This weekend I did about 1500km’s of riding in ambient temperatures of 26C. The operating temperature would range from 60C - ish on highway rides to 82C when pushing the bike harder in the twisties and in low speed hairpins. My previous big twin bike, an Aprilia Tuono would typically run at 90C and higher temps. Also my petrol cars would run around these operating temps of 90C is the 1200DVT indeed intended to run at an operating temperature of a little over 60C? This seems very low to me.
My first generation 1200 sits at about 66C cruising at 50mph, crawling at 30mph in town it goes up to 90C ish. Think it’s normal as many have commented about trying to increase the normal running up to 70 something. Andy
I am in this range too. I have a 1198 as well and that runs closer to the range of the Aprilia. I'm guessing the tall Multi get's good airflow to the rad.
There is another thread somewhere about this, with the conclusion being our bikes aren't really designed for our British climate, so typically run cooler. I'm now on my third 1200 and they all run around 60-65deg. I keep meaning to blank off part of the radiator and see if it uses less fuel, as I'm convinced they all run too rich at that temp.
I started a thread on this for the original 1200 years ago. I think it is normal but it can't be ideal. I personally think the oil cooler is part of the reason as there is no oil stat. That coupled with lots of airflow around the horizontal cylinder. There was a question mark around how much water is able to pass by the thermostat when it was closed, thus allowing water through the rad even below the thermostats opening temp. I occasionally think about fitting an oil stat into the oil cooler lines but have never got round to it. https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/mocal-oil-stat-245484/
Thanks markyd for the input. I agree that temps around 65C cannot be ideal for a petrol engine. Somewhere between 85C and 105C would make more sense to me. Has anybody actually fitted a higher temperature (coolant) thermostat, to see if this makes any significant change?
In traffic yesterday in UK (28C ambient, I know, crazy isn't it) mine was hitting 104C then fan kicked in and dropped to 80-90, but kept rising as soon as stopped. When running at 60+mph would drop to 75 ish.
All three Mutlis I've owned have pretty much run consistently within the temperature ranges many guys who've responded to your question, have stated. It's never been an issue for me and I would guard against making any changes to the 'designed functionality' in terms of cooling, etc, otherwise you will completely invalidate any warranty you might have! I appreciate that some seem to think they know better/more than the Ducati (German owned) designers do, however, I would suggest that perhaps you might be somewhat misguided. To me anyway, best left alone........
German engineers are handcuffed by accountants just the same as any other, I'd suggest you are placing too much faith in the wrong place!
I don’t understand this obsession with running temperatures, why on earth do people fret about this when there are so many other things to worry about when you own a Ducati!
If you read what I said properly, I mentioned the 'range of temperatures', not one specific! As long as my Ducati performs and runs the way it has been designed to, including enabling the fans to cut-in at around 103-104C, to 'stop overheating', then that's fine for me. I won't be tinkering with the system as-is. If you prefer to then, tinker away........
hello my fellow Dutch friend. I ride V4R at Mugello at 95C and its working perfectly fine. Relax and enjoy the flat lands.
I'm caning mine through the Sierras in Spain and with temps up to 34c, I don't think I have seen anything over 70c, apart when I was stuck in traffic in Pamplona and Bordreaux and it was scorching then.
