Hi All My Missus is a fairly seasoned pillion rider, however I've not not long had my MTS and I took her out for the first time today and she didn't like it at all and felt unsafe. When I accelerated her feet came off the pegs and when I changed gear she kept on headbutting me, I never had this problem with my VFR. I didn't ride like a loon my total throttle input was smooth. Any ideas as what I can do to make things better for her? extended hand grips, foot pegs etc Many Thanks
Sort the preload out and ride smoother!! Bear in mind the engine braking on the multi is way more than a vfr
Increase I would think, so it has less travel. Front and rear. Add a top box, that will stop any fall back off the pegs and maybe swap pegs for gripper ones ??
I'll try adjusting the preload tomorrow then and see how I get on, I have a top box with a pillion cushion too so I'll give that a go too.
Had a VFR the bike before last and now a 1260 Multistrada. As you say the MTS is fairly new to you it might take a little more acclimatisation for your riding style to adapt to a smooth slick thing. My girlfriend has no problem with going pillion on mine, only complaint is there is not a lot of movement on her foot-pegs with the panniers fitted (I'm thinking of getting the adjustable SW Motech ones if I can confirm that they'll fit on the pillion brackets). What we do have that is helpful is a Tribo seat cover and the top-case, both of these inspire a lot of confidence in her.
You may want to consider a backrest. The lack thereof was my wife's only complaint (about the bike anyways). It was a condition of purchase. https://dynamicmotorcycleaccessories.com/collections/multistrada-1260
I almost lost my mum off the back of mine accelerating in third from 30 to 90. Had to be a lot smoother next time she was on the back :-/
I found the top box std position about 5cm too far forward and the pegs too low and far back. So I moved the box back and fitted adjustable cheapies from ebay. Sorry it's not a great photo but you can zoom in?
You could try a pair of Multistrada Enduro footrests. A genuine Ducati Part, fits straight on, and they are bigger with larger rubbers. This pic compares the standard footrest with the Enduro part:
She who must be obeyed prefers the MTS to all the previous bikes we’ve had especially for ride comforts and security but.... I have a backrest on the top box, a Touratech seat front and back and when we don’t need he op box we use a backrest made from a car headrest mounted on a Givi top box mount. Please note I moved the bike to include the required bins !! The old Givi mount bolts straight onto the new Givi MTS mount...happy days Roy
Do the adjustable footrests fold up OK or do they foul the pillion footrest hangers. Was cleaning the 1260 today and there's a sort of slot that the standard ones fold into. Was looking at the SW Motech adjustable ones, expensive but look quality.
Thanks, need to talk to her ladyship first, she'll probably be against me spending the money on the expensive ones but I think the knurled metal would be just another problem.
Mine were cheap and no, they do not fold up because of the design but they do work and that was more important...is a 40 mm concentric
