[DarR]

Apparently the most recent system update enables the rear cylinders to shut down after a certain period of time based on either inactivity for fuel economy or temperature management.

 

[Alexander Polhemus]

I wonder if that is what is different about mine...I took it in for the 600 mile service and when i got it back it makes a very different sound when idling. When I pull the clutch at all or an gas it switches back...you think?

 

[BeneWright]

DarR is correct, the rear cylinders now shut down when idling, for both points he mentioned above. I'm picking mine bike back up on Tuesday after having its 600 miles service, the technician has ran through some up the updates and this was one that stood out to me

 

[tyr]

People just couldn't live without the V-twin, so they made it available to V4 owners at stop lights.

 

[oleary]

I ordered mine six months ago

But I specified the full Akrapovic which caused even more delays.

During that period Ducati installed this "kill the rear cylinders" thing.

The bike I ordered ran all all cylinders all the time.

The bike I'm picking up this Thursday better run on all of the cylinders all of the time or I will not accept it.

 

[oleary]

Apparently the most recent system update enables the rear cylinders to shut down after a certain period of time based on either inactivity for fuel economy or temperature management.

This may come as a huge surprise to Ducati, but people like me do not buy motorcycles like this for "fuel economy".

It is clear to me that Ducati has abandoned people like us but I actually think this makes good business sense.

For every one of us there are 10 Starbucks Cruisers and Ducati has made a corporate decision to serve the larger market.

Fair enough, but had I known this six months ago I would not have ordered this bike.

 

[tyr]

This may come as a huge surprise to Ducati, but people like me do not buy motorcycles like this for "fuel economy".

It is clear to me that Ducati has abandoned people like us but I actually think this makes good business sense.

For every one of us there are 10 Starbucks Cruisers and Ducati has made a corporate decision to serve the larger market.

Fair enough, but had I known this six months ago I would not have ordered this bike.

Just get a refund on your deposit and walk away, it sounds like you have yet to take delivery and it doesn't seem like no matter what they do it will be what you want, so might as well bow out rather than spend quite a bit of money on something that won't make you happy.

 

[oleary]

Just get a refund on your deposit and walk away, it sounds like you have yet to take delivery and it doesn't seem like no matter what they do it will be what you want, so might as well bow out rather than spend quite a bit of money on something that won't make you happy.

EXACTLY!!

I have asked that they deliver the bike I ordered six months ago or not at all.

And they can keep the damned deposit.

Sadly, the owners and much of the staff used to be good friends of mine. This affair has done huge damage to that relationship.

 

[DarR]

This may come as a huge surprise to Ducati, but people like me do not buy motorcycles like this for "fuel economy".

I read you and we're on the same page.
Although I posted that update news about the rear cylinder shut down thing, I have mixed opinions as to whether I like it or not. I'll really only be able to pass judgment when I get to ride the bike fully. It would probably be less threatening if it could be enabled or disabled by the user.

 

[oleary]

I read you and we're on the same page.

Note: My bike was delayed because I specified the full Akrapovic and I knew that goin' in.

Sent to my dealer this evening:

Gentlemen,

I think I have made it clear that I will not accept this motorcycle in its current (28/04/2018) configuration.

Why is that?

Because this not the motorcycle I ordered six months ago and it is not the motorcycle I saw at the Vancouver bike show.

How can we fix this?

I see several alternatives:

(1) 1st choice. I put this question to my service manager, "With the Ducati Performance software installed will it run on all of the cylinders all of the time". He has not yet responded but know he's working on it.

(2) Flash it back to the way it was when I ordered it. Sadly, that is not an option. Why? Because some bright spark at Volkswagen (owner of Audi and Ducati) decided it would be a brilliant idea to come up with illegal software designed to defeat pollution testing. I believe it has cost them $2 billion USD and counting? Thanks for that, guys. 🙄

(3) Buy the $669.00 USD + tax Rexxer User kit. Sadly, this kit is not yet available for the V4 - yet. Interestingly, this kit works wonderfully on my MTS and 1199S track bike.

(4) Write two lines of computer code that would allow us to turn this function off. This would cost about $2.43 and totally fix the problem. Gosh, my wife’s little Mercedes station wagon and her Audi both have this EXACT SAME FUNCTION.

Also, I discussed this matter with my friend ****** (track mate) who has a whole bunch of bikes (including BMW’s, Ducatis and Aprilias), and a Porsche GT4, and a Ferrari, and several BMWs, etc. Oh, and his wife drives a drop-dead gorgeous Mercedes. Interestingly, ALL of his machines have the option of turning things like “kill the engine when you stop" - OFF.

Then I spoke with my friend M*** who owns one of Canada’s largest motorcycle museums. His collection includes a bunch of Ducatis including some really iconic ones. Oh, and his daily driver is a 9**. In fact, I’ll be over to his shop tomorrow morning to set up the suspension on his newest Ducati track bike. But I digress. M***'s response? “Are they out of their minds?"

I surveyed 14 of my fellow Ducatisti (including R**** and M*** mentioned above).

They are all track or riding buddies and all own Ducati(s) and lots of other bikes.

Their reaction - to a man - was IDENTICAL:

(1) “Ha hah ha, funny guy, … Jerry always likes to joke around.”

(2) I said, “No, this real - AND IT IS NOT AN OPTION”

(3) EVERY single person had the same reaction. UTTER DISBELIEF. “There’s no way Ducati would do ever do something this f***ing stupid!” (thank you, J-M), ……. or variants thereof.

(4) “Jer, you're getting old and stupid, Ducati must have a way to turn this thing off”

(5) To which I replied, “No - IT IS MANDATORY."

Then I sent the general manger this:

"And if this deal goes totally off the rails ... please donate my deposit to the charity of your choice."

 

[DarR]

@oleary
I really feel for your situation and side with your dissatisfaction about being forced to update without your consent.
As I have mentioned previously, the rear cylinder shut down thing should be option-able where it could be enabled or disabled by the user.
Hopefully, Ducati will re-update it as such soon to allow the owner to choose his preference although that does not help you right now.

 

[oleary]

Direct from Ducati

Idle (Neutral) and gear engaged and clutch lever completely pulled in (clutch switch pressed) – Coolant temp between 75-85C - Rear bank will disable after 30 seconds.

Idle (Neutral) and gear engaged and clutch lever completely pulled in (clutch switch pressed) - Coolant above 85C – Rear bank immediately disabled.

Note: My bike has the full Akra and the "Ducati Performance" software.

So I said, OK, if I'm riding down the highway at 120 kms AND I roll the throttle to idle AND the engine temp is above 85C will the two rear cylinders quit?

Ducati's answer? "We don't know"

Do I pick the bike up on Thursday - or not?

 

[tyr]

Idle (Neutral) and gear engaged and clutch lever completely pulled in (clutch switch pressed) – Coolant temp between 75-85C - Rear bank will disable after 30 seconds.

Idle (Neutral) and gear engaged and clutch lever completely pulled in (clutch switch pressed) - Coolant above 85C – Rear bank immediately disabled.

Note: My bike has the full Akra and the "Ducati Performance" software.

So I said, OK, if I'm riding down the highway at 120 kms AND I roll the throttle to idle AND the engine temp is above 85C will the two rear cylinders quit?

Ducati's answer? "We don't know"

Do I pick the bike up on Thursday - or not?

That is some straight crap. 167F is not that warm...while usually moving I don't get up there, it doesn't take long sitting around to hit that, or any sort of stop/go traffic crap will get you there quick...I'm starting to wonder if the demo bike I was riding around for quite some time had that update or not? If it did it was pretty seamless. Not a big fan of those numbers/situations though. Tough decision.

 

[oleary]

The cylinder deactivation will not occur if the motorcycle measures wheel speed.

So I asked,

Given your description of the system:

If I stop at a light AND kick the bike into neutral (as I always do) AND let the clutch out (as I always do) AND the engine temp is above +85C the rear cylinders should start up again, right?

 

[jgriff4740]

Omg

I don't see why your moaning, personally i think its a great idea, very clever
Whats the problem!
i've had mine done no issues at all

 

[tyr]

I don't see why your moaning, personally i think its a great idea, very clever
Whats the problem!
i've had mine done no issues at all

It does sound like **** and if you don't have to worry about heat why bother with the "feature," it would be nice to turn it off.

 

[playersnoopy]

Yeah almost makes me feel like one of them eco friendly jeeps going silent for a moment; but at least it engages quickly when you let out the clutch even the slightest. I was almost hoping it helped w/ the heat from the rear cylinders but can't tell the difference once it's already hot

 

[southeastduc]

I don't see this being that big of a deal. It probably won't sway me buying one when the time comes. But I'll sit here in the rafters and see what everyone thinks after experiencing this new mod. I don't really see it having much impact on performance. And at least they are working on containing heat.

 

[themightye]

They might be working on containing heat but get stuck in traffic and this bike gets really warm!

 

[tyr]

I don't see this being that big of a deal. It probably won't sway me buying one when the time comes. But I'll sit here in the rafters and see what everyone thinks after experiencing this new mod. I don't really see it having much impact on performance. And at least they are working on containing heat.

It's not a mod. If you haven't even ridden the demo you won't know what we're talking about. It's annoying that it can't be disabled. Yes I'm bitching. Is it a big deal? No. Does it make this bike any less fun? No. Honestly they are trying to deal with heat issues for the plebs IMO. Yes the bike is hot when you can't straight out 60+. It's what happens when you stuff 200hp under your crotch. I'd rather have it hot as **** (as it already is, disabling 2 cylinders probably doesn't do that much) and running on all 4.