I know it probably sounds elementary, but if you're like me who blissfully believed he is within the Ducati test rider weight range, think again. I though the Skyhook was great, but boy was I surprised when I loaded it fully and engaged the correct loadout. The bike basically became a carpet ride. I realised my solo riding was actually quite bumpy. Came back and decided to tweak the DSS settings a little. Upped the preload slightly on Solo mode, and started to get back the carpet ride again. So looks like a little tweaking is in order. I know setting sag is always the first part towards suspension tuning. But Skyhook should be pretty sorted right? I mean I think I weigh the same as an average Italian (75kg). But guess I was wrong. From what I gather, unlike a fully active system, the Skyhook is very dependent on ride height. After all, as its reactions are based on height sensors. So before one starts to fiddle around with "hard" or "soft" settings, I would strongly recommend adding some preload, particularly with Solo riding. The Solo + luggage is really meant for full panniers. I ride with a heavy Top Box and that setting is probably adding too much preload. Not sure if the actual suspension behaviour changes with loadout, but I suspect so in terms of the diving and squatting settings. Play around with it. Make best use of the Skyhook. Can't believe I wasted 6 months. Gonna tell my dealer...
Waiting until first service done then I'm having a fiddle. Being 18st in kit I really should up the pre load to luggage at least
Why wait? Simple flick of switches. Done in an hour! I sorted out Urban and Touring in minutes. Being a shortie, I used how far my legs dangle as a guide! THat's the thing I'm not quite sure about. Is that there are separate Skyhook algorithms for different loadouts. Its not just the weight, but also where its distributed. Sports Solo for example turns off linked ABS and something else in the Skyhook I believe. Reading the manual, it does suggest wvwey mode and loadout have a separate algorithim. And also of course optimal sag. Prelaod after all differs. Havne't fully looked into it, but will post more when I do. Also keeping a spreadsheet of what settings I'm trying. Because when the Skyhook is working as it should, its that amazing. It doesn't necessarily make you a better rider. But at the very least, the comfort means you don't fatigue that easily and can ride longer, feeling fresher.
Shorty here too, one foot on tiptoes good as it gets Be interesting to see your results. Note to self, rtfm! Lol
Last time I took mine in for a service, the dealer saw my bike set on Solo, looked at the top box and told me that I should put it onto Solo + luggage otherwise I'd risk getting DES errors (I hadn't thus far and hadn't had any issues). He then went on to say that the Skyhook system is continuously checking the load weight to work out the best suspension settings. Go figure! I'm now riding with Solo + luggage just so that, in the event that I do get a DES error, he won't try to wriggle out of fixing it and blame me.
With all due respect Mac, I think your dealer's talking complete b***ocks. I had mine set one rider + luggage and had 2 DSS errors. First one appeared, they couldn't work it out. Got a new one in, error appeared within 3 weeks. Swapped back to old sensor and no problems since. Go figure! As I said, I'm not sure if there are separate algorithms for each loadout, although the manual does imply so. I do seem to recall the anti-dive features, ABS etc is slightly different. Even so, the preload needs to be optimised. Particularly as the Skyhook uses ride height as a reference. Unlike a fully active system like the Caponard, the preload doesn't change with weight. You may find the Solo + luggage work for you better as I hadn't realised how little preload is applied. Just finished testing on Urban mode. My preload is best set at 8 for solo. Stock is 1! I am 75kg or about 12st. The entire performance has been altered. I was surefooted as a mountain goat in the rain. Diving on the front has reduced a lot. A real peach. Will test out Touring on the open road tomorrow. btw, I use a top box too.
I'm 70kg, just road tested latest changes. Touring and urban with preload of 1, urban is set medium soft front and back and set 150 low Touring is great and urban is great too. Urban is better for town as the potholes etc are soaked up better when a bit softer
Think I've got Urban sussed out. Preload 7. Front and rear medium soft. In Touring, preload of 10 seems ok. Damping at medium front and back.
Just played around today with the Skyhook settings. I'm 16 stone and found the touring mode works well for me solo when set on the pillion (no luggage) setting.
I enjoy riding in enduro mode (with engine at 150HIGH and a touch of ABS + DTC) when riding in London. The roads are really shyt... at some points it's almost like off road...
Had my first dabble tonight, its in for first servcie tomorrow, and could only workout how to change pre load. So made it rider with luggage...couldnt touch the fecking floor hardly and vant belive how much firmer it was! Guessing it ups more than just pre load. Going to read manual tonight
Hi Brad, I get my GT next month. I took the dealers skyhook demo out yesturday 2up total weight 27 stone, choose normal settings which was good but change it to 2plus luggage which I thought made the bike ride more level, but when she got off I could hardly touch the ground and I'm nearly 6'! I also found the bike not so smooth on solo setting (just me riding)! Any help most appreciated, need loads of settings data, has anybody found out what weight of rider/riders the settings are aimed at? Vj
