Whenever I get a new Harley, I immediately swap the intake, pipes (remove cat), and give it a real tune with a TTS tuning module. I feel these aren't really mods, but necessary corrections. It's almost like you have to do this, just to get the bike to run cool & happy.
This will be my first Ducati. For the Scrambler, are there any immediate, necessary 'must do' mods, such as the ones I listed above?
Thanks
I took my FT home two weeks ago. I've spent a good bit of time researching it, correcting the foibles of its pre-delivery prep and setup, and am now doing some very small modifications to ensure that it runs the way it ought to, for me.
- My bike came to me with the clutch adjusted to no free play at all. It was horrible. I hunted up the correct adjustment procedure and set the free play to what it ought to be. FAR FAR better. I'm still not 100% happy with where in my hand's reach the engagement point falls, so I bought a pair of CRG adjustable levers (I like having both sides match, only really need the clutch) that allow me to adjust the correct amount of free play and the lever stand-off independently.
- The Scrambler throttle prior to 2017 was the most cited annoyance as being sudden and difficult to modulate off the line. The throttle drum was changed on the 2017 models to improve this situation, and it is indeed better ... but it is still a bit sucky. I bought the G2 Throttle Tamer from G2 Ergonomics and installed it ... it only takes about five minutes. Although its curve is very similar to the 2017 stock throttle drum, it is a far better made piece and, mechanically, works much more smoothly than the stock plastic throttle drum. I changed out the horrible stock hand grips at the same time for a set of ProGrips ... they work better for me, but are still not quite the diameter I'd prefer. I'm still looking for the best grips.
- Personally, I don't care about ditching the catcon and feel the Termignonis make a pleasant engine sound. I'd rather keep the bike stock in that respect and allow it to meet emissions as best possible.
- The Scrambler is geared too low for my preference ... I'll likely never have need to "scramble" with it, just ride down a dirt road now and then. I'm upping overall gearing by 9% by changing out the 15/46T sprockets for a 16/45T set. That should be enough. If it's not quite enough, I'll go to a smaller rear sprocket by one or two teeth.
- The two changes (clutch adjustment and throttle drum) improved engine control and response tremendously. But I know for sure that this engine is tuned to be extremely lean up through 4000 rpm ... It surges and pops, stutters, at small throttle openings, and runs hotter than it ought to. I refuse to accept that. To fix it requires a customized, improved engine map for the computer. The Rexxer unit can reprogram the ECU to suit either stock or modified engine configurations. I've got one on order.
- Beyond these bits, I have a number of cosmetic and ergonomic changes going on. Better grips I mentioned already. CRG Bar End mirrors that I can actually see out of and that aren't in my face. Comfort Seat for longer distance riding. A set of the Ducati Scrambler "Classic" soft bags and brackets so I can carry stuff for longer distance riding. I prefer a little fender in the back of the seat, so the Ducati option is going on. I'll likely clean up the tail with a license plate relocation kit, and I've got an Abba Superbike Stand coming so that I can do chain adjustments more easily. Remove the ugly plastic tank badging and modify the tank/badging to taste.
Then ... I'm going to shorten the bars a little (they're too wide for me) or switch to a slightly lower, narrower set that lets me lean forward a little more at highway speeds. When I wear out the stock tires, a set of more road-worthy, grippier tires will go on. Ultimately, a revised fork damper kit and an Öhlins' rear suspension unit will be fitted, but that's a ways down the road.
G