M1100 EVO Keys

[nathanTX]

Looking at a 2012 M1100 Evo for sale locally.  Seller only has a single black key.  I don't know what years still came with red keys, code cards, etc., but have been told that by 2012 there were no more red keys.  Can someone confirm this for me, please?  Any issues I'll run into getting a spare made from just the single black key that is available?  Thanks!

[Speeddog]

You can download an Owner's Manual here:
http://www.ducati.com/services/maintenance/index.do

That should answer your questions.

[koko64]

My Hyper Evo came with a single key. Some Ducati models had key cards and some a red key. I never got the code card I was promised, so I found an automotive locksmith who had key cloning equipment which read the keys chip and allowed reprogramming of new chipped keys. I had two extra made. I would make it a bargaining point for sure, but locate your key cloning specialist first and do your due diligence. I'm always wary of people selling bikes with a single key.

[danaid]

Two black keys and a code card came with the bike. The code card is important to have to reproduce a key and to unlock the ignition. You can order a blank key from a dealership, have it cut, and program it yourself using the "code ".
 There are a few companies that will extract the code from your gauge you send them for about $500 on up. http://sosdiagnostics.com/index.html

[nathanTX]

Thanks for replies.  Yes, manual confirms, there is no red key, only 2 black keys and a code card for the 1100evo (friggin Ducati and their every model different ignition protocols!).  I have read from more than one source that the code card was not necessary to duplicate a key, and that some/many locksmiths with laser cutting and transponder capabilities can simply clone a black key if you provide them a new blank.  Anyone confirm that or have luck just getting a second/third spare black key made outside of the Ducati dealership programming?

edit: I guess that's what koko is saying he did for his Hyper, yes?  Simple black key cloning?

[koko64]

Yes, I had two cloned at $80 each. An automotive key specialist had the equipment and generic spare keys. I showed up to the shop with my bike and rode home half an hour later with two spare keys.

[danaid]

 Cannot confirm the key itself can be duplicated for the digitek ignition. I do know that the option changes by year and model.  I had to have a spare key made for my 1198 with digitek gauges and without the code card, it would have been expensive, but possible. The original owner already had a blank key, I paid $10 to have it cut, and reprogramed it myself. The following year, 2012, can be done without a code card.

[EEL]

Here's everything you ever wanted to know about this topic: I've done this successfully

1) The factory ducati key can be read but not written to by third party vendors. This means that your blank key cannot be bought from a ducati dealership

2) You cant flash a ducati key anywhere without a code card.

3) Ducati immobilizer systems for monster 1100s (all 2V monsters) can only store information on 2 keys. NO MORE. So if you wanted 3 keys you cant do it. The third key would overwrite the memory for the 1st key stored in the bike.

4) There is a locksmith in oregon called SOS diagnostics that specializes in the process and clones keys. You will have to send in your original to them for cloning. Cost was around 80 dollars including shipping back (I did have to pay to ship out my key to them). If you send the gauge cluster, they can actually hack it and obtain the keycode if you wish but you'll see below why this is pointless and costs way more money

5) What you get is a key that's cut and programmed for your bike.

I will make a bold statement that its never really cost beneficial to buy a factory ducati key even if you had a code card. The cost of a key is around 150 dollars from the dealer and your bike will only ever have 2 functional keys at any given time

For that price you could clone 2 keys with the same information as the original source and have the option of more that 2 functional keys at a time if you choose to do so.

If you have some random major electrical failure and have to replace integral components like the dash, ecu,  you're going to need a brand new code card anyways!

[EEL]

I'll add one other item a pic of my cloned key.



You'll notice that the grooves dont match. For the first couple of inserts the key was sticking and I was having a hard time removing it. I promptly called SOS to complain thinking the workmanship was the issue. It wasnt

Their email word for word below. They know more about locks than I do.

The key is cut correctly. The visual difference you see has nothing to do with key operation. Our equipment is setup to cut the key without the peaks between the cuts that do nothing but wear out the brass tumblers in the lock sooner. We also try to cut the key as thick as possible in the center to make it harder to break the tip off (which is a very common problem on this poorly designed key). After we cut the key we code a lock to match your key code to verify the key works correctly.
 
IF after a few times of inserting the key, it does not get better, we will gladly adjust it. Please try it a few more times to verify it does not get better before sending it back. We prefer to leave the key as thick as possible and it usually gets easier after a couple times.

Turns out, they were right. I would suggest two things for anyone who attempts this method

1) Get some graphite powder and apply liberally to the key before the first insertion.
2) Get 2 keys made! The hardest part was the worry of shipping my only key to oregon and having it lost in transit. That way next time you can send in the 2nd clone and use the factory key as an emergency spare. (Essentially like an old red key)

[Greg]

As the owner of a 2012 M1100 Evo that is thinking about getting rid of their bike, what kind of prices are you seeing out there?

[EEL]

Location dependent.

Generally the rule I follow is go to KBB and look at the trade in value and the retail value in your area.

The fair market value for a private sale should split the difference between the two if its in good condition. Expect a swing of 500ish each way for tasteful or horrible mods. Your best bet is to make it stock and sell the parts independently.

If you have crazy mods like BST's you would be foolish to do otherwise.