Chronic starting problem!! I've been living with and troubleshooting this since I got the bike in January. Symptom: Eventually it always starts, it just takes FOREVER. It cranks. And cranks. Just won't fire. Doesn't matter if it's hot or cold. And Hi-idle lever position doesn't matter either. Occasional backfire during starting attempts. Occasional (what sounds like) knock during starting attempts. But when it finally does start, it runs like a champ, aside from the occasional stall. Preliminaries: - Load tested the battery, it's fine. Plus it's on the charger 100% of the time while garaged. - Fuel OK. Even opened airbox and visually witnessed fuel being sprayed. Even opened fuel cap to vent "just in case." - Air OK. Airbox was open during testing. - Spark: YET TO BE TESTED. Though since it actually runs, I doubt if this is really the culprit. However, I will test it anyway before the weekend. Assuming I rule out spark, what else could be the problem? I am ordering the VDSTS, as well as doing the legwork prep to do a valve job. While I have the bike in pieces for the valve job, is there anything else anyone could suggest I check which may be causing the starting problem?

Motorcycles - Ducati - 999 R Fila - 2003 Ducati 999 R Fila