Ducati Riders

[cagiva03]

Hi gosilan,

 

I'm a newbie too. Only been to PG 5 times but crashed on my 3rd.

 

As I'm a newbie, I'm not in a position to say if a ducati is a bike worth learning track riding or not. Its the only bike I ever gone "tracking" with. All I can say is this;

 

I got overconfident and did a stupid thing and lowsided on turn 5. Totally my fault. I'm still trying to get my confidence back till now.

 

The above is just my experience. Point is, any bike will do BUT remember to consider if you can afford a crash! It may happen one day especially if you get overconfident (like me ). From my experience, its not cheap. I walked away from my crash thinking it wouldn't burn that big a hole in my pocket... was I wrong!

 

I ended up with a bill nearly reaching 5k. I reduced that amount by buying some used parts off ebay and holding off on replacing my right termi (there's a crack but not gas leak, so..... hehehe) plus other stuff I won't go into detail.

 

Its a great bike! I still love it and have gone back to the track twice since! Just remember to set aside cash in case of a crash. It'll be quite a financial burden (track riding a duc i mean).

 

Last point, duc or not. Get good well fitting gear! It'll hurt spending the $$ but you'll be glad you did if you do crash! (touch wood!)

 

Ops.... too long post! Sorry!

 

I must really admit, even without a crash, i have already burnt quite a big hole in my pocket just to maintain the bike so that it can survive in the harsh condition in PG. servicing is done very regularly not by following the service manaul. replacing tyres are the worst. Let me give u an example, in 2006 and 2007, i spend a average of $3000+ on tyres (abt 8 sets) and $1500++ (suspensions, oils, coolants, drive trains, braking systems, clutch) regular servicing plus maintainence per year.

 

Furrthermorre, i dun use it for daily commuting on the road. Imagine if i were to ride it to work, it would have been worst!

 

My 2 cents worth Bro gosilan ...

[supergas79]

+1 on cagiva03's comment

[NaPTuNe]

But they get really really hot!! Sometimes so hot till the inner parts of my thighs get slightly red!

 

Owned other big bikes before this and I got to say this gets the hottest! Too much traffic in SG! Go to the track!

 

My right & left lower leg was "cooked" by the time i reach Penang.. Take note: I was wearing boots with riding pants. There was no direct contact of the skin and bike. It was the heat!

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/NCR09019.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/NCR09020.jpg

 

After one week

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/NCR09251.jpg

 

I took it for a check with Eugene. He said there was no problem with the bike. Perhaps i shouldn't hug the bike so tightly when riding. He also says it could be the exhaust sliencer that is slowing down the air leaving the engine, making the bike very hot. Ask me to consider removing the sliencer.. That is quite a suggestion i've ever heard..

Edited November 8, 2009 by NaP^TuNe

[NaPTuNe]

does your back & neck aches or palms hurt after 30 mins/an hour of touring? i think i am too old to tour on a bike that does not sit upright... short distances ok... hahah

 

Back ache, neck want to break, backside pain, walk like crab... But still can't beat the thrill and fun of riding a duke long distance.

[GuiNNeSS]

Wow, thats 1st degree burns!

 

Try blocking the lower fairings with foam?

[NaPTuNe]

Wow, thats 1st degree burns!

 

Try blocking the lower fairings with foam?

 

Give me some suggestions on what can be done. Perhaps also provide details of where to do it. I gotta do something before my leg gets burn another time.

[Sols]

heat wraps?? lol

[cagiva03]

heat wraps?? lol

 

no joke! that might really work!

[weian_85]

tat looks bad~

[yappiez]

heat wraps?? lol

 

wrap bike or her legs?

[GuiNNeSS]

Give me some suggestions on what can be done. Perhaps also provide details of where to do it. I gotta do something before my leg gets burn another time.

 

My bike has high density foam blocking off the lower fairing gaps, so heat from the radiator (Very hot wind) doesn't get blown onto the ankles. I tried removing it once and curled my leg hairs immediately.

 

Using a poorer performance Glycol coolant might help too. High performance water based coolants are very good at removing heat from the engine, heat which is transfered to the air via the radiator. Thus the cooler your engine, the hotter your legs.

[red rocket]

My bike has high density foam blocking off the lower fairing gaps, so heat from the radiator (Very hot wind) doesn't get blown onto the ankles. I tried removing it once and curled my leg hairs immediately.

 

Using a poorer performance Glycol coolant might help too. High performance water based coolants are very good at removing heat from the engine, heat which is transfered to the air via the radiator. Thus the cooler your engine, the hotter your legs.

 

Not sure if I got every word out of that. LoL. Wearing leathers is the best option. I will take out the foam on the fairing. Replaced with metal tape. Free flow of air is always good.

[red rocket]

Double post

Edited November 9, 2009 by red rocket

[Sols]

for me i feel the heat is coming more from the pipes that run vertically up... the heat from the radiator doesn't really bother me that much...

 

so yeah... i vote for free flow of air too! lol...

 

seriously, the location of the burns looks like its coming from the pipes... heat wraps would most prob be the best way to go... but it does look kinda trashy... sigh...

[Sols]

then again... i just noticed that the burns are on the left leg... not the right... lol...

[yammy]

got to ride faster...more speed less heat...haha

[red rocket]

for me i feel the heat is coming more from the pipes that run vertically up... the heat from the radiator doesn't really bother me that much...

 

so yeah... i vote for free flow of air too! lol...

 

seriously, the location of the burns looks like its coming from the pipes... heat wraps would most prob be the best way to go... but it does look kinda trashy... sigh...

 

I wrap my pipes because I use the bike for track only. Exhaust wraps trap water so when it rains it'll be wet. You have to accept it if you find out that your pipes rust. yes it is R-U-S-T!!!

Not to mention that these wraps have to be change as they do disintegrate with time.

[yammy]

Hey Red Rocket,

 

Noticed that u have a belly pan for sale, for which model? does it come with the mounting brackets? Might be interested.

 

thanks

[red rocket]

Hey Red Rocket,

 

Noticed that u have a belly pan for sale, for which model? does it come with the mounting brackets? Might be interested.

 

thanks

 

Comes stock with the 998, fits directly onto fairings. Brackets should be needed for other model years.

[Corse]

does your back & neck aches or palms hurt after 30 mins/an hour of touring? i think i am too old to tour on a bike that does not sit upright... short distances ok... hahah

 

Back ache, neck want to break, backside pain, walk like crab... But still can't beat the thrill and fun of riding a duke long distance.

 

To be honest.. My 999 was quite comfortable. Rode it to KL a few times and to Cameron highlands as well.

If i do feel tired, i'll just relax myself more, and rest my stomach on the tank. Something like a Motogp racer on a straight road at 300km/h. that kind of similiar posture.

 

I'm not too sure abt the 1098, but try not to curve ur spine forward(chest in front), buy backwards, with ur tummy tucking in. By doing that, u may have to grip the tank a little more, so u can relax ur arms more. A more relax arms helps u to steer/corner better too.

[Sn0w_MaN]

Corse, can i ask u when u go touring with a sportbike how where do u put ur bags.. i mean for short trip like a 3d2n

[NaPTuNe]

Where can i buy the heat wraps? Or the foam thing you guys were talking about..?

[red rocket]

Where can i buy the heat wraps? Or the foam thing you guys were talking about..?

 

Car shops should have them. Goes by the name of exhaust wraps. Make sure you buy the high temp water repellent. It comes in the form of a spay can. Last component is the clamps. I know I'm not very clear here. If you really really really want to have wraps pls PM me.

[GuiNNeSS]

Engine coolant is kept at a constant 70-90degrees. Try dipping your hands into 70degrees hot water.

 

Thats roughly the temperature of the air flowing through the radiator (Maybe lower, 50-70degrees). If it doesn't get mixed with cooler air before getting blasted onto the riders' legs, thats the result.

 

Naptune did mention she was wearing riding pants and boots already. Looks like its the airflow from the top half of the fairing. Nothing much you can do about that, except to ride when its cooler?

[Corse]

Corse, can i ask u when u go touring with a sportbike how where do u put ur bags.. i mean for short trip like a 3d2n

 

Previously with my 999, i manage to tie my bag on the pillion seat.

 

But with my R1, cannot. So i carry it on my shoulder, the usual way lor.

 

Some of my friends do the same thing too, tying on the pillion seat.