Tires, Issues, and Tail Lights

Hey everybody, how's it going? I am going to sum up three questions that I had in one topic to save some space on the board.

I have been researching for a while on alternative options for tires because as many of you know, SP v2s are fairly expensive, with low tread life, compared to other tires. My understanding is that some of you are running Q3s as opposed to the SPs. Now correct me if I am wrong but Q3 comes in two sizes that are compatible with the 1199, 190/55 and 200/50, but 200/50 being too flat and 190/55 being too small in width. From what I have read on here and searching Google, 190/55 Q3s fit just fine with minor issues in regards to TC and "geometry" changing. I have also read somewhere here that the Q3's width is actually wider than that of SP regardless of Q3 being labeled as 190. Now my question is, if my previous statement is true, does that only apply for Q3 or can you run PP3 or S20? Also, the 1199 is fitted with a 200 width tire so would not the rim be only suitable for 200 width tires, nothing smaller (or wider)? How does that work putting on a smaller tire?

I have about 12K miles on my 2014 1199s and I have noticed some issues that I have ran into and wanted to figure out if anyone else was having these issues repeatedly. First one was the left exhaust heat shield loosening up. It happens so oftenly that I have stopped taking it to the dealership to get it tightened. The left side rubber grommet on the heatshield under the seat also melts away and deteriorates causing the shield to wobble and that has happened twice already. More recently, the gear sensor had gone bad so that is the first time changing that out. And lastly, the vertical cylinder leaked oil... Twice. All of this was covered under warranty but has anyone had any of these issues MULTIPLE times? I fear that if these issues continue to repeat themselves, once the warranty expires, I will be screwed.

Almost there. I have been waiting for Motodynamic to release their integrated tail light because they make some awesome products (loved their tail light on my R6, especially the sequential turn signals) but they seem to be way over due. I have read that they were supposed to release them back in June, then Aug., then October, etc. but still no release date. Does anyone have any word on these?

Forgot to add one more thing. I have read that some of you get 100+ miles to the light regardless of what mode you are riding, how are you doing that? Lol. I ride mostly in 190hi now and no matter what I try, I would only get 78 miles low and 88 miles high before the light turns on. The funny thing is though, when the light turns on, I can only fill the tank with usually 2.4 gallons and if I am correct, tank size is 4.5 gallons. Per manual, the light should only turn on when you have about 3/4 of a gallon left so I am wondering, is my gas light defective? Anyone else experiencing this?

You're either revvin too high or just hard on the throttle from takeoff or lower speeds as far as your mpg goes. I can get a little over 100 miles before the light comes on and I've been forced to ride with the gas light on for about 31 miles once before while stuck ridin through the canyons but it all depends how high you're revvin it. 195lo to be specific but rarely ever rev past 5k 80-85% of my riding.

Far as the bike problems, invest in the extended warranty. Will pay for itself with damn near one replacement service.

Jae2011 said:

Almost there. I have been waiting for Motodynamic to release their integrated tail light because they make some awesome products (loved their tail light on my R6, especially the sequential turn signals) but they seem to be way over due. I have read that they were supposed to release them back in June, then Aug., then October, etc. but still no release date. Does anyone have any word on these?

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I, too, have been waiting on this goddamned unicorn of a product to materialize. I have finally given up and opted for the Competition Werkes solution. While the CW visibility is clearly worse than what the MotoDynamic part would be, the two parts are effectively perfect replacements for one another - I will get the MotoDynamic when (IF?!!) it becomes available and use the CW part for now, so I can focus on getting rid of the fender (Carbon Smooth undertail with no hole, custom plate bracket, custom plate light, etc).

Jae2011 said:

Forgot to add one more thing. I have read that some of you get 100+ miles to the light regardless of what mode you are riding, how are you doing that? Lol. I ride mostly in 190hi now and no matter what I try, I would only get 78 miles low and 88 miles high before the light turns on. The funny thing is though, when the light turns on, I can only fill the tank with usually 2.4 gallons and if I am correct, tank size is 4.5 gallons. Per manual, the light should only turn on when you have about 3/4 of a gallon left so I am wondering, is my gas light defective? Anyone else experiencing this?

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Your numbers don't add up to me (re: how much fuel you are putting in the tank). With the SL I see the same thing you do - the fuel light comes on around 75-85 miles depending on how hard I've pushed it. The difference is that when it comes on there is just slightly more than a gallon left, so I'm not sure why you are off-by-one in that dept.

I ride at high RPMs almost all of the time (in race mode), so if you think you are getting 30+ MPG and your fuel light is busted, it must be because you are short shifting a lot?

Can't speak to all your questions, but as to tires: yes, you can run alternatives to the OEM's without problem on the street. 190/55 is the one you're looking for out back, and the Pani rear rim is normal liter-bike size (5.50X17) so no issues there. Option A would be the Q3, no question. I've had all the ones you list on mine. Thinking maybe a knobby next...

Definitely sounds like a problem with your low fuel light; you should normally be seeing over 3 gallons to fill up once the light comes on to stay. It'll sometimes come on briefly on a grade and then go off once you hit flat ground again, but once it's on to stay, Ducati spec the reserve at 1.32 Gal out of the 4.5 total and that's held true for me and others.

Lastly, +1 on the extended warranty. Servicing Ducs when they go haywire isn't cheap.