Ducati Red Key?

[Anarkist]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-213685927.htm

Can anyone fill me on what the red key does, compared to the black?

[Toot Toot]

It starts your bike faster.

[Gremlin]

If its like other brands, its the programming key. The ecu manages its keys, and to add new keys, you need the red key. You can also wipe all normal keys from the memory (ie, if you lose a key) then add back the keys you do have.

[JMemonic]

What Gremlin said, and if you don't have it it can get very costly to replace keys etc as you have to replace the ECU.

[Molly]

Exactly the kind of shit I wish they wouldn't build into new bikes. Doesn't stop them from getting stolen and, sooner or later, will give the owner one big f'kin' headache.

My new HD has an auto alarm system that looks for the fob within a certain range before you can move or start the bike. It's a f'kin' pain in the arse.

My Guzzi has it sussed. If it doesn't like you it won't let you start it.

[awauckland]

Some history on the bike in question which may interest you

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=94251&highlight=stolen+ducati+749