2002 Monster S4 Stiff Throttle

[Black Rabbit]

Hey guys I just purchased my first Ducati last week a 2002 S4 and I love it!!!  The only issue is my throttle seems pretty stiff compared to any other bike I have ridden and several other people have agreed as well. Stiff to the point of pain on a ride longer than 15 mins. Is this a Ducati/Monster thing that I need to get used to, or is their an isue with this bike?

I lubed the throttle cable and the shop lubed the throttle itself some, that helped but its still pretty stiff.

Thank You

[Slide Panda]

SHouldn't be any harder to turn than any other bike. The throttle on my 900 and any other Duc I've tossed a leg over haven't been any harder to manage than any other, my KTM, buddies bikes etc etc.

Seems like you need more investigation. I'd detach the cable from the cam on the throttle body, and see if the TB cam will snap back freely when turned by hand and released. It's spring loaded so should twist with a little resistance and snap closed immediately when you release.

if it behaves that way, then it's time to look at the cable and twist tube housing. it's possible that 'sub-optimal' cable routing can cause drag. it's also possible for the cable to not sit in the bend of the twist housing quite right, causing drag.

[Dirty Duc]

Although SP is correct in theory, the throttle return spring on the Duc is significantly stronger than the return on the V-Strom (which I assume translates to many other bikes). 

Because you claim it is painful to ride, I assume that is what you mean by stiff...

Time to work on those forearm muscles!

[Slide Panda]

Guess a good question I should have asked is if it is 'stiff' in both directions, or just when you increase? Does it feel hard to turn but snap back on it's own? Or require you to actaully twist back to closed?

[Black Rabbit]

thanks for the responses! it's only still when increasing throttle, if I let go it snaps back very quickly. The guy at my shop didn't see anything wrong, I'm starting to think its something I need to get used to. After living several parts the pull is easier now but still stiffer than what I'm used to.

[memper]

Do you have bar ends? Sometimes the grip will overlap the bar end a bit and cause a dragging, stiff feeling.

[Black Rabbit]

i have the crg bar end mirrors

[Speeddog]

What I've seen, ranked most common first, on the injected bikes with single-cable system:

1. No grease in slot/guide in cover, where cable does the 90 degree turn.
2. No grease or gummed up between bar and inside of throttle tube.
3. Grip dragging on bar due to damaged throttle tube.
4. Grip dragging on bar end component.
5. Frayed throttle cable.
6. Gummy throttle return spring.

[Gromet89]

I have the same issue with mine, Its pretty normal I think although I would by a new throttle cable to be safe.

[Pat S67]

To the OP ...

I had exactly the same issue on a recently purchased monster, and assumed the opening cable must have been frayed internally so went ahead and purchased both an opening and closing throttle cable (yes they are different, atleast on a 2001 M600).

Replaced the throttle cables, re-assembled the throttle tube and housing, and had exactly the same issue. Took a while to work out, but, what was happening was due to the slack in the cables as I was installing them at the throttle tube, the opening cable was not sitting in the nylon guide correctly. It had had partially jumped out of it's guiding slot. Rather than sliding smoothly it was dragging against the internal housing. (I know pics would help, and unfortunately can't find any online, but if you split the housing around the throttle, it will be pretty obvious. The block sits internally at the bottom of the housing where the cables enter it)

Might not be the case for you, but doesn't take much to check, and far easier than replacing the cables prematurely.

HTH ... Pat

[FrankenDuc]

Also, try removing the bar end mirror and see how it feels - if tightened too too much into the bar, the bar expands a little and makes the throttle stiff.  I've only had this happen with aluminum clip-ons, but maybe on thin steel too if someone used their big arm on it.