Ducati owners please.....

Ducati owners please.....

Author
Discussion

DesmoTip

Original Poster:

1,035 posts

237 months

Sunday 7th September 2008
quotequote all
Have any Duke owners here had any problems with their bikes requiring the use of the infamous red key?

I ask as I've found a great 999s over here at a crazy cheap price (termi's etc) but the guy doesn't have the red key and code card.

Even if, at worst case, I had to replace the ignition barrell and dash, I'd still be getting a good deal. I have never had any problems that have needed the use of the key, and I've owned a few dukes over the last couple of years.

TIA

Andy OH

1,906 posts

251 months

Sunday 7th September 2008
quotequote all
DesmoTip said:
Have any Duke owners here had any problems with their bikes requiring the use of the infamous red key?

I ask as I've found a great 999s over here at a crazy cheap price (termi's etc) but the guy doesn't have the red key and code card.

Even if, at worst case, I had to replace the ignition barrell and dash, I'd still be getting a good deal. I have never had any problems that have needed the use of the key, and I've owned a few dukes over the last couple of years.

TIA
Guys, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it's not just a case of replacing the ignition barrel.....a new ecu and barrel ae needed to replace the red key and that's anice few hundred quid......easiest thing to do is speak to a Ducati dealer......they should put you right.

Graham

16,368 posts

285 months

Sunday 7th September 2008
quotequote all
I think its clocks that need replacing as well!!


my red key and code card went straight in to the safe !!!!

G

Edited by Graham on Sunday 7th September 20:03

Biker's Nemesis

38,713 posts

209 months

Sunday 7th September 2008
quotequote all
Andy OH said:
DesmoTip said:
Have any Duke owners here had any problems with their bikes requiring the use of the infamous red key?

I ask as I've found a great 999s over here at a crazy cheap price (termi's etc) but the guy doesn't have the red key and code card.

Even if, at worst case, I had to replace the ignition barrell and dash, I'd still be getting a good deal. I have never had any problems that have needed the use of the key, and I've owned a few dukes over the last couple of years.

TIA
Guys, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it's not just a case of replacing the ignition barrel.....a new ecu and barrel ae needed to replace the red key and that's anice few hundred quid......easiest thing to do is speak to a Ducati dealer......they should put you right.
Don't know about the Ducati's, but I was told it'd be around £1500 to replace the ecu and lock set on my then new 2004 R1 if I lost the red key.

I've never needed the red key for anything on the last 3 R1's that I've had, so it's a chance you'll have to take if you buy it.

I'd find out the cost, and negotiate accordingly.

Stu R

21,410 posts

216 months

Sunday 7th September 2008
quotequote all
Biker's Nemesis said:
quid......easiest thing to do is speak to a Ducati dealer......they should put you right.
Don't know about the Ducati's, but I was told it'd be around £1500 to replace the ecu and lock set on my then new 2004 R1 if I lost the red key.

I've never needed the red key for anything on the last 3 R1's that I've had, so it's a chance you'll have to take if you buy it.

I'd find out the cost, and negotiate accordingly.
slightly off topic but you don't happen to have heard anything on the new R1 yet have you john? To say I'm chomping at the bit is an understatement!

catso

14,791 posts

268 months

Sunday 7th September 2008
quotequote all
Keys are coded to ECU and clocks so in theory if you need to replace one then you need to replace them all, which is very expensive.

There is a place that can re-code ECU to clocks etc so it is possible to get round the system/expense by buying used etc.

Not sure of the details but can find out if you need it.

beer

markys

612 posts

258 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
Indeed its into the thousands to replace, I was told to never buy one without the red key or card.

Grib

34 posts

220 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
A friend had one of his keys to his 749 stolen, so we looked into replacing everything in case the thieves came back looking for the bike. £2000 from Ducati for a full key/click/ecu/lockset!

We've had some incidents needing the red key. The clocks packed up on both mine and my other half's Multistrada's and had to be replaced. His ECU also packed up. I wouldn't buy a bike without the key.

SpydieNut

5,802 posts

224 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
just like to say thanks for highlighting this issue.

i'll bear it in mind when time comes that i'm looking to buy a ducati thumbup

catso

14,791 posts

268 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
catso said:
Keys are coded to ECU and clocks so in theory if you need to replace one then you need to replace them all, which is very expensive.

There is a place that can re-code ECU to clocks etc so it is possible to get round the system/expense by buying used etc.

Not sure of the details but can find out if you need it.

beer
Contact http://www.scorpio-electronics.co.uk/index.htm they can reprogramme 'red-keyed' clocks etc for a fraction of the cost of replacement.


Taita

7,609 posts

204 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
Red key? What does this do then? Not heard of it before. God key by the sound of it!

Toe Tags

64 posts

232 months

Wednesday 10th September 2008
quotequote all
Me too, never heard of the red key before - and I've just bought a secondhand ST2. should I have one?

DesmoTip

Original Poster:

1,035 posts

237 months

Friday 12th September 2008
quotequote all
Toe Tags said:
Me too, never heard of the red key before - and I've just bought a secondhand ST2. should I have one?
Yup, you should. Along with two black keys and a code card. What did you get with the bike?