Ducati Multistrada 1200S Pikes Peak, Owner'S Manual

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DSS (Ducati SkyHook System)
Multistrada 1200 is equipped with the brand new
suspension control system called DSS (Ducati
Skyhook System): DDS is a dynamic suspension
damping control system.
Dynamically, the purpose of a vehicle suspension is
generally twofold: to allow the vehicle to absorb the
surface bumps by "filtering" their effects on vehicle
chassis (and therefore on the rider) and ensure
optimum contact between the wheels and the
ground. The aim of the DDS is to enhance the comfort
level ensured by a normal passive suspension while
keeping performance unchanged.
The DSS relies on the vehicle's sensors to determine
its lengthwise and vertical movements, and adjusts
suspension damping settings accordingly. In
particular, the DSS also communicates with the DTC
and ABS control units to continuously determine the
motorcycle status in real time. This results in a
generally more comfortable motorcycle, able to
better dampen ground bumps without affecting
handling and with rider always in control. Vertical
movements are minimized as well as all sinking
movements (pitching) that occur under braking and
acceleration.
The DSS is fully integrated with the motorcycle Riding
Modes. By selecting a certain Riding Mode, the rider
can establish the base suspension behavior,
suspension response and hence the motorcycle
response. Then, according to motorcycle dynamics,
the DSS will intervene and rectify the motorcycle
response, regardless of the set Riding Mode, which
simply determines the base suspension behavior (i.e.
more comfortable for URBAN riding mode and more
precise for SPORT riding mode).
To better understand this feature, take for instance
the URBAN and TOURING Riding Modes. The
URBAN Riding Mode is set to offer a motorcycle
handling suitable for town use: the base suspension
behavior is hence focused on maximizing damping of
bumps and for this reason the suspension will
generally feel more comfortable.
The TOURING Riding Mode is designed for a more
touring use, that is more demanding for the
motorcycle and requires a more controlled and
precise base suspension behavior. But in both cases
the DSS kicks in if the motorcycle behavior and in
particular its vertical and lengthwise movements
cause poor comfort or poor vehicle performance, no
matter if this occurs while riding at a consistent speed
or under braking or acceleration.
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