New HS Experience - nearly one week in...

pazzo · Apr 8, 2015

I picked up the HS last Saturday. Weather here is not ideal but I've been out as much as I can after work and put about 350 miles on it since Saturday.

I've had a few Monsters and a 2013 MS and this is my favorite Duc so far. It doesn't have the legs of the MS, but it hits a nice middle spot between it and the cramped feeling I had on the Monster 821. It is an absolute blast to drive in the hill country around here and in town.

I've found a sweet spot with the Pirelli Scorpions @ 33psi front and 36 psi rear. Someone here mentioned those pressures and it works very well. Thank you.

The suspension feels like it getting better (I'm getting used to it, I know) in combination with the tire pressures I've found more comfort and better compliance and confidence. Front end is still a little light and I think if I do anything it may be a steering damper, but I'll wait until I get new Q3's.

Having come off the MS and the GS, it felt very tiny and still feels small. However the more I ride it the more I feel like the longer rides will be fairly comfortable.
It's such as change, it feels so drastic if you ride the GS and then jump on the HS. After only riding it for the week it gets more familiar and MUCH better.

I've had a couple false neutrals going into 6th, but what Duc doesn't?
Other than that, no real complaints.

I'm planning to ride it to COTA for the MotoGP race Sat and Sunday which is a little over 100 miles from home one way, carrying some overnight necessities.

I guess what I'm saying is...I really dig it.

RoadChick · Apr 8, 2015

Great to hear! I'm really digging mine too! Feels like it was made for my size person. I have the low version....

zippy49 · Apr 9, 2015

Hi Pazzo,

If you install a damper it will remove some of that nimble feel that we all like. The front has not much weight on it and the bars are wide. Like the throttle and clutch, you'll get used to it in time. Most owners don't add a damper.

BTW my brother was born in San Antone, although our family has been here in SoCal since the 1880's. When I want to tease him I call him a Texan. But I do wish I lived closer to COTA right now!!! Have a great time.

Race prediction: Marquez (duh), Dovi, Iannone (unless he crashes, then Vale). Go Ducati!

kuksul08 · Apr 9, 2015

Awesome, sounds like you're loving it. It's good to hear some positive reviews every so often

appliance821 · Apr 9, 2015

I'm with Zippy on this. I also think the huge redundant brake discs keep everything stable at speed. Never had it wobble or step out on me. I also think that seating position is important on this machine - getting right up on the tank can make a difference in the rain etc.

I'm due some tires this season - maybe pilot r4s - and look forward to seeing if there's a bit more front end feel. Mainly an issue on the long sweepers. Maybe down the road - racetech - but at least a year away. Really just to see what it's like - and if my skills warrant it as they grow.

r3monkey · Apr 9, 2015

i agree about seating position making a big difference.. when i hit the twisties i get myself right up to the tank too.

pazzo · Apr 9, 2015

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try them. I'm not in a hurry to get the damper, but the GS has it stock and a good damper shouldn't effect the slow speed stuff. Getting on the tank I noticed the other days does help.

Hey Zippy as far as Predictions go, if it's raining I'm going with Dovi.

Otherwise Marquez will be tough to beat. He loves COTA.

Mbalducci1990 · Apr 9, 2015

Im torn on the dampener.. The chassis handles any low speed wobbles. Front is light in the lower gears

I've upset the chassis a few times coming out of corners.. headlight pointing to the sky, and landing the front wheel offset. Had always worked itself out without throwing me into a heavy shake.

Then.. High speed cornering (100mph+) i've had the front end do a slight wander/wobble that felt very wierd to me. Then again the only area nearby me is a ocean drive kind of thing with alot of ocean breeze. I think the style of the bike and me as a parachute in the wind caused it. My sport bikes never had an issue..

zippy49 · Apr 13, 2015

pazzo said:
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try them. I'm not in a hurry to get the damper, but the GS has it stock and a good damper shouldn't effect the slow speed stuff. Getting on the tank I noticed the other days does help.

Hey Zippy as far as Predictions go, if it's raining I'm going with Dovi.
Otherwise Marquez will be tough to beat. He loves COTA.

If any of you have not seen Mark's pole setting lap, you are missing out. Even Dovi (who admitted he followed Mark for that lap to "learn his secrets") was amazed. Nearly lost it several times. And on his #2 bike, with the soft front he did not like. It was the most balls-out riding I've ever seen.

And the result was indeed predictable...although Ianonne did not crash. Hope you did not get too wet going there and back.

zippy49 · Apr 13, 2015

Mbalducci1990 said:
Im torn on the dampener.. The chassis handles any low speed wobbles. Front is light in the lower gears I've upset the chassis a few times coming out of corners.. headlight pointing to the sky, and landing the front wheel offset. Had always worked itself out without throwing me into a heavy shake.

Then.. High speed cornering (100mph+) i've had the front end do a slight wander/wobble that felt very wierd to me. Then again the only area nearby me is a ocean drive kind of thing with a lot of ocean breeze. I think the style of the bike and me as a parachute in the wind caused it. My sport bikes never had an issue..

You are right about the style of bike being a parachute - I call it a barn door. Any extra weight on the back (including the saddlebags) would make it worse. If the damper will adjust to zero it would be okay, but the one I put on my R6 was stiff even at the minimum setting.

Have you fixed the forks yet? That helped my bike stay more stable in every condition.

RoadChick · Apr 13, 2015

zippy49 said:
You are right about the style of bike being a parachute - I call it a barn door. Any extra weight on the back (including the saddlebags) would make it worse. If the damper will adjust to zero it would be okay, but the one I put on my R6 was stiff even at the minimum setting.

Have you fixed the forks yet? That helped my bike stay more stable in every condition.

I'm curious how satisfied you are with the work Racetech did on your forks? I am thinking about dropping off my bike up there...

zippy49 · Apr 13, 2015

RoadChick said:
I'm curious how satisfied you are with the work Racetech did on your forks? I am thinking about dropping off my bike up there...

I am 100% satisfied. But it took some special machine work to fit the valve, and therefore the tech said that they would not offer this as a kit. If you take your bike to a RT center they should be able to handle it. I went to their HQ in Corona, that might not be too far for you. I'll PM some more references.

If you ever get down to Ortega, you can try mine out. It's standard height, though.

New HS Experience - nearly one week in...

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