. This is also supported by the fact that the chain is longer as well.

The fact that it is longer has impact on the mass distribution as well as on the stiffness of the suspension as you said before: I will need to change the spring of the shock absorber.

The thing is, influencing the position of the center gravity w.r.t. the contact points of the wheels is the actual aim of the change. I know this quite well since I made my graduation thesis on the topic: if you want to reduce the instability of the wave mode oscillation that happens at high speed, you need to increase the distance from center gravity and rear wheel contact point. Same effect is if you reduce the distance between center gravity and front wheel contact point. Since it would be very difficult to move the position of the center gravity, as well as move the front wheel closer to it, the easiest way is to move the rear wheel backward.
Unfortunately a steering damper has a marginal effect on this problem, since the frequency of the waving is rather low. I guess this is why Ducati didn't put a damper on the 1260.

You can see the effect of changing the distances between wheels and center gravity on this video: This is about trailers, but the principle is the same.

And yes, there are several cons in this change, I totally agree. But this is about finding a compromise: after all if I want to load the bike like a mule :) (with panniers and top case) I can either accept to reduce the speed, or sacrifice some handling in favor of stability.
 
#20 ·
@Rex Coil 7

Thank you for your advice, I agree I need to spend some time doing measurements. .... (etc)
Ok, you seem to totally know yer shit so I am quite confident you'll make the proper choices.

I admit that I become over-concerned anytime I see someone talking about moving things around on their motorcycle, especially a motorcycle that is to be operated on public roads where the stakes become FAR higher in the event of a problem. Track bike, or dirt bike? ... Pffft ... have at it! But public roads are loaded with unintended victims in the event someone goofs around with their bike's dimensions without having some idea of WTF they're doing,

Dig in! Be sure to report your findings here in forum. I'm very interested to know how things went. If for no other reason than posterity.

Best of luck ... I hope you can get your bike to make friends with you.

:smile2:

.
 
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#23 ·
It sounds like your rear preload is probably set too high (or your front is too low) if it handles better with a passenger than without.

I'm assuming that you set the preload to 2 riders when you are riding 2 up, and 1 rider when you are riding alone? Go through the menu and see what the 2 rider preload is set for (1 - 24), and what preload the single rider is set up for (1-24).

I'm 210 lbs with gear and have measured the front and rear sag with just me on the bike, and then with my wife on the back. I ended up with a preload of 14 when I'm alone on the bike (33% of full travel sag), and a preload of 24 with my wife on the back (33% sag). In order to achieve a sag of approx 33% on the front, I had to crank the preload all the way in (clockwise), and then backed it out 3 turns.

Cheers!
 
#27 ·
And after 8 months, I finally did it. I found a second hand swing arm from a 1260 and installed it on my 1200.

First of all, it is feasible: the 2 swing arms are compatible.

The bike is significantly more stable. I have never tried a 1260, so I cannot compare but the improvement on my bike is really nice. With fully loaded top case it used to become unstable at around 150 km/h: for the little tests done so far, at 200 km/h is still good now.

Beside the swing arm, I had to change the chain (it must be longer, of course) the hose of the rear brake (also longer), the connecting rod of the swing arm position sensor (quite cheap component) and the chain sliders. While the mudguard is the same, a couple of smaller plastic parts must be changed.
For now I haven't assembled the splashguard because it would interfere with the licence plate: maybe later I will solve this with spacers on the plate.
I have estimated that the stiffness of the spring should change of about 5% to have same behavior of the shock absorber: it's very little so I have reused the same spring.

The workshop manual says that to remove the swing arm also the frame has to be removed: luckily this is not true, but I found very useful to remove the exhaust.
The most bothering part of this operation is that to replace the rear brake hose the airbox must be removed (the hose goes to the ABS unit under the airbox); removing the air box adds a lot of extra work.
 
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#31 ·
I was surprised as well. I did some calculations, and I realized that if you move only the position of the wheel, there will be two changes seen by the spring:
1) the lever of the rear wheel contact force will increase: this will compress the spring more;
2) the rear wheel contact force will reduce, since it will be more far from the bike center gravity: this will reduce the compression of the spring.
These 2 effects would exactly compensate each other if the center gravity were vertically aligned with the swing arm axle: since this is not the case, the spring should become stiffer of about 5%.

I didn't check the sag yet...
 
#33 ·
Before replacing the swing arm I tried the preload change, but it helped very little. I didn't try the Michelin though... has this tyre also a good performance?
My problem is that I ride most of the time with a heavy top case (backpack with heavy laptop and other stuff ): the bike without this extra load was reasonably stable.
 
#34 ·
Hi ya,
The Michelin PR5s slow down the steering and transitions compared to the Pirelli Scorpion Trail IIs, and are extremely good sport-touring tyres IMO. They are excellent in the wet and last as well as if not better than anything else out there, certainly much better than the Pirellis. I found that it was the Pirelli's that were twitchy, not the bike. If the Michelin PR5s weren't to your taste and you'd prefer an even firmer construction, try the Dunlop RoadSmart 3s. FYI, I often ride long days in Australia (1000km+) with full luggage regardless of weather, avoiding highways where possible and seeking out swervery.
 
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