[DaveAu]

.....I can answer my own question here.

Two weeks ago the seller advised that QD would despatch my decat pipe by last week.... no word by Saturday... so I waited in case an update came on Monday.....but alas,.... silence....

I figured I should check with the seller.

In the process of checking the current item details I noticed that orders from 'now' onwards would not be supplied before September at the earliest.

...oh nooooo, I thought, WTF

The seller replied that the note I read would affect new orders from today.......and that he had been told by QD that they would be sending my item next week.

I anticipate delivery to my door by the end of the month,.... or 1st week of July.....fingers crossed .

With COVID and Putin causing havoc with EU supply lines, I'll count my blessings with only a 2 month delivery delay.......

 

[DaveAu]

........yes......me too.....I've heard the story before, about QD factory sending my package 'next week' but hopefully this time it will happen.

I also hope DHL lands in Brisbane, not 2,000 KMs away in Melbourne as that adds another week to the wait.......

I've got my fingers crossed hoping this week is lucky for me.

 

[DaveAu]

.......what day issit ?......oh, it's Friday and still no tracking number, so not sent by QD yet .

I won't annoy the seller until next week, in case something happens today............

Soooo, if it turns up sometime soon I intend to shove it on and see how it goes without a tuning upgrade.

If it needs one, then I will try to price a QD tuning module as this will allow me to do the install and save the stock map for later if I go back to stock for trade in etc.

There might be a Rexer piggy back or similar that could prove easier to get than importing from the EU.

I hope the stock ecu can adjust to the decat, but it will take a few rides to let it self tune as the 2 cyl cut out won't let the V4 idle for long enough to readjust prior to a test ride.

But I'm getting ahead of myself here.......still no 'package' from QD yet..........tap tap tap........

 

[DaveAu]

🥳😆😁......I have just been advised the tracking number by eBay, and "it's on the way" ........... 👍.

Only been 2 months since ordered, but it's happening.

Pity I just saw another decat option in the new posts section, from Spain, with a panel so sound deadening material can be inserted/removed to the desired dB.

Hope to see my QD by late next week........🥳😄

 

[DaveAu]

At last...... the QD Decat arrived a few minutes ago..... just before 5pm on a cold and bleak 11C rainy Tuesday......
Only 2 months after ordering, but that's ok, it's here now.......

What a saga, but now I have rather bleak conditions to work in as it has been so wet and cold.

Anyway, no complaints with the QD packaging or the fast FedEx express delivery It comes with a 'service card' to register for 2.5 yrs of warranty, and 3 new good quality clamps.

Here's the evidence, your honour, I know I was teetering on the brink thinking it was never going to happen, but it's here 🥳 .

I see the seller sites are advising more realistic delivery advice now as the next batch of decats won't be available before September.

 

[DaveAu]

...... Houston, We've had a problem.........

Darnit, I couldn't get the collector out of the Multi.....the brackets couldn't clear the footpeg assemblies. I think I'll have to buy a smaller grinder to cut them off, or my lovelly looking QD will be a pricey paperweight.......

 

[DaveAu]

Hi pialletto,

I thought you'd have yours fitted by now..... I tried to fit mine today.....was on track, until I couldn't remove the original cat without removing footpeg brackets or grinding bits off the cat. It just wouldn't slip off no matter how I muscled and shook and prized it.....

If you got yours off, let me know the secret. I was planning for a ride tomorrow with the QD installed, but that won't happen until I decide how to get the original cat out without damaging the bike.



PS.....found a way to remove the collector box after consulting with forum members..... Made the 2nd attempt so easy.....decat on, looks and sounds great, very pleased (but not ridden yet - that's a job for the weekend!).

 

[DaveAu]

You dont have to grind the brackets off - this problem has been answered in another thread

V4 MULTISTRADA DECAT INSTALL.....SUCCESS AT SECOND...

G'day all, Today I spent 3 hours intending to fit my QD Decat mid pipe, but failed............here's why ;) Anyone decating the V4MS will need to consider this, .. read on..... All went well/easy preparing for the swap-eration......until it was time to remove the original collector box! It...

www.ducati.ms

Cheers BenFO4,

All sorted, thanks to members who had done the decat on their V4MS. That thread was started by me when I wasn't sure of the way forward........and a number of guys waiting for their QD Decat's to arrive have benefited from my ramblings in that they will be better prepared than I was due all the knowledge volunteered.

The forum is full of great people willing to help out

 

[DaveAu]

I have thought about using one of the 00's of recording apps on my phone....... does anyone have a recommendation or are they all good?

Mine will be with the Akra slip-on, though if no one else does a recording with the stock muffler I could drag mine out of the box and test it.......but I don't want to waste time chasing a good sound recorder app.......

Can only record idle/low rev driveway sound though. As Shizz n Giggs says, it's got a note but isn't going to wake the dead.......just what I wanted, mild not wild ... better than stock silence of the lambs sound .

 

[DaveAu]

Thanks Dave, dont know much about the recording app, will wait for other recommendations.

Dont want to spend on the Akra slip on and want to see if I can use the QD decat along with the stock pipe and how it sounds, hopefully @ShizN'Giggz will be able to record it for us. Thanks anyway,

Cheers killjoy,

Drizzly afternoon....I'll try my phone's video.....you guessed it, sounds like crap on playback.

But the good news is, yes the QD decat pipe is designed to fit the stock muffler, the Akra slip-on and the QD shortie.....or any other muffler that fits onto the original catilizer .

Sorry I don't have good enough equipment to record the thump it makes at idle.....the phone made a good video, but the sound track was pathetic.

The QD decat works fine without an upmap, makes a purposeful note (like a Diavel) yet is not that loud that it would draw any attention from enforcement officers.



PS FYI, the Akra "full" pipe is different to the Akra slip-on muffler......one has 2 tubes into the muffler, the other is a single tube just like the stock exhaust. So the QD states on the site that it fits all mufflers that fit a standard collector and both Shizz & myself can verify that's true ...

Here's a pic....

 

[DaveAu]

G'day dddd,

So far I'm thinking there's definately no loss, maybe some gain, but I think the QD map module would release the full 10-15 HP shown in the dyno charts on the web site.......I'm just not sure if I want to spend the $ to get it yet.......

 

[DaveAu]

I've had another thoughtie....I know, I should keep taking my medicine but.....

I'm not certain of this but I feel the octopus has made the low range nicer due smoother gas flow.....mine wasn't snatchy etc as I read of others complaining about stuttering or jerking, but I was aware of the sensation though I suspect my riding style kept it from being noticed. (I'm truly a very normal rider, but I don't ever lug an engine).

So my initial thoughts after only a couple of full tank runs is that the throttle feels really natural..but I still have the stock E5 ecu so naturally it will be ever so slightly biased to the lean side of correct until I fall for the QD map or a local version.....but it's good enough not to bother.

Fuel range may be a little less, but I'm not sure as all rides with the QD just happened to be 300km, not the usual 'can't make it home without a refill' run.

Pre QD, my DTE would flash up 400km (yes it has been steadily improving as I got to 21,000kms), but now the best I've seen was last Tuesday with 360km on DTE, though if I added the DTE to the Trip it would have been 380, so I'll reserve judgement untill I do some proper long rides.

I mentioned before no flat spots or holes, it just goes and sounds great. Fast or slow, corners or straights, gear changes seem smoother (prob due less restriction), so overall it's a good upgrade.

The 'full' Akra (really just a 3/4 pipe) is totally different with almost no restriction through it's box and a direct twin pipe exit up into the muffler. The QD has a bend into the single exit pipe up into the twin chamber straight through Akra slip-on. Note the stock Ducati muffler is also a twin chamber with no restrictive baffles.....it's just a little narrower in tubing diameter and not as fancy as the expensive Akra .

I will try to test mine soon....but my Akra & QD sure sound great!

 

[DaveAu]

Struth, what got into me on Saturday afternoon? I tidied up the garage, scrubed the original catalizer clean and boxed it for storage, annnnnd fitted my stock muffler to the QD decat ready for a test ride on Sunday ........

Today broke nice and sunny, unlike the last two days of bleak drizzly windy weather......no choice but to suit up and go fer a ride........ It's was a difficult decision, stay home and waste the day or get out and ride.........

Well the standard fugly + QD decat sounds quite nice.....a deep menacing tone that means business. I noticed straight away that it has slightly more back pressure to the gas flow as expected due it's narrower tube diameters compared to the Akra slippon.

So I have 150kms of gas left in the tank.......I decide to ride out to Canungra and fill up and ride back on a freshly filled tank for clean figures to compare to the Akra's figures, but there were cars and people everywhere at gatherings (horse show jumping etc etc) and I ran short of time so turned for home at Tamborine village.......bugger me, the whole nation is out this sunny 21C warm Sunday morning . It dawned on me as I rode home that I was still on the compromise tank of fuel, 200kms on the Akra, 130kms on the stock can......oh well, good enough for what a few members want to know about the QD decat with stock muffler.

So I was getting similar fuel consumption figures to when the V4SMS was stock and better throttle response (prob due the back pressure even though that is not supposed to be a factor anymore with the latest ecu maps).

So I got home to my local with 30kms remaining on the DTE, 330kms trip total for that tank, 200 on Akra, 130 with the stock can. It took 19ltrs to fill to my usual properly full level (I have shortened my filler neck so I get burpless smooth filling). I figure that means it had 2 liters left plus another liter for when the DTE shows zero kms which adds up to 22ltrs + an air gap for expansion = 23ltrs.......or thereabouts . One day......when I drain the tank again, I'll remember to measure the refill so I'll be able to confirm the tank volume.

So I'm liking the stock muffler on the QD decat pipe......it is slightly better on fuel over the Akra slippon.....I saw the average coming up from the Akra's best of 17km/ltr to 17.4 overall while out on the highway (dash calculates including the 2/3rds Akra mileage, so likely would've been much better on a seperate tankfull) and was impressed with the slightly sharper throttle response - but - the Akra wins the looks and sound competition hands down . Will I keep the fugly or go back to the Akra.....that's the question



PS I can only talk seat of the pants (with many many pants worn out from usage, and I'm not trying to impress anyone with BS ), but the V4 feels like it likes the QD decat.....a lot...... I wonder what electricikery Ducati has installed....were they expecting decats to be done......did they program the ecu's to have the scope to adjust fully......whatever they did, it's so close to correct that I can't fault it.......but if someone gets the QD tuner map or another and writes that it is the best thing since sliced bread, then I'll be tempted to test that by buying one........but not at $500Euro .

I saw much the same on the QD dyno charts on one of the websites, so I'm happy to say they are true representations of what to expect both power and torque wise

 

[DaveAu]

Great to read this Dave, did you try any of the recording apps to get a sound recording by any chance?

Cheers killjoy,

I didn't as I think the issue with recording quality is more the microphone in the phone......it's good enough for voice dictation but completely unsuitable for the sound track from the QD Akra!

Maybe I should have downloaded my 1st ever video to the laptop, but I was so underwhelmed by the sound quality I deleted it on the spot. I doubt it would have sounded more realistic on the larger device .

Even sound vids on U tube for full Akra installs don't sound like mine in real time.....so I gave up trying to record without some proper recording equipment.

Trust me when I say it sounds great.....it sounds great.....but it also won't wake the dead....it's well designed to be just right..

Reminds me of today's ride, testing the stock muffler, a Kawasaki ZX10 went by in the opposite direction and it was so ing loud it would have hurt had I not been wearing my ear plugs....
and it sounded like .... a screaming high pitched horrible tone, whereas the QD gives a deep note.

Maybe an owner with musical equipment will make a professional recording one day.....

 

[DaveAu]

Dave
As usual I find your feed back and thoughts extremely valuable, could you clarify this part of your statement above "though that is not supposed to be a factor anymore with the latest ecu maps"
Is there some change to the latest maps ??

Ok, so that's what I've read/heard, so I can't claim any expertise on the subject, but from many of the tv shows doing mapping upgrades it looks to be true.

Also, computing power and memory has gone through the stratosphere with tech advancing so rapidly......just look at what we can do with our phones now......

Interestingly, the effect of the slightly more restrictive standard can was noticeable, so this seems to contradict what I have cleaned from sources....... However, gone are the days when opening up the exhaust or fitting a 4 into 1 system caused a massive flat spot or a hole in the power curve........whatever trickery is installed, it or the sensors control the mapping nicely. I guess there could be a limit to that adjustability, but the QD seems to be within the ECU's range. I noticed both systems use the stock header pipes, and those pipes are quite small .....maybe this is the secret........

Euro 5 still applies with the stock map though, and that's probably why the Akra slip-on is possibly just that bit too free flowing......but it"s so close....... That's why there is a download map offered for the Akra full system, as it is way more free flowing than the QD with all it's bends and single exit tube. Watch any of the full system install video's and you'll see the big wide holes through the Akra collector box, directly into two separate exit tubes into the dual chamber muffler, vs our set up using one tube into the dual chamber muffler......... Without the upmap, I'd be fairly sure the Akra full system would feel wanting......but even so, the sellers state the upmap is recommended but not compulsory, so maybe it is also within the ECU's range.....though the upmap comes with the system so everybody uses it. We have to buy ours if we want it.

 

[DaveAu]

Todays ride was with a smaller group and we had a mix of slow and fast open backroads. Heavy traffic to the meet point had the V4 on 10-11 km/ltr av econ, and not much better over the mountain until the terrain opened up. The av econ slowly improved to 15, but we were giving our machines a workout within limit as these were not race tracks, but lumpy unpredictable real world roads with mid week traffic....... still, I noticed the V4 with the QD matched to the stock muffler went very well......it flies out of corners very nicely.......hit reserve at 290kms, which is probably fairly normal with this type of riding, and the range was 350-370, so all in all, it's quite good without the QD tuning map.

I'll put the Akra slip-on back on soon so I can compare on the weekend......but I do love the meaty deep note I've got with either muffler, and the range has only decreased 20-40kms on day rides but maybe I'm enjoying the music too much .

There's certainly no loss in power or torque and no flatspots or holes in the rev range......no doubt a proper map would be better again but it's pretty good with the stock ecu.

 

[DaveAu]

So you're getting worse mileage with the QD NoKat mid-pipe? Did you notice it running cooler at the seat? Mine gets very warm in any sort of traffic. I keep wondering if that's the Cats getting hot? I'm probably going NoKat + stock slip-on from my 2021.

Cheers BHDC,

Yes, range has reduced from around 390km to 360, but remember, I have not bought the tuning module for it so someone might do it and report better mileage and response with a non Euro5 remap.

On point #2, my 21 model has never had the hot seat you mention - and that's no BS.....if the V4strada was a hot box I would say so, but it's amazingly cool, so much so that I take the lower air scoops off in winter.

I'm neither rev-head nor old school lugger......I don't get pinged for speeding, but I can ride like the wind when I'm in the mood .

Mine runs as cool now in decat trim as it was a month ago in stock trim.....maybe cooler, I didn't think to use my IR temp sensor to take header temps etc, but I'm wearing new textile Spidi H2Out pants so if the bike was hot I'd be a sweaty mess.......

One thing for sure is that it accelerates cleanly from low rpm without complaint.....not that I lug an engine in a higher gear, but it does breath a lot better from idle and will tolerate poor riding technique without struggle.

I have the stock airfilter with no plans to change to a K& N and have both of the stock mufflers - the standard one and the $2k Akra slip-on, and both feel and sound great on the QD midpipe.

Sunday's ride saw an average Econ of 17k/ltr with the Akra whereas a week ago I was getting 17.5 with the standard issue muffler.

So I get 360-370kms now whereas just prior I was seeing up to 390-400 possible. My DTE has proven to be quite accurate in past checks. I use 98 octane without issue as 95 is hard to find.

If someone else reports great results with a map upgrade, I'm in, but for now it's just not worth the $1k to me for the tuning module, for 2km/liter better economy, but I'm all ears for a report on one....... or a great deal.....

 

[DaveAu]

Update on fuel economy........

Last Sundays 370km ride saw me looking for juice at 340kms....... there was 20kms on the DTE out on open roads until speeds dropped in slower urban zones where the DTE rapidly adjusted to 7 kms remaining...... ended up putting 20ltrs in at 344kms just prior to regaining the M1 motorway for the ride home......a pump average of 17.2 kms per liter but a lot depends on the traffic as I was only 3 kms away from the highway so my DTE would have returned to near 20kms or so once back up to 100kph cruise........but there was only one more servo before my exit and it was 15kms away, so too risky to try for it and I'd had enough and wanted a short break before the final 40kms to home.......

After I filled with what I think must have been a fresh fuel drop that morning (the price had jumped 30-40c/ltr today), my V4 with decat was showing 19.8km/ltr av economy on constant cruise control and flowing along at 100kph true (= 107kph on the speedo)......haven't seen that in the month since fitting the QDecat. Maybe it takes a while to fully tune in.

Maybe the blast with the Ducati club was all the V4 needed to freshen up . The days ride economy was well down with lots of right wrist in the tight hilly twisties. I think the last tankful might have been going off as I thought the throttle felt more sluggish than usual. I struggled to get 14.8 on the commute to the start point which was mostly highway and in fog, so the speed was 90kph due poor visibility - the av economy should have been great.The Ducati club run was a mystery back roads affair so there was plenty of throttle in use. Best I got all day was 16km/ltr and that was on 8,000 km old watery feeling, black looking, wasted oil........which I've just now changed for fresh clean stuff.

I'm still in two minds about the QD tuning module or other piggy back types.....would like to read of others experience before committing to the purchase but I probably will open my wallet again in a month if I think it needs it, but for now it's pretty close without the new map and I had the chance to crank on some revs out in the back country and yes there is more Hp from 6-9k

I'd love to ask for a Dyno run at my Ducati dealership (they have one) just prior to any retune, so I can compare before and after results on the same day......... but I still have 9months of warranty so maybe I shouldn't tell them anything yet.......

Pic is Australia Mate...... we have lots of corners and mountains, but we also have lots of these roads.........and they are not always as wide and nice as this one

 

[DaveAu]

Dave, good stuff mate. This thread and your other thread on removal of the stock Cat is priceless. Cheers.
Haven't ordered mine from QD yet. Might wait for LeoVince to release theirs. Probably sweet FA difference between them.
LeoVince quote on their website "Specific dimensions developed on the Dyno" has me curious though.
Don't suppose you're riding the MS to PI for the GP?

......we just had the Warbirds Airshow pull the pin on Temora due sodden ground and more rain coming so PI might be in a similar predicament. I hope it fines up for everyone, but........

I'll be going to the RAAF Airshow at Amberley airbase on that weekend anyway......it's not been too wet here so we think it'll have half a chance of happening.

I like my QD, but am leaning toward the tuning module to get away from the E5 settings, but other than that, it runs fine and has no issues using the stock ECU.

The LV will likely be the same.....as none of the systems replace the headers, they don't really need mapping mods except to fatten up the mid range a little.

Still haven't seen any posts from people who have used the tuning module or heard from anyone else who has installed a QDecat......I must be the only one so far, on this forum. A mate heard me coming at our last rendezvous point and commented that my V4 at last had a nice sound, not raucous, just nice and audible, so I'm pleased with that.

I must google the LV for fun.....great to hear options are being developed.

Good luck with the weather at PI