How important is it ...

[IdZer0]

to torque the rear axle nut to the prescribed 230 NM? 

The biggest torque wrench I have goes up to 200 Nm, and over 200 Nm torque wrenches are starting to get ridiculously expensive (for amateur use).

Can I torque it to 200, and then give it a bit extra?  It's indicated as a safety critical point and should be within 5%, but I have a feeling most (tire) shops don't even use a torque wrench.

[xsephirot]

I'm pretty sure if you don't get the nut on tight enough then you won't be able to get the safety wire on. Otherwise you may get the safety wire back on but your nut will be too loose.

[captinRob]

I think having proper axle torque is something that should always be done, if you value your safety, I know there is safety wire but I don't have peace of mind unless I use a torque wrench. 30NM isn't much more you could just go to 200MN and then go a bit more, like you were saying but if you go to much, to many times, you could strip out the bolt. also having nut to tight could cause the wheel to bind up, and to loose could have slop both would wear other parts out faster.

[ducpainter]

I'd get it to 200 and then tighten until the clip fits in. Don't ever back it off to make the clip work.

My experience with my 996 is if the threads are not really clean and properly greased the nut will loosen even if torqued to spec.

[Triple J]

I'd get it to 200 and then tighten until the clip fits in. Don't ever back it off to make the clip work.

+1

[corey]

how important is it to have a rear wheel

[ducatigirl100]

how important is it to have a rear wheel

.........While your are ridding    on the Bright side ....you WILL have more grip in at back whit no wheel on 

[xcaptainxbloodx]

on saturday my buddy wrecked his xs650 when his rear axle nut disappeared. 30 miles ago a shop powdercoated his wheels and the pin was missing front and rear at the time time of the wreck, front nut was not even finger tight .

torque that shit, put the pins in. if you cant do it correctly dont do it.

[ducatigirl100]

On the serious side

on saturday my buddy wrecked his xs650 when his rear axle nut disappeared. 30 miles ago a shop powdercoated his wheels and the pin was missing front and rear at the time time of the wreck, front nut was not even finger tight .

torque that shit, put the pins in. if you cant do it correctly dont do it.

+1 

[ducpainter]

on saturday my buddy wrecked his xs650 when his rear axle nut disappeared. 30 miles ago a shop powdercoated his wheels and the pin was missing front and rear at the time time of the wreck, front nut was not even finger tight .

torque that shit, put the pins in. if you cant do it correctly dont do it.

The nut can't fall off if the clip/pin is installed correctly.

Who did the install, and with what equipment?

It isn't rocket science.

Torque the nut to a value you can achieve, and in this case the number the OP can achieve is within 15% of the specified value, and then continue to tighten until the locking clip can be installed.

[IdZer0]

Thanks all for the answers.

Apparently the clip is the determining factor; under or over torquing means you can't get the clip in.  
I'm pretty sure the tire shop won't use a torque wrench and the Ducati dealer is charging a 100â,¬ surplus (on tire + work, and he can't deliver the tire I want) I'll do it as ducpainter suggested and in the mean time start looking for a reasonably priced 300Nm torque wrench (the overpriced one I found was an electronic version priced at 300â,¬)

I just need to make sure I clean and grease the axle thread and if I turn it to far so I can't get the clip in I need to start over and not back it off.

I'll also add a zip tie to the clip as I"ve seen others do it for extra safety.

[scduc]

I just posted a pic of my rear wheel as to what happens when she is not tight. Check the recent posts. Not good. I thought I tightened it the other day, and when I got home I noticed the clip was missing and the wheel was loose. Holy shit needless to say. So word to the wise. Make sure your wheel is torqued and properly clipped. You definitely do not want to be buying a new wheel and more so, you don't want your wheel falling off. Make sure the clip goes on in the proper direction.

[ute]

well just did my rear again ( new tire ) I have a torque wrench that will do it ...but good luck with that

even in first with my wife sitting on bike I can still move the rear wheel .

So do as I have the last 4 tire changes hit it with the impact until she won't move anymore hit with breaker bar until tire rotates in first with wife on

put clip in safety wire clip ..good to go ............haven't lost the back wheel yet 

[He Man]

i had my toqrued to 200 and it still gets loose, clean threads and all. the pin was the only thing that stopped it.

on top of that, i ziptie the pin hooks together. Now i crank it up to spec and i havent had an issue.

[Triple J]

well just did my rear again ( new tire ) I have a torque wrench that will do it ...but good luck with that

even in first with my wife sitting on bike I can still move the rear wheel .

So do as I have the last 4 tire changes hit it with the impact until she won't move anymore hit with breaker bar until tire rotates in first with wife on

put clip in safety wire clip ..good to go ............haven't lost the back wheel yet 

You should be able to properly torque the nut with it on the rear stand and you pressing hard on the rear brake. I did it quite a bit on all of my SSS bikes...MTS1000, 848, 748.