Did it take you a while to love your 950?

[DieselDork]

Greetings all,

I don't want to call the baby ugly, but with only a few (~75) miles on the odometer, I'm having a hard time finding things I like about my new ride.  The clutch is horrendous, and I've heard others complain about that; so I'm willing to deal with that.  It seems to take a LOT of throttle to get underway.  Meaning, as I ease the clutch out, it wants to bog down and requires more wrist input that I am accustomed to.  I've stalled it numerous times, which is disheartening, as I have 10+ years of street riding under my belt, and 10+ years of dirt before that.  The two BIG things that REALLY concern me are the buffeting, and unsettled/wallowing feel.   This is my first bike with a proper windscreen, so maybe I'm just not used to the buffeting.  It feels like someone is rapidly punching my shoulders and head in an alternating fashion; regardless of screen height.  I am 6'2" tall (188cm), and weigh 188lbs (85kg).  I got on the highway yesterday, and after taking the first ramp from one highway system to another, I was so rattled that I had to get off at the next exit.  I was attempting to maintain about 60MPH (96kmh).  The bike felt like I was on gravel or some slippery surface.   I just don't have any confidence in it. 

Is it just that the tires aren't scrubbed in?  Is it just because the bike itself isn't broken in?  Is it just me?   I've ridden all the same routes that I've covered thousands of miles on my 2009 Speed Triple with 100% confidence.  This is my first brand new bike, and the first time I've ridden a bike with 0 miles and 2 new tires at the same time.

signed,
Bummed guy

[YoungF]

Hi DieselDork

It was love at first ride for me, I'm on my second and thinking about a third.

First the clutch, this is much improved on the S, it is older cable one that was a bit dodgy.
You need to adjust the lever for the correct reach and get some spacers for the throttle, this will stop the stalling.
I also fitted evotech adjustable levers and these made it perfect.

The buffeting is well discussed on here with many different screen options available.
If you're used to naked bikes then I suggest you go for one of the low ones like the OEM enduro screen or the Puig sports screen that I opted for.

The wallowing is likely how the suspension is set out of the box as it drags its arse (the first model was worse than the S for this).
I am a bit lighter than you and use preload 12 so you may need 14 and I use medium damping on the rear
On the front I have reduced preload by 2 turns (although not everyone agrees with this train of thought) and use the 'softer' damping setting.
The skyhook system means its easy to play around with the settings until you get it perfect for you.

Tyre wise try running 40/35psi and when you change them (assuming you don't ride off road) fit Roadtec 01's as these transform the handling.

It is the best bike I have owned and I still love every minute riding it.

Hope this helps.

YoungF

[DieselDork]

THANK YOU for the response!

I am not able to determine how to adjust preload on the rear.  Can't find reference to it in the manual, and there is no apparent external adjustment.  Would you have some clues for me maybe?

I went to twist the front preload and expected it to be stiff, but to move, and click as it was twisted.  I wasn't able to turn it by hand, so I grabbed a 19mm wrench and was able to twist it freely.  No clicks though.  I find that odd.  Should i be expecting clicks on the adjuster on the top of the right fork?

I'm digging in to your other suggestions as well.  thank you!   

[YoungF]

No clicks on front preload, just turns, use the arrows to know where you are.

Front preload is the only manual adjustment, everything else is electronic and done through the dashboard. Just go into menu and settings and you will soon find your way around as it is very intuitive.

Note that the different riding modes - touring, sport, etc - also alter how the suspension works too - I prefer touring  most of the time and sport if I’m really making progress. Enduro works amazingly well on gravel tracks.

[fipenna]

I did have some initial trouble with my 950S clutch, it it naturally faded away as the bike broke-in. Same with finding neutral, very difficult in the beginning and pretty easy now (3.2K miles).

Regarding the buffeting, the Multistradas are indeed famous for that. Not only the 950's, but also the 1200's, 1260's and now the first feedback from the V4's doesn't say much better. As @dieseldork mentioned above, you can try different aftermarket windscreens to improve the buffeting. I have on mine a Puig Touring screen with the Icon spacers, it improves vs factory but it doesn't solve. If you're used to the naked full-wind-on-chest feeling you can install one of those sport screens like the Pikes Peak.

Can't help much on the wobbly feeling, never experience that with mine. Did you have the correct tire pressure?

I do agree with the others, it's a fantastic bike and I don't regret at all having traded my 2014 1200S for it.

[BrownTrousers]

My clutch / gearbox definitely took 1,000km or so to bed in and then was much easier to live with. Now only very cold starts cause it to be a bit jerky when pulling away.

I never had any real issues with buffeting or suspension set up though.

[DieselDork]

Thank you all for the info!!

I did about 75 more miles yesterday. It's been insanely windy around here and the bike seems quite susceptible to it, so I am hoping to attribute at least some of the issues to that.

I'd never heard of throttle spacers, but have them on order!

Fingers crossed that the clutch will improve.

Last thing (hopefully)... the Hill Assist.  It holds GREAT... but when I give the bike throttle and ease the clutch out, the front end drops and it stalls.  IMMEDIATELY.  It's like the brake isn't releasing.  I'm sure that it probably take more throttle input than I'm giving it and its likely user error.  Anyone else struggle, or is it just learning curve?

Thanks for the help with the growing pains!!!

[Paul_Smith]

Lots of things about bikes are counter intuitive. Some are better known then others such as pushing the inside bar to turn (counter steering), and braking slower to stop faster (weight transfer). One that doesn't seem to be taught very well is that the more relaxed the rider, the more stable the bike. A bike hinges around the headstock so if you try to push it to one side (as happens with a cross wind), that has the same effect as pushing the downwind handle bar away from you. This is the same as counter steering and the bike will (if left to its own devices) try to steer in the downwind direction which has the effect of straightening the bike up again. On a well balanced bike, these forces cancel each other out and the bike feels stable. However, if the rider is griping the bars tightly (which is what tense or nervous riders tend to do), you actually prevent the downwind bar from moving away from you, which prevents the bike from steering downwind, which stops the bike from straightening itself up again. The result is that the same bike in the same conditions feels unstable and that make the rider even more nervous. 

The first step is dealing with this is to learn to recognize when you are tense and consciously deal with it. Different things work for different people but the technique I use is if I suspect I might be tense, I try to waggle my elbows. If they don't move  freely, then I need to physically loosen my grip, check my breathing and correct my posture. Then I actively try to identify what is making me uncomfortable and do something about it.

If any of this is new to you, then I suggest you don't wait until shite is happening before you learn to deal with it, but take active steps on every ride. Initially, plan to spend ten minutes on your next few rides actively and deliberately counter steering into every corner. Exaggerate the actions to get a feel for what you can get away with. Make sure you have a safe space so you can run a little wide or a little tight and push your limits a little bit. How does it feel? How does it feel when you push a little too hard? How did you correct (don't worry you will correct automatically, but try to be aware of it). How does it feel when you deliberately don't counter steer enough (probably clumsy and awkward but try the learn the 'feeling'). After the ten minutes are up, go back to riding naturally but pay attention if you get any of those feeling you have just learnt. Trust me on this, if you do this a few times, you will find you get the bike around corners much more effectively and comfortably and you will find that you have far fewer 'moments'.  Your next set of exercises are simpler. Pick a number. Any number. On your next few rides, every time you notice your number as the last digit of the odo, check your tension by waggling your elbows. If they don't move freely, loosen your grip and take active steps to relax. Pay attention to the 'feeling' before and after. Try and notice if working on your tension affects how smooth the ride feels. This exercise is doubly important if you plan to take passengers. Being relaxed does not guarantee a smooth ride, but being tense makes a smooth ride much more difficult.

[Chuck950]

Sorry you're having issues DD.

I don't have many answers for you as I have owned my Multistrada since Friday.  I can say I was nervous too, not about how it rode, but nervous about the potential of wrecking it on my first ride.  I am coming off of a nearly 20 year old sport bike, so there is a whole lot of difference between the 2.  As was mentioned, the wallow is likely due to factory suspension settings.  I noticed as soon as I sat on mine at home that I thought my arse was going to be rubbing on tire.  I've been slowly tuning the suspension each ride, trying to find what works best.  I spent quite a bit of time in an empty parking lot getting the feel for it.  I will be going back to do it again.  Perhaps give that a go?

Cheers,

[DieselDork]

Not much of an update, but for posterity and those that may search for similar issues in the future, I wanted to post an update.

1. Received and installed the throttle spacers the other day.  Did 20 miles or so around the backroads and can say that it has helped TREMENDOUSLY with the stalling and general throttle response. 

2. increased the front fork preload 1/2 turn. I haven't ridden on the interstate yet, so can't say that it has helped with the wallowing or not.  Seems better on the roads I ride, although it could be placebo.   I changed from touring to sport mode as well. 

3. Windscreen.  I feel like this is where I'm going to find resolution to "all the bikes problems".  I feel like if I could cut down the noise and buffeting, everything would be more comfortable.  I have looked at the following, and am trying to decide what to try first. 
 a. ducpilot.com windshield spacers ($100)
 b. Iconic windshield spacers  (~$60 + overseas shipping lead-time)
 c. Puig screen
 d. California Scientific (Calsci) screen
 e. MRA Variotouring screen
 f. Givi screen