Just the design of the engine. They all do it and it is normal.

 

I don’t recall hearing the sound before. Perhaps I never noticed it. Even if expected, do you know what causes it?

 

Normal......if you ever get to hear one go past, like say standing at the dealers and a mechanic comes in from a test ride on one, you will hear the distinctive high pitched song of a stock V4MS. They are so heavily emission neutered all you get is gear whine.

What's more important to ask is what to do about it........

Don't waste money on a muffler without first decating that heavy twin cat collector box. That is what stifles the music and robs 10-15hp and some low end torque. So consider the Akra full system +upmap, or a QD Decat like mine (a map will be good but it isn't totally necessary as I have not yet done the upmap - it's pretty close just with the stock ecu self adjusting), or a number of other decats recently coming onto the market....... There are also a number of upmap modules about to hit the streets......T800, Xecu maybe more in the next few weeks/months as the V4 Multi is now in it's 3rd year.



Just realized you mentioned keeping the throttle slightly open in lower gears - I do that a lot to control the massive engine retardation from - I suspect - the butterflies fully sealing shut and effectively becoming like an exhaust brake on trucks. There is a sound track to that but it does not sound like there is a problem, just that it's the noise it makes at that time. Solution = decat and enjoy a nice deeper growl

I'm not an engineering genious but the Multi V4 has a slipper clutch, so maybe that might add some sound at times as it does it's thing preventing tyre lock up on down shifts

 

Thanks! I’m not too bothered by the sound, just wanted to make sure it wasn’t something to worry about.
As for the engine braking, yeah. Need to keep the throttle open a bit to counter the massive engine braking. Wish they provide an update to control that.

 

Best fix for a noisy V4 Mutley is to take a Bim S1000XR out for a test ride. When you get back on the Duc you'll bask in the relative silence.

 

Cheers techalien,

I failed to mention I wear ear plugs in addition to my QD decat but from memory, sometimes I leave the plugs out if I just fill up a couple of clicks prior to a meeting point, but though noisier, not noticed any alarming squeaks or squeals. Just the usual mechanical noises.......actually, contrary to some posts, the V4MS is a lot less noisy than many other engines.......S1000RR, MV Agusta F4, Caponord 1200V2, Bevel drive Ducati V2, the list is endless.

I hate rattle clanking motors so if wasn't quiet it would be gone by now after 2 years & 32,000kms 😉, instead, I find myself enjoying it more every day - terrified of the day when it is time to trade up to a new model.....😱

 

My V4 Rally started to make a lot of noise from the cylinder head after the break in period. Now, at 1600 km, it’s really annoying. It sounds like slacking timing chains, rattling inside the head. Can be heard clearly in idle, but much louder between 3000-4000 rpm. Not so much below 3000 rpm. Above 4500 rpm there are so many other sounds and then it can’t be heard.

Not happy about it on a bike that cost $30000+. Bmw boxers are really quiet in comparison, at least until they get the dreaded cam gear wear.

 

Hmmm, I can't recall what my V4 sounded like back when it was only 1600kms and still tight and new.

I don't notice any alarming or concerning noises now at close to 50k kms.

Sure, BMW'S might be super quiet (my friends have R1200RT's) but I have no desire to ever own one, though they are great machines in their own right.

If the noise has suddenly appeared, take it in to the dealers and get it assessed. Machinery of all brands can developed faults and Ducati
isn't immune from a failing component......

👍

 

The Bmw wasn’t super quiet in any way. But for the first 15000 km it had no "abnormal" noises - and the engine noise didn’t change over time - although after 15000 km it developed the chain rattle.

I actually did take it up with the dealership (Bike in Sweden) when it was in for the 1000 km service. I also brought up that the quickshifter works only about 50% of the time. But the only answer I got was that Ducatis are like that. The deslers seem immune to any type of complaints and seem to explain everything with "it should be like that".

I work with engines myself and, as you say, when noises change over time, it’s rarely a good sign.

Worth saying about the Ducati is that, without the problems with the engine noise and the not so good quickshifter, I really like the bike. The only other thing I dislike is that chain adjustment is unnecessary difficult. The scales on the swingarns are fine, but when the axle nut is tightened, everything moves out of place, leading to that one would have to predict that, when adjusting, which is less than optimal.

 

Cheers John, I don't want to nit pick but what are you doing adjusting the chain at 1600kms?

The shop will have already done that if it was needed at the service. You risk overtightening the chain unless you know what you are doing.

You shaft drivers seem obsessed with over maintaining chains..... it is not necessary, chains are very low maintenance these days.

From memory I think I first adjusted my chain at 10,000kms. I get high mileages out of my chains and I let them run a little loose vs a little too tight.......👍

I had zero issues with adjustment, in fact rear wheel removal and reinstall is so easy on this bike - easier than any of the 18 new bikes I've owned over the last 50yrs of motorcycling.

Leave that bike alone before you wreck it. You don't need to do anything to it for now.

Run it in, settle the suspension, get used to it, then slowly press buttons to fine tune suspension preferences if required, but not now.....it's too tight and new and will be so different in a few 000kms.

If your chain was loose at 1600kms then you must be pulling too many wheel stands 🤔

👍

 

Cheers John, I don't want to nit pick but what are you doing adjusting the chain at 1600kms?

The shop will have already done that if it was needed at the service. You risk overtightening the chain unless you know what you are doing.

You shaft drivers seem obsessed with over maintaining chains..... it is not necessary, chains are very low maintenance these days.

From memory I think I first adjusted my chain at 10,000kms. I get high mileages out of my chains and I let them run a little loose vs a little too tight.......👍

I had zero issues with adjustment, in fact rear wheel removal and reinstall is so easy on this bike - easier than any of the 18 new bikes I've owned over the last 50yrs of motorcycling.

Leave that bike alone before you wreck it. You don't need to do anything to it for now.

Run it in, settle the suspension, get used to it, then slowly press buttons to fine tune suspension preferences if required, but not now.....it's too tight and new and will be so different in a few 000kms.

If your chain was loose at 1600kms then you must be pulling too many wheel stands 🤔

👍

Haha 😀 I think you are jumping conclusions a bit now. I have had one shaft bike over 30 years of biking. I do know when I need to adjust my chain.

They did try to adjust it at service. But the chain made a lot of noise and the whole drivetrain was oscillating. It was impossible to use the cruise. The QS was impossible to use unless on high load. The tension was way out of spec. I suspect that they didn't check the tension after tightening the nut.

I can only congratulate you on your successful experiences with the V4S. Mine has been a real lemon so far, as has dealing with Ducati workshops. We'll see what happens over time. With some luck you are correct in that it will improve over time, although my experience with other bikes is the opposite. But it's my first Ducati so...

 

Cheers John, I humbly apologise for sounding righteous etc......I've had experiences with a couple of BMW fanatics that likely preloaded my thoughts...

I guess the local service techs are the first issue - they should do their work properly and not release a bike until it's done right!

Hope you get it sorted soon so you get the same enjoyment as me on mine 👍.

 

No offense taken😂

Ducati is a very small brand here. It's far between the workshops and their competence can sometimes be questioned.

I am definitely giving it a chance - given the price of the Rally I couldn't afford anything else 😂

 

John, I wonder if a complaint to Ducati head office might stir up some action at the dealership if they are unresponsive to you as a service customer. I think I've seen a couple of other forum members resort to this and get some action from within the dragon's belly....

Hopefully the dealer principle will take your feedback on board and correct the poor service experience.

Let us know how you go, it's always a buyers worst nightmare to run into this type of situation 🤬.

 

John, I wonder if a complaint to Ducati head office might stir up some action at the dealership if they are unresponsive to you as a service customer. I think I've seen a couple of other forum members resort to this and get some action from within the dragon's belly....

Hopefully the dealer principle will take your feedback on board and correct the poor service experience.

Let us know how you go, it's always a buyers worst nightmare to run into this type of situation 🤬.

Thank’s, but I think that’s a dead end. It’s very difficult to respond to the claim "Ducatis are supposed to be like that".
There is a new, small, Ducati dealership closer to me than the big dealership where I bought the bike. I will talk to them and see if they are more on their toes.

But thank’s for the suggestion. Appreciated.