1098 alternator 480 watts?!

[brianhe]

I was reading the 1098's manual (available online) which specifies that it's got a 480 watt alternator.  Is this a typo?  I thought the ST1100 with 40 amps was considered to have a high-output alternator, but if I'm doing my math right the new Ducati sportbike claims to have the same power?

[veefer800canuck]

~500 watts is pretty standard for most large streetbikes (big touring rigs excluded).

[bizarro]

Pretty good for a flagship superbike though, yes?

[Hickey]

All recent Ducatis have similar and rather high alternator output.  I think the engineers use the alternator size  and mass to suppliment the flywheel.  It also wouldn't surpize me to hear that many (if not all) of the alternators (or at least major parts of them) are compatible between models -- to streamline production.  The end result is a superbike that can run a lot of farkles, if an owner was so inclined, although I doubt that was Ducati's intention.

[brianhe]

Cool, I'm surprised though.  I thought that sportbike riders frequently could not use heated gear and stuff like that.

[Mr Sunshine]

480 watts isn't that much.  Do remember that on a FI bike it takes a lot of amps to fire the injectors.  Couple that with high output coils and you have alot of juice being used.

[badger]

480 watts isn't that much.  Do remember that on a FI bike it takes a lot of amps to fire the injectors.  Couple that with high output coils and you have alot of juice being used.

Right.  Plus sophisticated computer systems have far fewer gremlins when voltage is rock stable.  It's much easier to maintain a constant voltage when the charging system is "a bit excessive" for baseline function.

[timatwood]

For reference, the multistrada is 520 watts. Think that is the biggest alternator ducati supplies currently. It is probably the same on the st3. Don't know if it is interchangeable with the 1098.

[ducowti]

The STs are 520W and it's assumed the touring bikes will have heated gear and various gizmos. I.E. 520 should be sufficient to handle the typical sport tourer's needs. Compare, however, this to some of the 'touring' bikes w.about 1000W and you see a huge difference.

My '96 916 has the anemic 325W stator output and somehow I run 99W of heated gear with no problems. Because of the R/R vulnerability I do worry, and in fact won't run the gear full steam while my brights, indicator, and brake lights are on. I have no issues running the gear otherwise. Oh yeah, I run my GPS too with the gear on.

In contrast, My 92 SS also has the 325W output and I can't run my heated gear while running around town, without having to roll start it towards the end of the day. It largely depends on how much time I'm idling at lights (here in NYC that can be signifcant amt of time   ), but I usually shut the heat at stops or keep idle to 3K.

480 is a good # for a superbike IMO. Enables guys like me who rip it up at tracks and want the ability to run some extras on the street.