Being a big unit, I also tend to try and get a buddy to set the chain tension with me on it. If you are setting it to the marks on the swing arm then it probably works for diddymen, vegans, midgets and lil french fellows with a sideways hat but unlikely for the ever growing brit so the extra weight will see the standard off bike adjustment setting as tight when you sit on it I check the tension once a month this way and it often see's no or very little adjustment needed.
There,s a guy from a main duke dealership doing chain tension on youtube. He has it on a paddock stand with no other preload. No mention of the sit it on side stand stuff. Or a set mode if Skyhook.
As you have observed, there is no need to choose a specific suspension mode or preload before adjusting the chain. Also it can be done on a paddock stand or the sidestand, as both those put an upload on the swingarm rather than have the swingarm hang down when it's on the centre stand. It is an easier job to do if you have a paddock stand as the bike is upright for access and ability to rotate the rear wheel and find the 'tight-spot' in the chain which is the datum point when adjusting tension. In 2012 I was in Bologna at the Ducati service centre and that is the way they adjusted my chain.
Yup...need to adjust to TIGHT SPOT. FWIW the chain will also tighten when you put it back on the sidestand, if you used the paddock\centerstand to adjust. Not sure about regular Multi but on the ENDURO you're suppose to have it in TOURING mode, rider only, on the sidestand.
Quick update - this didn’t get done the weekend....only half the stuff I need had arrived by Sat AM. Thanks Amzn Week of on/off rain forecast now, so am not unhappy the old chain is still on. Ps - Does anyone else think that not having Prime is becoming cynical? They won’t deliver until the end of the time estimate now, I am not a heavy user but I swear it used to be better. Thanks again to all for the advice and tips.
I can understand that because if i put bike in Enduro mode the rear suspension jacks up electro/hydraulically. Giving a slightly different tension.
The 1200S manual states the chain should be adjusted with the machine in standard settings, in Urban mode, with preload set to One Rider. It also says to adjust the chain on the side stand, but a paddock stand (not the centre stand) gives the same suspension loading and makes it easier to find the chain's tight spot.
Done. Hopefully it don’t fall to pieces first time out!? Thanks to everyone for tips but especially @Wayne58 for all the tips and advice.
