[Mr Munck]

So,,,, I MAY have lost my key,
Been upending the usual places I leave it with no luck so far,

Worst Case : has anyone here had to get one replaced yet or know the process?

Thanks.


PS. . yes I do feel like an idiot.

 

[Auriga]

I have ordered a spare key, and the process seems to be that both keys, including the red one, are taken, with the bike, to the local dealer, who then has the blank cut the same as the original, this done locally, then the new key is matched with the bike' s system. I assume you will be able to have a replacement cut from your red key.

 

[ScramblinGraham]

i don't think i got a red key, just two regular keys. the red key a valet key?

 

[pastorwug]

Red key is all I got, now I know I should get a couple extras made!

 

[stavely]

What red key? I didn't get one of those either, just two standard keys. Is there really a red key with this model?

 

[Mr Munck]

I only got two standard keys as well. . No red ones.

 

[ScramblinGraham]

I only got two standard keys as well. . No red ones.

did you lose both?

 

[Mr Munck]

did you lose both?

I didn't. . But I don't like the idea of only having one . . At all.

 

[Black dog]

Scrambler doesn't have a red key

 

[kopper]

yeah mine are the same black ones

 

[Auriga]

I am sorry if my failure to put red in inverted commas has caused confusion. The key attached to my Owner's folder has a black top, but a red plastic sheath around the blade: this is my 'red' key, and I was informed that I needed to take that as well to the local dealer when the new key was being cut, which accords with the guidance on p.96 of the Owner's manual. I have, per p.94, only used one key, and kept the 'red' key in the folder.
Incidentally, I do have a red topped key for my DS 1000.

 

[gcduc]

Yep, here's my 'red' key.

I too only the use one key as per the manual. Not sure what the rationale is though. Anyone?

 

[Mr Munck]

Wait. . I have a key like that. . I just thought that plastic was a protector or something. . Are there there actual red keys. Red plastic and all that some other modles come with?

 

[Xtyling]

I believe both keys are identical. Just one has a red plastic cover to protect the key from damage while kept as back up in storage.

 

[DaveInWoodland]

Many locksmiths have the capability to make rf tag keys. Not sure if they would have the Ducati blanks however and not sure if they limit them only to authorized dealers since that seems to be a bit restrictive if so.

Our locksmith in town makes them for every car you can imagine but I never checked with him on any motorcycle applications. Maybe worth a call if your dealer is far away.

 

[Derek]

This is a replacement blank for Ducati keys. It has a pop-out section (the red bit) to install an RF transponder chip.
I have a spare (without the chip) for my MTS so I don't need to get the expensive hands free key out of my pocket when opening the panniers or releasing the seat lock. The Scrambler uses the same blank.

Zadi / Ducati Cycle Transponder Key SHELL

 

[DaveInWoodland]

I wanted to add to this after a discussion I had with my local dealer while waiting on the current recall bolt replacement to be done. While waiting she had received a call from someone contemplating a Ducati Monster that was up for auction at a very good price but would need to have new keys since there were none.

She said she has had to give people this kind of bad news before on various Ducati models and while she said the newest models were becoming more friendly in this respect people have no idea that if you lose both keys in order to have a functional bike it can run anywhere from 3 to 10 thousand dollars.

The reason she stated was that most of the Ducati models would require not just "keys" but complete electronics and other wiring harnesses that would be required to change since the computer as well is part of the system that the keys work with. She did mention it has become better on the newest models but she has dealt with many people in the past that had no idea what losing all the keys to a Ducati can entail.

 

[greer]

Lord Have Mercy. So will Derek's simple $3 blank work on our bikes? I feel a need to stockpile.

Sarah

 

[Derek]

I doubt very much if it would be necessary to change the wiring harness but like most current Ducatis in the event of no keys you would need to fit a new ECU and a new dash (the immobiliser is in the dash) along with a new lock set for ignition tank and seat. Still quite expensive. On the older bikes with Marelli ECUs the ECU can be reflashed to remove the immobiliser function relatively cheaply ($100 or so).
Some of the models with more complex electronics such as the Multistrada have a BBS (Black Box System) unit that is linked to the ECU and dash and would probably also need to be replaced.
I'm sure my $3 blank will work just fine - with an appropriately coded transponder. It won't help if you have lost all the keys though.

 

[greer]

Thanks, Derek. Several references to these folks on the ducati.ms forum:

S.O.S. Diagnostics - Italian Bike Programming and Keys

Mr Munck, any updates?

Sarah