Engine sound strange? Or it is one of the characters of Ducati?

[nethern]

I went testriding the HM 796 the other day. I realize the sound of the engine at idle is very strange to me. It does not sound smooth at all compared to some Jap bikes. The note is like "TU TU TU ~ ~ TU TU ~ TU TU TU TU ~ TU TU ~..." (~ denotes pause. It sounded like choking somehow. Hope you get what I mean here), while a Jap bike might sound like "TU TU TU TU TU TU TU TU TU ...." consistantly. I then came close to a monster's engine. That monster had similar sound. But while it revved, it sounded ok.

I know HM 796 and monsters are V twin and with Duc's own valve design. Is it to be any relation to that sound?

[johnchypermotard]

diagnosing sounds via the intrawebs is not a good thing to do ... but i am going to venture a guess that the noise/cadence of the motor you were hearing is normal for a ducati L twin motor (and, imho, the two valve motors seem to do this more than the 4 valve motors do).

they do "lope" at idle ... like they are trying to smooth out, but can't quite get it together.

fwiw, that cadence of the motor, along with an open dry clutch "rattle" and the deep throaty roar of the exhaust, is just the aural portion of what makes a duc a duc.

your experience may vary

[breckduc]

I always were ear plugs with my full face helmet. It blocks out annoying valve train clatter and most wind noise and let lets that sweet Ducati exhaust note come through. I've noticed the same effect using ear plugs will all the bikes I've owned including Harleys and Triumphs.