[BCAC]

I went for the full Akra system including the updated Ducati map that goes with it. The biggest plus is the software. All the surging is gone even when cold. The bike just runs so much better. The mileage improved by a couple of MPG as well. It is a bit loud for my tastes but I wear earplugs so no problem. Even though they claim it only picks up a few ponies it definitely feels a lot stronger particularly in the upper range. I'm in SoCal where it is illegal for the dealer to sell it so I went to Las Vegas with a friend of mine and we got the last two kits he had. He told us that Ducati will not sell him any additional kits due to the cross-pollination into SoCal so we were his last customers. It was expensive but worth it to me.

Marc

Interesting comment of yours about “All surging is gone”. My V4S has an intermittent significant stutter/surging/lurching issue around 4-6k rpm that Ducati/dealer has not been able to resolve.


Did you have the same issue? I would spend the $3k in a heartbeat, if it would fix the problem….

 

[BCAC]

I had the dealer in Las Vegas Nevada install the full system on my 2021. The improved performance was noticeable and the surging was gone. On the downside I found it a bit too loud for my tastes so I have reinstalled the cat and had a "Y" pipe made to connect the cat's single outlet to the Akra's dual inlet. The Akra can was just too pretty to sell. I've put a 1000 miles on it since and all the benefits of the ECO mapping are still there. My buddy has the full system on his as well (we did it at the same time) and a roll-on finds that he pulls me for the first 100 feet or so and then we are dead even up to a "very high" speed. Fuel consumption is running the same as it was pre-cat which is tenths of a mpg less than the stock mileage was. So, I ended up with the ECO mapping, a pretty can and a relatively stock sounding system. I'm happy

Marc
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Hi Marc,

Looks like you’ve got a great compromise there. No surging, more power and not noisy.

Did the pipe and chip completely and permanently (so far) cure the surging/stutter issue? That why I would do it.

thanks,

Blair

 

[BCAC]

When the system was initially installed it eliminated it 100%. As the adaptations accumulated it picked up an itty bitty amount, almost imperceptible (and maybe just in my mind) except to OCD types like yours truly There was no change since reinstalling the cat so I think whatever adaption was made is now set in stone so to speak. A simple answer to your question is a resounding YES, it fixes it and thank goodness for that! I hated it Always reminded me of the older BMW R1100 bikes that used to make me crazy.

Marc

Off to the dealer to pick up some stuff I ordered and I’ll see what an installed cost would be on a full exhaust. Maybe they’ll take pity on an old retired guy. Ha!

This is I think my 4th last bike in the previous 7 years. If I can get rid of the stuttering/surging, I don’t mind the idea of keeping the MS V4s a long time. The bike is otherwise fantastic.

 

[BCAC]

I’ve gone ahead and ordered the akrapovic system and download for my bike. Should be here in 3 months. It seems to be the change that has had (so far) complete success in eliminating the surging/stutter, which is my primary motivation for making the change.

Of course, now that I have spent the bucks, Ducati will come out with an update that will fix it. Ha!

I decided to keep the bike oem. That should avoid any potential future warranty issues associated with an aftermarket download. Maybe Ducati doesn’t, but brands like HD can track whether the mapping was modified, even if subsequently removed. And they are denyingengine warranty claims accordingly.

With the akrapovic exhaust power gains seem like they will be minor. I like the deeper sound, the engine might run a little cooler (not so lean) and I dig the weight savings. But I’m really mainly motivated to kill the stutter at 4-6k rpm I experience randomly.

We will see in August….

 

[BCAC]

Cheers BCAC,

Maybe ask your Ducati tech to check the toggle switch for faulty ecu signals and/or re-synchro the butterflies.

I suggest this because I've followed Rembo USMC's U-Tube channel since I saw his 'how to remove the oil filter' vid and he has just gone through a bad patch that might be relevant.

He is about 6months ahead of me on his V4 journey so a good source of info.

He had no issues at all until he reached 18k miles, then he had starting problems and other intermittent issues......finally Ducati NA met him at COTA and he watched as the tech recorded poor signals from the toggle switch. He reports his V4 is now perfect once more after a new left switch block and throttle synchro.

I hope the Akra install fixes your V4's stutter, and the underlying issue is resolved in the process.

The bike has been to the shop 3 or 4 times, including a 2 week stint. It isn’t throwing any codes and the stutter/surging is intermittent and also only happens under light throttle application between and isn’t noticeable under acceleration or higher rpm’s. Ducati has been involved and the throttle has been reflashed and a whole bunch of other stuff. And unfortunately, since the intermittent problem wasn’t apart for a couple of hundred miles after the last flash, I’m kinda stuck.

I too like watching Rembo. Just a regular guy and his experience with the bike. I think his problem was stalling and not starting. I’m glad Ducati was able to sort it out.

Ducati sent out a rep to check out my bike during the whole process. They couldn’t find anything. Thank goodness a tech had experienced the stutter while riding the bike or they probably would have figured it was my imagination.

I’ll mention the two suggestions you’ve made. Thanks.

I figure it’s either an issue with the throttle software or with the mapping. It seems to affect few bikes, so I wouldn’t worry about it if I was a prospective buyer.

I’ve seen about 10 different reports of the issue on this forum and another. Of the 5 guys who had the stutter and put on the exhaust system, new map and throttle flash, all had success. Fingers crossed.

In the meantime I’ve got a 3500 mile road trip next month. I’ll just hafta keep the rpm’s high and stay on the gas. Ha!

 

[BCAC]

Ok, 6 hrs of labor @ $169/hr. It breaks down to 3.5 hrs to install the exhaust, 0.5 to perform the UpMap flash, and 2 hrs to CY(T)A. What's that? After the bike was done, the headlight and tailights are taped up, the license plate temporarily removed, and the bike is loaded on a trailer, as Ducati considers the bike with the Race Ti Exhaust "For off-road competition racing only". So, for proof, the dealership goes through the motions and prepares it for transport to the track, pictures are taken for documentation & audit purposes. Meanwhile, I inital like five times on a sheet of paper that my PP is for "Track-use only". Nuff said...

The 600-mile check was $453. Yikes! For an oil & filter change, drive chain adjustment & lube, and a multi-point check. I felt I needed a cigarette after the reaming, and I'm a life-long non-smoker. The price you pay to turn off a dash light and maintain the 2-yr warranty <grumble>.

But after the 60-mile ride this evening through some curvy backroads (er, sorry on the local race track ), having that instantaneous midrange grunt in 5th gear without the lean stumble is soooooo wooorth it. And the sound of the de-meow'd midpipe with dual-piped Akra cannister sounds wicked.

My exhaust just arrived at the Dealer. Got a good price on it (ordered 3 months ago) and the shop is saying it will take 4-5 hours to install, so similar to your experience. Yikes!