[Ducati] 996 throttle problem

[Darcy Brockbank]

Hello list,

I sent something out on this but didn't see it come back, so I will
repost (shorter version too). If it is a repost, I apologize.

I have a year 2000 996 that is having a problem with the engine RPM
speeding up and slowing down under constant throttle. At idle it could
take off to 4,000 RPM and with 1/4 throttle it could actually fall off
so low the bike will stall.

It's very dangerous to ride like this obviously, as one second it can
take off underneath me or the engine could just die out leaving me with
no power. The combination is very bad as when the RPM starts dropping
off, the only thing you can do is to open the throttle up more to
prevent a stall, if the reverse takes hold then you get a double whammy
of acceleration.

It's been fine for 6 years, and this was rather sudden, I had a 10,000km
scheduled maintenance come up, so told the dealer about it. They said
they adjusted the mixture and took it for a test run and it was fine.

Two blocks away and back to the dealer featured four stalls and one
sudden acceleration incident. I doubt they test drove it. Cost me about
$1,800 for the 10k checkup. 

They've had my bike for six weeks and all they have tried to do on this
is adjust the mixture. I don't think this is the problem since I haven't
touched that for six years and there's been no problems until just
recently.

Any ideas on what to look for?

The bike has Forza slipons and a chip. Ferracci suggested the throttle
position sensor, which sounds right. The dealer "plugged the computer
in" and had no flags on the sensor, so has concluded it is fine. 

Except I'm expected to take this thing into traffic with my life on the
line to test their theory, and I don't like that one bit. 

Any advice on how to go about this would be appreciated.

Another note is that the service rep I have to deal with has never
ridden a motorcycle, and was confused when he couldn't find the choke on
my 996. Makes it a bit hard... and yes this is an official Ducati dealer.

Thanks,

- darcy