1200 DVT Why New Pikes Peak Doesn't Have Skyhook Suspension?

Skyhook in theory will be a very good average suspension (and settings) for the majority of road conditions, easy adjustment to accommodate passengers and luggage. Great for a fast touring bike.
But I think they are targeting the PP as more sport orientated. The Ohlins units can be more fine tuned and are viewed as quality components. Also helps to justify (?) the price differential.

 

So why didn't they use the Mechatronics Ohlins? That would have ticked all the boxes - in fact it would have brought it near to the spec of my 2010 ;-)

 

Because the people who buy a PP are more attracted to Bling that something that works better

 

Absolutely. Pay £££ extra for some paint, less advanced suspension, and a badge saying 'Pikes Peak'. Still, it helps the factory to make a bit of extra profit out customers with more money than sense.

 

That's one of the main reasons I didn't buy it

Big backwards step in my mind....?

 

didn't Ducati have a tiff with ohlins ?
If set up right and ridden hard I am sure the PP would be a quicker bike with better feel , skyhook is fine for most of the time , however some people prefer the simpler set up I guess
simple is best after all

 

But it would only be quicker within the narrow band of setup. The idea behind active is that it will have a better setup across a wider range of usage/environments.

Having had the Ohlins Mechatronic, I can say that was excellent. I've now gone backwards, onto a KTM with very good but traditional WP Suspension. It's cracking suspension and as good as the mechatronic was when ridden hard but the ohlins would become all soft and forgiving when ridden slowly whilst my WP suspension is still stuck on sport settings.

 

Seems a bit of a crazy thread to me.

You makes your choice and you pays your money.

I think the reason for not fitting skyhook was Ducati wanted to offer a premium model that was more analogue. That's actually the reason I bought my PP.

My last bike was a 2013 GS and whilst it was alright I didn't fully connect with the electronic suspension.

Having had Ohlins front and rear on the bike before that, plus getting it professionally set up for my weight and riding type, I decided the PP was the bike for me.

I'm very happy.

 

Not crazy: I completely understand the analogue thing and the ability to manually set up a suspension to be spot on over a narrower range of conditions - I've two other Ohlins-equipped bikes and love tinkering with them.

However, two issues here: one is simply that a two-seater like the Multi benefits from being able to adapt to a wider range of conditions and that the Mechatronics is a damn good system and a good compromise between a manual setup and the slightly more sophisticated electronics but lower mechanical quality and feel of the Skyhook.

Now the BoQ cost to Ducati of either the manual Ohlins or the Mechatronic relative to the Skyhook can't be huge - I'm guessing no more than £300-400 (if that, unless they've pissed off Ohlins so much that they're charging D through the teeth for them). What then is really hard to swallow is the £3k+ cost increment for the PP over a 1200S DVT. And that's without niceties like a full Termi, forged wheels and carbon bling. If that increment was worth it to you, then fine - and I'm sure it's a great machine.

 

I simply bought a 1200S DVT and added Pikes Peak paintwork, a short screen and comfort seat, best of both worlds!

 

"Premium" in the sense of "costs more money". As you rightly say, you makes your choice and you pays your money ... a lot of money.

 

The Pikes Peak model doesn't have Skyhook or Ohlins Mechatronic because the actual sponsored race team didn't use it.
Per an inside source at Ohlins USA all the team race bikes were fitted with the manually adjustable setup like on the 2016.
Even the bikes from 2013-2014 that "had skyhook' were gray painted Ohlins.
Ohlins USA also state that they worked closely with Ducati on the spec of the suspension on the 2016 bikes (valving, spring rates, etc.)

I have a little over 2k miles on my 16 Pikes Peak since November and I have to say its nearly perfect out of the box. I haven't touched any settings on the suspension except for the rear shock static (added 8mm) and adjustable preload.

I am one of the few people who can ride a 16 and a 12 Pikes Peak back to back and I can tell you that I've spent close to 1k making the 12 suspension sorted. New front springs, new rear spring and spring seat and the mechatronic ecu, and I did all that to leave the bike in sport mode 99% of the time.