Hi, Just got a speed twin and I'm having a hard time with the engine breaking in low gears. I installed the ducati spacers and all the slack is gone in the trottle, but it didn't improve the harsh off throttle response. This is really annoying and any kind of a bump makes it worse as my hand moves. I own street and speed triples and they are butter smooth in comparison. Any recommendations? Could changing the map help? Is it the fueling or is the front shock too stiff? Thanks!
Hi and welcome, someone with the knowledge about this will come along hopefully with an answer for you
A little slack in the throttle won't hurt. You're wrist will "learn" the throttle with "muscle memory", just takes some time. The Ducati pieces may be making the problem worse... like having waaay to much caffeine. Adding a Boosterplug should improve the low speed manners. https://www.boosterplug.com/ {It appears the bike all ready comes with 16/42 sprockets}
Hi, Matt and welcome. Can't comment specifically on your Speed Twin engine braking problem as I've not had the pleasure of riding one, apart from my 1960 5TA Speed Twin which was a totally different beastie. However, as a general rule of thumb you should have something like 2-3mm of free play on the twistgrip to keep it from making the engine 'pick up' whenever you hit a bump and inadvertently twist the throttle slightly. As DD says, there is plenty of engine braking available with a big twin - and even with a smaller version if you have high compression pistons fitted (500cc Norton 88 with either 10:1 or 11:1 pistons fitted - can't remember which 'cos it was a long time ago. Was too much for the reground crank though which .... errrr ..... broke!).
My Speedmaster has same engine and I noticed, unsurprisingly, that after a few thousand miles the fierce engine braking reduces quite significantly, presumably as engine parts wear in. Also, it helps putting it into Rain mode when in urban areas, where you're on and off the throttle a lot, as rain mode makes the engine less instantly responsive to throttle movement. I now don't notice any jerkiness, there again, I've done 20,000 miles now so engine well worn in, and I've had lot's of throttle control practice
I agree with @Dozers Dad there is a big difference in the way that a big twin performs to the triples.
Oooh, I like the boosterplug idea. Thanks for the recommendation! The spacers didn't make too big a difference in the throttle response. Then again, I'm coming from years on the Speed Triple so I'm used to and don't mind the caffeine
Hi, Sorry if too obvious, but could it be partly going from a higher revving engine to a lower revving engine, ie. holding lower gears longer through habit? Could it also be worth checking if there are any tuning improvements available from your suspension settings.