+2, -2 damping

[J biker]

Thinking of buying a used 1300gs. With DSA, but not the fancy ride height (assume that is possible..)
I have read that there is an extra adjustment parameter now: up to +2 and down to -2 on damping.
Anyone tried this out? Curious if it does back AND front at the same time, and how much difference it makes.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

I have that spec, had a little play with the settings while away (it doesn't separate front and back adjustments), I only perceived marginal differences if i'm honest, I went road -2 on really bumpy stuff. I haven't touched the parameters much since back, and usually just ride in road suspension setting, with dynamic engine map mode which I prefer over road mode.

It is in settings/assist/suspension/damping configuration (Not the 'hamburger' button)

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Adjustment menu

 

[pbbanks]

Thinking of buying a used 1300gs. With DSA, but not the fancy ride height (assume that is possible..)
I have read that there is an extra adjustment parameter now: up to +2 and down to -2 on damping.
Anyone tried this out? Curious if it does back AND front at the same time, and how much difference it makes.
Thanks in advance.

Pretty sure it does both back and front.
It's a bit difficult to follow, you set damping modes of Dynamic or Road to one of the 5 settings like you say between -2. & +2 . Then as a separate choice when in any riding mode (road, rain, dynamic etc. ) you can select damping of either Road or Dynamic from a setting on the "hamburger" multi options menu.
I find it very confusing and maybe someone else can explain it better.

You can feel it changing the damping substantially if you start the engine and bounce the suspension up & down, it goes from very soft to hard. But when riding it doesn't seem that noticeable. Also you have the added complication of variable spring rate on the 1300, which I usually leave on auto.

Top and bottom of it is the bike does handle very very well for such a big beast.

 

[leadfarmer]

I tend to ride in dynamic mode as I prefer the more normal brake feeling, in road there’s a lot of intervention from the linking, I prefer to balance front and rear myself

I sometimes use the dynamic damping setting with -2 to soften it up a tad if I know I’m going to be on bumpy roads

 

[leadfarmer]

Also you have the added complication of variable spring rate on the 1300, which I usually leave on auto.

That’s the best bit of the new DSA system, especially if you ride 2 up, it’s not configurable though, it’s completely automatic, and works incredibly well

 

[J biker]

Ok, thanks.
Had 2 1200s and 1 1250, each one seemed to have improvements somewhere. I would normally be in dynamic on the last (1250) as I tend to be a bit ‘progressive’ in my riding, keeping road for towns and speed bumps! Currently riding a 1290 R Superduke, non electric suspension, and got it set up just nice. Got to say after (counts in head..) 5 motorcycles with electric brains managing suspension that most of them are a compromise. Tbh, still baffled that a top of range bike, you cant adjust sag! (Well s1000r was an exception..) .

 

[pbbanks]

Ok, thanks.
Had 2 1200s and 1 1250, each one seemed to have improvements somewhere. I would normally be in dynamic on the last (1250) as I tend to be a bit ‘progressive’ in my riding, keeping road for towns and speed bumps! Currently riding a 1290 R Superduke, non electric suspension, and got it set up just nice. Got to say after (counts in head..) 5 motorcycles with electric brains managing suspension that most of them are a compromise. Tbh, still baffled that a top of range bike, you cant adjust sag! (Well s1000r was an exception..) .

The sag is all done automatically. It adjusts the spring according to load to achieve the ideal setting for sag.

 

[J biker]

The sag is all done automatically. It adjusts the spring according to load to achieve the ideal setting for sag.

Is this not just in auto mode?

 

[leadfarmer]

Is this not just in auto mode?

Spring rate and sag is always automatic, you can choose whether to lower or raise the suspension automatically or set it up or down in certain modes

 

[Troppo]

I experimented on a notoriously rough section of road the other day. I ride in Dynamic pro, with the suspension in road mode.

-2 made a noticeable difference in bump absorption.

 

[TheStammeringBiker]

I experimented on a notoriously rough section of road the other day. I ride in Dynamic pro, with the suspension in road mode.

-2 made a noticeable difference in bump absorption.

Been riding in this configuration for a while now and definitely agree it’s the best compromise to get the bike to absorb the bumps better

 

[Coyantino]

I tend to ride in dynamic mode as I prefer the more normal brake feeling, in road there’s a lot of intervention from the linking, I prefer to balance front and rear myself

I sometimes use the dynamic damping setting with -2 to soften it up a tad if I know I’m going to be on bumpy roads

I'm new to the 1300GS, mine is not here yet and the linked braking is something that worries me as I'm used to use the rear brake a lot to turn tighter or stabilize the bike in bends. When your say that you set the dynamic setting on -2 it's in the "Assist" menu, not the "hamburger" menu, right? And if I may, would it be possible to choose for the four riding modes that you can access with the "Mode" button, Dynamic AND Dynamic Pro (instead of Eco, for example)? That way you could maybe programme a "sharp" Dynamic mode for sporty riding on good surfaces and another (Dynamic Pro) for equally sporty riding but with a more forgiving suspension setting (Road suspension setting but with more controlled compression), not sure if it's clear

 

[leadfarmer]

I'm new to the 1300GS, mine is not here yet and the linked braking is something that worries me as I'm used to use the rear brake a lot to turn tighter or stabilize the bike in bends. When your say that you set the dynamic setting on -2 it's in the "Assist" menu, not the "hamburger" menu, right? And if I may, would it be possible to choose for the four riding modes that you can access with the "Mode" button, Dynamic AND Dynamic Pro (instead of Eco, for example)? That way you could maybe programme a "sharp" Dynamic mode for sporty riding on good surfaces and another (Dynamic Pro) for equally sporty riding but with a more forgiving suspension setting (Road suspension setting but with more controlled compression), not sure if it's clear

You can assign up to 4 modes to the mode button, so yes you can choose which ones are available, you can also modify the damping for each mode in the configuration menu

I believe you can also assign damping to the burger button so that you can adjust it on the fly

 

[IrishGaucho]

Here you can see it in action:

 

[TheStammeringBiker]

I’ve been running mine in Road mode with the damping at +2 and it’s sublime.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[J biker]

I'm new to the 1300GS, mine is not here yet and the linked braking is something that worries me as I'm used to use the rear brake a lot to turn tighter or stabilize the bike in bends. When your say that you set the dynamic setting on -2 it's in the "Assist" menu, not the "hamburger" menu, right? And if I may, would it be possible to choose for the four riding modes that you can access with the "Mode" button, Dynamic AND Dynamic Pro (instead of Eco, for example)? That way you could maybe programme a "sharp" Dynamic mode for sporty riding on good surfaces and another (Dynamic Pro) for equally sporty riding but with a more forgiving suspension setting (Road suspension setting but with more controlled compression), not sure if it's clear

The GS tightens up without needing to touch the brake tbh, just ease off the throttle. Ridden tens of thousands of miles on twisty roads and if the rear brake pedal was removed probably would not be a miss. Its not like an inline four, and steering, adjusting line in a corner is one of the strong points.
Mine is permanently in dynamic. Preferring the all round feel, but I now run at minus 2 on the damping. As it was little harsh, now compliant.
Tyre pressures: just imo. But I only ride solo. Rear set at 38-39. Front 34-35. I find the rear works better at that. If the front is dropped below 34psi, the steering feels heavy. Again imo. 42psi is what I would run at the back with a pillion.
As to modes, power etc. even at max throttle response, there is nothing to worry about. Mine run in max in all conditions, its the rider that turns the twistgrip after all, you only get what you ask for and no more. You would not turn the throttle fully when leaning in the wet? The traction control, abs still works., just does not cut in as early, it is still there. I used to find the traction control intrusive on earlier GS, as bumpy roads would cut power on acceleration.
Only thing I would not do is turn off the ABS for road use.

 

[TaskMule]

And if I may, would it be possible to choose for the four riding modes that you can access with the "Mode" button, Dynamic AND Dynamic Pro (instead of Eco, for example)? That way you could maybe programme a "sharp" Dynamic mode for sporty riding on good surfaces and another (Dynamic Pro) for equally sporty riding but with a more forgiving suspension setting (Road suspension setting but with more controlled compression), not sure if it's clear

You can absolutely set Dynamic and Dynamic Pro as two of your four riding mode choices. Dynamic will always be just that with no adjustments available other than the + - hard or soft dampening options on the hamburger button menu. Dynamic Pro simply allows you to REDUCE throttle response, traction control, and abs. The + - dampening setting on the hamburger button applies to both Dynamic and DynamicPro, you can't separate the two in that regard. The only reason for using Dynamic Pro is if you find the instant throttle response a bit too instant, if your traction control activates more than you like or if ABS activates more than you like. Of course you have to be riding pretty aggressively for these to be constantly activating. I encourage this type of riding.

 

[Asturcon]

I'm new to the 1300GS, mine is not here yet and the linked braking is something that worries me as I'm used to use the rear brake a lot to turn tighter or stabilize the bike in bends. When your say that you set the dynamic setting on -2 it's in the "Assist" menu, not the "hamburger" menu, right? And if I may, would it be possible to choose for the four riding modes that you can access with the "Mode" button, Dynamic AND Dynamic Pro (instead of Eco, for example)? That way you could maybe programme a "sharp" Dynamic mode for sporty riding on good surfaces and another (Dynamic Pro) for equally sporty riding but with a more forgiving suspension setting (Road suspension setting but with more controlled compression), not sure if it's clear

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong (I'd be interested to know, actually) but as far as I know, the linked part of the brakes only applies to the the front lever (front brake) not the rear brake lever. So the front lever will apply both front and rear but the rear will only apply the rear.

Are you also new to big twins? Because entering a corner in low gear, high revs and feathering the throttle gives you the same effect as using the rear brake but (I find) gives much finer control. I hardly ever use my brakes on GSs. In fact i only replaced the pads on my 1200 last year after 7 years and 42,000kms and I don't ride slow.

 

[Coyantino]

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong (I'd be interested to know, actually) but as far as I know, the linked part of the brakes only applies to the the front lever (front brake) not the rear brake lever. So the front lever will apply both front and rear but the rear will only apply the rear.

Are you also new to big twins? Because entering a corner in low gear, high revs and feathering the throttle gives you the same effect as using the rear brake but (I find) gives much finer control. I hardly ever use my brakes on GSs. In fact i only replaced the pads on my 1200 last year after 7 years and 42,000kms and I don't ride slow.

As far as I know the linked brakes are activated with BOTH levers, front to rear and rear to front. I don't know if there's a sort of modulation going on depending on which riding mode you're in.
As to your question, you're spot on, I come from a big (1000cc) japanese inline-four which barely has any engine braking. I had a Multistrada for a few months and I had to get used to the engine braking as I normally would let off the throttle earlier and correct the entry speed with the brakes. On the Ducati the linked brakes were only activated with the the hand lever for the front brakes and in "Sport" mode, the linked brake system was deactivated so you could use the front and rear brakes independently.