ok so the 1098 has just hit 7k and ive noticed theres a few missing o'rings on the chain, not sure on how thats happened unless the last owner was cleaning it with something bad? just after some advice on replacements should i go with standard ducati items or go for a carrier and renthal style sprockets? does changing the gearing help at all with the under 4K horribleness in traffic etc? Thanks Ben
The standard replacement sprockets are fine but get a DID or Renthall chain. IMO the QR rear sprocket carrier only makes sense if you do the mileage or the bike is a keeper. Dropping to a 14 on the front does help as does going up on the rear but it can affect the choice of tyre profile if you don't add a link. Tyre gets close to the SSA. Cheapest soution is don't ride in town or stay in 2nd longer, after all, the 1098 is a hyper sports bike and needs to be revved. Andy
Went through this conundrum shortly after purchasing my 1198 due to the bike still being on the original chain and sprockets and them looking a little unsightly due to their age... I decided to go the Renthal & DID route. Not the cheapest option initially but aesthetically much nicer looking items, opted to go for 14T on the front and the gold chain compliments bike nicely in my opinion. On thing to note is that if you go the Renthal route, you will also need to change the rear sprocket carrier... In the long run (if your bike is a keeper or if you do the mileage) going the Renthal route will end up saving you a few quid! Before... After... Going down a tooth on the front sprocket also helped with the low speed town riding that we all inevitably have to do occasionally and made the bike feel much less agricultural at speeds <30mph... HTH.
getting rid of the exhaust valve stops bad running at low speeds/revs. You can then stick with a 15 tooth sprocket Mine runs sweet throughout the rev range
Got a full termi system on the bike. Still feels nasty at low speeds. Have to slip the clutch alot. Felt slightly better after firing the exhaust. I'll have a look at the did / renthal kits and maybe drop a tooth up front. Thanks
Mine was also the same after eliminating the Exhaust Servo. Don't get me wrong, eliminating the servo did help marginally but the real improvement came with dropping a tooth on the front
I dropped my 1098 to a renthal 14 tooth on the front and a new tsubaki X ring chain. Much better in town but you will loose top end. Front sprocket took some getting off, couldn't budge mine with a 6 foot pole on the breaker bar, was simply lifting the bike and ballast passenger! You really need an impact gun to remove it. You will also need a chain tool as the pins are solid and require peining over. Finally a good heavy duty torque wrench, I can't remember the Nm required but it is quite high on the front sprocket.
I'd advise sticking to a 15t front and going +3 on the rear. There's a lot of chain tension from that power output and it's increased by using a 14t front. As for chains; DiD everytime.
so ordered today, stuck with standard gearing sizes but with a billet rear carrier so if it doesnt suit can easily be changed went with; DID ZVMX gold chain 38t renthal sprocket 15t jt front sprocket JT billet sprocket carrier ordered a AFAM riveting tool anyone used one? only used a did tol before which i borrowed. cheers for the help guys.