I know this has been mentioned wrt earlier bikes, but my standard DVT cranks very slowly. Today it failed to start first time, and then needed prolonged cranking before it finally fired up. Third time this has happened in 2200 miles. I mentioned it at 1st service and got the "they all do that", but it's not right. It's always cranked slowly, but rarely fails to start on 1st crank. I have ensured the battery is fully charged on an optimate. This morning the bike fired up after a slow crank. After it had sat for 6 or so hours while I was at work, it cranked even more slowly and didn't fire. It sort of gave up with a whimper after a few cranks. I tried again and it laboured around for a bit but didn't fire. Third time it fired after about 10 seconds (which seems like an eternity). Feels to me like the battery is knackered which is odd on a new bike. But could it still be poor wires form the battery to solenoid, ground etc? Opinions?
Ah. Just been looking at the whole area under the seat. Blimey its tight under there and all the cabling is very tightly wrapped up. I've been looking at all the threads about cable replacement and it looks like a bit of a mare to get at anything. Ho hum... Battery is 13.2v at rest.
Had exactly the same happen twice now in 900 miles. Always starts though and I've put it down to having the Tomtom constantly plugged into the accessory socket in the fairing. Will be keeping an eye out, but don't see it as an issue just yet.....
There is an increasing number of older Ducati's with improved starting on this Forum :smile: Just checked the parts diagram - doesn't look like it would be a problem. By far the worst installation is the 999 and the hardest to design is the Sports Classic that I am developing now. Looks like yours uses Panigale open crimp fittings for which I have already designed a piggy back connector - Exact Start Pani cables available soon :smile:. Cheap cable & open crimps are the usual culprits and probably the shorter cables that appear to be used on your model have accelerated the effect you see on all Ducati's after a year or two.
My brother has a monster 1200 and it is a slow cranker, i didn't know why, now that its explained a 1200 twin has to move more air it makes sense. However this does not excuse poor connections and low grade wiring. Hope this does not become a big issue, glad I brought a battery conditioner now.
You really need to get this sorted because slow, reluctant cranking leads directly to sprag clutch problems and you really, really don't want that to happen. Once the starting circuit builds up resistance, all the power from the battery is used to turn the engine over, leaving little or none for the ignition circuit, so it's a vicious circle. I have fitted a high capacity starting circuit to my 999, which as @Exige says is a right pain to fit, especially as my kit was imported from America at great expense before Exige was producing his kits, which are easier to fit and much better value. I suggest sweet talking Exige into knocking up a pre production kit for your bike and teaming that up with a new battery. Since fitting a high capacity kit and new battery to my 999, it has gone from being a slow and reluctant starter to instant, eager starting. No more crossed fingers, it positively bursts into life. The battery I chose is a Yuasa.
Had this couple of times but not worried about it. My doubt is that this is due to the fuel and not because of electronics, you never know how pure is the fuel that they're selling you regardless what the label says.
Fuel won't make any difference to the cranking speed. If the engine is reluctant to turn over, your sprag clutch is at risk.
Had this happen to me a few times. Always managed to start. Once or twice had to snap the throttle open. Maybe less resistance. Battery voltage always read ok though. I think may have been moisture in the exhaust. Fitted the full system today. turns much more easily and starts promptly.
Update - popped into Snells (love them - most excellent service every time) and they did a load test on the battery. The battery has 13V at rest, and drops to 10V when loaded, which is quite weak, especially as the bike had just been ridden 20 miles to get there. They recommended a new battery which they can't do under warranty, but P&H who I bought the bike from have confirmed they'll do a swap.
why not a lithium battery instead? have you guys tried one yet on the multi? you'll also get rid of about 5kg
I read that Lithium batteries don't play well with low, constant current drain e.g. with an immobiliser and keyless key sensor. Happy to be told different. But I don't want to spend £££ on something the manufacturer should replace anyway. Beats me, just saying what I was told. Snells said that batteries aren't warranty items, but P&H were totally fine with swapping it when I called them. Just need to call in and get it done.
Batteries are semi-consumable. But they shouldn't fail so soon. So should be covered under warranty by any franchised dealer. They are all Yuasa
I bought a yuasa battery for my 2012 model last autumn and 7 months later It was dead. Yuasa had only 6 month warranty so I did not get a new one. Had to chance Bike to get new battery[emoji1]
