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Multi 1260s Terrible Cornering But 950 Was Brilliant , Why ?

Discussion in 'Multistrada' started by Mase, May 18, 2020.

  1. Why does the Multi 1260s corner so badly ?

    I swapped from a Multi 950 about a year / 6000 miles ago and just cannot get to to grips with the cornering on the 1260s.

    I did a euro tour around Switz / Austria in 2019 and it just does not handle anywhere like the 950 on the tight switch backs / sweeping bends.

    Its either : I have become a crap rider , scorpian trial 2 tyres dont suit the bike or maybe the 950 19" front wheel is better.

    Dont really want to swapback to the 950 but this maybe only solution

    Any thoughts / help please ?
     
  2. The 1260 has a slightly longer wheelbase than the outgoing 1200 and the 950, with an altered steering angle to make the 1260 a better bike to tour on. If you have the rear preload set too low, that too will make the bike wallow in the bends. I never got on with the Scorpian Trails on my 1200 so yes a different tyre may be more to your liking. I would also try increasing the front tyre pressure a few psi as I have noticed this can make a big difference. Andy
     
    #2 Android853sp, May 18, 2020
    Last edited: May 18, 2020
    • Useful Useful x 1
  3. Make sure you've set the front fork travel with the right-hand top yoke nut. And maybe go about using counter-steering more aggressively. If its not holding the line while heeled over I'd check your wheel bearings.
     
  4. If you’re mainly complaining about the handling on tour, how was the luggage arranged? Might affect the centre of gravity if a heavy top box etc. Can’t say I had a problem with the scorpions on my MTS 1200s, ok not as good as the best, but still gives plenty of grip at high speed and high lean angles.
     
  5. The road tyres help a bit , as does the suspension set up.
    Ultimately though I don’t think it’s as good either.
    Rear preload definitely helped me
     
    • Funny Funny x 2
  6. What tyre pressures?
     
  7. Definitely worth taking it to a suspension specialist to get everything, including sag, set up for your typical riding weight.

    They may also find some problem; another bike I had (not Ducati) had a spacer missing on the swing arm from when it was new!
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  8. I rode a 1260 couple of years back and thought it was too lazy to change direction and initial turn in was to slow. I think turning it into the length of an inter city train from the 1200 ruined the bike for me. To this day, I still maintain that the pre DVT twin spark bike was the best handling Mutley there has been.
     
    • Agree Agree x 4
    • Like Like x 1
  9. They are sensitive to tyre pressures. Anything under 42psi on my rear makes it unwilling to tip in. It understeers and you have to fight it. 42psi and it’s right as ninepence, nimble even.
     
  10. Are you still on the original tyres? After 6,000 miles they may be past their best. My experience with a Diavel is that they are sensitive to tyre pressures and wear. Maybe the Multistrada is similar?

    Perhaps the rear is squared off, and the front could be 'cupped' by now. That was the case with the Diavel within 3,000 miles, but a fresh set of tyres restored handling. Just a thought..
     
  11. I have to agree a certain amount, there is something I just can't decide what it is that's different, I had a 950 for 3 years & I thought the 1260s would be the same just with a bigger engine......now I don't regret getting the 1260 but there is a difference somewhere......I do feel like I have to be more aggressive in my turns than on the 950

    maybe it is having a smaller front wheel....
     
  12. Multis need their rather complex suspenders set up. Its pretty loose soft outta the crate. After my first year i put the appropriate spanners and tools in my tank bag and went for a good ride stipping every miles to adjust the suspension and took notes. Once sorted it was a different bike....sharper better feedback. Tyres pressures also play a part in the handling.
     
    #12 Bandit, May 22, 2020
    Last edited: May 23, 2020
  13. smaller front wheel will tip in faster. If it’s steering slowly then check rear tyre pressure firstly.
     
  14. Thanks for your suggestion , I will play with the tyre pressure to see if it helps.
     
  15. I sold my Multi (reluctantly) because of this issue. A full day on twisty Corsican roads absolutely knackered my elbows. The bike needs so much counter-steering to go round corners. Relax the pressure you have to apply to the inside bar for a moment and it immediately wants to stand up and run straight on. I went back to a GS (1250 this time) due to this issue. Most of the bikes I have owned, including the GS have had neutral steering - once in a corner, I could take my hands off the bars for a moment or two and the bikes would continue tracking on my chosen line. This was totally impossible with the Multi.

    I tried loads of suspension alterations, went for specialist suspension attention and basically got no improvement. I was sad to sell the Multi, it was a great bike in other respects.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  16. Interesting. Matches up with a recent test ride. I blamed the tyre pressures..in 1260 form it IS a long bike now. Longer than the GS by 30-40mm. Weird as it feels really small to sit on in comparison.
     
  17. Get your basics right first, set the sag, as a rule of thumb, you should set sag to use about 1/3 of your suspension travel. So if you have 150mm total travel, you should set your sag to 50mm. Once that is done, you can have endless hours of fun adjusting the damping settings.....!

    Regarding the wheel size, the 17” wheel should turn quicker than a 19” wheel, but if your rear pre-load (and sag) is too little, then the bike will squat like a dog with worms through a corner and the front will tend to run wide. Think of it like a chopper with extended forks and you get the idea.
     
  18. Scorpion trails are not my preferred tire. Go for something sportier. Road Tec 01, road attack 3. Raise preload above default settings of Ducati and dong be afraid to test rider with luggage or rider w pillion even if you are alone. This does not only change preload but all parameters
     
  19. Strangely enough I did a back to back ride down the same wet and dry roads receding my MTS1200s skyhook and a new 950s. 950 on Scorpions and mine on new Road 5s. Now I must be a bit strange as I really like the Scorpions, and had so much more confidence than the 5s down the same stretches of road, I was going a good 10-15% faster with the scorpions, felt like I had loads in reserve but didn’t fancy putting a demo bike down the road. The 950 was so much quicker to flick from side to side and felt 100% planted with no wobbly movement from the handlebars That 950 would run circles around my bike.
     
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  20. I think the problem is simply the geometry of the bike. I used professional suspension guys - no difference. I tried different tyres - no difference. I cranked up the rear to max (I am 85 Kg) - no difference. Rake, trail and whatnot are the root of the problem I think.
     
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