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2021 Scrambler Sport Pro 1100 - Engine Knocking

3969 Views 16 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  tonyzale
I have around 2000 miles on the bike and followed all proper break-in procedures. Pretty much from the start there’s been a knocking sound in the engine almost sounds like the valves, mostly at low RPMs. The dealer said it’s normal and there’s nothing we can do about it. Anyone else have this issue?
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Do a search on here for piston-slap, or similar, I think you'll find a few threads that may help.
The piston slap typically is a metallic ping rather than a knock. Any chance you can upload a sound file? I am assuming you use premium gas.
I have the same on my 2021 Sport Pro. It’s normal (and I got it checked out at the dealer also). It’s like a pinking sound if you remember the days when engines had that. It’s basically the engine is labouring and you just need to get the revs up before you change gear. You’ll find it doesn’t occur at mid and high rev range. That’s my take on it and I no longer worry about it.
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First desmo bike?

It was mine- totally wasn’t ready for the chatter the valves makes….have to say I love it now.
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I have around 2000 miles on the bike and followed all proper break-in procedures. Pretty much from the start there’s been a knocking sound in the engine almost sounds like the valves, mostly at low RPMs. The dealer said it’s normal and there’s nothing we can do about it. Anyone else have this issue?
What happens if you lightly pull the clutch when the bike is making the noise? You might find the noise is clutch related and not the motor. I'd be interested to hear back from you.
I have around 2000 miles on the bike and followed all proper break-in procedures. Pretty much from the start there’s been a knocking sound in the engine almost sounds like the valves, mostly at low RPMs. The dealer said it’s normal and there’s nothing we can do about it. Anyone else have this issue?
Hi. I bought a new DS 1100 Tribute this year. I have exactly the same problem. It occurs around 2.500 rev./min. The others I contacted say the same. The dealer claims that all Euro 5 engines do it. It's annoying, but fortunately it only sounds at low speeds. I still want to try disconnecting the exhaust valve if that helps. Because the knock starts when the valve closes.
I'll let you know about the exhaust valve as I'm just fitting a mid pipe to delete that and the cat.

I've listened to loads of online reviews on these bikes and in the ones where you can hear the engine clearly, they all seem to make this noise. I'm inclined to accept it is just how this engine is.
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I'll let you know about the exhaust valve as I'm just fitting a mid pipe to delete that and the cat.

I've listened to loads of online reviews on these bikes and in the ones where you can hear the engine clearly, they all seem to make this noise. I'm inclined to accept it is just how this engine is.
Which midpipe are you going for? Most manufacturers are saying that their 1100 midpipes do not fit the pro model. The pro model and even 2022 800s like the Nightshift seem to have a wider opening on the midpipes which fit onto the header section using a gasket and clamp. Older models used to have a midpipe that fit "into" the header section and was held on by a spring underneath which is not present on newer models.

I've already fitted the healtech ESE and have removed the servo motor and cable. I did not notice any knocking noises before or after just did it to stop the exhaust getting quieter in the middle of the rev range.

Any questions about the servo motor removal feel free to ask. I used the Competition Werkes instructions which can be found online. Releasing the cable from the midpipe end was tricky as access is difficult.
I've fitted the Arrow mid pipe, simply because one came up for sale cheaply and was the right fitment for my 2019 1100 Icon (not Pro).

Agree, getting the valve cable off of the link pipe was a pain.

Just been for a test ride. I still run the standard silencers, and with the Arrow link pipe the engine note is a bit deeper and slightly louder than stock, but not by a huge amount. However, I would say the annoying rattling noise at 2000rpm on a light throttle is substantially less noticeable, to the point it no longer bothers me. Seems pretty clear that a closed exhaust valve was amplifying the noise, somehow.

For me, the link pipe has been a solid success, removing the changing exhaust note, substantially reducing the annoying noise which got me on this forum in the first place, and liberating a bit more Ducati soundtrack - all for less than €100.
I've fitted the Arrow mid pipe, simply because one came up for sale cheaply and was the right fitment for my 2019 1100 Icon (not Pro).

Agree, getting the valve cable off of the link pipe was a pain.

Just been for a test ride. I still run the standard silencers, and with the Arrow link pipe the engine note is a bit deeper and slightly louder than stock, but not by a huge amount. However, I would say the annoying rattling noise at 2000rpm on a light throttle is substantially less noticeable, to the point it no longer bothers me. Seems pretty clear that a closed exhaust valve was amplifying the noise, somehow.

For me, the link pipe has been a solid success, removing the changing exhaust note, substantially reducing the annoying noise which got me on this forum in the first place, and liberating a bit more Ducati soundtrack - all for less than €100.
Brilliant thanks. Did you need to remove the end cans first and then the midpipe? Or could you just leave the front header and rear end can section on and just remove the midpipe and fit the new arrow one?
Brilliant thanks. Did you need to remove the end cans first and then the midpipe? Or could you just leave the front header and rear end can section on and just remove the midpipe and fit the new arrow one?
Yep, end cans come off first, then the 1 into 2 Y pipe, then you can remove/install the mid pipe. Once it was all apart, reassembly too about 15 minutes.
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Yep, end cans come off first, then the 1 into 2 Y pipe, then you can remove/install the mid pipe. Once it was all apart, reassembly too about 15 minutes.
Thanks for that. I was hoping to avoid this as one of the bolts looks tricky to access.

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Mine was easy, but I have the two under seat pipes of the older bikes and not the stacked pair on the right hand side.
So today I tried to disconnect the exhaust valve. I return to the topic of tapping on which Draggon based this thread. It should therefore perhaps only apply to models from 2020, ie models marked PRO with the Euro 5 environmental standard. At speeds of 2,500 to 3,000 rpm. I completely disconnected the control steel cable from the valve. So the valve remained open. The ECU detected this and the engine warning light came on, but the engine was running normally. Then a test drive followed. The knocking of the engine was exactly the same as when the valve was engaged. No change. I then reconnected the cable, the ECU no longer reported an error. So I don't deal with it anymore and I take it as a feature of this model, not as its fault. It can't spoil the joy of a beautiful charismatic bike and a great ride.
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I drive a 2018 SCR1100 with this exact noise. At 6000 km the dealer exchanged the piston and cylinder because it was already rattling at idle. After that the rattling was gone. What remains is a buzzing from 2200 rpm to 3000 rpm. After that, other driving noises are louder.

I also drove a Euro 5 SCR1100 Pro sample but this - 50 km mileage - produced a much louder and harder noise from 2200 rpm.

I got used to it. The dealer also said that the replaced pistons and cylinders had no special running marks.

At the moment I'm looking for a Monster 1100 DS and there I noticed that some have small rubber buffers between the cooling fins of the lying cylinder.
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I have around 2000 miles on the bike and followed all proper break-in procedures. Pretty much from the start there’s been a knocking sound in the engine almost sounds like the valves, mostly at low RPMs. The dealer said it’s normal and there’s nothing we can do about it. Anyone else have this issue?
Yes, I do and it sounds terrible. About 500 miles on a Tribute 1100. Clanging sound under low speed load. Dealer said the same thing. Reached out to Ducati and said it's normal, but I hate it (is that normal?). My 4 Ducati, 2nd new.
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