Suspension linkage - anyone still on F

The guys on the German Panigale forum got this "reaction rod" made. I know there is a Sato one available but this looks stronger and better. As it seems that I will stay with F it would be nice to have the possibility to adjust the ride height with this. Maybe some talented guys on this forum could make few of these? I would be interested in getting one done.

Jariva said:

The guys on the German Panigale forum got this "reaction rod" made. I know there is a Sato one available but this looks stronger and better. As it seems that I will stay with F it would be nice to have the possibility to adjust the ride height with this. Maybe some talented guys on this forum could make few of these? I would be interested in getting one done.

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I've been waiting for someone to machine a fixed rod in both P and F.

I have tried both. Dan Kyle (suspension guru and Ohlins expert) suggested the move to P after I couldn't get the suspension compliant enough even with softer springs front and rear. The P setting definitely softens up the action (as counter-intuitive as that seems). I have since switched back to F as I was recently able to gain some of the compliance I was looking for. I had the Kyle flat rate link (among all his other suspension goodies) on my 1198SP, and liked it tremendously. I like the idea of a flat rate for a one up type of bike (I have removed my passenger pegs on my Tri). I will continue to work with the F setting until convinced it won't be the best option for my needs (canyon riding).

I'm so glad Ducati delivered it on F. Imagine if Porsche delivered their 911 with balloon tires for street buyers and delivered the PZeros in a separate box unmounted? Buyer would be like "WTF?".

Switched to F today....love it, tracks better, turns better, can't believe its taken me this long!

F. not carrying passengers, removed passenger pegs during the first week. set suspension for my weight. cant wait to try the bike on track soon

I did the majority of my coast-to-coast on F, then switched to P and didn't feel a difference. Now that I've been tracking it I'll probably switch back, but I'm still fearful of touching the linkage due to the failures of the hardware.

Last time I checked the Sato was for lowering the Panigale....can anyone verify if stock height can be preserved?

AntiHero said:

I did the majority of my coast-to-coast on F, then switched to P and didn't feel a difference. Now that I've been tracking it I'll probably switch back, but I'm still fearful of touching the linkage due to the failures of the hardware.

Last time I checked the Sato was for lowering the Panigale....can anyone verify if stock height can be preserved?

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FWIW, the rod will be stronger in F since it's not extended. That said, I've had mine off a couple of times (first F to P to try it and and then back to F), and the only reason I can see that the rod would fail is if the pivots were binding somewhere.

As for the Sato, I'm not 100% but it looks like stock to -20MM is the range, which should correlate to 10mm of rod length adjustment, and it is only useable in the F position. Note that you can get 1mm rear ride height adjustments with just a half turn of the front shock eyelet (1mm thread pitch & 2:1 suspension ratio). That's a little more involved than just twisting a turnbuckle-style link rod like the Sato, but not much; it just requires supporting the rear of the bike at the pegs or some other point on the frame aside from the rear axle. Takes maybe 5-10 minutes instead of 2-3.

Still on F setting. No plans to changes.

interesting that no one has come forward to say that they are on P. I remember a bunch of people who came on and said they switched to P. Maybe because its considered less "sporty" so they've chosen to remain silent ? Who knows, but I'm sure there are quite a few on P as well.

I have only used it on F so far.

I had Ducati adjust the sag and tweak the suspension settings/tire pressure after I used the stock settings for a couple of months.

I changed mine to P from F at first service and I found the setting better on bumpy streets. Felt like the bike would throw me off over bumps in the F set up. Had more confidence in the P set up for street riding.

anthem said:

interesting that no one has come forward to say that they are on P. I remember a bunch of people who came on and said they switched to P. Maybe because its considered less "sporty" so they've chosen to remain silent ? Who knows, but I'm sure there are quite a few on P as well.

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I was one of them, running scared from poor reviews of handling that dogged the early road tests. Glad I've switched now.

I change white regularly between F and P . Track F / road with passenger P.

Tracked it once in P, less pumping under acceleration but harder on tires...

WAfatboy said:

I was one of them, running scared from poor reviews of handling that dogged the early road tests. Glad I've switched now.

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Stock F was too hard for me even on the track. Once its dialed in F is best imo.

Anyone have the part number for the R adj. linkage? I'd like to order one.

anthem said:

interesting that no one has come forward to say that they are on P.

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Probably since this thread seems like a baited bash session for anyone in "P".

I'm one that feels that "P" is less abrupt riding the crappy concrete here in Virginia/N.Carolina. So I admit that I appreciate the softer feel of Progressive.
Although I understand if you don't hit potholes or concrete change roads you may not feel any difference. I'm not one to say that I can tell alot of difference on DES changes where some others may. But I really did see a big difference riding around here "F" to "P".
When I track I switch it to "F". I have not tried "P" on the track. For no other reason than suspecting Ducati meant to have the bike in "F" on the track.
Just my thoughts...

i live in nyc and had it in F for a while. changed to p makes a better ride for my roads but i miss the f may change back not sure yet.

I was surprised the ride was OK in F but I had a lot of adjustment left in terms of rear compression to soften things up a bit, and also I have a heavier rear spring more suited to my 110kg with gear.

As I re-familiarise myself with the world of superbikes I have learnt to differentiate between 'good ride' and 'good handling'. In an ideal world you'd have both but its hard finding the sweet spot and the amount of misinformation is staggering.

I have no problem finding settings that feel good on the open road ridden at close to legals speeds but its those very tight corners, often after hard brakes that create the biggest problems.

The bike in F rides fine, not plush but acceptable, to the point where I forget I've switched to F. F certainly makes the rear feel ore planted and the bike feels like it holds a line better.

However the thing that Im struggling with is the feeling of the front end 'washing out' on me in a tightish road where I change direction quickly. Hell even on a roundabout!

I have found the BMW easier to tune in this respect but alas so far I've had no luck with the Pani and I have no confidence in bends where the road is uneven and there is a tight curve.

anthem said:

interesting that no one has come forward to say that they are on P. I remember a bunch of people who came on and said they switched to P. Maybe because its considered less "sporty" so they've chosen to remain silent ? Who knows, but I'm sure there are quite a few on P as well.

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I guess I was not clear enough in my post on page one. Mine is still in "P" mode and is staying there. I am quite happy with it. I stick with my disclaimer that I do not track the bike. But I also have zero chicken strip on the right side and about 1/4 inch on the left, so it's not like I don't ride hard. In fairness also, most of the curves I have to work with are fast sweepers.

My opinion is that there are no wrong answers. Even when I raced I liked a more "compliant" suspension and it worked for me as most of my racing was on a fairly rough track at the time.