Your problem is boiling fluid. Over time the fluid collects moisture from the air. Since water is heavier than brake fluid, it eventually ends up it the bottom of the slave cylinder. The engine temperature at the slave cylinder location can easily reach 212 degrees F (the boiling point of water), and nearby small pockets of water, as they boil, introduce water vapor in the line that causes behavior just like air in the line does.

Once the bike gets hot, the water will boil and create air (steam) pockets—this gives the feeling that the clutch lever has gone soft. Once the bike (and fluid) cools down, the stream returns to a liquid state and you have clutch pressure again.

Normal flushing procedures won’t get the water out because the bleed nipple at the slave is higher than the pooled water drops inside the slave.

So, make sure that any water droplets that have puddled in the slave cylinder are flushed out. This usually requires removing the slave and inverting it to assure that all water is removed down in the lowest point of the slave. Use compressed air to assure that the slave is completely dry before reinstalling.

 

Thanks for the response mate. Much appreciated. Can you say for sure that's going to BE the issue? I'll call them today and see what they think.
Surely Ducati Techs would have thought about this? Or is this not a common issue in bikes?

 

No one is going to be sure without looking at it themselves.
Really sounds like you can try that suggestion or start replacing stuff till it's fixed.
There are variables like
Is it the original clutch/ pressure plate?
How many k's on bike or clutch?
How long does the bike sit between rides?