Does anyone know the Ohlins serial number for the rear shock on the S? I'm interested in seeing about getting a slightly firmer spring. I've tried my nearest Ohlins service centre, but they didn't recognise the serial number printed on the spring itself. So they've asked for the number on the shock. Apparently starts with DU. Had a look last night and couldn't see anything. Nik
DU8600 which is stamped in on the top casting in small print. Stock spring should be 21729-26/85 L2100. Andy
Excellent, thanks for that, really appreciated! I guess I couldn't see the DU number if it's at the top - sort of buried up under the tank hinge area. Oddly, my spring says 01092-41/115 L0615. Curious. Any ideas?
No but I got the info from a spare I bought a while ago. I'll be out on the Multistrada later so I'll double check what the one fitted has printed on it. Andy
1092-41 (drop the first 0) will be the spring diameter and length 115 will be the spring stiffness, 11.5 N/mm L0615 is the manufacturing batch number There is a really good technical section on the DucatiUpNorth web site. Andy
That's great, thank you. So I guess I need to decide how much stiffer I want to go on the 11.5 bit. I weigh 16st plus riding kit, so a bit more than the average. The bike isn't exactly wallowy, but it definitely feels like it would benefit from being maybe 15% stiffer. I'll check out the Ducati Up North site, thank you!
The M1200S has a DU1081. For referance the M1200R has a DU1090. Both are fitted with a 01092-41/115 (115nM) spring. I'm actually reducing the spring weight on my R by around 10% as I'm only 11st. I'd recommend first winding up the preload by around an extra four turns (4mm) before buying a new spring, if you're a bit heavier. btw - if your local ohlins service centre doesn't recognise the spring codes find another service centre!
Thanks Bryan - was going to try the preload first anyway. Why 4mm, specifically? Just curious to understand. Must admit, would really like to get the longer R shock - I'm pretty tall and the bike feels like it could be higher at the back. Incidentally, the Ohlins service centre didn't recognise the code because I'm an idiot and mistyped it! Once I gave them the correct number they confirmed that a new spring would be £60 or thereabouts.
The R shock isnt longer than the S, the seat is higher on the R as it has a differant subframe to the S. I ran my old S with the higher comfort seat for that very reason. The only differance I can work out (and hence the differant DU part no.) is the internal valving. I recommened an extra 4mm (total 16mm) as that is the setting in the owners manual for the R with rider and pillion. Remember that with the preload wound all the way out the spring is still under 4mm of preload so you're looking to wind on 12mm of preload to give 16mm total. 16mm is also the maximum preload listed in the owners manual for the S.
Thanks Bryan, that's really useful. So in terms of measuring the spring length and preload, should I unwind the preload rings, measure, then wind them back on until the correct spring compression is reached? Also, thanks for clarifying about the S vs R, that's good to know.
You wont need to wind it off, just wind it up until you get 12mm of thread exposed above the lock rings.
Ironically one of the reasons I changed my S to the R was that the Ohlins forks on the S were too soft on the damping for me. Now I've go the R and forks I'm happy with the rear is too hard! Even though there isnt that much differance between them and the spring rates are the same? Luckily a new rear spring is cheaper than revalving the forks.
Perfect, thank you, that's really appreciated. That's tonight's job, along with cleaning off about 300 million bugs that I collected over the weekend...
Rode the bike approx 3-4 miles this morning and I have to say it feels LOADS better. I have increased the preload to around 15mm of thread showing. Big difference - feels far more settled and less inclined to squat under load now. Thank you Bryan, really appreciate the help!
