Good news/Bad news

RennyRacer · Dec 9, 2020

Nubee here on da Hyper forum. Recently bought a 2016 with 2700 mi! Immaculate! That’s the good news. Two things are on the gig list.
One: false neutrals happening on a more regular interval. Did free play at the clutch lever but that’s about it. Very disconcerting when you’re going into a 2nd gear twisty! Suggestions?
Two: tried Sport, Touring, and Urban. Sport possibly the only mode that suits the bike but throttle response has been inconsistent unless you’re full on or full decell. Major concern here is to find a fix for the stumbles and lurches. Seems like it’s progressively more erratic since I first got it. Touring might be ok for super-slab rides but urban is so de tuned that starting off without stalling is an accomplishment!

Soo, anyone with ideas, please pitch in. Btw, I sold my prior bike, a KTM 1290gt due to lugging that weight at low speed and tip overs (old age no doubt a factor). Great bike for all day touring and amazing back road handling. If you read all the glowing reviews, every new KTM comes out is a class leader. If you knew all the issues of actual ownership (many under warranty and beyond) you’d be wise to pass on a KTM street machine, imho!

nickwst4 · Dec 10, 2020

Welcome to the self-help group! You'll find plenty on here about throttle response. With a 2016 model, at least you should be spared the aggressive-clutch problems but I've not seen anything about the gearbox. However, my experience with Ducatis is that the gear-change pedal angle is critical if you want clean changes, especially if your ankle joint isn't as flexible as it was. Otherwise, it's very easy to think you've completed the movement when the gears haven't fully engaged.

Thanks for the heads-up on KTM! The only one I've ever tried (and it was claimed to be very friendly) certainly didn't appreciate me being on it, and the feeling was mutual!

Nick, UK

Araitim · Dec 10, 2020

There is a kit from factory pro. I have done it. It helps in an odd way. It makes it harder to push the lever then it snaps into gear on every gear. In reality when I think about it the kit forces you to be more deliberate/not lazy with your shifting but that could translate into not having the kit at all and just being more deliberate with your shifting without the need to install the kit. I have read in many forums that this is the case for most Ducati's. Just can't be lazy with your shifting. Here is the link . You will also find my wright up here in this forum with a quick search.

Factory Pro Shift Kit: Ducati | Ducati Quick Shift | Motowheels

The famous Factorini Provente Shift Kit is now available for the Ducati Twins. Buy the Factory Pro Ducati quick shift kit at Motowheels or contact us for info!

motowheels.com

nickwst4 · Dec 10, 2020

Looking at that, and taking your comments too, it sounds as though the Factory Pro kit is more about a stronger hair-spring than anything else. That must mean you put more effort into the pedal and the ramp on the cam will compensate if your stroke isn't quite far enough. Much cheaper to set the gear lever carefully to suit your boot and ankle!

BadToTheBown · Dec 10, 2020

This sounds familar...also recommend the Factory Pro shift upgrade, you have a better clutch, I also find my shift lever clinch bolt keeps coming loose and when it does my quickshifter upshifts in 2nd or 3rd can miss, gonna have to fix that permanently....as for settings, I like Sport and Touring, I tour in Touring and when riding twisties hard with others, go Sport...as one might expect...

killjoy · Dec 10, 2020

Welcome and I am pretty new as well. Picked up a brand new leftover HS 939, got a sweet deal. Just finished 1000 kms and went in for a oil service. You are spot on that the only mode that it is worth riding on is the Sport mode. The dealer told me that the bike should get smoother with the software update that they are going to plug in as part of the first service, lets see.

RennyRacer · Dec 10, 2020

nickwst4 said:
Welcome to the self-help group! You'll find plenty on here about throttle response. With a 2016 model, at least you should be spared the aggressive-clutch problems but I've not seen anything about the gearbox. However, my experience with Ducatis is that the gear-change pedal angle is critical if you want clean changes, especially if your ankle joint isn't as flexible as it was. Otherwise, it's very easy to think you've completed the movement when the gears haven't fully engaged.

Thanks for the heads-up on KTM! The only one I've ever tried (and it was claimed to be very friendly) certainly didn't appreciate me being on it, and the feeling was mutual!

Nick, UK

Hey Nick, thanks much! I’ll give it a go. Mostly on downshifts which can prove fatal, lol!

RennyRacer · Dec 10, 2020

Araitim said:
There is a kit from factory pro. I have done it. It helps in an odd way. It makes it harder to push the lever then it snaps into gear on every gear. In reality when I think about it the kit forces you to be more deliberate/not lazy with your shifting but that could translate into not having the kit at all and just being more deliberate with your shifting without the need to install the kit. I have read in many forums that this is the case for most Ducati's. Just can't be lazy with your shifting. Here is the link . You will also find my wright up here in this forum with a quick search.

Factory Pro Shift Kit: Ducati | Ducati Quick Shift | Motowheels

The famous Factorini Provente Shift Kit is now available for the Ducati Twins. Buy the Factory Pro Ducati quick shift kit at Motowheels or contact us for info!

motowheels.com

Thanks for the tip. This trait in the HS is something more prevalent than any previous bike I’ve owned.

RennyRacer · Dec 10, 2020

killjoy said:
Welcome and I am pretty new as well. Picked up a brand new leftover HS 939, got a sweet deal. Just finished 1000 kms and went in for a oil service. You are spot on that the only mode that it is worth riding on is the Sport mode. The dealer told me that the bike should get smoother with the software update that they are going to plug in as part of the first service, lets see.

Funny you mention that. I was wondering if different mapping would help. Mine is a 2016 purchased by original owner in 2018 new. She sold it to me with 2700 miles on the clock! Like you, never anticipated basic functions to be an issue.

RennyRacer · Dec 10, 2020

BadToTheBown said:
This sounds familar...also recommend the Factory Pro shift upgrade, you have a better clutch, I also find my shift lever clinch bolt keeps coming loose and when it does my quickshifter upshifts in 2nd or 3rd can miss, gonna have to fix that permanently....as for settings, I like Sport and Touring, I tour in Touring and when riding twisties hard with others, go Sport...as one might expect...

Good info! This forum is fantastic! Quick responses with first hand experience. I’ll look into the loosened fitting and aftermarket possibilities.

nickwst4 · Dec 10, 2020

killjoy said:
You are spot on that the only mode that it is worth riding on is the Sport mode.

Each to their own. I always ride in Touring because I like the extra control that gives at lower speeds, and then the hit when you crack the throttle a bit further is intoxicating and belies the modest capacity of the motor!

N4teTheGreat · Dec 10, 2020

2016 has the 939 engine as I recall. Stock fueling is pretty much terrible, in fact worse than the 821. I think they screwed things up to meet Euro4 standards. My SP has the same symptoms, stumbling, backfiring or farting at time under low or maintenance throttle, more noticeable at lower speeds in lower gears. Best bet is a tune, either just pony up for the termi full system with the upmap, look into UpMap (separate tuner offered by Termi) or go full bore with a Rapid Bike or Rexxer tuner. I went with a low mount Termi slip on (cuz it looks perdy and sounds nice but still has a cat so it's not stinky) and the UpMap T800 with a upgraded intake (Star.ace). You can still tell the fueling issues exist but they are much more subtle and power down low is improved (I'm sure WOT is better, I just haven't really needed it since). I also went up two teeth in the rear when I replaced my chain as that was what they had on previous generations prior to Euro4.

killjoy · Dec 10, 2020

I want to go with the Factory Pro too but I have been told by Ducati that I will lose my extended warranty if I do and hence avoiding it. I didn't so much of an issue of false neutrals except maybe between 5th and 6th but the shifts feel very clunky when compared to the Ninja I came from...

BadToTheBown · Dec 10, 2020

Get a quickshifter, you'll never look back, put them on all my bikes now...

RennyRacer · Dec 11, 2020

BadToTheBown said:
Get a quickshifter, you'll never look back, put them on all my bikes now...

Had the quick up shift on my KTM, if that ain’t a compromise! Might be the right solution here.

RennyRacer · Dec 11, 2020

killjoy said:
I want to go with the Factory Pro too but I have been told by Ducati that I will lose my extended warranty if I do and hence avoiding it. I didn't so much of an issue of false neutrals except maybe between 5th and 6th but the shifts feel very clunky when compared to the Ninja I came from...

I’m not noticing notchiness as much as surprise when I think I’ve hit the lever with enough positive force and find I’m free wheeling into a turn.

RennyRacer · Dec 11, 2020

N4teTheGreat said:
2016 has the 939 engine as I recall. Stock fueling is pretty much terrible, in fact worse than the 821. I think they screwed things up to meet Euro4 standards. My SP has the same symptoms, stumbling, backfiring or farting at time under low or maintenance throttle, more noticeable at lower speeds in lower gears. Best bet is a tune, either just pony up for the termi full system with the upmap, look into UpMap (separate tuner offered by Termi) or go full bore with a Rapid Bike or Rexxer tuner. I went with a low mount Termi slip on (cuz it looks perdy and sounds nice but still has a cat so it's not stinky) and the UpMap T800 with a upgraded intake (Star.ace). You can still tell the fueling issues exist but they are much more subtle and power down low is improved (I'm sure WOT is better, I just haven't really needed it since). I also went up two teeth in the rear when I replaced my chain as that was what they had on previous generations prior to Euro4.

One blatant detail I forgot to mention. Mine has an Arrow can and mid pipe although it appears to have a butterfly retained. Yes, it’s the 939. Silly me purchased this bike after swearing never another exotic! My good friend has had one for years without a hiccup which is why I took the plunge. His has to be an 821 however. Now it seems I’m in that upgrade zone where more $$$$ are needed! Not where I wanted to go.

Araitim · Dec 11, 2020

The only QS you can run with OEM rearsets on this bike is the Healtech. Any QS with a legitimate load cell will require the Bonamici shift lever at the very least . I went through this whole spectrum of options. Modified OEM lever, bought cheap lever and modified that, bought the Bonamici lever and now I have aftermarket rearsets. The problem is the amount of space there is from shifter lever to the arm on the engine.

nickwst4 · Dec 11, 2020

It's funny how peoples' experience and requirements of the same model bike can be so different. When I initially responded to RennyRacer and said I didn't know of any specific problems with the HS gearchange other than it needed to be completed fully, I forgot to mention something because it has been the best part of a year since I rode the bike. Going upward through the box, my 2013 821 has a faster gearchange action than any bike I've ridden in the last 50 years! This is with manual control and co-ordination of throttle, clutch and gear-lever, and the next gear slots in in milliseconds, the whole thing being like flicking a switch. Aside from the fact that the ratios seem nicely close to each other, I did wonder if the effect was down to the on/off action of the early clutch but thankfully the addition of a bit of slush with the belleville plate has not harmed the process. The clutch mod really was a vital upgrade for me, though the previous owner put 8K miles on it from new without complaining.

Anyway, I think you can guess that I'm not hoping for a quickshifter from Santa this year!

RennyRacer · Dec 11, 2020

nickwst4 said:
It's funny how peoples' experience and requirements of the same model bike can be so different. When I initially responded to RennyRacer and said I didn't know of any specific problems with the HS gearchange other than it needed to be completed fully, I forgot to mention something because it has been the best part of a year since I rode the bike. Going upward through the box, my 2013 821 has a faster gearchange action than any bike I've ridden in the last 50 years! This is with manual control and co-ordination of throttle, clutch and gear-lever, and the next gear slots in in milliseconds, the whole thing being like flicking a switch. Aside from the fact that the ratios seem nicely close to each other, I did wonder if the effect was down to the on/off action of the early clutch but thankfully the addition of a bit of slush with the belleville plate has not harmed the process. The clutch mod really was a vital upgrade for me, though the previous owner put 8K miles on it from new without complaining.

Anyway, I think you can guess that I'm not hoping for a quickshifter from Santa this year!

Nick, that’s a lot of riding! Question: Belleville plate?

Good news/Bad news

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