Early worn bits

[Arnie]

I also have a Cagiva Navigator.  This is an "All Roads" bike or "ADV" bike that uses the Suzuki TL1000 engine in a frame made by Cagiva.  It was never sold in the US.  Easiest way to describe it is a "less ugly" V-Strom.
Anyhow, previous to Cagiva putting the Suzuki engine in this bike they used the Ducati 900cc 2V air-cooled engine and called the bike the Gran Canyon.  Both these bikes are fairly rare and I'm a member of both email lists (like this one for FJs)
Below is a post by one member of the Gran Canyon list talking about his experience  with Ducati clutches.  I thought many here would find his attitude and "experience" amusing.  - Arnie


" I replaced the stock clutch on my 900SP at a bit over 15k miles and had never noticed even a touch of slippage.  I just went with a lightweight basket/hub/plates/pressure plate when I installed the high comps setting the bike up for the track.  The plates are Barnett and haven't even begun to wear with a tad over 5 miles of solely track use. I wouldn't expect too much throttle changes going to aluminum bits Rod as the clutch is only a secondary rotating part so the effect is nowhere near as prominent as when you lighten the flywheel. I never noticed a change.

My GC didn't need clutch replacement until it had about 28k kilometers, not bad really as I tend to ride it like it's a monster and spend my time keeping up with buddies ST3's and ST4's at some very spirited paces. I had only noticed the engagement point had shifted but it wasn't an issue.  I just noticed the plates were near barren when doing maintenance and replaced the pack with OEM steel as they were readily available and cheap.

My 888 recently started slipping badly on acceleration so I have to do that clutch now at 18k miles.  I haven't decided what route I'm going to go but I have a set of Sureflex plates sitting around so I'll probably go with a basket/hub and some fancy looking red anodized pressure plate. Just haven't decide on what manufacture just yet. I put a CycleCat on the 900.

So to answer your question, yes there is usually slippage on acceleration.  My mileage ranged between 15-18k miles but I have heard of some getting up near 30k miles.  Although I figure they must ride like monks to get that distance. "