Stability Issue on Ducati Multistrada

[NHBusa]

I am not a mechanic or motorcycle technical, so here is the best description I can provide.

I have a 2015 Ducati Multi 1200S that has a stability issue at spirited speeds, most apparent at " 85-95".
The bike feels a little light on the front end and the whole bike seems to have a very bad "wobble".
The wobble is bad enough that I immediate have to slow down, due to fear of dumping it.
It is definitely worse under hard acceleration, but still does it when just cruising on the highway. Rider behind me could see the bike wobble.
This is with or without baggage on the bike.

Things I have tried to solve this.....
Shift my weight forward on the seat and lean forward - no difference
Loosen my grip on the bars and slight body position change - no difference
Different brand tires - no difference
Had dealer look to see if everything on the steering head was proper.
I then increased the rear preload - minor improvement

Just recently ...
Dealer replace the rear spring with one for my weight (225lbs) and setup the SAG - slight improvement
I increased the rear preload some more - very slight improvement.

Anyone ever experience this and or have any constructive ideas.
Keep in mind that I am not a mechanic, but will do my best to sound intelligent.
Thanks.
Terry

[number9]

Does it happen when you're going dead straight, or when turning, or both?

[Paul_E_D]

What tires are on it? size and profile? On my duc certain tires would cause a little wobble. I'm surprised to hear it on a multi though. THe geometry should be pretty conservative on these.

[NHBusa]

Does it happen when you're going dead straight, or when turning, or both?

Going dead straight.

[jimmycapp]

What tires are on it? size and profile? On my duc certain tires would cause a little wobble. I'm surprised to hear it on a multi though. THe geometry should be pretty conservative on these.

Tires could be suspect. Rim out of true could too.

I would double check the sag first. My ktm 1290 sar had that. I found the front sag was almost an inch too much. I'm maxed out on front preload, so I reduced rear PL and it was a dramatic improvement. Obviously i need heavier fork springs, but it's a temporary fix.

Though, hopefully the dealer knows how to measure sag...

[NHBusa]

What tires are on it? size and profile? On my duc certain tires would cause a little wobble. I'm surprised to hear it on a multi though. THe geometry should be pretty conservative on these.

Have Dunlop Roadsmart III -stock size. It had the same issue with the original Scorpion tires.

[NHBusa]

Tires could be suspect. Rim out of true could too.

I would double check the sag first. My ktm 1290 sar had that. I found the front sag was almost an inch too much. I'm maxed out on front preload, so I reduced rear PL and it was a dramatic improvement. Obviously i need heavier fork springs, but it's a temporary fix.

Though, hopefully the dealer knows how to measure sag...

I haven't done anything with the front end, only thing I have done is to replace the rear spring ,set the rear SAG, and then later increased the rear preload some more -still have problem.,

[sandman]

how many miles are on the tires

do you have luggage?

side bags?
tail bags?

all of these can make the bike to strange things

[sandman]

Tires could be suspect. Rim out of true could too.

I would double check the sag first. My ktm 1290 sar had that. I found the front sag was almost an inch too much. I'm maxed out on front preload, so I reduced rear PL and it was a dramatic improvement. Obviously i need heavier fork springs, but it's a temporary fix.

Though, hopefully the dealer knows how to measure sag...

at what speed?

my 1190 is unhappy past the teens

i want to try it without luggage before swapping tires.

i picked it up with 4500 mi and while a little flat in the middle they look more like tires i'd have with 900 miles on them.

i read a bit about many guys having issues with the 11&1290's

[NHBusa]

how many miles are on the tires

do you have luggage?

side bags?
tail bags?

all of these can make the bike to strange things

Have under 1,500 on the tires
No luggage or side bags on
Very small soft tail bag, but issue still there with or without the tailbag

[Paul_E_D]

I haven't done anything with the front end, only thing I have done is to replace the rear spring ,set the rear SAG, and then later increased the rear preload some more -still have problem.,

Stiffening the rear would make the wobble worse. Front end is riding too low and now you have the rear end riding even higher than before

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[NHBusa]

Stiffening the rear would make the wobble worse. Front end is riding too low and now you have the rear end riding even higher than before

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I would assume that I need to take some rear preload out?
or should I be looking into the front?
Terry

[jimmycapp]

at what speed?

my 1190 is unhappy past the teens

i want to try it without luggage before swapping tires.

i picked it up with 4500 mi and while a little flat in the middle they look more like tires i'd have with 900 miles on them.

i read a bit about many guys having issues with the 11&1290's

Used to be scary at entrance ramp speeds, 60 to 90mph. Now it’s rock solid over 100.

The 1190’s have notoriously soft rims. Might be causing your issues if the P.O. whacked a rock or something.

[jimmycapp]

I would assume that I need to take some rear preload out?
or should I be looking into the front?
Terry

Add front preload if you can. Measure it first. Or just add and ride and see if it helps

[NHBusa]

Add front preload if you can. Measure it first. Or just add and ride and see if it helps

Not sure if the front has ever been looked at.
Seems like I need to start over.
Measure and set the front and rear SAG
Then make slight preload adjustments from there.
Terry

[Chippertheripper]

Pirelli scorpions are notorious for wobble. I easily found a couple reviews of rs3's doing the same thing. Check pressures and balance if the steering head is fine, and suspension isn't doing anything crazy. My first instinct with wagging the dog is tires, unless its an original hyper, which are famously said to have exploded under certain high speed conditions.

[NHBusa]

Pirelli scorpions are notorious for wobble. I easily found a couple reviews of rs3's doing the same thing. Check pressures and balance if the steering head is fine, and suspension isn't doing anything crazy. My first instinct with wagging the dog is tires, unless its an original hyper, which are famously said to have exploded under certain high speed conditions.

Good info, tire pressure is always checked before every ride.
The original scorpions had wobble and so do the current rs3's. Only two tires I have had on the bike. Bought bike new.
The steering head was check and I was told it was fine.
I will double check the suspension sag.
Any recommendations on a good tire for the multi. Bike is used for street only, limited two up, and limited luggage. Most use is spirited street riding.

[RyanNicholson]

I know the '15 is upgraded over my '11 by quite a bit, but I've never had any speed wobble issues after a LOT of testing. I'm running PR4's and love them.

My first thought would be tires as well. Is the wheel maybe slightly out of balance?

[Paul_E_D]

I would assume that I need to take some rear preload out?
or should I be looking into the front?
Terry

Both

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[nhbubba]

I think you want to start by setting sag (preload) on both ends before proceeding further.

[Jewcati]

I would go with wheel balance as well, I have the same bike with the scorpions and never had an issue, even before I set sag. I’m a straight line I would guess balance, but I would make sure all you wheel nuts are torqued to the correct spec


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[number9]

If it happens when riding in a straight line doing a more-or-less constant speed, then I feel like it has to be either wheel balance is out or tires are out-of-round.

[PeaPod]

By the sound of your explanation of the front end feeling light, I'm going to say naked bike syndrome, and just wind buffeting. Have you ridden naked bikes in the past, and are you used to riding naked bikes at that speed? Might just be a tight grip on the bars introducing some feedback that is causing a reaction. I would go for the cheap option first and check my riding, then start shelling out the time and money for the other things mentioned in here.