I've finally sussed what the problem is.......but not how to fix it. That's going to be down to Ducati. Just to recap. Some people with 2013+ Multistrada's have problems with the hazard flashers operating after several operations of the left indicator. I was fiddling in the garage (!) the other day to try and find out why the hazards come on after about 5 or 6 left indicator operations when riding (continental overtaking), but about 20 indicator operations when standing next to the bike with engine off. Then it dawned on me. To turn on the hazard flashers, you have to hold left indicator for three seconds. On my bike the three seconds is accumulative i.e. if I indicate left but hold the button left for a second, and do this three times, the hazards will come on. If I hold the left indicator for half a second and do this six times, the hazards will come on etc. so definitely a software problem! Apologies if this is already common knowledge, I can be a bit slow at times!! Kevin
I did similar things in software back in the 80's. It's a well know issue to clear the counter after x clock cycles or you'd get this cumulative effect. Software HMI basics. A certain competitor did something much worse... each time you pressed a key on the security keypad it suspended the entry timer / noise (to allow you to think)......If you kept pressing any key the entry timer was infinite....DOH!! This fault was discovered at least 10 years later by a cleaner lady who forgot the code, so took advantage of this back door.
You would think it would be a simple fix but I haven't heard of any software upgrades. Are there any Ducati dealers on the forum who know any different? Cheers Kevin
It's a pretty laughable bug to let slip through, and then not to notice for years! if (p_indicator_button) counter++; else counter = 0;
Yes I went for this patch a few months ago, and the dealer couldn't find it on the update server but swore it was there the day he phoned me to come and get it sorted. He still keeps me informed but still hasn't seen it since.
I also regularly go to indicate left and notice hazards on. I'm aware of it so deliberately look every time I try and indicate left. Can't say I've noticed any pattern or if it is after a fixed number of uses, or time... as I'm still out riding it 2014 S Touring. Almost 9000 km in about three months of ownership. Next full on rainy day if I'm pottering in the garage I might play with it
Twin Spark model, It's a known software issue. Moan to your local dealer, so that Ducati put out a new flash to up date the software. It counts the cumulative amount of time that you've kept the button pushed left. Once that counter reads 3 seconds then activate hazards. Only activation or ignition off zeros the counter. Can someone confirm if the operation of the right indicator cancels this counter? I've missed out on this problem. Therefore I'm upgrading to the twin spark, so I can get in on the recall.
ACT, it doesnt matter how many times you indicate right as well, it doesnt affect the cumulative count. Total pants. If i produced code like that I'd be embarassed and want to fix it asap.
I've noticed this hazard thing happening recently. I'm on a 2014 S touring and every tenth time I indicate left, it goes straight to hazards. I hadn't thought about the cumulative time spent pushing the switch left, but it sounds about right as playing about on the driveway nailed it to ten times left before hazards. 7500 mile service coming up shortly, so I'll ask them to take a look at it then in case there's a software fix.
I had some other warranty work done last week (all the usual stuff - brake hose rubbing on fork leg, centre stand rubbing on exhaust, black anodised trim panel on exhaust discoloured, corroded fasteners on ABS rotor - probably get the dash changed next spring if it mists up again same as last year, already had the start switch replaced)........anyway I also asked the dealer to check with Ducati specifically about the hazards problem. They reported back that there is still no fix and Ducati are "working on it", how hard can it be to re-write a few lines of code! I stressed that I consider this a safety "hazard" as it confuses other road users around us and asked for contact details of DucatiUK, apparently that's not allowed, God forbid that they should hear direct from their customers what they really think (perhaps Ducati and dealers should look on here from time to time). If Ducati performed proper development testing this problem (and many of the other common faults) would have been picked up before release let alone remain unresolved a year or more later. My nearest dealer (GT Motorcycles) was not aware of the hazards problem until I raised it with them a few months ago (7,500ml service), neither was Riders Bridgewater (600ml service last year) where I bought the bike. I suggest all affected put pressure on Ducati via their dealers. Still love the bike to ride, always makes me smile, and it survived our usual annual Euro tour (3,500ml) without missing a beat. But ownership is a different matter, this is supposed to be a premium product, I didn't have all these problems with the 3 Hinkley Triumphs previously owned, and much cheaper. If the new BMW rumoured to be coming out in competition to the Multistrada is any good I think my Ducati experience may be short lived.
A friend has just got his new BMW RT 1200LC with all the toys after a 6 month wait and has 400 miles on it. So what's it like? Well its a pity that they haven't got the more cubby hole space like the old one. Why didn't they make the Satnav cover lock with the central locking - everything else locks but not that. The exhaust has discoloured already and I don't like the tyres it came with etc. Does the perfect bike exist? Do Ducati's need more TLC than others? Does the MTS put a big grin on my face when I ride it - Damn right it does !!!!!
Getting off topic a bit here but hey ho...Just catching up on my backlog of MCNs (been on hol's for a few weeks) and just seen the spy shots of the BMW S1000XR or whatever they are going to call it. Looks pretty cramped on there, and not much room for SWMBO on the back. If that's the production pannier mount it's pants, no competition for the Multistrada in my not so humble opinion. Maybe I'll be sticking with the Mutley for a while longer after all. Just have to mod Mutley to what it should have been in the first place I guess, now where's that hacksaw, centre stand lever's the first thing to get out the way, do all Italian test riders have size 4 feet ........... and never indicate when they overtake or turn left? Yea...we're back on topic
Of course there's a perfectly simple solution...... just make sure all your ride-outs are in a clockwise direction Just don't mention it to Ducati they just might take you seriously
New update now out, source Tom at Snells. Assured me that it works; will have mine re-flashed when I have the exhaust valve done / replace catalytic converter.
Hi my MTS 2013 1200s has the same sympthoms with the left signal switching hazzards every 5th blinking. On the highway riding it is a real pain in the ass. Is the official software patch available at the dealers ?
