Now Ive’ Done It, - A Ducati?!

[Phil/TX]

Mine has Hyper pro suspension, medium rental bars, two brothers ( loud) exhaust, and a wind screen. Love it!

[inditx]

Nice!

[Tiki Joe]

best color on a Ducati is yellow!!

[rschrum]

My favorite, color.

[Motormike]

My favorite, color.

Tri-color.  Gorgeous! Too bad about that stupid nylon fuel tank though. 

[usedtobefast]

Here is a link to a nice explanation and valve clearance adjustment steps: http://www.ducatitoolrental.com/scrambler-valve-adjustment2.html

And ca cycle works videos on how to do it (this are older, but still a 2 valve desmo):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIj3nSJGPZw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WQY1MRlmH4

[inditx]

Here is a link to a nice explanation and valve clearance adjustment steps: http://www.ducatitoolrental.com/scrambler-valve-adjustment2.html

And ca cycle works videos on how to do it (this are older, but still a 2 valve desmo):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIj3nSJGPZw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WQY1MRlmH4

Thanks sir!

[lucky phil]

You guys/gals are the best!
Thank you.

More comments welcome.
inditx

I've been owning and working on Ducati belt engines for almost 40 years and bevel engines as well. Incorrect belt belt tensioning is a factor in many breakages in the past. Ducati went from a spring loaded tool to a harmonic system where you plucked the belt and red the resonant frequency to ascertain the tension. Personally I've done enough to set them by feel and observation. It won't be an issue for you though. I'm down to 2 Belt engined Ducatis these days and will probably always own these. Even when I'm an older fart and can no longer ride if I'm lucky enough to get to that situation I'll be able to take my grandson out to the workshop sit him down a safe distance from the twin Akropovic's on the end of the Titanium headers and say "check this out young fella, this is what a proper motorcycle used to sound like" and fire up that big aggressively cammed 1198 V twin and watch the reaction. I'm a believer in a proper well rounded education:)





Ciao       

[Dukedesmo]

I'm a big Ducati fan, I even had a Scrambler as my first bike, albeit the old 60's single-cylinder 250cc model.


Currently got 2 - a 916 and a 900 Monster. I do all my own maintenance and am happy to leave the belts 3 - 4 years.


Maintenance can be time consuming, especially valve checks on a 4v/cylinder engine which is why it's expensive if a shop does it but with MBP valve retaining collets I hardly ever need to alter anything plus, I enjoy working on them and it gives me something to do when it's too cold to ride.


I was a little unlucky with the Monster as I've had to split the engine a couple of times for failed gearbox bearing and then later a broken gearbox but it is an old bike design and, once you're accustomed to the valve gear they're easy enough to work on.


My 916 has been more reliable and whilst I've had the cylinders etc. off it was for tuning/upgrades rather than breakdown repair. It's done over 50,000 miles and still going strong, one would hope the newer bikes are better engineered so you should be good to go.


Here they are, along with some Guzzi content;

[inditx]

I've been owning and working on Ducati belt engines for almost 40 years and bevel engines as well. Incorrect belt belt tensioning is a factor in many breakages in the past. Ducati went from a spring loaded tool to a harmonic system where you plucked the belt and red the resonant frequency to ascertain the tension. Personally I've done enough to set them by feel and observation. It won't be an issue for you though. I'm down to 2 Belt engined Ducatis these days and will probably always own these. Even when I'm an older fart and can no longer ride if I'm lucky enough to get to that situation I'll be able to take my grandson out to the workshop sit him down a safe distance from the twin Akropovic's on the end of the Titanium headers and say "check this out young fella, this is what a proper motorcycle used to sound like" and fire up that big aggressively cammed 1198 V twin and watch the reaction. I'm a believer in a proper well rounded education:)





Ciao       

Thanks sir!
Wish you lived around KC, I’d sit in to get education from you on Ducs.
inditx

[inditx]

I'm a big Ducati fan, I even had a Scrambler as my first bike, albeit the old 60's single-cylinder 250cc model.


Currently got 2 - a 916 and a 900 Monster. I do all my own maintenance and am happy to leave the belts 3 - 4 years.


Maintenance can be time consuming, especially valve checks on a 4v/cylinder engine which is why it's expensive if a shop does it but with MBP valve retaining collets I hardly ever need to alter anything plus, I enjoy working on them and it gives me something to do when it's too cold to ride.

Thanks sir!
inditx

I was a little unlucky with the Monster as I've had to split the engine a couple of times for failed gearbox bearing and then later a broken gearbox but it is an old bike design and, once you're accustomed to the valve gear they're easy enough to work on.


My 916 has been more reliable and whilst I've had the cylinders etc. off it was for tuning/upgrades rather than breakdown repair. It's done over 50,000 miles and still going strong, one would hope the newer bikes are better engineered so you should be good to go.


Here they are, along with some Guzzi content;

[spmoto]

Three fine steeds there Dukedesmo!!! That pic will be on my screen saver for a while, thanks.
Steve M

[Motormike]

This was just unloaded in my driveway yesterday!  It's been too cold to ride it!  Hopefully tomorrow.

[twowheeladdict]

This thread has made me glad I have only enjoyed test riding Ducati bikes and never pulled the trigger on one.

Now I remember why it took 35 years of riding before I ventured beyond Japanese motorcycles.

[inditx]

This was just unloaded in my driveway yesterday!  It's been too cold to ride it!  Hopefully tomorrow.

 

[rschrum]

I have been using a frequency app on my phone to set the belt tension. It's reproducible. Was very close to where I would have set it without the app.

[LowRyter]

This thread has made me glad I have only enjoyed test riding Ducati bikes and never pulled the trigger on one.

Now I remember why it took 35 years of riding before I ventured beyond Japanese motorcycles.

I know we've had our differences but I can say that the more things you write the less I understand you.   Perhaps you'd be most comfortable  on a Twin Jet 100? 

[Motormike]

While I've only owed four Ducati's in my riding lifetime, not one has ever left me stranded or broken down in any way.  I got away from Japanese motorcycles not too long after I graduated from college.  Reliable as a refrigerator, I suppose.  But most are about as exciting as watching paint dry.  I guess for someone that doesn't know how to change a spark plug they'd make sense. Only have one in my modest collection now, a 2007 Honda VFR in RWB anniversary colors.  Pretty to look at, but still rather soulless ride.  In typical Honda fashion it makes no torque at all, you've got to rev the snot out of it to make any power.  That's fine on the track but a PITA on the street.  I'm reasonably sure I'll be selling it this spring when the weather warms up. 

[twowheeladdict]

This was just unloaded in my driveway yesterday!  It's been too cold to ride it!  Hopefully tomorrow.

You might be able to keep Mike (mmranch) off your ass with that bike.

[LowRyter]

While I've only owed four Ducati's in my riding lifetime, not one has ever left me stranded or broken down in any way.  I got away from Japanese motorcycles not too long after I graduated from college.  Reliable as a refrigerator, I suppose.  But most are about as exciting as watching paint dry.  I guess for someone that doesn't know how to change a spark plug they'd make sense. Only have one in my modest collection now, a 2007 Honda VFR in RWB anniversary colors.  Pretty to look at, but still rather soulless ride.  In typical Honda fashion it makes no torque at all, you've got to rev the snot out of it to make any power.  That's fine on the track but a PITA on the street.  I'm reasonably sure I'll be selling it this spring when the weather warms up.

My Duc has been the most trouble free bike I've ever owned (knock wood).  I'll admit the major service was a little high but I was in a hurry to make a ride and had the tech do some services that I could've done myself.  For routine maintenance, oil change, rear tire and chain adjustment, with the right tools it's the easiest bike I've ever owned.  It's also the best handling and most comfortable and perhaps fastest.  Perhaps not as pretty as my V11 Sport.

I think when Audi purchased the company a few years ago that they were able leverage the capital with upgraded suppliers, quality and design.

[tazio]

This was just unloaded in my driveway yesterday!  It's been too cold to ride it!  Hopefully tomorrow.

Way to go Mike!!
Last time I saw you, you were on THIS little number!

[twowheeladdict]

^^^

[Solorider73]

This was just unloaded in my driveway yesterday!  It's been too cold to ride it!  Hopefully tomorrow.

That's going to be way more fun to ride on twisty back roads than a sport bike.

[Motormike]

I've been looking for a clean Hypermotard for a while now.  This one came from Denver.  Finally got a chance to ride it yesterday.  I was actually laughing inside my helmet.  The seating position and handlebars put you almost over the front wheel.  Absolutely nothing of the bike is visible when you ride it.  It's like riding a 90 hp unicycle!  I ride it a couple more times, then on the lift for a service and new timing belts, etc.

[LowRyter]

I've been looking for a clean Hypermotard for a while now.  This one came from Denver.  Finally got a chance to ride it yesterday.  I was actually laughing inside my helmet.  The seating position and handlebars put you almost over the front wheel.  Absolutely nothing of the bike is visible when you ride it.  It's like riding a 90 hp unicycle!  I ride it a couple more times, then on the lift for a service and new timing belts, etc.

Yep,  riding in air with no visible motorcycle in front of you.  I'd have to get used to it.  But I thought it was a hoot.

[Tusayan]

My memories of a Hypermotard test ride include zero wind protection, an odd riding position that seemed to have no reason for being and a very hard seat.  That’s all I remember, because it went back to the dealer quickly.

[lucky phil]

Yep,  riding in air with no visible motorcycle in front of you.  I'd have to get used to it.  But I thought it was a hoot.

This was the case with the Bimota DB1 I owned in the mid 80's. It was a very compact Little bike and I'm just shy of 6'2" in the old money. It was like riding along on air with nothing of the bike in your visual area even peripheral. You had to look down to see the instruments or anything else for that matter.

Ciao

[Tiki Joe]

  Absolutely nothing of the bike is visible when you ride it. 

This is exactly how I feel riding my Duc Superlight and the Sport 1100.  After riding a Road Glide for years with a lazyboy seat and a giant fairing/dash in front of me; riding a sport bike is like a flying sensation almost as I see none of the bike.  The full face helmet probably causes some of this as I can't see the gauges in my periferal without looking down. 

[Kev m]

This is exactly how I feel riding my Duc Superlight and the Sport 1100.  After riding a Road Glide for years with a lazyboy seat and a giant fairing/dash in front of me; riding a sport bike is like a flying sensation almost as I see none of the bike.  The full face helmet probably causes some of this as I can't see the gauges in my periferal without looking down.

The sounds pretty familiar on those rare days I steal Jenn's Monster.

Pic just to add to the Duck-Love:

[inditx]

 
Saweet!