Sato Link Rod - thoughts?

I was looking at this simply because it's not cast like the stock one. I know that isn't helpful, but I've been eyeballing it today.

I'm no guru, but will happily state the obvious.

This will:

1) reduce head angle which will slow the steering pretty dramatically

2) slightly increase wheelbase

3) improve stability under hard braking

Xbox said:

I'm no guru, but will happily state the obvious.

This will:

1) reduce head angle which will slow the steering pretty dramatically

2) slightly increase wheelbase

3) improve stability under hard braking

Click to expand...

Yup, you got it that spot on!! Why change the ride height and lower it geeteethree?
Well if you do have a hard time on keeping both feet flat on the ground when on the bike, then I guess its ok to go this direction...

But if you can reach the ground comfortably...dont lower it!

Perosnally think its a big mistake to just lower the rear as it will affect the overall geo on the bike.

If you really need to lower the bike becuase your short arse like me then do both ends so the geo remians.

Xbox said:

I'm no guru, but will happily state the obvious.

This will:

1) reduce head angle which will slow the steering pretty dramatically

2) slightly increase wheelbase

3) improve stability under hard braking

Click to expand...

If both ends are lowered equally, would this still change geo?

gilesr6 said:

If both ends are lowered equally, would this still change geo?

Click to expand...

If you drop the forks through the yokes, then you can correct head angle and bring the wheelbase back a little.

Problem with this is reduced ride height.

Guys, this is one of the best handling bikes on the planet, not a Harley! Changing the rear ride height is plain ridiculous and changing it front and rear will still effect handling. this link was made to be CAPABLE to lower up to 20mm, not for the purpose of doing so. This is so that a real suspension tuner can tweak ride heights. You should never need to have more than the toes of one foot on the ground to hold up your bike, and if you do, buying an 1199 might have been a bad caqll. Not busting chops, but playing with ride heights is a huge no-no. the factory link only allows 2 heighhts, this one allows tuning.

That SATO link is trash! Dan Kyle is making a titanium 1199 complete replacement rod that addresses the cast aluminum stock OEM part failure, better chromoly loop joint and wider adjustments.

I'm waiting for that.

George Villar said:

That SATO link is trash! Dan Kyle is making a titanium 1199 complete replacement rod that addresses the cast aluminum stock OEM part failure, better chromoly loop joint and wider adjustments.

I'm waiting for that.

Click to expand...

Excellent to know.

George Villar said:

That SATO link is trash! Dan Kyle is making a titanium 1199 complete replacement rod that addresses the cast aluminum stock OEM part failure, better chromoly loop joint and wider adjustments.

I'm waiting for that.

Click to expand...

Dan Kyle brings out some great products. I agree with the majority about lowering the bike. I've done it in the past and has done nothing but diminish the performance.

I think there is a misunderstanding here on what the sato link is for. It's not really to adjust ride height in the normal sense of being tall or short to put your toes on the ground. You can do that with the 1199 already. Has anyone done a suspension setup with Ducati when you first bought the bike? If not I recommend you do. The ride height is adjusted at that time.

The term "ride height adjustment" when talking about the rear end, should be referred to as Squat Tuning, The goal of SATO link rod is setting the "rear ride height" is to reduce (but not eliminate) squat while accellerating on corner exit.

I love my Pani but the 1199 does have issues with squat while accelerating on corner exits. I think Ducat realized this and fixed the issue with the 1199 R. It has an swing arm adjustment to compensate for the squat for various types of tracks.

The tuning process is long, delicate, and complicated but with the SATO Link rod and a good suspension setup mechanic. He would beable to fine tune and adjust the ride height to reduce the squat by raising or lowering the swing arm based on rider feedback with a correctly tuned suspension system and gearing. Fine tuning the squat on most street bike is not really that important but for a track bike it's a must. This why most performance stores like SATO/Kyle makes these adjustment rods for various bikes or every suspension. Its good to know they are starting to make aftermarket parts for the Pani.

Yes. The unit has an adjustable length. This allows for some fine tuning. I think some people think that it means the rear will drop 20 mm if the unit is installed. Not the case. You can retain stock ride height. It also looks to be a better quality part than the stock unit.

ScrapperX said:

I think there is a misunderstanding here on what the sato link is for. It's not really to adjust ride height in the normal sense of being tall or short to put your toes on the ground. You can do that with the 1199 already. Has anyone done a suspension setup with Ducati when you first bought the bike? If not I recommend you do. The ride height is adjusted at that time.

The term "ride height adjustment" when talking about the rear end, should be referred to as Squat Tuning, The goal of SATO link rod is setting the "rear ride height" is to reduce (but not eliminate) squat while accellerating on corner exit.

I love my Pani but the 1199 does have issues with squat while accelerating on corner exits. I think Ducat realized this and fixed the issue with the 1199 R. It has an swing arm adjustment to compensate for the squat for various types of tracks.

The tuning process is long, delicate, and complicated but with the SATO Link rod and a good suspension setup mechanic. He would beable to fine tune and adjust the ride height to reduce the squat by raising or lowering the swing arm based on rider feedback with a correctly tuned suspension system and gearing. Fine tuning the squat on most street bike is not really that important but for a track bike it's a must. This why most performance stores like SATO/Kyle makes these adjustment rods for various bikes or every suspension. Its good to know they are starting to make aftermarket parts for the Pani.

Click to expand...

Scrapper,
How can you do a bike setup with Ducati when first buying the bike?

gilesr6 said:

Scrapper,
How can you do a bike setup with Ducati when first buying the bike?

Click to expand...

Every bike I have ever bought from a dealer I have always ask if they would do a suspension setup as part of my final negotations "since I'm about to make a huge purchase on something I can't test drive" even the demo bike is not the one you are purchasing so they usually do it for free or sometimes you will see a setup fee on your invoice and I tell them that this fee better include a suspension set up and not just for throwing the bike together and the salesman always say sure no problem.

In the case of my 1199, when I completed the sale i asked "this price includes a suspension set up right?" and they said sure we can do that for you. I didn't think they would because I paid MSRP (every other dearler was asking 2 to 3 thousand dollars more and wouldn't negotiate) plus CA tax for the bike plus I got a NEXX XR1R carbon fiber helmet and a shorai battery as part of the purchase price. This was my first Ducati purchase and I thought they were going to be Ducatist snobs but it turns out the owners of the Ducati shop are professional racers and were very eager and helpful in getting the bike tuned for you. I love those guys! I really never had personal service like they gave me.

I know this sounds weird, but with my new rearsets, my knees are higher (higher pegs), and I think I am more "locked in". I just noticed tonight after the install.

deleted

D'ems fighting words George.

I think if you drew up some pics and look at geometry of any suspension setup for a chain or belt driven 2 wheeled vehicle and if there is any chain growth over the suspension movement, and if changing sag/ride height, changes where the rear suspension sits, then it will directly affect squat or anti-squat characteristics.
Btw... the term "squat" refers to the effect that the chain torque has on the suspension (not weight transfer as per your example of coming out of a corner ). Depending on the suspension design, chain toque will either compress the suspension (squat) or extend the suspension (anti-squat) .
It is almost impossible to completely eliminate the effect of chain torque on suspension movement with a single pivot swing arm type suspension design. Even with a 4 bar multi-link design, this would be almost impossible to eliminate, but you can get it to a point where there is so little effect that it become negligible.

Many suspension designers will capitalise on this in order to have some control over weight transfer, which will effect on power traction. The effect of chain torque on suspension movement can also be manipulated by changing the size of front and rear sprockets.

FYI, it is possible to design a suspension system so that it will extend under acceleration. Although, this would be considered a bad design as it would effectively "lockout" the shock on acceleration.
Having said this, many mountain bike suspension designs incorporate a little anti-squat to minimise the "bobbing" effect of a rider's pedalling motion.

George Villar said:

QUOTE: "The term "ride height adjustment" when talking about the rear end, should be referred to as Squat Tuning, The goal of SATO link rod is setting the "rear ride height" is to reduce (but not eliminate) squat while accelerating on corner exit." - Scrapper X.


1) It should not be referred to as Squat Tuning! Where did you get this term? From your salesperson at the Ducati dealer? lol. Joke.

2) A ride height adjustment is exactly that to ADJUST RIDE HEIGHT! Are you short at the inseam?

3) Have you ever gotten on the GAS after your steering input (right before the Apex), and had the bike squat? Might as well be taking a piss like a .... then….. The chassis- when on the gas rises front and rear from the motor torque output and the wheelbase decreases BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SQUAT!!!!!

4) Please do not insult us. The SATO link is not for what you say it's for. It's a ride height adjuster so you can take your high heels off while the bike is standing still.

5) Pre-load, sag adjustment, and spring rates in forks and rear shock and a progressive link (DAN KYLE) will handle the suspension for the individual rider.

I'm done here.

Click to expand...