Skip to main content

Ducati put two lambda sensors in these Monsters and they try to run the bottom end of the power delivery from them, via a Siemens ECU. This inherently makes the engine feel unpredictable at the throttle – especially when cold or re-started hot. There’s no doubt, the engine just feels nervous at low speeds and part-throttle openings.

By switching off the lambdas, and disconnecting them, we have to reprogram the ECU completely in that area of its map otherwise it goes to a default setting. We can’t dial out absolutely everything, but can improve the throttle feel 99% by giving the engine the fuel (consistently) it need when it needs it – not when the lambdas perceive it needs fuel.

Ironically, in essence we give the engine an ‘analog’ feel, like a good set of carbs, rather than the switchy ‘digital’ feel that this stock setup delivers…

Bin the lambdas, switch 'em off and remap the fuelling to suit the engine. And bingo! Monster now rideable at low rpm...

Bin the lambdas, switch ’em off and remap the fuelling to suit the engine. And bingo! Monster now rideable at low rpm…