2003 1000DS - handlebar vibration
 

Just bought a used 2003 SuperSport 1000 a few days ago in the UK and drove it down to the Alps in France where I live.

The bike has 6000 miles on it and seems perfect in every way I can see. I haven\'t had a road bike since about 1990 so it\'s been a few years..... My last bike was a 1982 Honda CB650 just to let you know where I am coming from. I have never owned a Ducati.

Handlebar vibration: Yeah, yeah I know twins vibrate - but I have no reference. I did 620 miles on the bike in 2 days. I got back 3 days ago and the fingers in my right hand are still numb. I have no doubt that the first day I was holding the throttle to hard but day 2 I really tried everything to reduce the vibration transmitted to my hands. Is this normal? And if so OK, I can live with it (I think) but if it is not what should I check? The bike is under warranty until November so I want to sort anything out before then.

Thanks -

scott

I also have the 1000DS SS 03 model, and I too get a very numb right hand!
Dont think there is anything "wrong" with the bike.
I put it down to the vibration and long/low riding position putting a lot of weight on the handlebars.
My solution (hopefully) is to flatten and raise the bars a bit.
Let me know if you find any other solution.
Thanks

I have an '02 900ss and before that a '99 750ss (actually still have it and it's for sale - hint). While there is noticeable vibration through the bars, I don't think I've ever really had it so bad that my fingers we numb for 3 days.

Sometimes on long ride I find my whole left arm goes tingly, but the pain is mostly from the shoulder, that I ruined through sport. When this happens I find that it's quite comfortable to shift my weight back in the seat a little and rest my elbows on my thighs. This really takes the weight off my arms, shoulders and wrist. I feel quite comfortable and safe if it's long motorway miles you're doing. I'm not sure I'd want to ride like this through twisties.

I've found the vibrations on my mate's Bandit much worse than my Supersport.

[Edited on 22-8-2005 by phillc]

get your wheel balence checked front and rear
if it's badly out it can have this effect
it at least eliminates the easyest option if nothing else

You could also try filling your bars with lead? I have a '99 750ss and it worked on that.

A lighter grip on the bars helps too,I had a `96 900ie and I filled the plastic bar ends with arildite and lead shot out of a shotgun cartridge(Don`t ask what Sparkin was doing with shotgun cartridges!)that helped.

http://ducatisportingclub.com/xmb/vi...id=577#pid4029

[Edited on 8-26-2005 by Shazaam!]