Buy bike w/out Code Card?

[Buckethead]

It is VERY RARE, but not unheard of, that the immobilizer antenna fails.

That is to say, in all of my time lurking and participating on both this and TOB I have heard of this 1 (one) time.

At that point, it doesn't matter what keys you have, unless you have the code and the procedure to go off of, the bike will not start.

With that in mind, if the antenna is intact it is possible to remove the RFID chip from a key (black or red) and affix it to the antenna housing itself, at which point any key (or lock pick) that turns the cylinder will work.

[corey]

the code card is a little bit cheaper to produce than the red key... i would imagine that, with proper proof of ownership, DNA might be able to get you the code to said bike... worth a phone call anyway IMO.

[djomlas]

what is the procedure to use the code to start it?

[Buckethead]

Copied from my owner's manual:

Code card

A CODE CARD is supplied together with the keys, it indicates the electronic code to be used in case of engine disabled and therefore if engine will not start up after the key-ON.

Procedure to disable immobilizer engine block through throttle twistgrip

1) Turn the key to ON and fully open throttle. Keep it open. The EOBD warning light turns off after 8 seconds.

2) Release the throttle as soon as the EOBD warning light turns off.

3) EOBD pilot light will flash. It is now necessary to enter the electronic code indicated on the CODE CARD. delivered to the customer together with the bike.

4) Count as many flashes of the EOBD pilot light as the first digit of the electronic code. Fully open the throttle for 2 seconds, and release. In this way the input of one figure is acknowledged, EOBD pilot light comes on and stays on for 4 seconds. Carry out the same procedure for the following figures of the code. Failure to comply with this procedure, the EOBD pilot light will flash for 20 times, then will come on steady. Repeat the procedure starting from step (1).

5) Release the throttle twistgrip, if the code is correct, the EOBD warning light shall flash signaling that the engine block has been disabled. The warning light turns off after 4 seconds.

6) If the code is NOT correct, the EOBD warning light stays on and it is then possible to turn the key to OFF and repeat the procedure, starting from point (1), as many times as necessary (infinite).

Note

Should the throttle twistgrip be released before the set time, the warning light turns on again. It is then necessary to bring the key to OFF and restart the procedure from point (1).

Clear as mud, no?

[VeryMetal]

well the whole idea is that if the bike is stolen a thief would have to replace the computer and keys... one alerting authorities, two spending more money than the trouble is worth.

BUT, that being said, it's making second hand purchasing iffy.

Yeah, plus it means that if someone is going to steal Ducatis and knows what they're doing they'll just throw the thing in a van and strip it for parts. Now we have professional thieves to deal with rather than your average hoodlum haha.

Through speaking to a reliable source recently it seems that as long as you have the red key and the black ones you should never really get totally locked out of the bike. There are places that can read the rfid from the keys so that's your option if you don't have a card, but like was mentioned earlier the chances of this are very low anyway.

[Rameses]

Some bikes don't use the throttle method though.

With mine, you use the button that cycles through the display settings.

If there's any doubt about what method yours uses, download the owners manual from Ducati.com.