[emipelaez17]

Thinking about getting the Café Racer; can anyone help me out and tell me if it "heats up" or has the same issue the Monster 696 had with respect to the feeling like it was baking your privates? Really love the look of this bike, but wondering if I'm going to have the same issue vs getting a liquid cooled bike. Thanks.

 

[Deano968]

I'd say it gets pretty hot. (I have an Icon but can't imagine much difference?) It doesn't bother me but I won't be riding in shorts (like people do that right...)

 

[Black dog]

FT used to pretty warm a good reason to go fast

 

[EvilSteve]

You can change the fuel map to run cooler. I've found it a bit warm when stuck in traffic, but otherwise fine. The climate here in Norway is fairly cool anyway. Of course you can also just shut it off for a minute if you are stationary.

 

[Black dog]

All air cooled Ducatis are the basically your sitting on top of the rear cylinder i put self adhesive silver foil tape on the seat base it helped

 

[Damnation]

It's only a problem if you're regularly stuck in city traffic.

 

[Max Kool]

As a matter of fact (and I didn't expect this) the Scrambler is less hot than my DR650SE...

 

[Dio_Brando]

So this is the disadvantage over the xsr?

 

[emipelaez17]

I'd say it gets pretty hot. (I have an Icon but can't imagine much difference?) It doesn't bother me but I won't be riding in shorts (like people do that right...)

Ugh; I love this bike but I remember how hot my 696 got when stuck in traffic. I'm probably still going to get it, but so disappointed about that issue. Thanks for your reply.

 

[emipelaez17]

All air cooled Ducatis are the basically your sitting on top of the rear cylinder i put self adhesive silver foil tape on the seat base it helped

Thanks Black Dog; any pics to show what you did? Maybe I can figure out a way to put some insulation or a cooler in there somewhere. Lol

 

[emipelaez17]

It's only a problem if you're regularly stuck in city traffic.

Unfortunately for me Damnation, I do get stuck regularly in traffic on the way home. Sucks for sure.

 

[emipelaez17]

You can change the fuel map to run cooler. I've found it a bit warm when stuck in traffic, but otherwise fine. The climate here in Norway is fairly cool anyway. Of course you can also just shut it off for a minute if you are stationary.

Hey EvilSteve, I'm a fairly new rider, going on 3 years now, so I'm not familiar with this "fuel map" option; can you help me out and describe in greater detail? Thanks again.

 

[Black dog]

Changing fuel mapping is a waste of time and money Ducati air cooled engines just run hot

 

[Deano968]

Some have said the high mount exhaust is slightly better? I can't say as I've only ridden stock.

If you're buying one anyway you may be surprised. When I say hot... I too ride a lot in traffic in Sydney where the ambient temperature can be hot too; I've ridden in normal jeans and my inner right thigh gets a fair whack of heat, mostly when stationery. But with proper riding jeans it ain't that bad and when you're stationery you can shift about a bit . The bollocks are fine!

 

[EvilSteve]

...not familiar with this "fuel map" option; can you help me out and describe in greater detail? Thanks again.

I'm even newer, first season with a license and my own bike Also I'm just a software engineer, not a mechanical engineer, but I'll give it a go.

The amount of fuel injected to the mix that goes into the combustion chamber is controlled by the ECU based on one of two factors:

In closed loop mode it adjusts the mix based on info from the O2 sensor. When this mode activates depends on Ducati's programming, usually lower RPM / throttle position and probably not if the bike is cold as the O2 sensor is calibrated for operating temperature. This is likely the mode you are in when stopped in traffic.

In open loop mode the amount of fuel injected is based on a map, which is just a lookup table saying how much fuel to add at any given RPM count.

The map can be changed by your dealer, if you buy the not road legal Termignoni race exhaust, or by having your ECU reflashed by Rexxer, buying one of Rexxer's modules to do it yourself, or by using a piggyback unit like a power commander to trick the system. Closed loop mode can also be disabled.

In order to satisfy emissions regulations the bike runs most of the time with what some may consider to be a 'lean' mix (not enough fuel) and since fuel in the combustion chamber has a cooling effect this means there is scope to get the bike running a little cooler. Changing the fuel map can also make the bike a little smoother in response to throttle input as, if I understand it correctly, a slightly richer mix is more forgiving of any sub optimal combustion conditions that may arise. It also makes the engine sound a bit richer, which is nice, and I suspect running cooler reduces stress on the motor a little.

I disagree with Black Dog's assessment of it all being a waste of time and money and I will probably do it at some point, but I would not expect any drastic changes. It's the same motor, after all, and still air cooled at the end of the day.

I also feel it on legs, not balls, and I always wear riding pants.

 

[Black dog]

Been running air cooled Ducatis since the 70s spent a fortune on messing about with ECU remapping etc with little or no difference.
The problem is you a basically sitting over the rear cylinder if the heat is a problem you need to buy a different bike.
Moto guzzi the heat is on your knees and lower legs same with a xjr1300 and gsx1400
Currently running a Multistrada 1200 DVT seat still gets warm

 

[pfmtrumpy]

Yeah a richer mixture will make it more tractable especially when cold but you won't notice it in heat given off the engine. Pipes might not get quite so blue tho. I am one of the mob that believes a richer mixture is better BTW....and if any environmental freaks in Prius's give you grief about increased emissions, ask them how much toxic heavy metal is in their batteries.

 

[pfmtrumpy]

So this is the disadvantage over the xsr?

Disadvantage with the XSR being it is not a Ducati Scrambler.
And it's ugly.

 

[Black dog]

Never found any tractability issues with the Scrambler

 

[Black dog]

Just had a call from dealer my Cafe Racer has arrived picking it up Tuesday