Noob Ducati Questions....

[uptownducati]

Okay...3 weeks with my first Duc and I have some questions, might be normal, might be not, but coming from the Honda cruiser world it doesn't hurt to ask I guess... I have a 2003 620...the faster version (yellow) with about 5600 miles on it

1.  after it warms up a bit and I turn down the "choke" it idles around 500 rpm..i find that kind of low especially when trying to go super slow, like peeking around a corner, parking, etc

2.  when I use the choke, the rpms fluctuate if I turn the handles bar from right to left, or vice versa

3.  what is the normal operating temp?  on the highway it was well in the 200 degree area, however around town it varies, what is normal temp to ride at/ or to be worried at?

4.  based on the tripometer and amazing math skills i calculate about 37 miles per gallon...but the "low fuel" light came on while I was warming her up so I went to get gas and filled it up...it only took 2.45 gallons...what is a good range for the bike?  The light is suppose to come on with .92 gallons right? 

Cheers,

Jason

[erkishhorde]

Only useful on maybe 2 of those points but...

The rpm fluctuation when you turn the handlebars is a sign of an improperly tightened throttle cable and when you're turning the bars it's actually reving the throttle.

Your gas tank is about 3.5 gal I THINK so it makes sense for the light to come on with about a gallon left depending on whether the bike is on the stand or not.

[DirtyDuc]

1.  idles around 500 rpm...

Is fine for me. But, if it is low for you you can have the idle adjusted.

2.  when use the choke, the rpms fluctuate when turn the handle bars...

If it doesn't happen when the choke is off, sounds like it is a problem with the choke line, not throttle line.  Can fix or just don't ride with choke on.  I start my bike, put on choke, let sit and warm up, then turn choke off & ride...

[Mr Earl]

Strictly in my own experience:

1.  If the idle is acceptable (1100 or so) when the bike is fully warmed up (>120°F), you don't need an idle adjustment.  Usually it's possible to meter/adjust the high-idle lever as the bike warms up, so that an acceptable rpm level is maintained.

2.  The high-idle cable is tight.  This happens with mine, too.  As someone said, it's not the throttle cable.  I'm not concerned about it, but if you are, re-routing the cable might be one approach.

3.  The 620 has no oil cooler, so it runs somewhat hotter than other Monsters.  Over 200°F is fine, my oil cooler-equipped M800 insists on running above 200.  I think the official danger level is around 350, that's when you get a "High" indication on the gauge.

4.  The prevailing experience seems to be about 125 miles to a tank (to the warning light.)  Like with cars, higher operating temps = better mileage.  37 mpg is a bit low, but if you mostly run short distances it's not unrealistic.

[needtorque]

That's funny I have been averaging roughly 40 mpg on my S4R.  I am by no means grandpa either.  Course one tank I did get about 29 mpg when I was having fun for the whole tank.

[Loyalizer]

On my 620 gas light comes on around the 130-(9) mile mark. A full tank usually lasts me around 160-(5). The most I was ever able to get was 183 miles but then filled up over shear panic of being stranded. (I could got more I know it )

As for the temp, I always seem to be in the 200's also 250-290. But I am also in California and the weather might have something to do with it too. I am also lucky to have not needed to rely on the choke too (knock on wood).

Can't says i know anything about the idle speeds, but will start paying attention to it now i guess.

[Clickjack]

Little bit of a thread Jack.

On the 2007 S4R T.  the Fans seems to kick on at about 217/219 somewhere in there.  Is that when the coolant starts flowing or does it run the whole time?   

I ask because mine always seems to set at Min in the reservoir.  Fresh out of the garage, or running all day.  It seems to set at min.  I routinely see 200 F. but I rarely see anything over that.  To 220 once, I think.

[Slide Panda]

On the 2007 S4R T.  the Fans seems to kick on at about 217/219 somewhere in there.  Is that when the coolant starts flowing or does it run the whole time?    

Coolant is circulating whenever the engine is running.  Fans come on to augment cooling

1.  after it warms up a bit and I turn down the "choke" it idles around 500 rpm..i find that kind of low especially when trying to go super slow, like peeking around a corner, parking, etc

2.  when I use the choke, the rpms fluctuate if I turn the handles bar from right to left, or vice versa

3.  what is the normal operating temp?  on the highway it was well in the 200 degree area, however around town it varies, what is normal temp to ride at/ or to be worried at?

4.  based on the tripometer and amazing math skills i calculate about 37 miles per gallon...but the "low fuel" light came on while I was warming her up so I went to get gas and filled it up...it only took 2.45 gallons...what is a good range for the bike?  The light is suppose to come on with .92 gallons right? 

1.  Idle spec is 1100-1200.  It can be a bit lower - but I'm really surprised to hear that your bike keeps running at 500 rpms frankly.  But if she idles smoothly, no sputter, misfires etc then she's just got a slow pulse I guess...

2.  You don't have a choke since your bike is fule injected.  It's a fast idle throttle advance.  It's the same as twisting your throttle a little bit.  If you get down and look at the throttle body you can see it in action.  When you pull that lever, it just rotates the throttle cam a bit.  As folks have said, that fast idle cable is being pulled tighter when you twist the bars.

3.  My 620 w/ open'd air box, Sil pipes and PC III would run about 260 F unless it was really hot out and I was going slowly.

4.  My 620 would do 50-55 mpg.  Most folks get around 50 on a 620.  Perhaps take her for a few more runs and get a larger sample.  But if you're still finding 37 ish mpg, I'd wonder a bit.

[scott_araujo]

500 is a really low idle.  It should idle around 1100-1200 when fully warmed up, say 200F or over.  If it's still really low then you won't be getting enough oil pressure at idle and your engine will suffer over time.

Also, you should be controlling your slow speed maneuvers with partial clutch engagement.  The throttle is too sensitive at low speeds to be smooth or safe.

Scott

[uptownducati]

Okay thanks for all your suggestions!  Here is a little follow up:

1 - well popped the tank and turned the fast idle screw a couple times and got it to idle at about 1200 (guessing from the tach of course) 

2 - today was the first time I got to ride around with the new idle, and it makes a world of difference when going slow around corners...however after a 2 hour ride around town I noticed that the idle had gone from 1200 ish to about 1500 after she was all good and warm....and that was just towards the end of the ride that i noticed that...

3 - what was not a problem before, is one now...when I turn the bars left to ride, the idle varies.....which is not safe

4- The previous owner put new risers on there, about 2 and half inches or so of added "height", once I get some tools I will take them off since he did provide the originals, however I dont have the original bolts for the the factory riser; any suggestions? 

I think by taking the risers out that will solve all my weird idle problems...other than that, I love Molly the Monsters.  Thanks again

Cheers

[Slide Panda]

Okay thanks for all your suggestions!  Here is a little follow up:

1 - well popped the tank and turned the fast idle screw a couple times and got it to idle at about 1200 (guessing from the tach of course) 

2 - today was the first time I got to ride around with the new idle, and it makes a world of difference when going slow around corners...however after a 2 hour ride around town I noticed that the idle had gone from 1200 ish to about 1500 after she was all good and warm....and that was just towards the end of the ride that i noticed that...

3 - what was not a problem before, is one now...when I turn the bars left to ride, the idle varies.....which is not safe

4- The previous owner put new risers on there, about 2 and half inches or so of added "height", once I get some tools I will take them off since he did provide the originals, however I dont have the original bolts for the the factory riser; any suggestions? 

I think by taking the risers out that will solve all my weird idle problems...other than that, I love Molly the Monsters.  Thanks again

You might want to bring the idle down a hair.  1200 ish is where you'll want it when hot. 

If the PO added risers, but didn't add a longer throttle cable it's common to have the cable pull tight in the exact situation you describe.  Some times rerouting the cable can alleviate this issue, but not always. 

If you got back to the stock risers you can look up the bolt sizes.  Ducati has PDF parts diagrams on their site.  You can just go to your local bike shop and pick up a set of the right size.  If you don't have one, a place like boltdepot.com could hook you up.

[scott_araujo]

That's not the idle adjustment.  The idle speed is adjusted with a combination of two bypass screws on the throttle bodies, an idle fuel mixture set by computer, a zeroing of the TPS (throttle position sensor) done by computer, and a synch of the throttle bodies.  You can buy a manual and lots of tools to do this yourself or take it to a shop.  Your bike is idling too low and the adjustment you made is not proper and should not be a permanent fix.  Take it to a shop and have it adjusted correctly.

Also, the idle should not change when you turn the bars.  Either your throttle cable or your fast idle/choke cable is binding somewhere.  Find that and fix it.

Scott