Ducati: Strange performance issue.
 

This evening I picked my Monster up from Ducati Seattle after its 6000 mile service. It was running super strong. With the engine fully warmed up, I found myself at a lonely stop sign on a lonely street. I accelerated away from the stop sign, and the torque of the motor applied sufficient force to lift the front wheel off the ground for a short stretch. Rest assured, I was alarmed an this anomalous behavior, but found it necessary to repeat the process at the next stop sign to ensure that this dangerous performance quirk could be diagnosed the next time I had it at the dealer. :D

Have yet to do a wheely on my bike. Haven't gotten up the cajones yet. Maybe someday. Must have been fun.

My first wheelie on the 900 SS kinda took me by surprise as well. Being the old Harley rider that I am, I merely took the same approach to overtaking traffic ("cages" in biker lingo) as I would have on one of my H-D's. I approached a red light in a vacant lane, with the adjoining lane well and truly backed up, and timed the changing of the light pretty well spot on. I was doing about 35, about a dozen cars back from the intersection when it changed. So I whacked it wide open, just like I would on a 730 pound, 65 hp Harley. Problem was, I was on a 368 pound, 95 hp Ducati - I passed at least 8, probably 10, of those cars with my front wheel at about the height of their hoods. It was wonderful...

Truth be told it was an accident. The bike was running really nice. Valves, oil, new plugs....it felt like I had picked up 5hp. I rolled away from a stop sign, crossed the intersection and gunned it. Up it came. Nothing scary. I think I only have about 80hp on tap, so it didn't exactly snap up. Fun. So I 'accidently' did it again.

The flames alone have got to add 5 hp.

You are crazy man, I bow down to you!

I had the timing belts, valve adjust and carbs set up at Ducati Seattle last year.....funnily enough, the bike ran so much better afterwards. They certainly know what to do.

As long as we're talking Duc "problems".

When I mothballed my '97 748 (actually what sort of precipitated it) my voltage regulator had blown. Not uncommon on these. I went and bought the upgraded Electrex VR. It burned out within 60 minutes... So I must assume my alternator is putting out weird current?

Anyone have a link to diagrams on how to check and replace the Alternator and VR?

Chris

Check to make sure the primary wiring isn't melted/shorted first...

Listen to Greg! The Charging system (and wiring) is one of a few weak spots on DUC SBK's.

Here is a good write-up on the issue:
http://www.ducati-upnorth.com/tech/chargingfailure.php

Another article on Ducati charging systems: http://www.mad-ducati.com/

If the specific page doesn't pop up, click on "Tech Stuff" on the left, and then look for the fourth article, entitled "Charging or Not?"

Its ruined you better give it to me :D

Harddrive and Higgins, you guys are nuts. It scares me when I do a wheelie on my mountain bike. Lucky for me I've yet to wheelie the VFR. I think I'd have to try a whole lot harder than you do on a Duc. I've seen video of guys doing them though..............

Don't get caught! At least in CA wheelies can land in you jail - up to the LEO's discretion.