Works for me. Only when I'm being ultra aggressive into 1st, and the rear is past its best will the rear lock. I just find it fun though, arriving at traffic lights with the rear snaking. Good way to get rid of that last bit of tread on your rear.
Does anyone make real use of the slipper clutch? I have only ever seen need for one at the track - I cannot imagine actually making use of the Multi's slipper clutch on the road.
All the time when riding aggressively. Means you can down shift without worrying about the rear locking up. First bike didn't have one and I had many a poo pants slide on that kne
Mmmm, "self servo action on drive, slipper action on over run" as described in the Ducati specification doesn't sound the same as the dry slipper clutch we know and love. I have experience of the action of the slipper on the 748 but cannot remember a similar experience on the Multistrada. That could mean its performance is either seamless or no existent :Banghead:. Andy
It's not a real slipper no, but it does work well from where I'm sitting. Only have minimal slides with tyres that are past their best anyway.
It's in case you* make a mistake and bang it down a gear at too high revs entering a corner, it stops the rear wheel letting go. Just like ABS, traction control and anti-wheelie - cock ups are less likely to be lethal. * 'You' means 'me', obviously.
I've never felt the need for a slipper clutch, but... ...it's very useful for block shifts when getting a move on, to the point where going back to my non-slipper machine was a bit of a shock - I hadn't realised how much I was using it. 2/3 of my Ducatis have slipper clutches - the DP ramp & ball on one and the APTC wet clutch on the Multi - which I believe uses a helical back torque system. The ramp-based slipper clutch is quite noticeable in use but may be more effective in extreme track conditions (ie way beyond my level) whereas the Multi's APTC is completely unobtrusive - it just works.
The slipper clutch works pretty well on the DVT, but it's really only useful if you're hamfisted or at the track. Say you're approaching a 2nd gear right hand corner in 4th: 1)Apply brakes 2)Pull in clutch lever and kick down to 2nd gear 3)Release clutch ... shifting done The slipper clutch will partially disengage the engine from the wheel, while still applying engine braking, until engine speed = rear wheel speed or until you get back on the throttle. So it gives you time between your braking point and somewhere around the apex where you start adding throttle to power out of the corner. You don't have to be precise with rev matching or dropping down one gear at a time and slipping the clutch. This allows you to concentrate more on your braking (particularly trail braking) rather than have a sensory overload trying to brake while downshifting and being precise with the clutch lever to keep the rear from locking and trying to trail brake while making sure you hit your marks. When used correctly, all your downshifts are out of the way and the clutch lever is released well before you ever start turning in.
I have not heard that term - "block shift" - what is that? I've never felt the need for a slipper clutch either, but I do think it would be nice to have at the track for those occasions when I haven't completely matched my gearing to my entrance speed. But for the Multi... it seems extravagant. I never hit corners on the street as hot as I would on the track. I've wondered what it may be like to take the multi to the track, but I wonder if the wind resistance and long wheelbase would just be a bummer. Maybe if I ever do that, I'll get to see how effective the slipper clutch is...
Sorry, all I was referring to was downshifting multiple times without engaging the clutch, as opposed to shift/clutch/shift/clutch etc.… And the Multi isn't a bad track machine: it's not quite as 'front-endy' as I like track bikes to be, but it does respond well to enthusiastic use - the wide bars give it surprising agility. I also discovered that, in REALLY wet conditions and with PR3/PR4s or similar, it becomes utterly hilarious (in a good way). Good at Cadwell, Croft & Knockhill but I'd imagine that the aero wouldn't be much fun at Snetterton or Thruxton.
Ah - thanks for the clarification. Nice to hear some track feedback on the multi. I'm not familiar with the tracks you listed, as I live in northern California. So my tracks are Laguna Seca, Infineon, Buttonwillow, ThunderHill... hmmm, maybe I'll try to take the multi along with my 954 and compare. Cheers!
Because it's a big lumpy 1200 with huge compression, it's going to want to lock up a lot more than other bikes. Maybe that's why they felt the need to include it.
I think you'd miss it if it wasn't there. My 1098 one was playing up last year, quite alarming having the rear lock up...
They're all UK tracks and the ones I favour for the Mutley are the tighter, twisty ones: Cadwell Park particularly is a great bike track, but not much in the way of straight, whereas Snetterton and Thruxton are old airfield circuits with long straights. Would love to ride Laguna Seca, BTW, it looks like a fantastic track
