Hi, Thanks for showing us how to get these pesky plugs out. My problem is similar to the one you described: After sitting awhile, and then restarting this summer, I found that it just wouldn't run right - backfiring, running on one cylinder, sudden surges. I initially thought it was a fuel injector problem, but they seemed fine when tested. So I started checking the resistance in the spark plug wires. On the front cylinder, the lead to the side plug had an impedance of ~ 5.6 K ohms, whereas the center wire was 160 K ohms. I have ordered new wires, but am not confident that I've got it nailed. I wanted to share my experience in case others were having similar problems with their multis...
Thank you for your time and effort that you put into making this video. I own a 2014 multistrada pike peak and I have never seen a bike so hard to work on and I wouldn't be able to if it wasn't for people like you.
You are welcome. Glad the video helped you. I knew eventually someone would come upon the problem I ran into trying to change these spark plugs. Ducati could have made it way easer with a simple CAD design change before manufacturing. Then again, this keeps their mechanics busy. :)
I love my bike but it like no other bike I have ever worked on in the sense that they make every little things so difficult have you ever changed your air filter on there yet
@@520hanky I have not changed my air filter yet. I know it's hard to get to. I believe it's under the fuel tank so when we have to change it the process will not be super easy and quite time consuming.
Thanks for making the video. I am slowly busy taking over the maintenance of my multi, which is one year older than yours. I'm really happy with the bike, it has more maintenance than most of the other bikes I've owned but it rewards me with a joy of riding I have never experienced before. I have made a couple of mods (clutch, fuel map, rear brake ...) on my bike over the last years which I thought were worth the effort, if you are interested I can post a list of the best ones.
Thank you for your time & effort with this “How To” video. I am considering buying a Multistrada & was wondering how difficult maintenance would be be for a DIY enthusiast.
You're welcome. If you have access to parts and mechanically inclined I think the bike is as easy as any other bike to work with. There are a few things that you will find with this bike that I've noticed with others who have owned it: 1) the hydraulic fluid will need to be replaced every so often (1-2 years). 2) the clutch fluid has a tendency to get bubbles in it. Be prepared to bleed that on your trip(s). 3) the fuel sender unit has been problematic and not super easy to replace. The part is not expensive but the time to replace is about 3 hours. 4) the spark plugs are hard to reach if you have to mess with them. Once I got these things addressed the bike is fun to ride. I've enjoyed my last few road trips with the machine.
Thank you so much, very helpful! Taking your advise only with the 14mm if you bend a little bit the tool so the other end out of the frame can have moving space can make the job, patiense is the key, if the tool ring side don't fit arround the sparkplug head reduce it by using a buffer arround it to reduce the thickness and fit easily. Thanks again!
Did it come with a plug wrench in it's toolkit, I was (fannying about) with my socket set plug wrench on my Honda until I thought about the bikes toolkit, the proper one fitted great, the rubber bit inside gripped the top thread not the ceramic making the body of the tool much thinner, just a thought...
It didn't some with any tools that help get to the hidden plugs without losing your mind in the process. There may be a kit that I might use in an emergency but changing plugs on this bike is best done with proper tools in a garage. Not on the side of the road. But I am not beneath doing that if I had to.
I have a 2011 Multistrada and had a couple of the threaded inserts break free from the tank. I'm wondering how well the JB Weld adhesive worked to bond to both the plastic and the metal? Which specific JB Weld did you use? Any issues so far? Thanks for the great video.
I'm considering a 2012 model. Found you wile doing some research. I've done all my own work on the bike I have now. Was wondering how much more involved this bike would be to work on your self. I'm no stranger to taking the bike down to its frame lol. Don't look like it would be really that bad to do simple upkeep on it. My main question would be valve checks. And how often is the timing belt changed?
Hi Dante. I find this bike to be as easy as any other bike to work on that I've owned. The thing that took me a bit by surprised was the lack of support from the local Ducati shop. On this particular issue I took it to them 3 times and each time they told me nothing was wrong. So since you are mechanically inclined I don't think this would be any problem for you. I know the DESMO service needs to be done at 15,000 miles. I have not had that done yet but will know more about that next year. And also not sure about the timing belt but can do some research and get back with you on that. I do enjoy my Multistrada now that it's running perfectly. Its a hoot to drive!
@@johnwesterman So do you think it was a case of. "You didn't get the bike from up" Type of deal? Or do you think they just wanted to sell you a new one?
Dante Fox I DID buy the bike from them! Granted it was used. They all told me that's just how they run. They told me I would get used to it and it just need to be ridden. What was needed was new spark plugs and they didnt want to do the work. They were taking ME for a ride. That's why I made this video. I figure others will run into this problem and so they should listen to their own thoughts not those of a "master mechanic".
Yes. Carefully empty the tank of all fuel. This is an obvious fire hazard so be careful of your surroundings and ignition sources. Spin off the outer plastic nut holding the sender in place. Then pull out the sender unit. It has rubber seals. Put the new one in the same way you took the old one out. Connect the sensor wires back up and test. If you got the tank of you did 90% of the hard work already.
It really is frustrating that they could not take the time to think forward about maintenance. It would be a slight modification to a CAD drawing to allow for the removal of the spark plugs. Riding the bike makes up for the maintenance frustrations I guess. :)
Thanks for the valueble video and tips. After having BMW R1200 GS this Ducati Multistrada is really awful in terms of maintenance! I also think that which hopeless pathetic maniac sadist can design a machine like this; not sure for this but one thing i know that definitely he/she has no passion and love for these monsters...
Greetings...we are in the same neck of the woods....and I am very familiar with Colman Powersports...I would like to chat with you if you have some time...even go for a ride! I recommend Faster twin in Tyson’s corner area if you need a shop...however I have a 2011 Multistrada....and do all the work myself or at least try to 😂. I want to pick you brain about the fuel sensor issue!
I have had the same issue with the fuel sensor, my mechanic told me to use K100 in every tank of gas and it worked great. Also if you disassemble the sensor and file down the slide it works well. Two wheel rider has a video on it. He is also in Virginia.
Hi, Thanks for showing us how to get these pesky plugs out. My problem is similar to the one you described: After sitting awhile, and then restarting this summer, I found that it just wouldn't run right - backfiring, running on one cylinder, sudden surges. I initially thought it was a fuel injector problem, but they seemed fine when tested. So I started checking the resistance in the spark plug wires. On the front cylinder, the lead to the side plug had an impedance of ~ 5.6 K ohms, whereas the center wire was 160 K ohms. I have ordered new wires, but am not confident that I've got it nailed. I wanted to share my experience in case others were having similar problems with their multis...
Thank you for your time and effort that you put into making this video. I own a 2014 multistrada pike peak and I have never seen a bike so hard to work on and I wouldn't be able to if it wasn't for people like you.
You are welcome. Glad the video helped you. I knew eventually someone would come upon the problem I ran into trying to change these spark plugs. Ducati could have made it way easer with a simple CAD design change before manufacturing. Then again, this keeps their mechanics busy. :)
I love my bike but it like no other bike I have ever worked on in the sense that they make every little things so difficult have you ever changed your air filter on there yet
@@520hanky I have not changed my air filter yet. I know it's hard to get to. I believe it's under the fuel tank so when we have to change it the process will not be super easy and quite time consuming.
Thanks for making the video. I am slowly busy taking over the maintenance of my multi, which is one year older than yours.
I'm really happy with the bike, it has more maintenance than most of the other bikes I've owned but it rewards me with a joy of riding I have never experienced before.
I have made a couple of mods (clutch, fuel map, rear brake ...) on my bike over the last years which I thought were worth the effort, if you are interested I can post a list of the best ones.
Sure! I enjoy my bike now too. Now that all this little stuff is fixed.
Wow what a pain in the ass, so glad i got a 2011 model. Good job 👍
It's been OK since. But, yes, a pain.
Thank you for your time & effort with this “How To” video. I am considering buying a Multistrada & was wondering how difficult maintenance would be be for a DIY enthusiast.
You're welcome. If you have access to parts and mechanically inclined I think the bike is as easy as any other bike to work with. There are a few things that you will find with this bike that I've noticed with others who have owned it: 1) the hydraulic fluid will need to be replaced every so often (1-2 years). 2) the clutch fluid has a tendency to get bubbles in it. Be prepared to bleed that on your trip(s). 3) the fuel sender unit has been problematic and not super easy to replace. The part is not expensive but the time to replace is about 3 hours. 4) the spark plugs are hard to reach if you have to mess with them. Once I got these things addressed the bike is fun to ride. I've enjoyed my last few road trips with the machine.
Thank you so much, very helpful! Taking your advise only with the 14mm if you bend a little bit the tool so the other end out of the frame can have moving space can make the job, patiense is the key, if the tool ring side don't fit arround the sparkplug head reduce it by using a buffer arround it to reduce the thickness and fit easily. Thanks again!
Glad the video helped and thanks for the extra comments. I agree that you have to be patient with this bike.
Thanks for the vid replacing them at the moment
Glad I could help
Did it come with a plug wrench in it's toolkit, I was (fannying about) with my socket set plug wrench on my Honda until I thought about the bikes toolkit, the proper one fitted great, the rubber bit inside gripped the top thread not the ceramic making the body of the tool much thinner, just a thought...
It didn't some with any tools that help get to the hidden plugs without losing your mind in the process. There may be a kit that I might use in an emergency but changing plugs on this bike is best done with proper tools in a garage. Not on the side of the road. But I am not beneath doing that if I had to.
Thank yoy for your time, from Spain, my 1200S 2010, is more happy for your job, sorry for my english
You are welcome. I am glad I could help you.
I have a 2011 Multistrada and had a couple of the threaded inserts break free from the tank. I'm wondering how well the JB Weld adhesive worked to bond to both the plastic and the metal? Which specific JB Weld did you use? Any issues so far? Thanks for the great video.
Eric Robinson holds like steel. No issues at all.
Eric Robinson by the way, I am working on a how-to video on how I did the JB weld fix. Should have it done in a day or two.
@@johnwesterman Which JB weld product did you use? Just the standard 2-part?
Eric Robinson yes, standard two part.
I'm considering a 2012 model. Found you wile doing some research. I've done all my own work on the bike I have now. Was wondering how much more involved this bike would be to work on your self. I'm no stranger to taking the bike down to its frame lol. Don't look like it would be really that bad to do simple upkeep on it. My main question would be valve checks. And how often is the timing belt changed?
Hi Dante. I find this bike to be as easy as any other bike to work on that I've owned. The thing that took me a bit by surprised was the lack of support from the local Ducati shop. On this particular issue I took it to them 3 times and each time they told me nothing was wrong. So since you are mechanically inclined I don't think this would be any problem for you. I know the DESMO service needs to be done at 15,000 miles. I have not had that done yet but will know more about that next year. And also not sure about the timing belt but can do some research and get back with you on that. I do enjoy my Multistrada now that it's running perfectly. Its a hoot to drive!
@@johnwesterman So do you think it was a case of. "You didn't get the bike from up" Type of deal? Or do you think they just wanted to sell you a new one?
Dante Fox I DID buy the bike from them! Granted it was used. They all told me that's just how they run. They told me I would get used to it and it just need to be ridden. What was needed was new spark plugs and they didnt want to do the work. They were taking ME for a ride. That's why I made this video. I figure others will run into this problem and so they should listen to their own thoughts not those of a "master mechanic".
Did you sort out how to replace the fuel sensor? I managed to find how to remove the tank but not sure about the fuel sensor.
Yes. Carefully empty the tank of all fuel. This is an obvious fire hazard so be careful of your surroundings and ignition sources. Spin off the outer plastic nut holding the sender in place. Then pull out the sender unit. It has rubber seals. Put the new one in the same way you took the old one out. Connect the sensor wires back up and test. If you got the tank of you did 90% of the hard work already.
How do you put out the spark behind the chasis? You show how you put the spark again but how you putout or the tool that you use? Thanks in advance
jean pierre Bryce I loosened the spark plug with a spanner then used the tube to extract the plug.
The DVT 2015-on Multistrada is still a frustrating bike to work on especially the spark plugs. Front ones long ht cap is airlocked cannot get it out !
It really is frustrating that they could not take the time to think forward about maintenance. It would be a slight modification to a CAD drawing to allow for the removal of the spark plugs. Riding the bike makes up for the maintenance frustrations I guess. :)
Great Job! Thanks!
You are welcome. I hope it helped you.
Perfect!!!
Thanks for the valueble video and tips.
After having BMW R1200 GS this Ducati Multistrada is really awful in terms of maintenance!
I also think that which hopeless pathetic maniac sadist can design a machine like this; not sure for this but one thing i know that definitely he/she has no passion and love for these monsters...
Greetings...we are in the same neck of the woods....and I am very familiar with Colman Powersports...I would like to chat with you if you have some time...even go for a ride! I recommend Faster twin in Tyson’s corner area if you need a shop...however I have a 2011 Multistrada....and do all the work myself or at least try to 😂. I want to pick you brain about the fuel sensor issue!
Tim Turner Sure. I was thinking of getting out today.
Life according to me. Same here...I am in Woodbridge....want to link up someplace...grab a to go coffee...chat and head out for a ride?
I have had the same issue with the fuel sensor, my mechanic told me to use K100 in every tank of gas and it worked great. Also if you disassemble the sensor and file down the slide it works well. Two wheel rider has a video on it. He is also in Virginia.
Sorry its 2wheeledrider
Center punch and a hole saw !!!!!😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😀😀😀😀🏍🏍🏍🏍🍺🍺🍺🍺
I'd like to punch a mechanical designer. Ha