more performance required
 

I would like to improve the performance of my totally standard superlight (except the endcans) what would you recomend?

I remember asking the same question - many moons ago and I was told:

"open the throttle more"

Which I guess is another way saying do you Really need more.

Frank

as usual with power, how much money you got ?
as you said make it breath first. cans dyno jet + K+N filter.
fly wheel.
Big bore kit.
light weight body work.

The best performance enhancement is your head. ;)

Ok, dont think im going into the flywheel, bodywork and bigbore kit, but interested in the other options,

1. I have already got non standard cans on which i assume would help,

2. Is the K+N air filter option is just a straight swap?

3. Dyno jet, are they easy to fit and set up?

As twpd says, rider improvement is the best value - and you can take it with you to other bikes!

It is hard to resist tinkering with Ducatis though.

If you rarely use the top speed, the easiest and cheapest option is to change your sprockets. Down one tooth at the front or up 2/3 at the rear (but not both!). Obviously no power difference though.

K&N filter is a straight swap.
Dynojet is straightforward but takes time if you are as mechanically incompetent as I am. No set up is required - the kits are basically just different sized jets but you are paying for the research and development by dynojet to work out which size is best for the bike.

The two-valve engine will never be a rev machine - it's all about bottom end grunt and it has loads of that in standard form. The first £400 would be best spent on suspension so you can use the power that is there.

I'm well known for talking complete rubbish most of the time so check back later for more useful suggestions.

K+N is straight forward.
you can straight swap but you can also get a metal frame that does away with the top of the air box for more flow.
if you have worked on carbs before then the dyno jet is also fairly easy.
otherwise find someone who has, or take your time and look through the manual, everyone has to start somewhere

To start with, open airbox with dynojet and open pipes. Then Keihin 41mm flat-slide carbs. That will cost in the region of £1200 + fitting. You might get 7-10bhp from it. The flywheel, the big bore kit, the ... you name it.

It still won't go as quick as a 748 or a 600 jap il4 - close but still not as quick. If you like the bike and intend to keep it then spend the money on it.

What really counts though is when you can go quicker than a 748 and 600 on a 75bhp 2 valve :D

In the same vein as other comments above

One option would be to forget about tuning the bike and sort out the suspension / brakes with better components and then take advanced riding lessons. ( should that be two options? )

I had the 851 forks modified by Maxton and it transformed the bike and made it easier to ride faster without any performance mods.
Phil

One of the best ever FAQ's for Ducati's :

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/motorcycles/QuackFAQ/

One of the longest:

http://www.speedzilla.com/forums//ar....php/f-20.html

Happy reading

Frank