Acute MTS Clutch problem

[Captain_Plummet]

Noticing several threads regarding MTS clutch issues I'm reporting a similar problem. My 2010 MTS has just over 5000 miles on the clock and I recently experienced a drive train disengagement at around 35mph changing from 2nd to 3rd. Thinking it was a false neutral I re-selected the gear but entered a short sequence of violent disengagements/re-engagements when I operated the clutch lever. I was lucky not to have been moving more quickly or it could have resulted in loss of control.

Others have commented that rain might be a contributory factor but it was not wet. It was however cold - around 6degC - much colder conditions than I had ridden in previously with this bike.

The MTS is currently at my dealer having a complete replacement clutch. The service manager will not comment on the details of the fault and will say only that he has 'seen the problem before'. Even with the repair I'm concerned about using the MTS at speed in future in case the fault recurs in circumstances that could result in an accident. For this reason I would love to know exactly what went wrong so that I can determine the best course of action - if it's the slave then I'll fit an aftermarket replacement.

[MTScott2]

You have a RIGHT to know what the problem is with YOUR bike...
You Paid with YOUR $$$ to get YOUR warantee...

[Captain_Plummet]

Hmmm.. I think we all need to know. If three other Multistradas on this forum have experienced the same problem there must be others out there.
As it seems to be happening at around 5-6,000m (8-10,000Km) there is a good chance that lesser used bikes will be out of warranty when the clutch fails. My warranty is up in April, so it was a close call.
Apart from that it is a real safety issue. If you consider this and the appalling rear brake together I cannot think of a bike in recent years that has been compromised by two more significant problems.

Concerning the rear brake I rode a Triton back in the '70s with brakes that faded as soon as you looked at them.... but it had a better rear brake than my MTS.

[MTScott2]

How did you wreck it?
My rear brake works just fine.

3 problems do not make a failure , Perhaps your dealer does not recogonise a problem or may have been not proberly looked after, Maybe a sympton just ignored ,
Hope you get it sorted, I don't think the sky is falling, YET...

[Captain_Plummet]

I have not wrecked anything, although it might have been so when the clutch failed. The rear brake was very poor when I bought the bike and remained so after the dealer replaced the fluid.
Now it is having a new master cylinder fitted under the optional replacement program. Thing is, the rear brake as it stands would fail the annual MOT safety test in the UK. This is compulsory for all bikes over 3 years old but of course the MTS1200 model range is not there yet. If the first bikes reach their third anniversary and the issue has not been sorted the sky will fall in for the owners as their bikes will be off the road.
When the bike comes back from the dealer I'm going to have the rear brake tested by an MOT station. I will report the outcome.

[riva996]

Very interested in the test results. Not an issue here in the U.S., but like to hear the development of the brake issue.

I am not used to using my rear brake, so have little to compare it to, but everyone's comments make me think I should be concerned.

Just so I know, how do you use the rear? I never touch it unless I am going down hill in the dirt, and then it works well?

[Captain_Plummet]

Originally Posted by riva996

Very interested in the test results. Not an issue here in the U.S., but like to hear the development of the brake issue.

I am not used to using my rear brake, so have little to compare it to, but everyone's comments make me think I should be concerned.

Just so I know, how do you use the rear? I never touch it unless I am going down hill in the dirt, and then it works well?

If you think about it your rear tyre provides about 65% of the contact area between you and the road. As braking force relies upon friction the rear plays a big part in slowing the bike. You may think you only brake on the front wheel, but engine braking is looking after the rear whilst you operate the front.

Ducati engines have relatively small flywheels and high compression, lean running engines which is what makes them so exciting. The downside is that closing the throttle on such a motor would easily lock the rear wheel. To overcome that they use a slipper clutch which absorbs some of that stopping power on the over-run and smooths out the engine braking force. In fact the slipper clutch is doing exactly the same job as the rear brake, excepting that there is obviously a torque reversal through the transmission. If you want to test that head into a bend at speed and pull in the clutch as you brake hard on the front. On second thoughts don't.
Clutch failure on a Ducati is not only loss of drive but also the loss of a significant part of the brakes, which is why I was so concerned when mine gave way.

I learned to ride on a variety of bikes way back in the late sixties. My mates all had Triumph TR6's, Norton Dominators and the like but it was a 1962 Ducati Elite 200 with a megaphone exhaust that I fell in love with. I'm a big chap and it wasn't until the Multistrada came along that I could comfortably ride Ducatis however and BMW enjoyed most of my bike investments over the years. A common factor with all of the early machines was that the brakes were generally poor and engine management was non existent. We learned the art of balanced braking as a fundamental skill. I still use the rear in that context and to increase stability at low speed when the slipper is not doing a consistent job.
Try trickling up to a stop sign using the rear as well as gentle front braking - you'll keep your feet on the pegs and you'll be in better control, allowing you to look for traffic earlier and longer, and you will be a safer rider.

[LeNoir]

Originally Posted by riva996

Just so I know, how do you use the rear?

I use my rear brake a lot, coming to a compete stop I slowly release the front brake down from 15mph and increase the rear brake, gives you a very smooth and controlled stop with no dive or rebound. In slow urban traffic I only use the rear brake as it keeps the bike stable and you can ride both feet up at a very slow speed using a mix of the clutch and rear brake to keep speed in check.

[Captain_Plummet]

The racing guys often comment that they never use the rear brake and they don't, because they are in a (relatively) controlled environment with loads of engine braking and finely adjusted slipper clutches. They also have carefully chosen rubber and lots of skill. Unfortunately such commentary can lead to ordinary motorcyclists thinking the same technique is suitable for road use when it most certainly is not.

Out in the real world the rear brake is vital for the safe control of your bike.

[Turbo]

Originally Posted by Captain_Plummet

Out in the real world the rear brake is vital for the safe control of your bike.

It really isn't! I use my rear brake around town all the time and obviously on loose surfaces, but out in the twisties, I get along just fine with just the front brake. I have over 120,000 miles of spirited Ducati riding under my belt and I find very little use for a rear brake when I'm pushing it.

I'm British and I learned how to ride in the UK. Just like you, I was taught proper use of the rear brake and told how vital it is. When I relocated to the USA, I brought those ideas with me and continued to apply them. Over time, I discovered I could actually control my bike just as well, maybe even better, by learning throttle control and front braking techniques as a package.

Good rear braking technique is admirable, but by no means vital. I've always found Ducati rear brakes to be weak, but they are good enough for what I personally need. However, I have to say, the rear brake on my MTS 1200 is by far the best Ducati rear brake I've experienced to date. Mine did go limp a couple of times and needed re-bleeding, but I had the new master cylinder fitted a while ago and the rear brake has been tight and solid ever since.