Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Some thoughts on what to spend money on

[spinoli1]

Well Spring is well an truly here and I think it’s fair to say the riding season has started.

I should think there are a few people out there planning various expenditure on their Ducs for the coming year.

There are so many options to absorb your hard earned for one of these bikes - that’s part of the enjoyment. You can upgrade them until your head explodes or you end up homeless.

So where to throw the cash? - pipes, brakes, slipper clutch, Ohlins steering damper, shock or forks, mag wheels, cams, chips, carbon wossnames, magnesium doodahs, titanium twiddlers - the list is endless.

Now I’m lucky enough to have had the spondoolies to do a lot of the above over the past 2 years. I’ve run out now and live entirely on baked beans (supermarket brand) eaten from an old boot. But I’ve had the chance to really judge what has made a difference to my riding experience.

So what made a difference, what was good value? I’m not going to say what was a waste of money, ‘cos opinions is opinions, and I don’t want to dis’ someone elses’ favourite shiny bit. What follows is just my own opinion, but at least it’s based on my personal experience.

My feeling is that if you are going to spend a few hundred quid on your pride and joy, nothing but nothing, will give you the satisfaction and improvement in your riding experience that you will get from getting your bike well serviced and set-up by a true Ducati specialist - someone who takes real pride in their work. Just about everything on a Ducati is adjustable - get it adjusted properly and you find out why a Ducati is truly superior to any Japanese bike.

The kind of work I mean is -

Getting the cams dialled in - find out how your motor was really meant to feel when it was designed. It is a sad fact that most Ducatis come from the factory with very generous tolerances on the cam degreeing (is that a word?) - sorting it works wonders.
Get the fueling set up on a dyno - various chip/ecu/power commander options - I went PC111, now very happy. Standard fueling is set to a recipe for making Italian lemonade and is not suitable for motorcycles.
Brakes stripped and serviced - do it yourself or get a grown up for real peace of mind. Good brakes left to deteriorate loose most of their power and all of their feel. The difference that an overhaul can make is amazing.
Suspension set-up - I used web site settings from a reputable source. - LougiMoto then did it properly, now corners are demolished with contempt. Doesn’t cost much - may astonish you.
If your shock/forks are shagged or maybe just weary, get them sorted. Well serviced standard kit can be very good.
Get the clutch set-up by an adult - I thought I knew what I was doing - Oh well…..
Chain and sprockets - obvious really if they’re tired, but are you running the best gearing? So many Ducs are way over geared for good road riding. New kit and more appropriate gearing gives you smooth gear changing, less vibes and optimum grunt.

Depending what you’re starting with, and where you go, the above can be done for cost of a set of pipes and some new tyres - but you will really feel the difference. And a lot of the set up work will last the life of the bike - cams, fuelling etc.

If you spend a lot of time at the track, and seconds matter to you, the trick bits may become more important to you. But if like me, you ride mainly on the road, and only spend a few days a year at the track, the above may help you prioritize your spending.

If I had to start again, I know where my first pennies would go. Then I would buy all the shiny bits again - ho hum.

Anyway, thanks for listening to the ramblings of a trainee senile old duffer - best of luck for the season to all.

Spin

[raykay748R]

My point exactly, so many posts on here relating to buying performance mods, the standard item 'if set up correctly' is above most peoples riding skills. Bling is fine, but if you're searching for 'something' chances are that the bike needs looking at and sorting out.
Now, anybody need some shiny bits???? :P

[deej]

well said spin, i agree with most of the above

had my suspension set up at silverstone the other week, made it great for the track but a bit harsh for the road, will soften it up before tomorrows run.

best bit of bling if you like is the bucci slipper clutch, not really used to its potential on the road but f***ing ace on a track,well worth the money.

best thing ive done is to fit a pcIII and had it set up on the dyno to get the full potential of the 853 kit, now pulls like a demon. absolutely love it