[kenk]

What is the normal operating temperature for a 2013 Multistrada? I've had my Multi since new and for pretty much all of that time the temp would stay right at 150 degrees. In hot weather traffic situations it might climb higher (as much as about 215 degrees when the fan kicked in) but as soon as I was moving again, it would return to around 150.

In the last 6 months or so things have changed. For example, today I took a ride (about 100 miles) and the temp never got below 160 (air temp was about 80 degrees which is not that warm for Central TX) and was higher much of the time. And I was not riding hard.

I'm concerned about this and wonder if I should be??

Ken

 

[3B43]

Don’t be concerned. With over 100,000 miles on my ‘12, water temp ‘usually’ run around a few degrees lower then ambient temp +100. And, if it’s hot, and your running behind a vehicle, temps will climb quickly.

 

[toeslider]

158 under 80 degrees here in Georgia-2012 and 2017, both run about the same while moving. Maybe 164 above 80 degrees while moving.

 

[Strega]

One thing that's often overlooked is that both oil and coolant radiator fin damage occurs from road debris. Without protection, the fins get bent over, air flow through the radiator is reduced, so coolant and oil temperatures rise over time.

After carefully straightening the bent fins, place aluminum window screening over the radiators to prevent future damage. Screen material with larger openings won't stop small pebbles. Don't worry, the inexpensive window screen material won't significantly reduce airflow. Do it on a new bike before damage occurs.

In the Ducati system, the coolant temperature sensor tells the ECU to stop warm-up fuel enrichment at around 150°F — so the engine coolant should be above this value. An engine should be at its design operating temperature to make good power. Higher temperatures are more thermodynamically efficient, but run at too high a temperature and you exceed the thermal expansion design basis of critical components and raise fuel octane requirements.

Ducati fuel injected motorcycles use engine management computers incorporating a coolant temperature sensor to retard the engine ignition timing to compensate for any increase in octane requirement when operating temperatures increase. Retard the timing and you reduce power.

The radiator, water pump flow rate and hose diameters are all sized by the Ducati coolant system engineers to achieve an engine coolant temperature of about 176°F, when moving at a constant highway speed with 85°F air flowing through the radiator.

Duane Mitchell reported that he ran a series of tests to establish optimum running temp for a race bike and found that 185ºF is perfect. Over that, they lose horsepower fairly quickly (down about 15 hp at 212ºF) and below that the same (down about 6 hp at 150ºF).

So cooler is not better from an operating perspective. YOU may feel more comfortable, but the bike is not operating at an optimum point on its fuel map at 150°F.

 

[[email protected]]

High temp warning hits at 250F, so I wouldn't be worried about the temps from that standpoint.

Coolant topped off? When was the last change/flush? Recommended for the '13 is every 4 years or 30k miles.

 

[alrockaz]

High temp warning hits at 250F, so I wouldn't be worried about the temps from that standpoint.

Coolant topped off? When was the last change/flush? Recommended for the '13 is every 4 years or 30k miles.

Thanks, I was wondering where the upper limit is.

Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk

 

[kenk]

Reading the responses, I guess I shouldn't be concerned.

Coolant was changed at the 15k Desmo service about a year ago.

Thanks for your wisdom

 

[t-bills]

For a little more info, the thermostat set point is 150F. So, when it’s cool out, it will most likely ride right at 150F. Not until environmental conditions increase to the point of constantly needing the radiator will the temp go above 150F. No need to worry unless the bike can no longer keep up with thermostat open and fans on.

 

[A.Knight]

What is the normal operating temperature for a 2013 Multistrada? I've had my Multi since new and for pretty much all of that time the temp would stay right at 150 degrees. In hot weather traffic situations it might climb higher (as much as about 215 degrees when the fan kicked in) but as soon as I was moving again, it would return to around 150.

In the last 6 months or so things have changed. For example, today I took a ride (about 100 miles) and the temp never got below 160 (air temp was about 80 degrees which is not that warm for Central TX) and was higher much of the time. And I was not riding hard.

I'm concerned about this and wonder if I should be??

Ken

 

[A.Knight]

I just bought a 2015 Multistrada S and took it back to the dealer; thinking the fan wasn't working. They just informed me that it's not supposed to kick on until 215 degrees! That seems pretty crazy to me. That seat and my legs were cooking at about 200. Doesn't seem like it would be particularly healthy for all those components to get that hot under the seat. Seems like having a thermostat that kicks in around 185 would make sense. I was thinking I should sell my old BMW. Now I guess I might have to keep it around for hotter days? Maybe installing a slightly cooler thermostat is a possibility?

 

[Pampero]

Not a concern. These are pressurized systems so expect coolant temps to go above the normal boiling point but without boiling. I think Ducati has supplied a very sensitive and revealing instrument that is not damped the way many are. That damping and slow acting calibration, which is a feature of almost every car with a temp gauge, keeps the owner happy because he doesn't see fluctuations in running temperatures the same way he would if the instrument was more revealing and precise. But it does not reflect the immediate changes in coolant temperature that are normal in all vehicles, even including air-cooled units. You can celebrate honest, undamped themperature data on your Ducati and when the fans do come on (yeah....it's different on motorcycles) your coolant will temps will reflect that airflow almost instantly. The bikes do throw off a lot of hot, but that's you overheating, not the motor!

But keep the BMW anyway. Ducs and BMWs go together like bread and butter!

 

[duc96cr]

I have a solution that always works. 1) Cut off a couple of inches of electrical tape 2) Smooth it firmly over the face of the temperature gauge

 

[ducatisean93111]

I just bought a 2015 Multistrada S and took it back to the dealer; thinking the fan wasn't working. They just informed me that it's not supposed to kick on until 215 degrees! That seems pretty crazy to me. That seat and my legs were cooking at about 200. Doesn't seem like it would be particularly healthy for all those components to get that hot under the seat. Seems like having a thermostat that kicks in around 185 would make sense. I was thinking I should sell my old BMW. Now I guess I might have to keep it around for hotter days? Maybe installing a slightly cooler thermostat is a possibility?

I commute on my MTS, and part of my commute crosses the Mex-American border. Sitting in traffic there my poor huevos roast for 15 minutes at 215 2 times a day. It's annoying, but it is definitely safe for the bike. Not sure why they designed it that way, but it definitely is not the most pleasant experience. Saying that- even on 100+ degree days around here, the temperature never goes above 165-170 degrees, so I'm sure it's all OK.