Hello Folks, Repeat of thread on Ducati MS I also run a Triumph Sprint ST1050. It has uprated front forks and a Wilber rear shock. When I get back on the Duke it feels like the handlebars have been locked in comparison. It really needs pushing over and feels like it is running wide. The Duke has a heavier spring fitted (+ 2 Weight) and I have the seat height up a bit so there is around 15mm of wheel clearance on the centre stand. Any comments to make her feel quicker in the turn? Cheers John
Dropping the front forks 10mm makes a massive difference. Plus having the suspension professionally set up for you.
When the ST4s was first released all the press (and dealer I bought my ST4 from) said it was set up for 'merca in terms of handling and need to be tweaked from standard settings, they suggested playing with the clickers on the forks - but that is only from memory. Setting the clickers in the middle - 7 clicks out? and going from there may help you tune it better, also dropping the front will help but better to make small adjustments first if you are doing it by trial and error. I've never felt my ST4 (still on factory settings after all these years!) had a problem turning and the bikes are virtually identical in terms of geometry
Cheers Chris, I had the latter done years ago and it felt worse. Being Suffolk born and bread I have used MCT but another bunch in Bury St. Edmunds did it. They had completly differnt approaches. I may have a dart at dropping the forks after i have brought the seat heigh up a bit.
Thanks Harry. I maybe need to start from scratch. I am also wondering if the tyres which are 7 and 8 years old bay be a factor
My bike was not used for a long period and I used it with original tyres after about 13 years (cue sharp intakes of breath from some who believe they self destruct after 5 years) I then got new tyres (Pirelli v's Dunlop originals) and didn't notice a huge difference. I'd start fiddling with the set up before blaming tyres as you will notice those changes first, then new tyres may be the icing on the cake - if you change tyres and notice a bit of a difference you may then stop and think it's ok where it could be a lot better
Thanks Guys, I set about looking at the rear height. First up is to WD the nuts top and bottom on the rod. I always do this 2-3 days before hand. I have cracked them before so the top came off easy. Bottom is tough to get to but it was loose! Um.. I checked seat height – 1.5 “ or 40 mm odd ! The height must have worked loose and extended. I adjusted this down to 10mm ( I have had it touching before but found this awkward when parking or working on the bike) It is much better now, but still a bit on the wide side.
Dunno if it's just me but I find the steering goes right off once the tyres have done around 3k miles .... well before they look like they need changing. I've kept 'em all and now have a new work bike that takes same size tyres ..... so I'll try 'em on that and see if they still feel awful. Currently 1.5k into a pair of Road Attack 3s. I like them very much, sweet steering, no slides as yet and look great outside the pub!
I've always found my front tyres 'scallop' fairly noticeably which may have an effect of making the steering feel different/off. I always used Ducati recommended pressures in the tyres but as I'm a bit heavier than your average Italian I've started upping the pressure by a couple of psi to see if I can notice a difference or reduce the wear,. This was more so on my Monster but tyres only lasted 4,500 miles on that
On my ST I found tyres and pressures made a big difference. Not to say it isn’t worth sorting the suspension but if the tyres are really old it’s my understanding that they go hard. My ST turned much quicker when I fitted Metzeler 01’s. If you want even quicker then try Metzeler M7rr’s but they probably won’t last as long. Low front pressure gave meant I had to massively counter steer, even 3lbs down did it.
Dealer always told me 36 Rear 33 Front. I have never played with that as there is plenty to mugg around with already ! My Triumph runs the same wheels and tyres and is 42/36
Ducati book is something like 30.75 front 31.75 rear - not that you will get them that accurate - I use 32 front and 34 rear
Having ridden bikes since a teenager i stupidly thought i knew how to set my suspension up. John at Alpha suspension was recommended to me and hes done every bike for years now! I'll never do it myself again. Night and day.
