The 2025 model has an automatic lowering of the chassis when reaching a certain speed or when stopping. Do you know if this function can be uploaded to older models with an update?
As Stratters says, different back shock with an additional half inch or so of drop (which also means that the older plastic panniers no longer fit ). But you can just press and hold the suspension button for two seconds on the pre-2025 bikes which drops the back just under an inch (depending how you set your pre-load, I use Auto), it then goes back to normal height at 72 mph or if press the suspension button again once moving. Not quite as good as the new models, but easy once you get used to it.
I have to say I’ve not noticed it going back to normal, and 72mph seems too high really. 30 mph would be more practical
Don't know much about Ducati's system but if it's anything like Harley's adaptive ride height (ARH) system, auto-lowering is activated by wheel rotation, not speed. When the bike becomes stationary the suspension automatically lowers within ten seconds. It isn't automatically raised by renewed wheel rotation, rather that the suspension pumps itself up again mechanically to optimum height as it is worked by the road surface. It takes between 10 and 30 seconds depending on the smoothness of the road: the rougher it is and the more the suspension gets worked, the faster it pumps back up again. Optimum preload pressure is controlled by a solenoid. Any power loss or other fault and the system defaults to optimum preload height - ie. "normal" suspension function - and it's only the auto-lowering that is lost. You can also lock the system at optimum preload height, and select fast lowering or slow lowering. There's quite a lot going on and settings can be customised with clickers on the suspension units. It isn't simply controlled by ECU software. For example, if you transport the bike on a trailer, if the system isn't locked it will be at the lowest height when you load the bike onto the trailer, but may have risen to optimum during transit as the suspension gets pumped by the bike bouncing around on the tailer. even though te ignition is off. You need the solenoid and the suspension units that have been fitted with the hardware needed for it to work, and I doubt they'd fit all that to models that weren't sold with ARH as a standard feature. As I say, that's Harley's system on their Pan-AM and it's the only one I've ridden. But they were the first to bring out ADH and they patented it. I imagine all systems from other manufacturers work in a similar fashion.
The latest generation of Multistrada V4S uses the Skyhook suspension electronics to adjust the rear shock preload to minimum, below 6mph (10kph). The preload increases to your original setting at 30mph (50kph).The automatic adjustment can be switched off. Andy
Does anybody happen to know how much the rear drops with the automatic lowering with the bike in one helmet, no luggage? Marc
15mm to 30mm depending on seat height and if lowering kit is fitted, https://www.ducati.com/gb/en/bikes/multistrada/multistrada-v4/insights?tab=Electronics. Andy
On the Multi 1260s the chain tension should be measured in the lowest suspension setting in 'Urban' mode. If you leave 'Urban' mode in this setting it is easy just to go into urban mode to lower the suspension when you come to a stop (should you need to).
Dunno. There is a welter of unnecessary electronic crap on bikes these days which doesn't always make them any safer or smarter, just more annoying, potentially less reliable and more expensive, but I can see auto lowering being useful if it's a simple system that doesn't go wrong. I love my KTM 1190. Its giraffe-tall which I like because it offers masses of leg room for long distance comfort and a commanding riding position that places you on top of the bike not buried down inside it with the tank up agaisnt your chin, and it has a vast amount of ground clearance in the bends. I'm 6' tall and with the comfort seat in the highest position I'm on tip-toe, which is fine for me but anyone under 5' 10" would really struggle. If auto ride height adjust opens up tall bikes for more riders without compromising the riding position I guess it's no bad thing.
Thank you for the link, Andy. Our US site doesn't include that information. It means that it lowers 15mm with rider only, no luggage and 30mm with maximum preload which would be with passenger and luggage. This compares to 20mm when the previous lowering kits were installed. I had originally calculated it to be 17mm so pretty close to what I was suspecting so I think I'll be OK Thanks again, Marc
