Nichols Flywheel Review - Ducati.ms

breakdown · Sep 22nd, 2008, 3:43 pm

I had the Nichols Flywheel installed about a week ago by my dealer. I can't recommend this mod enough. Even just blipping the throttle in neutral, it's clear to see how much more responsive the engine is now. The revs rise and fall much quicker. Riding the bike, it feels great too. It seems to pull quite a bit harder and faster as well. The bike, especially the front end, just feels lighter overall.

I have stalled the bike a couple of times since putting the lighter flywheel on. I'm still running the stock gearing so I think that is the issue. A few times, I've been lazy and tried to lug the engine more than I should. That has resulted in stalling. Once I change the gearing, I don't expect this to happen. Also, one needs to be a bit more careful riding on wet roads. The rear tire really likes to spin up now. I was having a blast riding around and sliding the rear end all over the place.

I would definitely recommend this mod to anyone who has been thinking about it. I can't wait to combine this with the 15/44 520 chain and sprockets that I have on order.

flying_hun · Sep 22nd, 2008, 8:59 pm

Thanks, this is great info! One question, I find that coming back from a closed throttle to just slightly opening the throttle that the Hyper sometimes jerks a bit as the gas comes back on. Does the light flywheel make that any worse?

Thanks,

Kurt

johnchypermotard · Sep 22nd, 2008, 9:22 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by flying_hun

Thanks, this is great info! One question, I find that coming back from a closed throttle to just slightly opening the throttle that the Hyper sometimes jerks a bit as the gas comes back on. Does the light flywheel make that any worse?

Thanks,

Kurt

ciao kurt -

i cannot remember if you have installed slip-ons/full system and the race ecu (either slip-on, full system, or cams)? in stock form, the hypermotard is seriously hampered by throttle response that boarders on dangerous when trying to maintain mid-corner throttle control. adding the race ecu (at least the full system, in my tard's case) made a big improvement in overall throttle response.

all that said, i am making a nichols flywheel my next installation project for the tard.

already have a nichols flywheel on the mh900e, and it made a nice improvement to the bikes performance. the bike tips into corners easier, accelerates much stronger, has a little more compression breaking feel to it, and revs MUCH quicker.

a presto,
johnc

p.s.: if your riding down to LDD2008, jon nichols will be one of the attending sponsors, so you can chat directly with him on the flywheel questions you might have. (i am pretty certain he will be selling parts at LDD as well, so you might even get a deal on a flywheel).

dukepilot · Sep 22nd, 2008, 9:48 pm

The flywheel is a great addition but you should also have your CO level adjusted to 3 to 5% and your throttle bodies synched to ensure smooth running. In other words, for best results get a DP ECU or one of the emulators offered on the Sport Classic board. If your bike is running lean as it does with the stock ECU, you will probably hate the lighter flywheel because you will feel the snatchiness even more.

**Da_Bull** · Sep 22nd, 2008, 9:50 pm

Forgive my ignorance - what is LDD2008?

flying_hun · Sep 22nd, 2008, 9:51 pm

Good feedback, guys.

Thanks,

Kurt

flying_hun · Sep 22nd, 2008, 9:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da_Bull

Forgive my ignorance - what is LDD2008?

La Ducati Days! Next month in La Honda, CA. Near Alice's

PedroHM · Sep 22nd, 2008, 10:38 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by flying_hun

Thanks, this is great info! One question, I find that coming back from a closed throttle to just slightly opening the throttle that the Hyper sometimes jerks a bit as the gas comes back on. Does the light flywheel make that any worse?

Thanks,

Kurt

its a big ass twin motor not some super slick inline 4 thing. 2 big lumps of metal going up and down just don't like low speeds. its a twin thing, they all do it, the bigger the lump the more they do it. i would have thought a lighter flywheel would make it worse as there is less weight to keep it spinning nice.

pete - in sarky mood today

johnchypermotard · Sep 22nd, 2008, 11:24 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da_Bull

Forgive my ignorance - what is LDD2008?

ciao da bull -

no worries .. hope you can attend ...

La Ducati Day 2008
sunday october 12th, 2008, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

The theme for this year's event is Emozione nel Movimento! ... Italian for Emotion in Motion!

Co-presented by; Nor Cal Ducati DOC, Ducati North America, Motion Pro, Nichols Sportbike Service, Ducati Monster Forum, Ducati Vintage Club, Lindemann Engineering, Federico Minoli and Doc Wong.

La Ducati Day 2008 will offer attendees a full day of:

Federico Minoli sponsored Riders for Health Auction
Ducati Vintage Club sponsored Concorso Ducati
Motion Pro sponsored Ducati Garage Challenge and Slow Ride Competition
Leo Vince USA sponsored Ducati Music Challenge
Lindemann Engineering sponsored Sportbike Suspension Setup Clinic
vendor court, food, raffles and more

Ducati North America will also be bringing the Duc Truck this year to offer demo rides and hospitaltiy. Don't miss your chance to get in the saddle of your dream bike!

Free event admission. All proceeds from entry fees, sportbike suspension setup clinic and raffles will benefit the La Honda Fire Brigade. These are the good men and women that rescue us when we crash on that side of the mountain ... helping them helps all of us. We hope you will make the ride up into La Honda, situated in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains, and help us rename the city La Ducati for the day of the event.

New for this year, the Ducati sponsored Riders for Health Auction. Ducati has graciously donated many ultra cool items that Federico Minoli collected over the years, and will auction them off to benefit Riders for Health.

for full list of events, directions, and hours of the event, visit: http://www.norcaldoc.com/LDD2008

btw, there are quite a few ducati owners from so cal making the ride up for the event ... check out http://www.socadmc.com and check with lucazuma.

a presto,
johnc

Lumpy Idol · Sep 23rd, 2008, 1:11 pm

I also have the Nichols flywheel. Love it!

The best way that I can put this flywheel mod (or any other flywheel mod) is that it exaggarates EVERYTHING. So, whatever your motor is doing, it will do it more with the light flywheel.

However, if your motor is doing something that you don't like, you can pretty much tune out of it -somehow-.