I've been riding my 2009 M1100 for a couple of months now and have come to the conclusion that the ride comfort needs some adjustment.

At the moment it feels like I have no springs and am riding on solid pillars, I bounce all over the road for the slightest surface blemish and I can feel the tail kicking out on cornering if the surface is not smooth.

Is this hard riding normal for a new Ducati? Is it the norm to adjust suspension after delivery? I'm a pretty big bloke but I bounce around like a 6 YO on the seat when the road is less than optimal.

As usual I don't know what I am talking about ... but it won't stop me for typing something up.

I especially don't know about these new Monsters (different suspension setup) ... but typically if you weigh more than Pedrosa you will need to adjust things. Start with setting your preload for the correct sag and give that a try ... but if you are a 'big bloke' a stiffer spring may be a near necessity.

OMG  I don't want stiffer springs, the issue is they are too hard.

Perhaps.

But maybe it feels stiff because it is too soft ... that is, too compressed when you sit on it to allow it to do its job. Which may also be why you bounce around when you hit a bump ... because you are unloading the spring, then re-loading it in quick succession - the suspension can't cope and your control becomes compromised.

But its probably best to wait for someone that knows what they are talking about ... or just go to a suspension guru.

If you feel like you are being bounced out of the seat when you've gone over a bump then increase the rebound damping a click or two!! To slow the speed at which the suspension returns. (Bounced off the seat)

If it feels like you hitting the bottom of the travel,  increase compression damping a click or two (If you have it that is) to slow the rate of squish!

But of course that depends if the spring is correct for you and set at the correct initial height!

Important to remember, do ONE thing at a time and write down what you have done so you can go back and check!!

I've seen many a good handling bike stuffed by somebody tightening/loosening things willi nilly without any record or logic! When in doubt go back to original specs and start from scratch.

There is no compression dampening, but you'll get there without.

1. set the preload (collars) to the correct sag (25 - 30mm)
2. increase rebound - probably more than 2 clicks (from your description)

Two clicks, experience, two more, experience, .....

The silver lining is that you will learn a lot and feel like it's a transformed bike

Thanks for the replies guys, I appreciate your feedback.

I don't think I'm bottoming out the suspension, I'm tall but I'm not that big that I can fully compress the springs on the bike lol. I imagine the issue is the rebound as some of you pointed out and will make appropriate adjustments and experiment.

I have the mechanical apptitude of a brick though. Can someone point me to a tutorial or tech video here that outlines this work? I had a look myself but I may be searching using the wrong key words.

How much do you weigh?

Quote from: Sundog on May 11, 2011, 06:11:07 PM

I have the mechanical apptitude of a brick though. Can someone point me to a tutorial or tech video here that outlines this work? I had a look myself but I may be searching using the wrong key words.

You will fit in well here

Have you got the owners manual ?
not to sure in your manual but mine has how to adjust the the preload and rebound ect on an 03 model.
Or you can down load the owners manual from ducati http://www.ducati.com/services/maintenance/index.do

Quote from: Speeddog on May 11, 2011, 11:01:37 PM
How much do you weigh?

Cheeky! Not enough to do what has been suggested.  I'm using size 54 leathers and thats all the info coming. 



I'll rescan the manual again, I gave it a "man-look" and it didnt leap out at me but I will try once more.

Any bike shop will be able to do this in less than half an hour.

Maybe you should let them do it while you watch and learn....

Hmmmm,

This may sound a little silly, but have you checked your tyre pressures?
My mate has a M696 & when they delivered it, it was tunning around 45psi in both front & back. The bloody thing was a nightmare to ride, skittish on every bump and hard.

He dropped them to a much more reasonable 34 front 36 rear & says that it's a completely different bike.

just a thought ............

Quote from: dan_t on May 12, 2011, 03:36:06 AM
Hmmmm,

This may sound a little silly, but have you checked your tyre pressures?
My mate has a M696 & when they delivered it, it was tunning around 45psi in both front & back. The bloody thing was a nightmare to ride, skittish on every bump and hard.

He dropped them to a much more reasonable 34 front 36 rear & says that it's a completely different bike.

just a thought ............

Yup, Rule No.1..................Follow the K.I.S.S. principle! (Keep It Simple Stupid!) 

Never assume because its come from a bike shop its right!! 

Spend the $80-100 and take it to a shop, if your in Sydney go see the guys at Dmoto. Listen and watch what they do, they will be able to set it pretty close then you can use your new knowledge to make some fine adjustments as you go. An hour of your time well spent IMO.

Quote from: Sundog on May 10, 2011, 11:29:23 PM
OMG  I don't want stiffer springs, the issue is they are too hard.

If your wearing 54 (as I am) the spring won't be too hard!