[Brantman1]

Hi everyone. I have a 2015 Scrambler Icon. Before covid I rode it every day. Since I was laid off and don't commute I've ridden maybe once a week. Since I stopped riding every day it's impossible to get my bike into neutral from a stop until the engine is very warm, 15-20 minutes of riding. I can sneak it in from 2nd if I'm rolling to a stop but I can't get it from either 1st or 2nd if I'm stopped. The timeline seems to also line up with an oil change.

Any ideas of what's going on? Thanks!
-Brant

 

[KGM]

What type of oil did you use? The wrong type can affect the wet clutch.

 

[Brantman1]

What type of oil did you use? The wrong type can affect the wet clutch.

I thought about that but it was an oil change at a Ducati dealership and they used Ducati brand 15w-50 oil

 

[Geoffster]

I had the problem you describe when my Scrambler was new. The dealer was "duh?" Check the freeplay on the clutch lever and ensure that the clutch cable exits the handlebar housing without binding. My cable doesn't want to exit correctly, so I help it with a ball bungee. Problem solved.

 

[Brantman1]

I had the problem you describe when my Scrambler was new. The dealer was "duh?" Check the freeplay on the clutch lever and ensure that the clutch cable exits the handlebar housing without binding. My cable doesn't want to exit correctly, so I help it with a ball bungee. Problem solved.
View attachment 45554

Oh interesting, I’ll look into that! Thanks!

 

[albymangled]

I thought about that but it was an oil change at a Ducati dealership and they used Ducati brand 15w-50 oil

Don't know for sure about the USA but here in Oz the Ducati factory recommendation is for Shell Advance 4T Ultra 15W-50.

Our local (factory official) dealer uses Motul

Motul - Oil Selector

Search for the correct Motul product for your vehicle.

www.motul.com

In my other Duc (2013 Diavel) I like to use

MC-4ST 15W-50 (100% PAO & ESTER)

and the dealership seemed to agree that was suitable choice.

Penrite's choice for the Scrambler 1100 is

MC-4ST 15W-50 (100% PAO & ESTER)

and it is listed as the only one from their range to use for the Scrambler.


My Scrambler Special has just turned 4500km, is on it's second gutful of oil and I'm thinking it's time for another as conversely to your own experience I find mine is feeling a little "stickier" in the shifter movement when hotter not colder.


In relation to your original post and the comment about coinciding with an oil change...

Even though I'm sure your dealer would have used a "correct" grade / type of oil, you do not mention whether your weather has changed (warmer / cooler) or if in fact the oil used this time is perhaps a grade or so "thicker" as in a higher first number in the viscosity rating..?

Lastly, of course a correctly adjusted clutch is a must...

OK, I hope there was something almost useful in all that..cheers..Albert.

 

[Brantman1]

Hey Albert, thanks for all of that. Yeah, I think when I bought my bike new it had the Shell Advance in it but this was my third oil change and the second one was the same Ducati brand and same weight as this most recent one. And I'm in LA so the weather changes a bit, but really not much so I don't think that would affect it this much. I think I just need to get the clutch looked at at this point. Thanks for your recommendations!