I'm quite intrigued to see whether anybody could tell the difference between the new DVT skyhook and the older generation dual spark I'm still trying to weigh up a possible purchase of another Multistrada, My initial thoughts were to just simply get an older ABS model (pre 2012/13 or newer Dual spark) and then look to have the suspension sorted by way of new fork and shock springs (if i can find any that is because its proving difficult) However theres a few Skyhooks hitting the market now and although i wasn't blown away with the skyhook when i test rode it 2+ years ago I'm a little more open minded. For a start are the skyhook equipped bikes fairly reliable in the suspension dept? I know of the previous S model ohlins tales of woe regarding fork seals and cracking (all be it minority cases) but what about the newer Skyhook models? Are the system and components reliable? Also how does the older Skyhook compare to the newer DVT, do you get the same level of ride quality and range of settings? Is it in fact any different apart from cornering abs? What about the skyhook dual spark engine smoothness, is it still worthy of an ECU tune?
I have had 20,000 trouble free miles on my 2013 sky hook. Range of sky-hook settings is the same or better on the older bikes. The ride on the 2015 is supposed to be a bit more 'magic carpet' as they have updated it but when the pre-load is correctly set and the damping set medium soft or soft I find the 2013 very comfortable. (They left the factory with very little front pre-load and sky-hook compensated by stiffening up to prevent bottoming out). A few turns on the nut on the top of the RH fork leg sorts it out. I had a cjs tune on my 2011 but have not bothered on the twin spark as it is so much smoother and will potter from 2500 rpm no bother. My bike is factory standard in the engine department except for having the exhaust butterfly valve removed to avoid possible well documented problems.
Nothing wrong with the fuelling on DS IMHO. Mine was smooth and clean. No where near as clean as new dvt tho. But more exciting
Smoother and seems softer (more like a GS) which is odd as it handles better too. So far. But only find a thousand easy miles. Nothing wrong with the 13 model tho either and I'd have happily kept it
I didn't do many miles on the 2014 skyhook but I did ride them back to back on the same route. DVTs vs skyhook and I felt the DVTs was a much improved all round package. It's much plusher and just seems more composed. The brakes were better, it felt much smoother over the rougher parts of the road, to me it was a no brainer and I'm pleased I went DVT.
Hmm. That's as in a, "What do I really want from a bike?" Hmm. I've just ridden the DVT back-to-back with my '10 1200S/Mechatronics and am not (yet) quite convinced: yes, the DVT is much smoother and better-mannered but it seems to be a dual-character engine, with quite a soft response at low-medium revs, before taking off like a banshee with a burr up its butt at 7k rpm. On the suspension side, the Skyhook is very very smooth but I'd need to adjust my head quite a lot to be comfortable with pitching something that feels so plush in a straight line hard into a corner. Until I've ridden it some more and played with the adjustments, I'll also reserve opinion on whether the Sachs/Skyhook offers less feedback from the road than the Öhlins. I've certainly not written the DVT off my shortlist, but neither has it come across to me as a no-brainer. But I'm just at the start of choosing a new bike, so time will tell.
I'm on a 2014 S GT, apart from some teething problems of needing a stronger rear spring, I've had no problems with the sky hook, it's firm and gives me some good feedback, so much so you don't think it's working until you hit a rough bit of road or cobbles, you seem to feel the first few feet then it just feels like normal road. I'm not sure if that's how it's supposed to work but it makes for a more pleasant ride when you think your guna suffer. I've looked at a few DVT's lately and I haven't seen anything that would make me want to swap. I'm betting there are some cheep 2013-14 bikes out there now that have been part exchanged for DVT's If your after a twin spark then I'm guessing it's a buyers market right now.
Two of the options I'm considering are to go for a '14 GT if I decide that I like the Skyhook or to get a base model DVT then fit the full Öhlins Mechatronic kit, although the latter would cost more than the difference between a base DVT and an S and I still wouldn't get the LED lights. Or just keep my current bike and have the swing arm and engine cases repainted.
