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

Since you say more performance as opposed to power, I'd definitely get the suspension sorted first. K-tech and Maxton are two very good starting points. It will transform your bike. Do that first, ride it, and see what needs doing next (probably the brakes).

well thanks for all the advice, you have given me plenty of things to think about and look into, I think the more expensive options will have to wait till next year

Changing the gearing is a good cheap mod, I raised my rear sprocket size by 2 teeth and it transformed the bike, this really does give you the feeliing of better low down pull but does drop your top speed a little. I have a bora conversion on my standard cans and have just fitted a ducati performance filter and lid kit. This has made the bike breath a little better (The intake roar on full throttle is superb) Just got to fit the jet kit now, hopefully this will iron out a small flat spot i have around 6k when throttle is wide open.
Have fun

Ian

Spend the dosh on a suspension set up for you on the bike as mentioned above and then get yourself on a riders school on a track.

The day you sail round the outside of a GSXR or similar who then asks you what you've done to the bike; the answer being nothing mate, it's dead bog standard apart from the suspension's been set up.
Kin yes mate. Grin factor high! :D

Ains.

My mate does that on his harley with modified ( extended ) forks and 3 foot apehangers. They never ask him what he's done to the bike because they've gone into a state of absoloute shock:lol::lol:

Can anyone tell me what comes with a dyno jet kit and are they easy to set up

jets
needles
springs
as mentioned above
take off the carbs
swap the bits over
go for a ride