Non starter !

[yusaf1]

I am somewhat concearned as I have just bought a year old 800sie.

Riding back from the dealer was fun , what wasnt a week later, was to find that it wont bloody start.
All that has been done is termis/air filter added and remap from ducati dealer in deepest south London. I trust this was carried out competently.

It went with a bump, next day started ok , one week later......

The bike is covered in a garage. Dry and free from the elements!!?????
Is it trying to tell me that its too cold and damp to go out and play?? Is it just mine or are all hot blooded monsters tempremental?

anyone.............

[PaulS]

Do you have an alarm by any chance? My experience with my S4 is that the battery has to be in tip top condition and fully charged up to start the bike, particularly at this time of the year as battery capacity reduces with temperature. I have a Datatool alarm fitted to my bike and this can flatten the battery by enough to stop it starting the bike within a week of inactivity at this time of year. The bike starts instantly when I jump it from my car so the battery is definitely the source of the problem. I admit this has gradually got worse as the battery has got older but it was still the case during the first winter I had the bike from new. The battery is now three years old and completely buggered. My advice is to get an Optimate charger and leave it permanently attached to the bike whilst it is in the garage - it should solve your problem and probably extend the life of the battery. I don't currently do this with mine as I don't have power to my garage but I have resolved to sort that out before next winter. I doubt if the addition of Termis, etc... has anything to do with it, although you shouldn't assume that all Ducati franchised workshops are competent - search for the word "Daytona" (as just one example) in previous posts and your eyes may be opened!

[yusaf1]

No alarm fitted, just factory immobilser. The bike turns but just doesn't fire up.
My previous honda started underwater!

[PaulS]

I still think it's probably the battery. Sometimes mine will turn the engine over fine but it still won't start, but it starts instantly when jumped from my car. I believe there is some issue with the ECU not working unless the battery voltage is above a certain level? If it bump starts OK, you ride it (and thus charge up the battery) and it starts OK the next day, but not if you leave it a week, then in my opinion this points to the battery. The batteries in Ducatis are smaller (too small in my opinion) than you get in a lot of bikes of similar capacity and a big V twin takes a bit more cranking than an in-line four.

[TLzebub]

I had a similar problem with my 800, the charge going back into battery upon the the return to dealers under warranty there was a technical fault with rec/regulater once replaced no problem!!I also have a oximiser now fitted (cheaper)contact dealer to see if he could check charge rate going back into your battery!

[yusaf1]

whats an oximiser?

[Scotty]

maximised the amount of oxygen in your battery ? or a typo ?
optimiser battery charger thing

[TLzebub]

whats an oximiser?
exactly the same as a optimate charger just half the price.it's a charger you can leave connected to your bike when not in use it put's a trickel charge into your battery keeping it topped up.you can get them on ebay or any good bike shop.

[PaulS]

According to a post on another forum from someone who owns an Oximiser they are not suitable for use with gel type batteries (as fitted to newer Monsters where the battery lies on its side above the rear cylinder head). I can't confirm this as the Oxford Products website doesn't appear to have any info about it - perhaps they are being discontinued, thus the low prices they are being offered for (the "suggested" retail price is actually £44.99, the same as an Optimate (which can be bought for less if you look around)). The Optimate is safe to use with gel batteries. I looked at both when I bought mine and felt the Optimate was better made.

[yusaf1]

Do these products need an external pemanent source, such as mains or battery? or do they work inline or have their own battery source.

[PaulS]

They need mains power.

[TLzebub]

According to a post on another forum from someone who owns an Oximiser they are not suitable for use with gel type batteries (as fitted to newer Monsters where the battery lies on its side above the rear cylinder head). I can't confirm this as the Oxford Products website doesn't appear to have any info about it - perhaps they are being discontinued, thus the low prices they are being offered for (the "suggested" retail price is actually £44.99, the same as an Optimate (which can be bought for less if you look around)). The Optimate is safe to use with gel batteries. I looked at both when I bought mine and felt the Optimate was better made.
paulS had a quick read of instructions it says it can do gel batteries but if you can give me any more info on that post better safe than sorry
TLzebub

[PaulS]

This was the thread I was referring to - it's from the DSC forum.

It's the seventh post down (http://ducatisportingclub.com/control/boards/viewthread.php?tid=6275)

If your Oximiser instructions say you're OK with gel batteries then I guess you shouldn't have a problem. Perhaps this chap is mistaken or the Oximiser has been modified since he got his.