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Buying ducati WITHOUT red key and code card

LTran125

LTran125

Mike Hawk
Joined
Jun 14, 2011
Location
East Bay
Moto(s)
2009 R6s
Name
larry
I'm thinking of buying 2007 ducati monster 695, and i was doing some research and came across black keys, red keys and code card.
from what i understand, you need the red key to program any new black keys, and the code card is for when some reason your programmed black key isn't working and you DONT have your red key at the time, so you will have to play with the throttle in order to start it up again.
so without a red key, i'm pretty much screwed at getting any copies and if i lose my only black keys, i'll have to sell an arm or leg or maybe both to get a whole new dash:thumbdown?
also, how likely is it for my black keys to randomly stop working, thus having to use the code card to start it back up?
Please correct me if im wrong at any point. i'm not familiar with Ducati and different keys.
anyways the seller does not have the red key or code card.
should i still proceed with this deal? what type of problems will i run into without the red key or code card?
 
same situation a few years ago -

I went ahead and bought the Duc. I immediately went to a key shop in SF and had two more sets made. I can't remember the street it was on, but a ton of BARFers recommended it. I think it might be the only shop in SF Bay Area that can make the key.....??????????

I plan on keep my Duc forever, if you don't, maybe you might think twice about buying it.
 
im probably planning to ride it to the ground.
do you remember how much you payed for the set of keys?
thanks
 
Put full termis on there and you won't need it :teeth
 
Mike T said:
read this to help ya out

http://ducatikeys.runfrom.us/
Click to expand...

I see two issues with that write up:

Lost your red key?

Don't fret! You have a few solutions

Copy your black keys! You can get a new key cut from a blank (currently $15-50 online) at almost any auto locksmith.
Click to expand...

I thought you needed a RED key to set the ECU to recognize a new black key? This note makes me assume that there is a way to program a black key to match an existing black key, but that isn't something I've heard of before. More info here would be a good idea. Anyone done this?

Give it the glue. Glue one of your working black key's to your bike's frame (near the ECU) and you'll be able to make "dumb" copies of your key now, since the radio signal from your black key will always be close enough to be read by your ECU you don't need to worry about makind special keys any longer.
Just be certain that you A) make copies of your black key first and B) be certain your ECU can read your black key from it's mounting point. BEFORE glueing your key to your frame
Click to expand...

This is not a good idea. Many Ducatis are set up so that the signal in the black key, if left around the bike for many minutes without the bike turned on, will be ignored by the ECU. Solution is to walk away from the bike 10-15' and return, interrupting the connection between key and ECU. If the key is glued to the bike, this can not happen. Seems like a terrible idea all-around.

Bottom Line:
If you need a red key and don't have it, you might pay $1000 for a new ECU. If the deal you are getting on the Ducati is good enough that you are willing to risk paying out $1000 for a new ECU/Red key, then get it. If not, haggle or walk away. ESPECIALLY if you are a forgetful person that might lose keys!
 
killfile said:
I see two issues with that write up:



I thought you needed a RED key to set the ECU to recognize a new black key? This note makes me assume that there is a way to program a black key to match an existing black key, but that isn't something I've heard of before. More info here would be a good idea. Anyone done this?



This is not a good idea. Many Ducatis are set up so that the signal in the black key, if left around the bike for many minutes without the bike turned on, will be ignored by the ECU. Solution is to walk away from the bike 10-15' and return, interrupting the connection between key and ECU. If the key is glued to the bike, this can not happen. Seems like a terrible idea all-around.

Bottom Line:
If you need a red key and don't have it, you might pay $1000 for a new ECU. If the deal you are getting on the Ducati is good enough that you are willing to risk paying out $1000 for a new ECU/Red key, then get it. If not, haggle or walk away. ESPECIALLY if you are a forgetful person that might lose keys!
Click to expand...

A new ECU won't cost $1000. Houston superbikes has them for $599. You're going to want one anyway if you upgrade the pipes (a MUST on the 695, the stockers are like boat anchors). The bike will run hot and lean with just pipes and no ECU.

http://www.houstonsuperbikes.com/store.php?cPath=147_75_79&osCsid=5230361367c245c4bd81e5b65335d96f

I put one in with no problems at all. Still have the stock ECU too.

I'd suggest you call Houston Superbikes and ask them about the key. FWIW if you do go with pipes I LOVE my Leo Vince's.

Also, the monster forum is a decent one.

http://www.ducatimonster.org/forums...01&i=d5f5551fbe69a72264194d79ba7b5f6ace365dc2

Good luck, it's a great bike!
 
Last edited:
LTran125 said:
im probably planning to ride it to the ground.
do you remember how much you payed for the set of keys?
thanks
Click to expand...


It was expensive - maybe $90 for the first key and $50 for the second.....?

I'm not sure.

BARFers - don't flame me if I'm wrong, but I am fairly certain that not any auto locksmith can make this key.
 
killfile said:
They many be cheaper, but in my mind I would budget $1000 if something goes wrong for the new ECU + Keys.

Best Locksmith in the Bay Area to cut that key is:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/key-kraft-san-francisco

Then go see Desmoto if you need it keyed to the ECU.
Click to expand...

thanks, i found it on yelp also but wasn't %100 sure it was the shop people were talking about.

so pretty much, if i have several black keys that were cloned and never lose them, i won't need the red key unless i lose them all?

OR if i plan on upgrading the pipes:laughing and getting a new ECU and possibly not needing the redkey?

thanks a lot guys, I :loveBARF
 
just talking out of my ass here but on the outside chance it may help........ fwiw I know nothing about ducs.

Some H.D.s come w/ a fob. If the thing isn't next to the bike it won't start. I didn't want to be dependent on a watch battery to start the bike.......had visions of it going dead at 2am somewhere in the middle of Nevada.

The shop can enter a code in the ecu which disables the fob. It is so that they can work on the bike w/o the fob. As soon as the fob gets near the bike it disables the shop code and the fob is again required to start the bike.

Had the shop enter the code then I turned the battery upside down so that the fob would not activate. I'm now fobless and prefer it that way.

Don't know if you can have the ecu in the duc programed to disable the whatever key. Just a thought.
 
LTran125 said:
thanks, i found it on yelp also but wasn't %100 sure it was the shop people were talking about.

so pretty much, if i have several black keys that were cloned and never lose them, i won't need the red key unless i lose them all?

OR if i plan on upgrading the pipes:laughing and getting a new ECU and possibly not needing the redkey?

thanks a lot guys, I :loveBARF
Click to expand...



I got new termis, ecu, etc and I did not need separate keys.

My buddy did the install and Monroe did the fine tuning.
 
How does all this key losing happen in the first place? :confused

I've love pens and spare change, but never a key in my entire life. Is it lost while frolicking in the ocean after riding to the beach?
 
Sane_Man said:
How does all this key losing happen in the first place? :confused

I've love pens and spare change, but never a key in my entire life. Is it lost while frolicking in the ocean after riding to the beach?
Click to expand...

maybe they made a deal with the devil :devil :dunno
 
Best advise ever: Do not take Ducati advise from non Ducati owners... :thumbup
 
Yo!Joe!!! said:
Best advise ever: Do not take Ducati advise from non Ducati owners... :thumbup
Click to expand...

Or even from most them too...

Monster forum is your friend as is this: (telephone) and this: (Houston superbikes) or this (Pro Italia).

:thumbup
 
Yo!Joe!!! said:
Best advise ever: Do not take Ducati advise from non Ducati owners... :thumbup
Click to expand...

Better yet, start with the dealer to find out what options there are, THEN go to the monster forums to expand those options.

I've also found that Hattar and Desmoto (despite not being an "official" dealer) are EXTREMELY useful resources.

After Key Kraft cut my new blacks, Desmoto took care of everything with my ECU, after Scott made fun of me for driving around with a red key...
 
Your in SF. DesmotoSport..! Nothing else..! 415-552-7729

And don't expect much from the Ducati Monster forum. It's just a click of about 12 guys and gals and most of them ride scooters..! :rolleyes
 
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