Motorcycle Explorer July 2016 Issue 12 | Page 160

Suspension and Chassis Suspension on the roads and gravel is sublime of course and with a tag of 16k again you would expect no less than the full hit of electronics and top of the range kit... and you get it. DSS EVO is the name for Ducati Skyhook Suspension Evolution and what that means is a 48mm USD front forks and a Sachs rear shock that both travel a cool 200mm. The electronics read the road as you ride continuous rebound and suppression adjustments on a semi active control. All this fancy stuff happens without you lifting a finger and results in a smoother ride for you. Two up we did not notice the suspension and that lone speaks volumes. Over hill and dale and around tight twists on distressed, lumpy tarmac never caused a furrowed brow, you just forget all the things that are going on with the bike. Rather like a duck that seems to glide over the water but beneath the surface it’s little feet are going like the clappers! The reason being is the suspension works with the other systems like the traction control longitudinal accelerometer sensor does all the thinking. At the same time, the ABS system’s pressure detects for rapid calculation and activation of a response that reduces vehicle oscillation, and the data from the Bosch IMU. All that just means that the suspension, brakes and traction control all work together to figure out what you’re doing, if you’re doing it wrong and adjust as you go to make the bike as smooth and stable as possible. The Trellis frame has a clearance of 205mm and Ducati have beefed up the swing arm. The swing arm on the old MST was a single arm but for the enduro they have attached a robust shell-cast aluminium double sided swingarm to take the knocks and bumps of dirt riding.