Hi all, I'm new to the forum and have come with a query. I'm a recent Ducati owner (2019 Multistrada 1260), but the bike feels a little strange on handling. When I push the bike on I feel like I've got to correct the steering by keeping a slight drag on the left bar, as if it's trying to pull rightward. If I let go of the bars (throttle released) the bike looses balance and wants to fall off to the left. It feels a little tricky in right cornering too. I'm hoping I haven't bought a bike that has been damaged - are there any suggestions on things I could look at before going to Ducati to have the frame alinement checked? Appreciate any input here. Thanks in advance.
I remember riding a friends Suzuki GT 250 back in the day with a similar issue. You would struggle to lean right and it would literally fall into left corners. Turned out the bike had previously been involved in a big crash and the frame was bent. He sold it on. Given the solid structure of Ducati frames this would seem highly unlikely in this case.
I've read a lot about this over the last few years (worth a forum search here). I'd say it's a common problem with this bike
First check tyres as @Flappytabs suggests. Possibly forks twisted in the yokes. Ducati frames are tough, cartwheeled my previous 1260 Multi end over end and think the frame was still straight after that, ask @Hugo Magnus for confirmation on that, he has the salvage. Bent fork stanchion is more likely. If the symptoms were milder, though it sounds otherwise, it could just be poor reassembly after a front tyre change. I always follow the shop manual instructions on this, not tightening the pinch bolts until I've bounced the bike on its suspension a few times. Also recently picked up a tip of initially tightening the calipers with the front brake applied.
There is a mild tendancy to steer off to the side with hands off the bars, countered with a slight shift in body position. Doesn't sound as pronounced as the OP is suggesting though.
I'm optimistic after reading this, was wondering if I were sold a pup but I'd say I'd notice structural damage elsewhere on the bike if it took that kind of an impact. Been reading a bit on this since posting and to the point on the forks, it sounds like it can be common enough on these. Will make this my first checkpoint and see if that steadies the ship any. Thanks.
Tyres are about 50%, maybe a little less, but they don't seem to be chewing down unevenly on either side of the front or rear. Will have a check for any play in the front end though. Cheers.
When my bike was brand new it had a very strange head wobble, not a wheel balance vibration but a full on wobble, it was most peculiar. Changing the front tyre ( less than 200 miles old) solved the problem.
