Could I please check with the experience members if my bike is normal !? Have just finished running in so today was the first time I could really let it off the leash. I am getting a lot of vibrations at speeds between 60 to 90+ in 3rd and 4th. I know these engines are fairly vibey but is this normal ? I was getting vibrations through bars and up through the seat. The seat is thin and uncomfortable after an hour, would having a different seat help the vibrations, and if so can anyone recommend an upholsterer who knows about Multis and how to fix the seating problems. Many thanks
Have you ridden twin engines before? Not saying nothing's wrong with your bike but Ducatis and/or twins in general tend to vibrate or at least they feel that way compared to jap bikes. Could be tyres, wheels need balancing...a few things really Also what were you riding before to think the Multi seat is uncomfortable? I'll be honest, it's the most comfortable seat I've ever ridden on but my history is sports bikes and nakeds so perhaps if you've come from a gold wing or something I can understand that
Yes, had a GS before, but those flat twins are very smooth. Have also ridden , and was going to purchase, a KTM 1190 adventure. That was nowhere near as vibey as my Multi, it was very smooth.
I guess your best off taking it back to a dealer and asking if you can ride their demo vs yours back to back. If they both feel the same then I can only assume it's just the way a Ducati feels to you
Just wondered if other owners had the same problems. I have it going back for a service shortly and have organised a loner for the day, but forewarned is forearmed
Problem is that it's pretty hard to say what other peoples expectation levels are, I mean the seat for instance I would never ever had called it thin or only good for an hour, but you do so obviously it's a very personal thing riding a bike If it's not the tyres/wheels (balancing, pressures, type etc) then I'm not sure to be honest
Not just me then, seat does not feel well padded but I guess it is personal, and the bar vibes might indicate wheels out of balance .
3600 miles it and mines ok now, first few hundred were fairly painful, think its seating position too as its different to a GS
Ktm vee twins have a balance shaft .........do the ducati engines ?? im not sure ,also ktms are 75 degree engines were as ducatis are a L engine so not really a vee twin if your being picky and L twins by there design are more vibey, ive had a few ducatis now and found them vibey ,and ive had a few ktm vee twins also...... the ktm motor is definatley smoother , saying that someone who has been used to inline 4 cyls would say there like being sat on a pneumatic jack hammer !
Thank you for that, but need to sort out something before a trip to Italy in a couple of months time. Perhaps the seat improves with time ? ! Love the bike generally, but there are somethings to improve. No bikes perfect. Unhappy with vibey bars, thought these bikes were fairly smooth. Cannot remember the demo I tried last year being like this !
Altho 60-90+ in 4th, is that how you normally ride? You must be far higher in the rev range I found my 1200 GS easily as vibey, but maybe better cushioned thru the bars. The multis are rubber mounted to take some of the vibes away. If its not a wheel, and you want to calm it further, heavy bar end weights can help
Think someone else said it .......sure its not a wheel balance thing ........are there weights on the wheels ......any flung off ??
Part of the reason the GS felt smoother is weight...all that pig iron does a good job of dealing with vibrations.
May I ask if you have the Sky hook model? I've had a few seat problems,http://ducatiforum.co.uk/forum/threads/painful-coccyx.18237/ I think I have sorted them now, but I still say it's something to do with the skyhook and my size, I think the spring is to weak so it's using the rebound and compression damping to compensate, making the suspension feel hard. I'm having a 3 stage spring made to give it a try should be here in the next 2 weeks.
Yes, its got skyhook, would be interested to know how your adaptation works. On our county roads generally running in 3rd up to 80ish and then into 4th for above, GS certainly smoother, although couldn't see behind in mirrors with that. Certainly unable to view behind with the Ducati, even at reasonably legal speeds on dual carriageways etc
I hate to say it but the mirrors are the clincher, you've got something wrong, take it back to the dealers and get them to look at it. My mirrors are shake free even at stupid speeds. sounds like your ignition my be to far advanced or something is out of balance in the engine.
Agree. Only at really low speeds with really high gear, when it feels like a tractor, are the mirrors blurred
