Ducati Monster Forum

G'day all

I have been having a hard time with the S2R 800 in recent months with a Termi kit install that should have been done in a few hours, that ended up taking nearly 8 weeks to get fixed and sorted, the dealer kept pointing the finger at everyone else, but I'm starting to think the issues started with them.

Now this same dealer has done the 12K service and I think the job was done in a rather average way, maybe I'm being to over protective, so I wanted to get some feedback from others to see what they think.

- I had the bike on it's front and rear stands and I noticed the oil sight glass was full, I had to drain 500ml of oil just to get the Oil down to a normal level, the bike sits very level on the Stands, but I leave the oil level with the top level incase the stand is causing a slight lean.

- Oil screen has never been removed and cleaned since the bike was bought, The DP cat bypass pipe is in the way, but surely this should be removed and cleaned at the 12K service?

- DDS plug is loose and flapping free, it's plug in cover is gone

- Every time I have a tyre replaced it comes back with a scratch/paint chip on the rim, they say it's caused by the Tight beads on the Bridgestone tyres.

- Just general lack of care of people's bikes

The bike is going in next week to have a Clutch line replaced under Warranty, but I'm having second thoughts about ever going back, maybe I'll just get a line and do it myself.
There is a one man workshop near to where I work and he comes highly recommended by a number of Ducati owners I have spoken to, The man rides a rather trick Hypermotard, so I can confirm he does have taste  ;)

Is it time to walk away, or am I being to precious and it's time to harden the make the beast with two backs up?

It sounds like the said dealer should get a can of "Smarten the Phuk up" !! [roll]  [thumbsup]

i'm very fussy about my bikes and whenever i entrust anyone else to work on them i explain very clearly what i expect and what i wouldn't be happy to find. i wouldn't be too worried about it being slightly over full, a lot of techs do it, mine included, never been an issue. the oil screen should be cleaned every time the filter is replaced, it's easy and beneficial, the fact that you have an exhaust in the way shouldn't stop the shop doing it, that's just laziness. chipped wheels from tyre changes is careless in my book, though it can and does happen, even the most careful slip from time to time, everytime? that would suck. loose plugs and lost covers just isn't cricket, they should be making sure when servicing it that everything is tight and in place.
   Having said all that, are they clear that you are unhappy with their work? the drama with the exhaust system has obviously soured the experience for you but no one will benefit if you don't let them know where they are letting you down. Do you express to them when you leave your bike there that you are fussy and want it back the way it's been dropped off? (yes, i know expecting to get your bike back in the same condition you left it isn't fussy it's fair enough!) but, shops see all sorts of owners from pedantic whingers like me to guys who flog their bike mercilessly and never even think of washing it so being average in cross section as a customer invariably means getting average treatment as a customer.
The real question you should be asking is to other customers of the same shop, like, can they do better? if the answer is yes, then why aren't they? if it's no, move on.


paul.

Sounds like they are a bit on the ordinary side, you dont need to 'harden the make the beast with two backs up' you need to find someone that will respect both you, your wishes and your bike.
Go and see if you can find out about this other bloke, obviously you have talked to one of his customers, now go and have a look at how he operates, if you are happy with that, go with it.





                                                     Mmick (Ill dish out the 'arden th make the beast with two backs up' thanks)

Ummm check the wording mick....

Getting good service always seems to be a lottery no matter where you are. Ther are plenty of stories of bad service on the main board from the states as well.

For what its worth, I say try the other guy and see what you think. I'd prefer someone with some passion for the brand to be doing my servicing but thats not always possible.

As a related side note, I was talking with a guy who just came back from the world DOC presidents meeting in Spain. One of the things Ducati told them is that they realise there are some dealers with a bad rep and they intended to weed them out. How they go about this and even whether they do remains to be seen.

Yep!!

My wrong  [thumbsup]







                                                        Mmick

Cairns...we're sending you a package that will fix all your problems, we'll send it express post soon as I get it in the bag....

on a COMPLETELY different note....

Mr. Brad Black.....come over to my place mate, I've got the perfect solution for these Melbourne winter blues....a nice holiday in sunny Queensland! (bring some gafa tape with you when you drop in would ya!)


 :D


(yes, I used to work on Perfect Match as Dexter)

Haha...   [clap]

no mick, you read it right.


paul.

Hey Spider, don't you mean, when we get Them in the Bag?  ;D

Just so you know, that's bullshit. Neither of the two places I've been getting Bridgestone tires from in the last 5 or more years have ever scratched a rim or complained about "tight beads". If they've scratched or chipped your rims, they've make the beast with two backsed up - blaming the brand of tires means they've make the beast with two backsed up and aren't prepared to accept responsibility for it. This one point on it's own would stop me going back to that place.

big

techno - i can't reply to your pm - keep getting a timed out thing.  happy for you to do so - www.bikeboy.org is my site.


spider - i have no idea what you're talking about, but feel perhaps that's a good thing.

Thanks Brad. I've been waiting for your reply. Will do  [thumbsup]

There is no excuse for sh*t quality work, it's not your fault or "being pedantic", let them know the work is unacceptable though, if they don't fix it properly then, don't use them again, try somewhere else, simple as that. Go with the guy thats recommended by other owners, usually can't get a better reference than that.

Cairns, You are within your rights to expect your bike to be returned undamaged, even after a tyre change. I am completely anal about my bike. Ask anyone who has seen it. It may a completely stock 2003 620 Sport- only a baby duc by any measure- but the most common comment I get is that it looks brand new. Scratching rims when changing tyres can happen, but as Big said, blaming the tight beads is reason enough to move on. Ask around about the other guy.

This all makes me so glad I live in Wollongong, and can go to Steve the legend.....