Ducati Monster Forum

A couple of months ago I did this mod:

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=74219.0

As I said in that post, it worked out well - except for the noise.  I lined the front underside of the tank with some 3/16" peel and stick foam, thinking that might reduce it a bit, and it just took the edge off.  There's not much to these foam Uni filters, and I'm wondering if something more substantial like K&Ns might be a bit quieter.  K&N filters and others like them have solid end caps of either rubber or metal that might block the noise a bit.  I'm guessing the performance boost I got was due to the velocity stacks, rather than to the filters.   Any thoughts?

I have found K&N pods noisy but outer covers on them cuts down the noise a little and keeps them cleaner and dry. That and the noise absorbing foam should help. They will still be loud but bearable.
You would think the foam pods may not be as loud as the pleated gauze but the closed end on the K&Ns should help. Much depends on how well your tank covers them. Some steel tank models have a sound absorbtion liner that fits under the tank that could be modified but you have rigged up a DIY version.

The V stacks give the power as a good airbox is usually better than pods. Get the largest volume pods that will fit your set up. K&N sell bags to put over them as do some sponsors.

That noise is music.  ;)

Oh such sweet music indeed

There are a couple of K&Ns that should fit.  I'm a "music" fan as well, but it's just too harsh.  The Micron cans out back sound great, though.

Music can be too loud.

the sound of squirrels mating kinda music

EEEEWWWWWW

So how did it go?

Haven't made the change yet.  The K&N models that should fit are 4 1/2" in diameter - I'm hoping to find something narrower and less bulky, like the Uni filters, which are an inch smaller.

For performance, go as large a volume as will fit. Think two small seperate airboxes. Or not, it's your call. ;D

K&N RB-0900 filters fit nicely - they're shorter and wider than the UNI filters, and have 5º angled necks.  3" inlet filters needed to fit over my velocity stacks are more of an automotive item - these are the smallest that K&N makes in that diameter.  Performance seems the same as with the UNIs, and they are a bit quieter.  Still loud, but not as harsh as before.   

(http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r762/delmartini/IMG_4001_zpsquw4dn2y.jpg)

I've been running the FatDuc, which really helped the low end and cold performance, but it seems most would suggest an ECU reflash with the intake and exhaust changes I've made.  Also, I need to check the intake settings - TPS, synch, idle speed, etc. - should that be done before or after a reflash?

Before as a base line. They look good.
I looked back at the outer diameter of the bellmouths of your stacks and agree that those K&N pods are a good choice in that their OD exceeds the OD of the stacks, which in my mind is better than the Uni filters. Some more length would have been good but hey, you use what's available and what fits.
Out of interest, you could check out the Corse Dynamics/TPO Beast R kits and the Waspworks/Intake Express kits as a reference and you will conclude that you have done a pretty good job.
Nice work. [thumbsup]

Ime, Ducati in contrast to Suzuki for example, has placed as many expensive tuning obstacles in your way as possible. Whatever the reasons, it's a fact and has to be dealt with. In regards to tuning, if you want the tune to be superb I would consider a reflash and then a dyno tune with a PCV. When the tune is almost perfect the riding pleasure is greatly enhanced as you feel the motor perform to it's potential right through the range. Yes it's expensive, but imo you would be pretty lucky to have a reflash map that will be spot on for what you've done. If pretty close is good enough, then maybe a reflash and a bit of luck might work. It's worth asking around to see what maps tuners have "on the shelf" so to speak that are for similar mods. Same goes for a map for the Powercommander. My bro found a good map for his 900ie on the second or third try and although a reflash will be an improvement, ime a custom job usually requires a custom map.

Thanks for your input.  Ducati certainly left a lot on the table with the 695, and it's sure rewarding to unlock some of the potential.  The parts interchangeability between models makes it possible.  I'll check with Motowheels on a remap - their velocity stack kit is similar to mine.

cencalal,

I just bought a pair of these, on a whim, to experiment with removing the airbox on my S2R. They fit right up to the rubber boots just fine. In the pics, it looks like you ground off the 2 nubs so they would slide further into the boot? Any idea what material these are made from? From the weight I want to say aluminium. I was really surprised how light they are.

They seem to be aluminum, and I did cut off the two pins on each.  Thanks to Ducati for making these the correct diameter - I just asked the bay seller to measure them for me.
I'm glad the K&Ns cut the noise down - wasn't going to be able to live with it otherwise.