Problems and Performance Over Engine Life - v4r and v4s

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Joined
Jan 8, 2024
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129
Location
India
So I am writing this post to inform my entire experience with a Streetfighter v4s 2022 model and a 2023 Panigale v4r. Both have akra with Ducati racing evo flash and sprint p08 air filter. I do 40% commute styled riding and 60% fast. On the SF, I mostly cruise at 150 or 160kmph, and occasional blasts upto 260kmph. Same on the v4r. I've had 2 engines changed on the v4r and going through the third engine now. On the v4s, its 4k miles and its showing same issues of oil blow by into airbox. Now I know you might think its due to overfill of oil, but no. I measure oil in the bike before every ride in vold start with upright without paddocks and make sure its between min and max. And still end up with oil leaks into airbox. After a long heated discussion with ducati, I've realized all Ducatis have same issues. Unless you only cruise on it, the engines wont last long. I had an m1000rr 2022 which I rode for 10k miles before selling it off and didnt need rebuild. I have a new 2023 m1000rr and a 2021 zx10r both of which have done 4k miles and 10k miles on them with zero issues. All tuned for racing. This does make me think how bad is the quality of the v4 engine. Mostly disappointed at this point.
 
I have v4r 19 and 23. The pitbox where I've been at for last 5 years has another 20-30 v4s/r.

Most if not all are problem free. And that's on track, not silly illegal road riding like you do.

You just got unlucky, get over with it
 
After a long heated discussion with ducati, I've realized all Ducatis have same issues. Unless you only cruise on it, the engines wont last long.

Do you really thing everyone is just cruising and that's the reason their bikes are lasting? Are you always using the same dealership? Maybe it's time to find another.
 
Ducati V4's as a rule are extremely reliable and well built given their state of tune, there are people complaining about the R so maybe they are more fragile but I suspect its all about how they are used or abused.
 
18k kms on my 22 V4S with akra and Ducati tune also, without any oil usage problems what so ever. Considering you appear to have problems on both bikes maybe worth looking at things like the P08 air filters that are supplied with the full akra systems. Have heard of issues like this in the past with various "high flow" filters in areas with dirty air quality. That's no dig either btw. Have Indian friend that have spoken about this in the past and also company I worked for built a drag skyline for a very rich guy over there many years ago. He used to send our techs over, have public roads closed and race the car up and down for half a day lol. Pretty cool but air quality from dust was an issue.
 
I have also suspected dust to be an issue with the sprint filter. I've read lots of cases in this forum itself where Ducatis end up need service intervals much quicker when ridden fast. Maybe I am just unlucky, but just back to back have made me super irate at this point.
 
Exactly. For my v4r they ended up installing BMC air filter and saying do not change this else warranty would be void. I can live with that as it has one more year of warranty left. However on the v4s, its nearing end of warranty in october. And yesterday rhey informed me that since I installed the CnC clear clutch on the v4s, the warranty might be void. This is pure stupid, because the oil leak started recently, and into the airbox due to blow by, whereas the clear clutch case was installed almost 4000km back. My bet is the p08 airfilter, but I've no idea if they will cover this under warranty. And this is not the dealership, but Ducati Italy DMH. Else entire rebuild cost would be on my lap. I might be even ready to pay for this, provided this issue is due to the air filter and I can take care of the engine by using a more restrictive filter. But if this shitshow happens again in 3-5k km, I will be superpissed on this
 
Sounds like your dealer should be more up to speed with potential problematic issues in the area. Funny about the BMC filter recommendation.
 
Exactly. For my v4r they ended up installing BMC air filter and saying do not change this else warranty would be void. I can live with that as it has one more year of warranty left. However on the v4s, its nearing end of warranty in october. And yesterday rhey informed me that since I installed the CnC clear clutch on the v4s, the warranty might be void. This is pure stupid, because the oil leak started recently, and into the airbox due to blow by, whereas the clear clutch case was installed almost 4000km back. My bet is the p08 airfilter, but I've no idea if they will cover this under warranty. And this is not the dealership, but Ducati Italy DMH. Else entire rebuild cost would be on my lap. I might be even ready to pay for this, provided this issue is due to the air filter and I can take care of the engine by using a more restrictive filter. But if this shitshow happens again in 3-5k km, I will be superpissed on this

What they tell you about void warranty is totally true.

Normally they close their eyes, but if you keep being a dick they just go by their policy.
 
Yeah, but the leak has nothing to do with the case cover. Have to see how it will end up in court. Its plain stupid.
 
Yeah, but the leak has nothing to do with the case cover. Have to see how it will end up in court. Its plain stupid.

Yeah that doesn't matter. As said above, when you have an attitude and lack of knowledge like yours, any customer service, even initially good, just gets worse because you're impossible to satisfy. The bike isn't your problem. YOU are your problem by being ignorant and expecting others to think for you. If you actually knew anything anout mechanics there would be no problems. Considering your environment and knowledge level, its only your money that’s keeping you alive, so spend it wisely.
 
Yeah that doesn't matter. As said above, when you have an attitude and lack of knowledge like yours, any customer service, even initially good, just gets worse because you're impossible to satisfy. The bike isn't your problem. YOU are your problem by being ignorant and expecting others to think for you. If you actually knew anything anout mechanics there would be no problems. Considering your environment and knowledge level, its only your money that’s keeping you alive, so spend it wisely.

lol. Does ducati pay you trolls to write? Or you post .... for free? You are just a fan boy. For me quality engineering matters. I've been racing on japs for last 4-5 years. Its only when I shifted to Ducati, I started facing issues. The QC is garbage on these bikes for what the cost is. If I was wrong, Ducati wouldn't change the engine 3 times. They did because they know they are wrong. Its people like you who just like to follow companies and suck up to them without knowing the intricates. Go home fanboy.
 
I have no point of reference with the QC as I have only come back to bikes fairly recently and two of them are modern V4. It seems fine to me.

It sounds like your issues might very well be caused by the environment you ride in.

Different countries have different rules regarding how warranties should work but that doesn’t mean someone can’t end up having to fight for an engine warranty, having had the factory void the warranty because of an unrelated modification.

I highly doubt any brand is immune to this sort of thing. I seem to recall reading about a Ducati dealer in India causing all sorts of problems for customers?
 
Thats correct. It could be just me maybe. I dont know and thats why I posted it here to get more info. Problem is some people here, instead if helping, just like to blame the rider.
 
Environment certainly is a consideration.

I enjoy RC hobbies. Helicopter, plane and car/trucks. On a few occasions I took my RC truck to a baseball field. The nature of the infield there was such that it ruined all my bearings after just a few days. Probably high in silica? Looked harmless by eye.

Perhaps send oil in for analysis. They could report air contamination.
 
I bought 2018 V4S when it just came out and had to go through a bunch of recalls in the first year. Bike had one or two oil leaks in the area of air box and had some oil in the air box, all was taken care by the dealer in Texas. I tracked it regularly in COTA shifting at red line and hitting 187MPH GPS speed and rode it quite aggressively on the street. Probably not as hard as you do, but not to Starbucks either. All in all about 15,000 miles before I sold the bike, and although I would say reliability could have been better, it was not terrible and no drama repairs. Full Akra, high flow air filter, dry clutch and a bunch of other mods. I used 300V only and changed oil often (maybe 3 times more often than recommended). Never I had any drips of oil on the ground or oil consumption. I believe your environment, maintenance routine, dealer, etc and kind of use stress the bike beyond what it can handle. If I were you, I would have been running something more suited for you and reliable as stress of dealing with issues is not worth it IMO.
 
I dont stay in Delhi. @CSV4. Stop being a stereotype. But the bike is at dealership and I am awaiting update for my streetfighter. V4r 3rd engine is good so far. Complete 2300km in new engine. So far so good.
 

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