VOL. 54 ISSUE 4 JANUARY 31, 2017 P77
heaters) are adorned with hand
deflectors incorporating the
turn signals, while the one-hand
adjustable windscreen comes
straight off the 1200 version. But
the 950 doesn't have the full-col-
or TFT dash of the Enduro model
launched earlier last year, instead
coming equipped with a very
easily readable monochrome
LCD unit based on the standard
1200's, with the gear selected
reading framed by a plastic sur-
round—every bike should have
this! The widespread mirrors
can't be faulted, either.
No IMU also means there's
also no Skyhook semi-active
suspension either here, as found
on the S-version of the 1200.
That means the fully-adjustable
48mm KYB upside down fork is
essentially the same as on the
standard 1200, though internally
recalibrated, while although the
offset Sachs rear monoshock is
fully adjustable for compression
and rebound damping, and has
an easy-access spring preload
adjuster for when you carry a
passenger and/or luggage,
it's a direct-action cantilever
unit, with no variable-rate link.
The 950's geometry is rangier
than the 1200's, with a 25.2°
fork rake (versus 24°) and long
62.8/60.2-inch wheelbase pro-
viding good high speed stability
even with luggage delivering a
rearward weight bias, as well as
resulting in spacious onboard
accommodation for rider and
passenger. The suspension is
set on the soft side as standard,
though, and there is some front-
end dive when you lean hard
on the brakes—nothing that a
couple of clicks of added com-
pression damping couldn't make
bearable, without sacrificing the
bike's excellent ride quality. The
progressive-rate springs on both
front and rear suspension surely
play a part in this, providing
supple compliance over smaller
bumps, but a firmer response to
bigger ones.
For the balance of the Multi
950 indeed feels good, and
to be honest, with 6.7 inches
of wheel travel at either end,
I never felt it to be deficient
in ride quality or suspension
compliance in any way—and
that's with the narrower rear
wheel downsized to a 4.50 x
17 format, shod with a 170/60
Pirelli Scorpion tire rather than
the 1200's 190/55 item, which
surely explains why the 950 is
A 19-inch front
wheel gives off-
road capability
via optional
wire wheels,
with twin-sided
swingarm shared
with the Enduro
model.
