HEX ezCAN Installation Guide

HEX ezCAN Como for Ducati motorcycles

This is a step-by-step guide to installing the HEX ezCAN Como on Ducati DesertX, Multistrada V-twin and Multistrada V-four models.

This installation guide covers the following Ducati models:

HEX ezCAN Como for Ducati motorcycles packaging (from June 2024 onward):

The following bikes are supported:

DesertX (2022+)
DesertX Rally (2023+)
Multistrada V2 (2022-2024)
Multistrada V2 S (2022-2024)
Multistrada V4 (2021+)
Multistrada V4 S (2021+)
Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak (2022+)
Multistrada V4 Rally (2023+)
Multistrada V4 S Grand Tour (2024+)

What's in the Box

HEX ezCAN installation kit contents:

1x HEX ezCAN device (Black body, red Euro 5 connector)
1x MicroUSB-to-USB C cable with included USB C-to-USB A adaptor
20x cable ties
4x 2-wire stub connectors (Black/Orange wiring)
4x 1-wire terminal wires (Orange)
4x rubber blanking seals
3x power-circuit blanking plugs

HEX ezCAN support status for DesertX, Multistrada V2 and Multistrada V4

Due to lack of heated grip data on the CAN-bus, the following functionality limitations apply for these motorcycle models:

The heat state of heated gear cannot be controlled using the factory heated grip controls.

HEX ezCAN Como for Ducati motorcycles packaging (prior to June 2024):

The following bikes are supported:

DesertX (2022+)
DesertX Rally (2023+)
Multistrada V2 (2022-2024)
Multistrada V2 S (2022-2024)
Multistrada V4 (2021+)
Multistrada V4 S (2021+)
Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak (2022+)
Multistrada V4 Rally (2023+)
Multistrada V4 S Grand Tour (2024+)

What's in the Box

HEX ezCAN installation kit contents:

1x HEX ezCAN device (Silver body, red Euro 5 connector)
1x MicroUSB-to-USB A cable
2x Velcro strips
4x rubber blanking seals
2x power-circuit blanking plugs
4x cable ties
4x 2-wire stub connectors (Black/Orange wiring)
4x 1-terminal wires (Orange)

HEX ezCAN support status for DesertX, Multistrada V2 and Multistrada V4

Due to lack of heated grip data on the CAN-bus, the following functionality limitations apply for these motorcycle models:

The heat state of heated gear cannot be controlled using the factory heated grip controls.

Step 1: Download, Install & Configure the Software

Step 1

Download, Install & Configure the Software

This is a good time to:

Unbox the HEX ezCAN.
Decide what and how many accessories you will be installing, and their requirements. Must some accessories be connected in a specific manner and/or to specific power circuits? As an example, low-powered ‘smart’ accessories must typically be installed on the ezBUS (White) power circuit.
Read the Installing for Life section of the HEX ezCAN User Manual (downloadable from here), and evaluate your planned installation according to the guidelines in that section.
Register your HEX ezCAN (All you need to do to register the ezCAN is connect it to your computer using the supplied USB cable, meaning you can do it at the comfort of your desk.)

Step 2: Locate the Diagnostic Connector and Battery

Step 2

Locate the Diagnostic Connector and Battery

Step 1: Locate the diagnostic connector

To access the diagnostic connector and battery:

Remove the seat.
All models have a red female Euro 5-type diagnostic connector.
- On DesertX models, the diagnostic connector is located on the left side of the bike, behind the battery.
- On Multistrada V2 and V4 models, the diagnostic connector is located on the right side of the bike, behind the battery.

The Euro 5-type diagnostic connector used on all compatible Ducati models looks like this:

Step 2: Locate the battery

On DesertX models, the battery is located under the rear seat.
On Multistrada V2 and V4 models, the battery is located under the front seat.

Step 3: Plug the HEX ezCAN into the Bike's CAN-BUS

Step 3

Plug the HEX ezCAN into the Bike's CAN-BUS

IMPORTANT: Do not connect the HEX ezCAN’s CAN-bus connector to any part of the motorcycle other than the diagnostic connector. If you do, the ezCAN will not function.

Where you install the main body of the HEX ezCAN depends on a number of factors, including your personal preference.
There are a few possible locations in which you can install the main body of the HEX ezCAN, and different ways in which you can route the cables. On Ducati DesertX and Multistrada models, it is generally recommended that you install the ezCAN behind the battery.

Position the main body of the HEX ezCAN behind the battery (a DesertX installation is shown at right).
Connect the HEX ezCAN’s red CAN-bus plug to the red Euro 5 diagnostic connector.

Looking back from the tank toward the rear of the DesertX

Step 4: Connect the HEX ezCAN to the Bike's Battery

Step 4

Connect the HEX ezCAN to the Bike's Battery

There are a few possible ways in which you can route the cables. HEX ezCAN cable routing depends on a number of factors, including your personal preference.

Ensure that the wiring is routed safely and securely, in a way that does not allow it to chafe or pinch. Where needed, secure all wiring to frame tubes or other components using the cable ties supplied with the HEX ezCAN installation kit.

WARNING: For safety reasons, always disconnect the negative battery terminal first, and re-connect it last.

Disconnect the negative wiring harness terminal from the negative battery pole.
Disconnect the positive wiring harness terminal from the positive battery pole.
Connect the terminal on the orange ezCAN power cable, and the bike’s positive wiring harness terminal, to the positive battery pole.
Connect the terminal on the brown ezCAN power cable, and the bike’s negative wiring harness terminal, to the negative battery pole.
Re-install the battery cover.
Tidy the CAN-bus and battery cable routing, making sure you have easy access to the four power circuit plugs.
Secure all loose cables using the cable ties included in the HEX ezCAN installation kit.

Note: The HEX ezCAN’s status LED should be solid green for approximately a minute after connection to the battery. After this time, the ezCAN enters Sleep Mode, and there will be no LED activity until the bike’s ignition is switched ON.

Step 5: Connect the Accessories, using Colour Coding

Step 5

Connect the Accessories, using Colour Coding

The HEX ezCAN installation kit includes four two-wire stub connectors with male connection terminals, orange power wires and black ground wires.

The following parts are also included:

4x pulse-width modulation (PWM) terminal wires (orange with white tracer)
4x rubber blanking seals

If the accessory to be connected to a power circuit has three wires, convert a two-wire stub connector to a three-wire connector as shown in the Connecting 3-wire LED lights section of the HEX ezCAN User Manual (downloadable from here).

If the accessory to be connected to a power circuit has two wires, seal the stub connector’s empty terminal cavity as shown in the Connecting 2-wire accessories section of the HEX ezCAN User Manual.

If any of the HEX ezCAN’s power circuits will not be used, we recommend that you connect a blanking plug to the output plug of each unused circuit.

Play Video

Connect the male terminal of each stub connector to the relevant female HEX ezCAN power circuit connector (below).

Connecting a 2-wire accessory to a HEX ezCAN stub connector:

Connect the accessory’s ground/Earth wire (this is usually, but not always black or brown) to the ground wire of a HEX ezCAN stub connector.
Connect the accessory’s power wire (this is usually, but not always red) to the 12V power wire of a HEX ezCAN stub connector.

Connecting a 3-wire accessory to a HEX ezCAN stub connector:

Connect the accessory’s ground/Earth wire and power wire as described above.
Connect the accessory’s PWM control wire to the dual-colour (solid colour+tracer) wire of an ezCAN stub connector.

Connecting low-power smart accessories to a HEX ezCAN stub connector:

Read the HEX ezBUS and Configuring HEX ezBUS functionality sections of the HEX ezCAN user manual (downloadable from here) for detailed information on how to use ezBUS functionality.

If you are installing ‘smart’ accessories (that is, low-power accessories capable of intelligent input and control through the HEX ezCAN’s LIN bus), note the following:

Smart accessories (including the HEX ezSWITCH) must only be connected to the HEX ezCAN’s ezBUS (white) power circuit. Smart accessories will not work if connected to the red, yellow or blue circuits.
The ezBUS (white) power circuit can accommodate any odd or even number of individual accessories, to a maximum of fifteen.
A selection of HEX ezBUS adaptors and connectors is available, allowing you to connect smart accessories quickly and easily. See the ezBUS Accessories section of the HEX Innovate online store for details.

Read the HEX ezBUS and Configuring HEX ezBUS functionality sections of the HEX ezCAN user manual (downloadable from here) for detailed information on how to use ezBUS functionality.

Note that if the white circuit is set to ezBUS mode, its fuse trip limit is set to 15 Amps by default. If needed, ezBUS PWR functionality can be used to increase the white circuit’s current capacity to a maximum of 30 Amps in ezBUS mode. See the relevant section of the HEX ezCAN User Manual for details.

IMPORTANT: If the stub connectors included in your HEX ezCAN installation kit do not have orange power wires, but instead have colours that match the colouring of the HEX ezCAN power circuits (as seen below), always connect like-to-like (red stub connector to red power circuit, blue stub connector to blue power circuit, and so on.)

Easier Installation with the HEX ezCAN Extension Kit

The HEX ezCAN Extension Kit contains everything you need to connect front auxiliary lights, rear accessory lights and a horn to the HEX ezCAN. It also includes additional connectors that allow you to connect other accessories.

You can purchase the Extension Cable Kit here.

The HEX ezCAN Extension Kit

2x 1.5m 3-core extension cables (typically used for 2-wire or 3-wire front auxiliary lights)
1x 0.5m 3-core extension cable (typically used for a rear running/brake light)
1x 1.5m 2-core extension cable, with spade connectors (typically used to connect air horns or other 2-wire accessories)
3x female MT-3 connectors, including terminal pins and terminal seals
5x male MT-3 connector kit, including terminal pins and terminal seals
5x rubber blanking seals (used in cases where only two terminals are used in a 3-wire MT-3 connector)
6x 20mm sections of adhesive-lined heat-shrink tubing
2x 6.3mm female spade connector terminals
1m cable sheathing

Step 6: Test the Installation

Step 6

Test the Installation

WARNING: Test and check your installations and accessories in a safe, controlled environment before first use. Caution is advised at all times. Extra vigilance is needed when testing new features or accessories. You do so at your own risk.

DISCLAIMER: HEX Innovate is not liable for any injury or damage, howsoever caused, and all products and services are used at your own risk.

Before finalizing the HEX ezCAN installation or re-installing any components you may have removed, it is important that you test all newly installed accessories for satisfactory fitment and correct operation.

Many HEX ezCAN-powered accessories can be tested by switching the ignition ON and operating the relevant controls. Exceptions include:

Accessories for which you have enabled the Only on when engine running feature (examples may include Aux 1 lights, Aux 2 lights, MotoLights, and heated clothing). To test these functions, the bike’s engine must be running.
Some brake light functions require that the bike be moving at or above a certain speed. As examples, Flash on Emergency Stop and Flash on Rapid Engine Braking functions require deceleration of more than 21 Kilometres per hour per second.

Step 7: Complete the Installation

Step 7

Complete the Installation

Complete the HEX ezCAN installation as follows:

Make sure the main body of the HEX ezCAN is well-secured in a place where it is protected from pressure, heat and impact.
Make sure all factory, ezCAN and accessory cables and wiring harnesses are well clear of all moving parts, and securely fastened. Where needed, use the cable ties included in the HEX ezCAN installation kit.
Replace all motorcycle components and fasteners that may have been removed to facilitate the ezCAN installation.
Inspect the complete installation for mistakes or problems, and fix all problems that you have noted.
Test all new accessories for correct operation a second time.
If you have not already done so, download the HEX ezCAN user manual from this page. Keep the manual in a safe place on your computer, tablet or phone: it contains all the information you need to operate the HEX ezCAN and adjust its functionality.