Heat issues, addressed today by Ducati!

Trauma said:

The description sounds like behind the scenes stuff. And there is no way Ducati would change the asthetics to squelch the heat issue. I do think it's pretty incredible they listened and made a change - this, the low-mid throttle problem, and the oil level viewng were the only, or at least main complaints throughout last year, and they have fixed all 3.

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+1
now only if they can fix my tunnel vision when the Pani hits Warp speed!

bravo to Ducati for doing this, perfect timing for spring riding in So-Cal.

All that heat can't be good for the electricals, rear shock reservoir, premature hardening of plastic pieces, rear brake lines, list goes on and on.... Better isolation would definitely help, i am sure the bike won't run any cooler, just the effects will be minimized.

ScrapperX said:

+1
now only if they can fix my tunnel vision when the Pani hits Warp speed!

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Don't forget the ringing in my ears from no plugs all this time

Trauma said:

Don't forget the ringing in my ears from no plugs all this time

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What?

Wow. Interesting. I need to call my dealer.

Dealers got the memo yesterday, saying we (the customers) would be getting a letter detailing what it was and what to do. The dealer doesn't even have an official service bulletin of what to order or when.

We have Endeavour out here, I really like the way you think !

Capt CF said:

We could ride out to Udvar Hazy and pull a tile off the Discovery. That might be burly enough to stop the heat.

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True, Dealers got the letter on the 15th with a bulletin still to come. No parts can be ordered at this time..... seems sometime in Feb.

AKKutz said:

True, Dealers got the letter on the 15th with a bulletin still to come. No parts can be ordered at this time..... seems sometime in Feb.

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Fine with me, I want all the heat I can get this winter!!

Confirmed with my dealer too. He said Ducati will ship parts end of Feb and there is no action they can take until then. Good news though!

Here is a cut and paste of the actual email i obtained today...

Ducati Motorcycle:
M.Y. 2012 and 2013 Panigale 1199
Heat Shield Upgrade Repair –Free of Charge

Dear Ducati Owner,
Ducati has recently received owner concerns relating to engine and exhaust heat discomfort occurring on Model Year 2012 and 2013 1199 Panigale motorcycles during certain riding conditions. In recognition of these concerns, Ducati has decided to implement a dedicated heat shield kit upgrade at no cost to you. Please take the time to read this letter and help us take the appropriate steps to ensure that your vehicle is properly updated.

Under certain operating conditions there can be a gradual heat build-up originating from the engine exhaust area, some of which transfers into the rider seat area and in certain circumstances could lead to skin burn if the rider continues riding for a sustained period while feeling uncomfortably high heat. To correct this condition a dedicated heat shield kit upgrade will be available at your authorized Ducati dealer, at no cost to you for parts
and labor, by the end of February 2013.

In addition, for those owners of Model Year 2012 and 2013 1199 Panigale motorcycles who have installed a Ducati Performance full exhaust system (silencer and manifolds), a dedicated heat shield kit designed to fully integrate with the system will be available, again at no charge to the owner. Once the heat shield upgrade repair is performed it is Ducati’s expectation that owners will no longer experience any heat related discomfort.

Until your bike is updated, if at any time during riding discomfort due to heat build-up occurs you should reduce the vehicle speed or temporarily take a break from riding in order to reduce the possibility of burn from continuous high heat exposure.
As noted in the Owner’s Manual, riders should always wear suitable clothing to provide protection during operation of the motorcycle.

We request that you contact your authorized Ducati dealer and schedule an appointment so that the required service can be performed in a timely manner. To locate your nearest authorized Ducati dealer, please go to Ducati - Bikes, Equipment, Accessories, Racing, Company, Dealer - Official Site Ducati and select the “dealer locator”. Your dealer can complete the required service in less than three hours, if you have an appointment. If your dealer has a number of vehicles awaiting service, additional time may be required.

If you have further questions or require further Customer Service help please utilize one of the below options:

Write:
Ducati North America, Inc.
Attn: Customer Service
10443 Bandley Drive
Cupertino, CA 95014

Thanks for posting. The very delicate, carefully crafted wording is hilarious! Good lawyers.

Woot!
What a fantastic thread to wake up and find .
Bravo and thank you for listening Ducati.
Josh.

By the way.. Here's my prediction.
The heat that we feel will be noticeably less. Reducing but not eliminating the issue (ill happily accept that)
However the heat that we SEE on the dash readout will increase from what was already pretty high in my opinion. Potentially re-igniting the Engine Ice threads.

Thermodynamics being what they are (and I'm no expert), if the heat doesn't come out, it has to go in. It's not just going to disappear.

Another prediction...
The first person to post their findings after having this done will have the highest view count on their thread we've seen
Josh.

joshinthecity said:

By the way.. Here's my prediction.
The heat that we feel will be noticeably less. Reducing but not eliminating the issue (ill happily accept that)
However the heat that we SEE on the dash readout will increase from what was already pretty high in my opinion. Potentially re-igniting the Engine Ice threads.

Thermodynamics being what they are (and I'm no expert), if the heat doesn't come out, it has to go in. It's not just going to disappear.

Another prediction...
The first person to post their findings after having this done will have the highest view count on their thread we've seen
Josh.

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I don't think the intent is to stop the heat from coming out, but to redirect it once it has. Just guessing though.

I believe they will baffle in such a way it will be directed away from areas of skin that could be burned. As said, you cannot contain the heat. x BTUs are created with x HP of this engine - and it has to go somewhere. That is all they are doing, making sure the bike is safe to drive, to CYA themselves. I am thinking on a hot day, wearing shorts, a rider could experience 1st or worse csase 2nd degree burns, hense the "recall".

joshinthecity said:

By the way.. Here's my prediction.
The heat that we feel will be noticeably less. Reducing but not eliminating the issue (ill happily accept that)
However the heat that we SEE on the dash readout will increase from what was already pretty high in my opinion. Potentially re-igniting the Engine Ice threads.

Thermodynamics being what they are (and I'm no expert), if the heat doesn't come out, it has to go in. It's not just going to disappear.

Another prediction...
The first person to post their findings after having this done will have the highest view count on their thread we've seen
Josh.

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For the head, sure. But for the exhaust, doesn't seem like that would increase engine heat any. I'll hit like 220 degrees stuck in traffic, but then it does regulate itself. So seems like it would do the same, or could be tweaked with software since the thing is just one big computer. Or...riders start to appear to spontaneously combust as the magnesium parts of the engine ignite.

i agree, i think they will force it downwards kind of like what they do to high performance cars when the heat hits the underside of the hood, there is a blanket of protection that prohibits the heat from rising further.My 1969 Z28 has a heat shield under the hood from the factory and between that and the cowl induction forces the heat comes out the bottom while driving. I too am not an engineer, but that is how it was explained to me

ttkarp said:

I don't think the intent is to stop the heat from coming out, but to redirect it once it has. Just guessing though.

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joshinthecity said:

By the way.. Here's my prediction.
The heat that we feel will be noticeably less. Reducing but not eliminating the issue (ill happily accept that)
However the heat that we SEE on the dash readout will increase from what was already pretty high in my opinion. Potentially re-igniting the Engine Ice threads.

Thermodynamics being what they are (and I'm no expert), if the heat doesn't come out, it has to go in. It's not just going to disappear.

Another prediction...
The first person to post their findings after having this done will have the highest view count on their thread we've seen
Josh.

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Hopefully I'll be one of the first like I was to post this notice!

SoutheasyJay said:

I have a 2013 base abs and the bulletin addresses all 2012 and 2013 1199's. from what I recall it was several parts, just can't recall since it was a quick phone call. But it addresses the heat from the exhaust and something concerning the heat coming from the front. Ill swing by dealer this afternoon so ill try to get more info. I'm glad Ducati is addressing the issue, regardless how it actually affects each person, I'm happy they are addressing it. It certainly won't hurt! And from what ive heard, our 2013 bikes are the exact same as the 12's as far as the heat shield so of your dealer told you the 13 had the "fixes"/new shield already applied, they may have been misinformed because this update will be for the 12 and 13's.

They did say the update kits will be reaching the dealers in February...

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I can just see the confusion that will eventually start when you use the word "recall" twice in your post on a "hot" issue like this.

ETA: Based on reading that letter posted earlier from Ducati, this might indeed be safety-related so there's no telling if this turns into an actual recall. I think the heat is quite excessive (during high temperatures and when you are not dressed properly) otherwise I am fine. I can remember only once where the heat was so bad that it almost forced me off the bike at a stoplight but that won't happen to me again, I've learned my lesson.