Ducati Heat

Why is it that many newer Ducati's manufactured in the last 10-15 years are scoring such a bad rap for heat and what can be done about it by Ducati as well as current and aspiring Ducatistas?

The problem lies not so much with Ducatis signature L Twin engine design which positions the rear cylinder of the engine directly between the rider’s legs. In fairness, many other motorcycle manufacturers have incorporated 90° cylinder designs into their line-ups. Examples include Honda’s VTR1000F and RC51 as well as Suzuki’s TL, SV and V-Strom designs and KTM to name a few. So why do the designs of other manufactures not cause the same amount of heat to rider's legs?

Some have surmised that the steady increase in horsepower in combination with the routing of exhaust pipes directly underneath the rider are the primary culprits. However, the fact that the 399cc Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 which has neither exhaust routing or power issues of it's larger brethren is still the subject of heat complaints by riders suggests something else is the primary contributor?

I believe that problem can be traced to the specific design aesthetic by Ducati to expose the form of the rear cylinder head to view but with the counter intuitive result of affording it direct contact with the rider's lower thigh.

This design aesthetic whilst visually pleasing creates three problems. First, the lack of a full perimeter frame places the rider’s thighs directly against the rear cylinder head. Secondly, it reduces airflow around the rear cylinder making the rider’s thighs both an air-trap and worse an unwelcome heat-sink. Finally, and more critically, it encourages riders to ride with their legs akimbo transferring their connection to the bike from the safety of the rider's center of mass (thighs) to supporting their riding position entirely from the handlebars—a recipe for disaster.

What can you do?

In the current circumstance I believe existing Ducati riders experiencing heat problems can do one or a combination of the following. For those who insist on riding Ducati's more sporting machines your choices are leather riding pants, 3mm neoprene under-shorts or Ducati Cool Down Suit worn under textile riding pants/jeans.

For aspiring Ducatistas I would also recommend opting for Ducati models whose design mitigates the cylinder head heat contact problem. These can be anything from used early to mid 90's 900's with their full trellis frames and low mount exhausts to more modern Ducati's such as the Multistrada range or pre-2019 Diavels which don't have exposed heads.

Additional steps for pre-purchasers include reading the forums to see if heat i.e. burning heat is an issue for that particular model. Pay less attention to online bike reviews on the issue of heat as many appear reluctant to raise the heat issues identified by some Ducati riders for reasons I can only assume are connected to future review opportunities and advertising. This is true for the relationship between many reviewers and manufacturers everywhere.

What can Ducati do?

Firstly, Ducati needs to decide to what extent heat is a limiting factor in riders decisions to purchase Ducatis. Only Ducati can answer that question but if it is compromising market share then there exists a business case for shifting their design aesthetic away from an exposed rear cylinder head or redesigning the frame to inhibit contact by the rider's legs whilst leaving the cylinder head exposed.

It's also entirely possible that Ducati might consider cooling undershorts or race leathers a small price for riders to pay to enjoy all of the unique Ducati design cues that make it arguably the most coveted motorcycle brand on the planet by riders and non-riders alike.

When it comes time for me to make that decision I'm pretty sure it will be the Multistrada 950 Touring.