Öhlins electronically adjustable suspension is used on the Sport and Touring versions of the Multistrada 1200. This is a “passive” system, meaning that suspension adjustments are not made automatically in relation to the dynamic conditions of the vehicle.

While the motorcycle is moving, the rider may select between four different riding modes (Sport, Touring, Urban, Enduro). Each riding mode is associated to a specific suspension set-up (see 6 - 6 “Introduction to the electrical system of the Multistrada 1200”).

The rider may select different usage scenarios for the suspension set-up while the motorcycle is moving (the respective menu offers four different combinations: rider only, rider alone with luggage, rider and passenger, rider and passenger with luggage).

The rider CANNOT modify the settings associated to each riding mode, which include the suspension set-up, while the vehicle is in motion. This is only possible when the motorcycle is stationary.

On both the front and rear suspension, hydraulic compression and rebound damping is adjusted by electric actuators (with 31 progressive settings). Spring preload in both stanchions of the front fork is adjusted conventionally, whereas spring preload for the rear shock absorber is adjusted by an electric actuator (the rear shock absorber may be compressed by up to 8 mm, with sixteen different positions settable for the electric actuator. meaning that each subsequent position corresponds to half a milli­metre of spring compression). Changes to the hydraulic damping settings are not accompanied by audible clicks. Therefore, to ascertain whether the dampers are working correctly, set to one extreme of their travel first and then to the other, comparing the different damping actions achieved by compressing and releasing the front and rear suspension repeatedly (by bouncing on the suspension). Note, however, that the system will indicate any malfunction of the electrically adjustable suspension via the DDS and via the dashboard service display.

The left hand stanchion (viewed from the rider's position) contains the compression damper, with 31 setting positions (first po­sition -> damper completely closed clockwise -> maximum damping, 31st position -> damper completely opened anticlockwise -> minimum damping). Operating principle:

The right hand stanchion (viewed from the rider's position) contains the rebound damper, with 31 setting positions (first position -> damper completely closed clockwise -> maximum damping, 31s position -> damper completely opened anticlockwise -> min­imum damping). Operating principle:

The spring preload of the two fork stanchions may be adjusted by turning the hexagonal nut at the top ends of the stanchions themselves (tightening the nut increases preload, loosening the nut decreases preload).

The Öhlins rear shock absorber uses TTX technology, which reduces the influence that the hydraulic rebound damper has on the hydraulic compression damper and vice versa. There are two passages in the duct connecting the volume of the shock absorber with the volume of the oil reservoir: one allows oil to flow from the reservoir to the tube (rebound), the other allows oil to flow from the tube to the reservoir (compression). Each of these passages has a bypass that reduces the hydraulic damping effect when its area is increased, or increases the hydraulic damping effect when its area is reduced. These By-passes are adjusted by a conical needle actuated by an electric stepper motor (with 31 different setting positions: first position -> damper completely closed clockwise -> maximum damping, 31st position -> damper completely open anticlockwise -> minimum damping). Spring preload is adjusted by a hydraulic press, consisting of: a sealed hydraulic circuit containing oil, an electric pump with position sen­sor and a hydraulic actuator.

As the electric pump of the hydraulic press pressurises the oil, the actuator increases the load applied to the shock absorber spring (compressing and preloading the spring).

As the electric pump of the hydraulic press releases oil pressure, the load applied to the shock absorber spring is reduced (the spring extends).

The maximum spring compression applicable by the hydraulic press is 8 mm. The preload actuator has 16 different setting posi­tions, with each subsequent position equivalent to ½ mm of travel.

The image shows the rear Öhlins shock absorber with the wires (on the right) carrying power to the electric actuators. These actuator adjust the hydraulic dampers in the duct connecting the volume of the shock absorber tube with the reservoir. The elec­tric pump of the hydraulic press is visible on the left, while the hydraulic actuator adjusting the spring preload can be seen on the spring itself.

St stanchion

T shock absorber tube

Se reservoir

G gas

O oil

St stanchion

T shock absorber tube

Se reservoir

G gas

O oil

DES 18 and DES 10 ground, black – Bk, DES 2 and DES 1 A KEY ON power (+15 from Hands free relay 30) red/black – R/Bk.

M rear shock absorber compression damping actuator. 1 purple/white – V/W, 2 purple/green V/G, 3 purple/blue – V/B, 4 purple/yellow – V/Y.

M rear shock absorber rebound damping actuator. 1 yellow/white – Y/W, 2 yellow/pink Y/P, 3 yellow/light blue – Y/Lb, 4 yellow/green Y/G.

M rear shock absorber preload actuator, S rear shock absorber preload actuator position sensor. 1 red/yellow - R/Y, 2 red/blue – R/B, 3 red/yellow – R/Y (5V), 4 black – Bk, 5 grey – Gr (Signal).

M front fork compression damping actuator (left hand stanchion). 1 orange/blue – O/B, 2 orange/green - O/G, 3 orange/yellow - O/Y, 4 orange/purple O/V.

M front fork rebound damping actuator (right hand stanchion). 1 blue/yellow – B/Y, 2 blue/yellow – B/Y, 3 blue/purple – B/V, 4 blue/green – B/G.

At each KEY ON, the hydraulic suspension damping actuators are driven to their upper and lower travel limits and then into the position stored in the control unit memory. Therefore, in the event of work on the suspension or replacement of suspension com­ponents, the actuators are automatically positioned correctly.

After disconnecting and then reconnecting the battery, the full preload excursion of the shock absorber spring is performed at KEY ON.