My throttle is very tight: Can it be adjusted?

[d4nk0]

Forgive me if this is a stupid question...my knowledge on motorcycle mechanics is nonexistent.

Bike: 2000 Ducati Monster 750 Dark

I just got this bike and I've found that the throttle is very difficult to roll on to. It requires more power to physically twist the throttle and gas than any other motorcycle I've ever ridden. I could probably get use to it, but as of now, it's difficult to operate smoothly with my clutch.


Is this standard on my bike, or is there a way to adjust how hard it is to gas the throttle?

[sofadriver]

is it hard both directions?

[d4nk0]

is it hard both directions?

Yes, but much harder gassing than returning to the neutral position. This presents a problem because the gas doesn't immediately stop when i want it to.

On a similar note, i just took it for a 10 minute ride and I'm finding the clutch requires a lot of strength to pull in. So much so that it makes it difficult for me to signal without releasing the clutch. Is there also a way to adjust this?

[Speeddog]

It's easy to assemble the throttle incorrectly, and difficult to assemble correctly.

Set all cable adjusters to full slack,  and re-assemble the throttle.

[Dirty Duc]

Welcome to Ducati.

You should be able to mitigate the "stickiness" of the throttle by lubing the cable and checking for proper assembly, but it will always be stiffer than a Japanese bike unless you change return springs.  The clutch will be difficult until your forearm muscles adapt.

[d4nk0]

It's easy to assemble the throttle incorrectly, and difficult to assemble correctly.


Set all cable adjusters to full slack,  and reassemble the throttle.

Welcome to Ducati.

You should be able to mitigate the "stickiness" of the throttle by lubing the cable and checking for proper assembly, but it will always be stiffer than a Japanese bike unless you change return springs.  The clutch will be difficult until your forearm muscles adapt.

Thanks so much for your feedback, I appreciate it a lot.

To be honest, i have no idea how to adjust the cables. I'm not confident that I can disassemble them and reassemble them correctly. I was trying to find good youtube videos, but it seems as though the design on Ducati's are very different from other makes.

Should I just study my manual in more detail, or is there a website you guys know of with instructions?

[Raux]

try to lubricate the return springs on the throttle body, both on the right side and in between the intakes, first before disassembly

Mine got grabby and they stuck full open one time.

[SpikeC]

 I'd be inclined to check the ends of the throttle cable for fraying as well. If the throttle does not snap back freely you could have a potentially dangerous situation.

[sofadriver]

Check the easy stuff first.
-Grips too long and sticking on the bar ends? Bought my SS that way.
-Inboard end of grips rubbing on the switchgear body? There should be a big flat plastic washer in there.
-Gunk under the throttle tube? My buddy bought a Triumph Bonneville and discovered someone had wrapped the handlebar with plastic electrical tape and installed the throttle tube over it. 
-Cables kinked?

Clean and regrease the clutch and brake lever pivot points. 13yr old grease & dirt can make them really hard to pull.

[bob795]

How often do you guys lube the throttle cable?

[Dirty Duc]

How often do you guys lube the throttle cable?

Mine works fine, and has for 37k miles.  If it were to act hateful, I would investigate. On the other hand, I bought mine new (demo) from the dealer a couple of years out of manufacturing.  Very different circumstance from buying a used bike from a private party (which I've also done, and decided the warranty and history are worth the premium). 

[JoeB]

Clean it out first with Prepsol and compressed air.

Then Zinc grease on both ends of the cable, in the throttle mechanism also.

The only way to get the cable greased correctly is to remove it.

make sure the linkages and return spring on the TB is clean

a tiny bit of PJ1 or wd40 will help on the tb linkage.