No Red Key & My Black Key is getting Worn - what to do?

[The ModFather]

I've got a 2005 Monster 620 Dark that I purchased used about 4 years ago. It did not come with the Red Key (back then I didnt even know there was a Red Key). Now my Black Key is getting worn out in that I've had trouble getting it fully seated so I can turn it. I'm worried I might be a limited number of key turns away from not being able to start my bike.

What are my options here? I'm thinking it might be as follows:

Get the ECU Flashed to disable the immobilizer - (at least $250 I know of two places but I'd have to ship the ECU there) ... then..pick up a blank key on ebay and get it cut to match my current key. (no idea how much this would cost or where I'd get this done).

Is this a viable approach? Does anyone have a better or more cost effective approach? Any caveats I should be aware of? I'm in the Chicago area.

Any advice here would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[DarkMonster620]

I've got a 2005 Monster 620 Dark that I purchased used about 4 years ago. It did not come with the Red Key (back then I didnt even know there was a Red Key). Now my Black Key is getting worn out in that I've had trouble getting it fully seated so I can turn it. I'm worried I might be a limited number of key turns away from not being able to start my bike.

What are my options here? I'm thinking it might be as follows:

Get the ECU Flashed to disable the immobilizer - (at least $250 I know of two places but I'd have to ship the ECU there) ... then..pick up a blank key on ebay and get it cut to match my current key. (no idea how much this would cost or where I'd get this done).

Is this a viable approach? Does anyone have a better or more cost effective approach? Any caveats I should be aware of? I'm in the Chicago area.

Any advice here would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

you could have the IMMO deleted and then use any dash/key you wanted to use . . . From what I've read, remember I am at least 3K miles away, some sort of protection would be good . ..  Lemme do some diggin to see what can be done in your situation

[Buckethead]

Start drinking. Heavily.

For reals, tho.

[Howie]

You could get your black key cloned.  If I remember you are in Chicago?  http://www.omegalocksmith.com/ducati-motorcycle-keys/  Keep in mind, you are copying a worn key and you will still not posses a red key.  IMO, the money would be better spent on a reflash.

[The ModFather]

I thought to use any other key  (that wasnt cloned using the Red Key) I'd have to have a reflash to disable the Immobilizer. No?

[ducpainter]

There are services available to clone a black key without the red key.

Follow howie's link.

[DarkMonster620]

there is also a company in seattle I think . .  would have to look it up

[Bill in OKC]

I had a black key cloned by a local shop.  He used his machine for cars but when he looked in the manual, it said it worked for Ducati too.  I had to buy an aftermarket key with a transponder chip off of ebay to do it.  The key was about $40 and cloning was about $20 I think.  I also gave my red key a go and he was able to clone that too - it had all the functions of the red key but it was aftermarket black.

[jduke]

For about $250, Bobby at Houston Superbike can reflash the ECU and disable the immobilizer. Might even have a DP Race map he could load on it.

[The ModFather]

You could get your black key cloned.  If I remember you are in Chicago?  http://www.omegalocksmith.com/ducati-motorcycle-keys/  Keep in mind, you are copying a worn key and you will still not posses a red key.  IMO, the money would be better spent on a reflash.

Just trying to understand the last part of this statement. Why would the money be better spent on a reflash?

[DarkMonster620]

Just trying to understand the last part of this statement. Why would the money be better spent on a reflash?

between the cost of the blank, the cutting, the cloning, dunno, but, could be close to $250 . ..  and really, you could enjoy the 618cc engine a bit more with the DP map

[ducpainter]

between the cost of the blank, the cutting, the cloning, dunno, but, could be close to $250 . ..  and really, you could enjoy the 618cc engine a bit more with the DP map

Plus...

when your cluster dies you can put any gauges on the bike.

[rnicholson]

I recall stumbling on this guys suggestions on what to do without a red key a few months ago --

http://ducatikeys.runfrom.us/:

Give it the glue. Glue one of your working black key's to your bike's frame (near the ECU) and you'll be able to make "dumb" copies of your key now, since the radio signal from your black key will always be close enough to be read by your ECU you don't need to worry about makind special keys any longer.
Just be certain that you A) make copies of your black key first and B) be certain your ECU can read your black key from it's mounting point. BEFORE glueing your key to your frame

Not saying its sage-like advice, but it does seem to be a low cost solution to the problem -- Just the cost of compatible key blank and cutting a new black key. Although I would be concerned with this approach if my bike was often parked on the street...

[The ModFather]

That glue trick is actually pretty clever! Lots of good advice here. Thanks so much. Since Im in Chicago I called the guy Howie posted & he's going to clone my black key tomorrow  (including rfid) for $75 & that includes the cost of the key!!

I do still want to get my immobilizer disabled though as Ive got some scratches on my gauges & Id like to replace them with white face ducati gauges. But $250 to reflash is steep as thats on top of the cost of gauges. Ive been told that changing my mapping wouldnt be worth it for a 620. Ive got Boom Tubes & I havent opened up my air box at all. She runs great now so Im nervous about changing the mapping as i know theres not one specific to my exhaust. If it were easily reversible Id consider it to see.

Any advice on the mapping here would be great.

Thanks again.

[J5]

if your key is worn out and you cut a new one from that you will just have a copy of a worn out key

my first step would be use a little graphite powder to lubricate the lock , put the graphite on the key rather
than filling the lock with graphite