Cruise Control?

I just read elsewhere in the SS forum that the cold-start idle adjuster on the left clip on can be used as a sort of cruise control...

As a guy who's used to carbuerated bikes, I've always seen this as a 'choke', but I guess it just advances the throttle... essentially a 2nd throttle cable.

So... do people ride with the adjuster open (say, over long distances...) as a cruise control? Essentially this is a factory built 'throttle-lock' if you think about it.

BTW, I got my pipes back from Strati at http://www.ducatipipemod.com. I set my first car alarm off just idling after start up. Heh heh heh.

See you at the Motorcycle show, Strati!

I should add this is for a f.i. 900SS (1999 model).

Never used it in this way. Just use a throttle rocker or similar. Riding with the choke on will cause fouling of the sparkplugs and resultant issues.

I'll do it sometimes to give my hand a break. Not on the open road, just when I'm running through town.

That may have been me that posted about the fast idle as a cruise control... I don't necessarily use it for that purpose as a rule, but I do use it for that purpose occasionally. I'm normally too focused on the ride to want any kind of cruise control, but once in a while it's nice to take your right hand off the throttle for a quick rest. I have done that a few times.

On the FI bikes it will work fine as it has no effect on the fuel mix. It truly is just a "second throttle cable". If you trace it out, it goes right to the same linkage as the actual throttle. The ECU takes care of making the fuel mix richer for cold start.

I see - you were talking about the FI bikes as opposed to the carbed ones.

JAGrantJr, how do you like your Strati pipes?? Did you get a 1/2 or full mod?? I'm sending him my pipes here next week or so and can't wait. Over on ducatimonster.org, those guys swear by him and everyone raves about his work and the way they sound. Give me any description you have on the sound. Thanks.

Bitch-ass loud is my first gut reaction. That's exactly what I wanted, as drivers in NYC keep trying to kill me by turning into my lane, cutting me off, etc. I wanted people to have more... ahem... 'situational awareness' of my bike.

I set my first car alarm off just idling the bike right after I put them on. That's a good indication. I will say that after riding 50 odd miles on Saturday I'll probably never go without ear plugs again, but they are SWEET to listen to. I feel like a better rider just because of the sound!

As to the note, it's deeper and a little less refined. Stock pipes are obviously 'tuned' to some degree at the point of manufacture to ensure a 'Ducati' exhaust note. You'll lose a little bit of that 'music', and gain a shitload of volume.

FYI, I did the full job. No half measures for me.

Another benefit is a buttload of weight savings, I'd guess at least ten pounds if not more. There seems to be a modest increase in power, probably about a horsepower or two that shows up at different places in the RPM range. Both the weight and power combine for a slightly noticable more responsive throttle.

Additionally, the typical 'cough' that happens around 3500-4000 rpm has moved slightly up the RPM band to around 39-4200 rpm. My interpretation is that this is a 'lean' spot on the fuel injection mapping for emissions reasons. I'm having my chip 'flashed' by BCM this week, which hopefully will cure that issue.

The best thing about the whole thing is the price. $150! Yes I would love to have a thousand dollar pair of CF slip ons, no I don't have the dosh for that and a new kitchen right now. And I have to say... I kinda like the stock look. Call me crazy.

Final conclusion? It's a win-win situation. If you don't like 'em, go get a pair of hi-mount SILs from BCM (on sale, last I heard). You can always find replacement stock exhausts on e-bay for pennies on the dollar if you're totally disatisfied, which you won't be.

Cheers,

Joe Grant
FYI Ed, this is me... did you ask for my handle? And 8 degrees F. is no reason not to ride, people. Just put anti-freeze on your visor before you walk outside!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JAGrantJr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">FYI Ed, this is me... did you ask for my handle? And 8 degrees F. is no reason not to ride, people. Just put anti-freeze on your visor before you walk outside!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Joe, I thought this was you. I think Dave from DESMO Was asking for your handle.

Ride safe and WARM!