Newbie question about low speed riding

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Eenybear

Eenybear

Joined
Jun 23, 2020
Messages
48
Location
West
Hi,

Background

Not my first bike. Not my first Ducati.​
I know the 2020 V4 is essentially a track bike. I like the way it looks and sounds.​
But I live far from a track and actually ride the bike on the road pretty much daily.​
It's a 2020 and it's still "new"... with several miles to go for first service.​
Almost bought a 2020 BMW S1000RR but went with the Duc.​
Break-in underway and going well.​
​
Issue

In moments of slow traffic... or off the line at a stoplight... the bike is really, really rough (jerky) under 3000 RPM.​
Certainly manageable by feathering the clutch.​
Again, bike is essentially new.​
Didn't get this jerkiness with any Ducati twin I've owned (907ie, and others) or ridden (several).​
Certainly didn't get the jerkiness with the S1000RR (but there were other issues...)​

Questions
  1. Is this normal?
  2. Does it improve with the first service? i.e. is it as a result of the locked features and functions during break-in?
  3. Does it go away or become less noticeable using other settings - i.e. not "street default"?
  4. Is this performance at slow speed affected in some strange way by any of the DTS, DWC, etc. settings?
  5. Is there a generally accepted gearing change for a bike that will be primarily ridden on the road?
​
​
 
There are few factory cons on that bike, which will be fixed after the first service.
You may also be facing Louder exhaust.
 
AlanSmith7 said:
There are few factory cons on that bike, which will be fixed after the first service.
You may also be facing Louder exhaust.
Click to expand...
Could you elaborate please? :)
There is not much info on what the first service actually accomplishes. I know there is a magical “unlocking”... but of what exactly? And I’ll get an oil change and bolt torquing party, of course.
Interested in these “factory cons”.
 
it’s not a big twin, the v4 likes to rev. Get it far away from 3k rpm and you’ll be fine.
You don’t need to change the gears, just rev it higher
 
RODOLFO said:
You will get used to the bike

Clutch throttle

Just give it a few weeks
Click to expand...

I'm already used to it. :). Overall, everything that happens after 4k makes me forget everything that happens below 3k. But if something was wrong, or if I should be watching for something... I'd want to know. Looking forward to first service.
 
  1. Is this normal? Yes to a degree, Ducati's in general do not like low revs. There is also some play in the throttle (several threads on that one). - The 2020 has a better map so you will likely get used to it soon.
  2. Does it improve with the first service? i.e. is it as a result of the locked features and functions during break-in? - The bikes do start to run better after you have a few miles on them but unless there is a map update it will not change after the first service.
  3. Does it go away or become less noticeable using other settings - i.e. not "street default"? - Using street mode will help as the fly by wire throttle will be smoother in that mode.
  4. Is this performance at slow speed affected in some strange way by any of the DTS, DWC, etc. settings? - That can very depending on how high you have them set, but it would not cause the slow speed jerkiness you mentioned.
  5. Is there a generally accepted gearing change for a bike that will be primarily ridden on the road? The bikes are geared high and generally -1 in the front is the easiest and cheapest way.
 
DucatiKev said:
it’s not a big twin, the v4 likes to rev. Get it far away from 3k rpm and you’ll be fine.
You don’t need to change the gears, just rev it higher
Click to expand...

Thanks. It's still "locked" but it already feels natural in the 5-7k range allowed.

There was a mention in another thread about elimination of the stuttering off the line after first service. I'll wait and see.

Thought it might have had something to do with overly restrictive settings.
 
Wait till u can open it up and pin it to redline and then shift.
Sometimes I think something might be wrong but “it wouldn’t be this powerful if something was wrong” the magic happens over 8k!
 
Eenybear said:
Thanks. It's still "locked" but it already feels natural in the 5-7k range allowed.

There was a mention in another thread about elimination of the stuttering off the line after first service. I'll wait and see.

Thought it might have had something to do with overly restrictive settings.
Click to expand...
Ducati does not restrict it's bike (I believe the only one that does is BMW and only on the S1000R). The bike will start to run smoother as it gets broken in but the throttle adjustment and gearing will help. As mentioned above the bike does get lively after 8K. If you put the full system on look-out crazy fast.
 
My understanding is that pre-1000K service, the tacho is set to change colours earlier (i.e. go yellow and red at earlier thresholds). I didn't think it was actually restricted.

Anyway, yeah... I'm in the same boat as you @Eenybear (hoping to do more track time, but mostly a daily 80Km return commute, at least pre-covid). The low rev riding took a bit of getting used to. I've mentioned in a number of posts I was finding it difficult (compared to my zx10) to find the sweet-spot for taking off quick and/or smooth. If below 4K it could bog (or start oscillating) and much above 5K it could cause intervention by DWC and/or DTC. Anything below 4.5K is pretty rough, but once moving, all the stuff above 7.5K puts a grin on your face.

Having said all that, you do get used to it, and once I played around with some of the intervention settings, and had more time in the saddle, it comes pretty naturally now. I have ordered the throttle spacers just to see what difference they make (particularly down low when on and off the throttle)... will let you know.
 
Between 800-900 miles my SFV4S smoothed-out just nicely:)

Not really supposed to run them much under 3,000RPM's I think.

Except during break-in, I really don't watch the tach. Rather I listen to the engine. Hope this is helpful.
 
Eenybear said:
Could you elaborate please? :)
There is not much info on what the first service actually accomplishes. I know there is a magical “unlocking”... but of what exactly? And I’ll get an oil change and bolt torquing party, of course.
Click to expand...
Yes, you are right some unlocking happened after you drive it a few hundred miles and You will get used to the bike.
 
1600 US miles on a V2 after last night....imho, it does get smother with miles as things bed-in. slight differences after the first service but nothing notable.

below 3500 is lugging it..i will either down shift, clutch it, pass or stop.
 
thomasmryan said:
1600 US miles on a V2 after last night....imho, it does get smother with miles as things bed-in. slight differences after the first service but nothing notable.

below 3500 is lugging it..i will either down shift, clutch it, pass or stop.
Click to expand...
Can u power wheelie in first gear and ride it out a little bit yet?
 
though corners? lol that's isn't in my skill set on clingmans but foothills has some 100 yard straights.

now that the rev limit is freed up, the letters on the sides of the tires must die. it's parked for quota week. saw 8 people pulled over today
 
I would need wings....like the V4 but bigger

image.jpg
 
Yes it is normal.

I've just had my 1000km service. the only change is the warning lights don't come on at 6k revs. NOTHING is "locked" on this bike. It is not like the BMW which physically restricts engine revs during run in. Some v4 riders choose different run in procedures - some ride to maximum revs. Nothing restricts them.

My driveway is 150m of fine recycled asphalt. The back wheel flicks little stones onto my back, peppers the tail tidy, and the stock muffler has a dish on top that is a rock collector. I can't go slow enough!

Some people switch to a 520(?) chain and sprocket set (somebody correct me if I got that name wrong). This lowers the gearing a bit. I haven't bothered.

Another person suggested winding the clutch lever closer to the bar. I did this and it has helped with standing starts so it engaged at a point where your hand still has fine control.

Search on throttle spacers. Couple of current and recent threads relevant to the v4. I'm going to try them but apparently there are potential downsides.

There is a setting for engine power in Street, Sport and Race modes. This and other settings probably do affect throttle response at low revs but to be honest I had mine dialled in to all the dumbest settings, programmed them into Street mode, and left the bike like that for the first 1000km. No idea if it helped - I still had trouble getting used to the throttle at low revs and did stall at the lights once. Now it's in Sport mode, medium engine power selected, and slightly less safety on all other settings, and I'm actually finding it easier to take off. I think the biggest change is simply I'm getting used to it, getting a better feel and able to anticipate any stuttering.

Going down my driveway at walking pace I do have to ride the clutch and brake a bit. I'm getting good at that too.

Best advice I got was to spend some weeks riding the bike before spending money to make any changes. Use the run-up period to get used to the bike.
 

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