[Ducati] New member: 2004 MTS1000DS

[Kevin Kachadourian]

My first advice would be to forget all that high performance stuff for the MTS, just start looking for a 996S, you know, the dream bike - looks a bit rough, but runs like a dream, and pulls like stonkers (my SP is approaching both those conditions).
All seriousness aside, the first thing I'd do is get the lighter wheels. This will have a more profound effect on every aspect of performance and handling - bike will accelerate quicker, turn faster, and feel more nimble. If you're going to lose weight (I mean on the bike - I'm sure you're quite svelt, unlike some other posters- don't get me started about titanium bolts), your best bang for the buck is always the largest rotating mass,... wheels.
After the wheels, get better breathing, in and out. I have no idea what works for these new-fangled FI bikes, I just dropped a pair of flatslides on my SP, and whoa baby! I'm not into the cam stuff, gets tricky, expensive, and makes the motor more failure prone (and I'm back to 996 talk, when it comes to how to spend your money).
What do you want to do with this bike, anyway? If you're touring, stock might be fine. If you're race-tracking or canyon scratching, I go back to my first suggestion of the 996. Now that I've ridden the MTS (thanks, Peter), I can say that it's a stunning touring bike - still has the soul of a Ducati, but I could ride it forever.
Oil? Yeah, put oil in it, and keep it topped off. This thread has come up often enough that there must be a FAQ somewhere.
Kevin Kachadourian
'96 900 SS SP (damn, I love this bike)
'85 650 Alazzurra (damn, I wish this bike would start with some regularity)