Reliable Easy increase of power of 821?

[ZenMonster]

Hey all... I'm considering buying the 821 dark.  The 1200 is a little more then I'd like to spend right now, and I love the look of the dark.  I haven't test ridden one yet, but I am a bit of a power/speed monger.  I'm a little bit worried that I will out grow the power potential of the 821 and find myself wanting more.  Is there any easy, reliable, relatively affordable way to increase the 821's output significantly down the line?  Something that will match or best the 1200?  I have mostly been a Harley guy, so I'm imagining something like the 1200 "hop-up kit" for the 883 sportsters.  You can easily change out the jugs and pistons on the 883, and then you have a 1200 (actually they swap out the cylinder sleeves for thinner ones and change the pistons).  Is there any "hop-up Kit" like that available for the 821?  What would someone expect to pay for something like that? 

Thanks!

[EEL]

Fairly new bike so I doubt aftermarket modifications are available just yet. That said, the newer ducati's have a very large slug of electronics that come as part of the package.

I dont want to knock Harley's but most of their models are still like the monsters of old. Low electronic aids and raw power. A hop up kit may come in the future but I would be very careful of how the stock electronics interact with the aftermarket modifications. I'd specifically pay close attention to the riding modes that change the engine profile and power characteristics.

[Howie]

Since the 821 already has about a 50 HP advantage over a Harley 1200 Sportster (OK a little less torque) and weighs a lot less you might want to ride the bike a bit first.   

[ZenMonster]

I used the sportster as an example of a "hop up kit", but that's not what I'm coming off of.  The Harley I'm selling is a steet bob (1580 cc), but I'm also riding a Big Dog K9 with a 1900cc motor which makes about 105 horse and 120ft lbs.  I've also owned two vmaxes... A 2005 & a 2009.  I am aware that the Monster will be much faster then my Harley, but I'm worried it won't satisfy me after a short period of time.  

[dbran1949]

I know the concern. I started riding with a honda superhawk 305cc. It was my first bike and I thought it was really fast when I first got on it. I actually learned how to ride on my way home from the honda dealer. By the time I got home I was already bored with the power output. Next was a big bore kit, velocity stacks, rearrange the transmission. Then trade in on a 450, same sequence a week after purchase bored, then a honda 750 took a little longer but still spent most of my time red-lining the thing and shifting with the throttle pegged. Fast forward to the S4RS. Displacement is a little larger than the 821 but the HP and Torque specs are similar the 821 because it is 7 years newer tech. So after 7 years on the S4RS the thing still scares the hell out of me. I rarely use full throttle in the first 3 gears. As a few folks here have mentioned ride the bike it should have plenty of performance.
However on a strictly financial basis get the 1200s spend the extra cash now, the bike will hold it's value longer. And it will most likely stay fairly stock. It's kind of like buying a civic because you are being frugal then ending up putting enough after market parts on that you could have saved money by buying an M3

[stopintime]

Reliable and easy? No.

Difficult and unreliable!
The 821, like many Ducatis, is much closer to the maximum theoretical performance than a Harley. The closer you get theoretical maximum, the higher the price gets and reliability disappears.

Larger capacity with all it involves is probably the least expensive (long term), but probably more expensive than the price jump to a 1200/S. Most people nowadays just buy the bigger bike - not enough customers for any aftermarket 821->1200 kits.

Power increase is more likely to happen, but it would cost, it wouldn't be close to a 1200 and it would be a high rev'ing thing with poor longevity and very high maintenance costs. Fun though.

If you're 'certain' you'll need more and end up trading the 821 for a 1200 - maybe it's smarter to loan/finance the dfference and go straight for the 1200.... Since you'll NOT be paying the depreciation from new 821 to used 821.

[EEL]

You already owned a harley. Why not try out a Diavel instead. Way more power and torque. Similar to your previous bike.

Crap loads more power

[ZenMonster]

Thanks for all of the lucid responses.  I'll ride it and see how it feels... Go from there.  I've heard the Diavel is awesome... Vmax like, but I just can't deal with the looks.  It's just not my kind of thing.  As for the 1200/1200s... Sounds dumb, but I like Black!  Also, I already have the Big Dog , so this is my second bike.  I'm trying to be reasonable about what I'm spending... Another reason to avoid the Diavel.  I always have an issue keeping to the "moderate" column though.  It just feels... Well... Moderate.  I tend to start there & then talk myself into the "super-sized" column.  Just not sure If I need to do that here.   

I have a test ride on the 821 planned for Monday... I'll report back.  I appreciate the input.   

[koko64]

Test ride all three if you can, Diavel, 821 and 1200.

[ZenMonster]

If I do that, then I'm in big trouble!   

[koko64]

 
I hear you.

[Howie]

A bit more power in open loop and some weight saving with this:

http://www.ducati.com/accessories/monster/carbon_fibre_racing_silencer_kit_920/index.do?urlBack=%2Faccessories%2Fsearch%2Findex.do%3FkeyWord%3D%26pageNumber%3D0%26bikeFamilyName%3DMonster%26bikeModelLabel%3D821%26idModelYear%3Dnull%26idCategory%3D0%26nameOrder%3Ddesc%26sortOrder%3Drate

[ungeheuer]

Reliable and easy? No.

Difficult and unreliable!
The 821, like many Ducatis, is much closer to the maximum theoretical performance than a Harley. The closer you get theoretical maximum, the higher the price gets and reliability disappears.

Larger capacity with all it involves is probably the least expensive (long term), but probably more expensive than the price jump to a 1200/S. Most people nowadays just buy the bigger bike - not enough customers for any aftermarket 821->1200 kits.

Power increase is more likely to happen, but it would cost, it wouldn't be close to a 1200 and it would be a high rev'ing thing with poor longevity and very high maintenance costs. Fun though.

^^ This.

[ZenMonster]

A bit more power in open loop and some weight saving with this:

http://www.ducati.com/accessories/monster/carbon_fibre_racing_silencer_kit_920/index.do?urlBack=%2Faccessories%2Fsearch%2Findex.do%3FkeyWord%3D%26pageNumber%3D0%26bikeFamilyName%3DMonster%26bikeModelLabel%3D821%26idModelYear%3Dnull%26idCategory%3D0%26nameOrder%3Ddesc%26sortOrder%3Drate

I was wondering about this.  What kind of gains with these?  5 horse maybe?  What is "open loop"?

[Howie]

I was wondering about this.  What kind of gains with these?  5 horse maybe?  What is "open loop"?

Maybe 5 HP.  The Last In Line knows Ducati's claim.  Like cars, most modern motorcycles are now using oxygen sensors and catalytic converters to control emissions.  When in closed loop (engine warm, under a certain percent throttle and under a certain RPM) the ECU attempts to keep the fuel ratio at 14.7:1 also known as  stoichiometric ratio, considered to be the best compromise for emissions, power and fuel economy, plus this ratio keeps the cat(s) happy.  This is accomplished by a computer input O₂ sensor to the ECU.  Sense, correct, wash, rinse, repeat.   I don't know what is available presently for the Monster 821 in terms of a flash to remove closed loop...Last In Line to the red phone please!