1199 Engine covers: bad for head gaskets?

I recently purchased a pristine 6000 mile 2012 1199S. A good friend of mine who is also a master tech saw the bike and warned me about the hazards of the engine covers on either side of the engine.

I recall when the 1199 was first released, these covers were offered a few months after introduction to help mitigate the excessive heat coming off the engine. My tech friend told me he’s made $$$ from customers with blown head gaskets due to retained heat on the heads, caused by these covers.

He has recommended I remove mine to prevent future damage.

Can anyone here provide any anecdotal or firsthand evidence that this is happening? I’ve never heard of 1199 head gasket failure from these engine covers, but hey what do I know? I owned a couple of 1098s before this bike so the 1199 experience is new to me!

Incidentally, as I have the bike apart for maintenance and parts installation, I’m noticing a much higher quality of assembly and craftsmanship that on the previous generation cycles from Ducati.

Greg
Austin TX


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Yea calling foul on the plastic covers having any thermal degradation in head gaskets. Remove them anyhow, they are worthless. Regarding Quality, I can’t speak as the 99 series is my first Duc however there are a bunch of people who would have the opposite opinion of that. Personally, I think the new bikes have way too much plastic and look a bit too busy compared to say the 1098 which I think visually was a phenomenal bike

endodoc said:

Yea calling foul on the plastic covers having any thermal degradation in head gaskets. Remove them anyhow, they are worthless. Regarding Quality, I can’t speak as the 99 series is my first Duc however there are a bunch of people who would have the opposite opinion of that. Personally, I think the new bikes have way too much plastic and look a bit too busy compared to say the 1098 which I think visually was a phenomenal bike

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Thanks Endo— you think the covers don’t do much then? Removing them would be a win anyway. I plan on doing so soon

Regarding the 1098 -vs- 1199: I loved the styling of my 1098s-I had two, a 2008 then a 2007. I liked how their large size accommodated my 6’3” frame. But I feel they were made to a price point. I had those bikes apart scores of times over a decade or more, I know them like the back of my hand. I’m noticing higher-quality parts and assembly all over the 1199. I’m also noticing more logical placement of things like voltage regulators, oil coolers, battery holder, etc. the tank is easier to deal with on the newer bike, not to mention it’s made of non-expanding aluminum! I had to coat my 1098 tanks to prevent swelling! (Caswell Coating if memory serves). The instruments and switch gear are much higher-quality than before. The headlights are FAR superior. The side stand is much nicer! The fairings are better-constructed and fitting. Easier to remove and fit. The list goes on.

I don’t like the curved underseat header but I understand why it’s there.

The trellis-framed bikes will always be timelessly styled, but I think the influx of Audi money had a profound effect on the Panigale line.


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Personally I would ditch the covers. Some of the (accessory excessive) folks like to trash the stock covers for carbon but I think the general opinion is that they serve no purpose. Good write up on the earlier models. I too like the trellis look which is why I’m particularly fond of the Pierobon X85r. Good luck with the bike.

I've done over 26,000kms in Australia with covers fitted and haven't had any issues. You'd have other heating issues before busting head gaskets.

What other heating issues would arise before head gaskets?

Cooling system not keeping up, fan constantly going, I think I heard the engine cuts out if it's overheating (anyone able to confirm?), excessive coolant odour...... The guy may have done some gaskets, but the insulation properties of the covers and the fact they only cover a small amount of the head means they won't cause warping. I don't know why the guy told you that, but I don't think he's got it right.

Thanks Disco— that all sounds reasonable. I’ll explore what it takes to remove them, if it’s not too difficult I’ll do an A-B. comparison. I appreciate the feedback


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Re-visiting this topic: rode the 1199S today, and the heat really is freaking bad. Looking for solutions. Does anybody have any experience with the Ebay heat-shield foil-like adhesive film kits available? I see a kit on there which applies to the underside of the seat, and also applies to the backsides of the plastic engine covers. I believed there's also a piece to apply to the underside of the curved under-seat header cover.

Any possible downsides to this kit? Do they even help?

Additionally, how much of the heat is caused by the OEM mufflers/silencers with built-in catalytic converters? They're way down low on the bike but is that heat rising up to the rider? I'm VERY tempted to spend some $$ on a non-cat race exhaust but my main concern is heat reduction. Of course will take any incidental power gains with it! Do non-cat 1199 exhausts reduce rider heat?

I'm aware of a guy who will gut the stock OEM cans, but I'm willing to go a little further and get aftermarket if it'll cut heat. (Looking at some Terms kits on Ebay.) Then the question is---get slip-ons or full-race? The 1199 has 60mm headers, right? Full-race is 70mm? Somebody said I could put OEM 1299 70mm headers on my 1199 and then some race (de-cat) silencers. Is this a possible quality solution?

TIA,
Greg
Austin TX

What about thermal wrap on the headers?


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You mean wrap the curved under-seat header? Or all of them? Is the bulk of the heat coming off the exhaust headers, or the engine itself? Why does my 2015 R1 run so cool--hardly gives my any heat problems!!

Doubt the covers would create any issue , look at Aprilia RSV4 they come from Factory with both sides of the engine covered with plastic for sound deadening .
Most race bikes have aftermarket R & G crash protectors on the crankcase .

Spend the money on subframe covers. Subframe heatsoaks which is what causes majority of the radiating heat felt on the inner thighs, especially in stop n go traffic. Aftermarket exhaust won't change anything. Subframe covers will help reduce the heat felt on your thighs (between legs). This is your best option for the lowest price. If you wanna break the bank, install a carbon subframe (carbon won't heatsoak like the oem subframe) get a better radiator, aftermarket exhaust, install a manual fan switch. The end.

Thanks DoubleO, I have not heard of subframe covers for this bike. Can anybody direct me to a vendor link? I’m certainly open to any solution.


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And you did mention an aftermarket exhaust will not make a heat difference but then you mentioned it could be an option.


So does a Panigale non-cat race exhaust run a little cooler? They always have in my previous bikes. Including my current R1.


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The termi undertail will help reduce heat as it removes the loop, otherwise do what the rest of us do; suck it up or wear leathers!

I don't notice any difference in heat with my full akrapovic. It's still hot as a MF. I mentioned it in case you wanted to splurge.

I took those engine covers for the rear cylinder off of my 1199. They don’t make a difference, except maybe for people who ride in shorts. On the V4, I took them off but I think I’m going to put them back on. With it being wider with two more cylinders it gets really hot on my left leg just below the knee. Hot to the point I looked a few times to see info I was smoldering.

double0 said:

I don't notice any difference in heat with my full akrapovic. It's still hot as a MF. I mentioned it in case you wanted to splurge.

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Ok good to know__


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Best solution for heat is to ride fast