Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > Supersports: SS / SuperSport / Supersport 950 > Flat Battery Confusion...

[Capt Kremin]

I know a flat battery is nothing new, but I wasn't expecting it after taking precautions.

I was off on holiday to the Canaries for 2 weeks, so my '97 900SS was tucked up in the garage in a nice blanket, and connected to it's Optimate 3.

When I got back the Optimate had a green light, and all was well with the world.
I took her out of the garage and expected to have to pay for my absence, maybe clean the plugs or adjust the chain as penance before she would fire up.... but no the engine turned over a couple of times and then stopped!

The battery cannot be flat I thought, and I noticed that when the choke was off the battery would spin the engine over no problem. As soon as the choke was engaged, or the throttle opened it was as if I was asking it to turn over the QE2 engine, it just stopped.

Plugs out, covered in fuel..... so it must be the battery. Jump leads to the rescue, and she was up and running no problem.

So a new battery is ready for pick up at Ducati Manchester on Tuesday, but I'm left confused by the way the choke affected the ability of the battery to turn the engine over.

With my basic mechanical knowledge I cannot make sense of it....any body care to enlighten me?

Thanks.