749R slipper clutch (2004)
 

Back In June I picked up a 2800 mile lovely 749R dropping down from my GSXR1000K3, I was really looking forward to the new Ducati (I have owned a few so knew what I was letting my self in for well thought I did LOL).

I was only a short distance from the dealer and realised the clutch was a bag of SH###.

I rode the bike home 160 mile and contacted my local ish dealer Woods.

Without seeing the bike they committed to replacing the clutch under warranty (a known problem). Well i have just managed to get the work completed after nearly 7 weeks waiting for parts grrrrrrrr and will pick the bike up this weekend.

Oh and i complained to Ducati UK about the infrequent cutting out and they have agreed to adjust the CO between cyclinders for free.

I can not understand why the previous owner did not have this work done and why Ducati ever let it leave the factory like that.

Anyway thats my rant over nice to meet you guys.

Regards

DaveO

Some parts like the clutch on your 749r is a cheap compromise to homologate for racing.

If it has a slipper as std(albeit a cheap basic thing), the race bike can have one( a singing and dancing no expense spared).
note........buy an aftermarket proper one.

How a bike is running is sometimes down to personal interpretation. He may well not of realised how bad it was..................

Jesus,you should try a 748R!!!

To go from a K3 GRXR 1000 to wot u have now is very challenging,but you will try much harder on a underpowered feeling Ducati,dont be fooled,you might just get overtaken on the straights but you will catch up and out break and control your position everyware else.TRUST ME.

PS I've got an R1 too.

Wot do you all think Chaps???

Welcome :bouncy:

Thanks for the welcome guys

Although I agreed with andy about the clutch being a compromise between racing and the road to be honest I am a little unsure as to how much better the race clutches really are (having ridden both road and race bikes). For example if you have ever ridden a ZX10R on road and track you have to agree the slipper clutch fitted as standard is very very good.

My understanding is Ducati originally got the 04 749R slipper clutch wrong and have hopefully fitted a proper one I will soon find out.

Of course how the bike is running is sometimes personal interpretation but when the bike stops at traffic lights and filtering no matter who you are its wrong and in my opinion a danger to the rider.

I have traded down from the 1000k3 knowing what I am getting with the 749R I have had a few Ducatis including a 900SL many moons ago and one of the very first 748SP models in the country back in 1995 (cost me more than 11500 GBP then lol).

The reason i changed was the more recent bikes i have lost interest in quickly and felt i wanted something that was a little more ermmmmmm exotic and therefore something to cherish.

Thanks again for the welcome maybe i'll meet up with you guys soon on a ride or a trackday.

Regards

DaveO

Yup perfect reason for purchase, it can be all :sing: all :bouncy: but if it's a UJM it hasn't got what it takes.

Ains. :burn:

Hi DaveO,Welcome. Im in Northwich Cheshire,Theres a meet on 5th Oct Wed (If anyones going this month !!)give us a call if you local.07973657473.
:)

Hi Brian

I live in Sunny Southport (well not today lol) and work in Runcorn, I may be up for a meet depends what time and the venue I have a Spanish class at 19:00.

JUst picked the R this morning from Woods and the clutch seems much better I need to get out over the dales to really find out.

Hasta Luego

That must make TWO 749Rs in Northwich then.....small world

Dave - I think I've seen your 749R on site at Runcorn....do you know Alan Gardner ?

[Edited on 2-10-2005 by UKRR]

Did they tell you which mod they did ?

Paul at Woods updated mine but it still freewheels sometimes....have they replaced yours with a Ducati item ?

Hi UKRR

Yes that will be mine, I know Alan very well although I work for a different company (Alstom).

The clutch I am not sure what make they fitted I had to wait 5 weeks for parts which included, The basket including newly profiled ramps, spring (spider spring I guess its called) and new clutch plates and some other components basically the whole assembly.

The spring was found compressed and had failed (cracked) resulting in damage to the plates hense they had to be changed. I also complained about the cutting out and managed to get Ducati to foot the bill for the timing to be checked and the CO to be balanced between cyclinders (they tell me it was well out).

I will take the bike to work tomorrow if its dry and see how it performs, if your onsite pop into the office for a cuppa.

Regards

Dave

Dave

Got your message too late....was on site this morning and saw your 749R.
I've spoken to Paul at Woods and he did the same mod on yours as he did on mine but supplied a clutch plate kit with yours (I've asked him for the same for me).
Woods did the CO mod to mine when I had my Termi assymetric system fitted and that seems to have cured the stalling problem.
I'll pop in next time.

HI, THE SLIPPER CLUTCH INCL. MY 05 IS SUB STANDARD FOR RACING. THEREFORE ITS INST. IN A STREET BIKE FOR HOMOLOGATION PURPOSES IS DISSAPOINTING. I FOUND THAT GEARING HELPED CONSIDERABLY. IVE REPLACED THE 35 REAR WITH A 38 AND WENT DOWN TO 14 IN THE FRONT THIS BARELY FITS WITH THE ORIG. CHAIN. THIS COMBINATION MAKES THE BIKE MUCH MORE STREETABLE.

P.S. EVEN WITH A FULL TERMY 57 AND TIT. SIL.,PC111 USB THAT I CUSTOM MAPPED PRODUCING 122.65/62.12 AT HE REAR THE GEARING WONT ROLL YOU OVER BACKWARD. GOOD LUCK.............................................. .............