[Brit Indrelie]

Hey all,

This is the first Ducati I've owned, so maybe I'm just not used to in or paranoid, but it seems like the top end of this bike is quite loud. I've had bikes with noisy valvetrains before, but this one sounds worrying to me since it doesn't seem particularly regular in nature. Instead of rhythmic ticking, it's more sporadic, and I feel like it's getting louder.

I attempted a video and of it and the sound is ok, but not optimal. For reference, this bike has the raised Termi exhaust and the valve/top end sound is still audible over it, even when riding at 30mph or so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0pANDyqKF8

Is this anything I should be worried about? Does this sound normal? I've had the bike kill a few times on its own as well so I was thinking of bringing it back in to take a look for both issues.

 

[ali]

It sounded normal to me. Or the other option is that my bike has the same error. :/

 

[MJ83]

Isn't that just the sound of the desmodromic valves that Ducati is known for?

 

[DJKham]

Nothing abnormal sounding there. Keep in mind that when you are riding the bike, your legs should be shielding most of that sound so you hear more exhaust and wind than clattering of the valves. I've often noticed that if you spread your legs to stretch (as in, moving your knees outward from the tank) while riding, that the sound of the valves is definitely more pronounced, even at speed.

Either way, nothing abnormal judging solely from your clip.

 

[Brit Indrelie]

Glad to hear it's just me being paranoid, thanks guys!

 

[Chris W]

I know what he means and its strange that the bevel drives don't share the same top end noise and looking at the differences between the two I can't help but think that it could be the belts contributing to the rukus.

Try cocking each leg in turn and determine if the noise is opened up evenly from both sides.

 

[PrerunTN]

No doubt the belts and desmo valves add to noise but dont forget we ride air cooled engines. Those cooling fins sort of vibrate and echo any noise created by piston movement, pinging or really anything from the crank up.
I had a few moments that caught my ear as well and realized they're just noisy. Just ride and have fun. These thing are tough.

 

[mitra]

can't hear anything different to mine, and it's been howling the same way for the last 4200 miles

 

[silverluxe]

That's the sound it makes

Sounds just like mine if you blindfolded me and told me it was my bike.

 

[tonyjuliano]

It's the "whine" of the desmo system, completely normal - I'm not a fan...

 

[RamblingPath]

Music to my ears, just missing the tambourine of a dry clutch.

 

[silverluxe]

This bike is totally desmo for the sake of being desmo.. it doesn't rev high enough that valve springs couldn't do the same job.

 

[Chris W]

This bike is totally desmo for the sake of being desmo.. it doesn't rev high enough that valve springs couldn't do the same job.

Ah, but the use of mechanical valve closure obviates the use of the main springs and has far less of a horsepower rob as a result.

 

[silverluxe]

Oh, I know, but if you can't make 75 horsepower with valve springs in an 800cc bike, it's because the year is 1945 and the technology just isn't there yet

I don't mind the Ducati setup at all but I just think it's unnecessarily mechanically complicated given the fact the bike is relatively low horsepower. I'd rather have old timey valve lash adjusters with a pair of wrenches since that'd totally be possible on the engine with simpler camshafts and rockers.

 

[cmaikai]

Does your bike always start that fast?

 

[changohot]

Glad to hear it's just me being paranoid, thanks guys!

Kind of on the same note: How do you like that exhaust?
Thanks