Today has been a fun day, brought my 2010 696 in to the shop today for an oil leak, on the way my front break started leaking a lot of fluid. Turns out they didn't lubricate the oil filter when they installed it plus there was a leaky banjo bolt, and on top of that the front fender is cracking most likely due to too much pressure on the bolt when installing.
Am I incredibly unlucky or is this normal for Ducati? The bike doesn't even have 300 miles on it yet... The filter and bolt were fixed under warranty, just waiting to hear back from Ducati on if they will replace the fender or not.
1) Not everything is perfect.
2) Sometimes in life you get imperfect things even though you paid for perfect.
3) Sometimes you have to give people/companies a chance to fix the the things that aren't perfect.
4) In most instances it is best to complain only after that chance is given.
5) Having others give you additional anecdotal evidence that something specific is imperfect is not proof that it is of poor quality.
Sorry your bike had problems. Hopefully they fix it all for you. Good luck.
sac
sucdac is right. call them up and ask them to fix it.
of course, document everything
keep breathing. nothing's perfect.
Don't get me wrong, the place I purchased the bike has been great and took care of everything while I waited. They even sent a pic of the broken fender to ducati and are awaiting an answer to see if it will be covered by warranty. I understand things happen, I am just a little disappointed that three things happened at once when the bike has so few miles on it.
Wait until your tank starts warping and the valve seats get loose..
:-)
hang in there
Quote from: ducatiz on April 20, 2011, 01:55:05 PM
Wait until your tank starts warping and the valve seats get loose..
:-)
hang in there
Or the frame develops hair line cracks at the welds. Or the rocker arms start flaking. Or . . . [insert past chronic Ducati problem of choice here]
They fixed two of your three problems and are the process of trying to fix the third. I think this is a case of great customer service not poor quality, and I'm not known as one to see the cup as half full.
sac
Quote from: SacDuc on April 20, 2011, 02:10:58 PM
Or the frame develops hair line cracks at the welds. Or the rocker arms start flaking. Or . . . [insert past chronic Ducati problem of choice here]
They fixed two of your three problems and are the process of trying to fix the third. I think this is a case of great customer service not poor quality, and I'm not known as one to see the cup as half full.
sac
i have to agree.. OP's problems are pretty minor compared to the ones that have popped up historically... cracked SS frames.. yowch.
OP, those small issues are not normal, but not unheard of. And it's not somehow your fault for maintaining the expectation that Ducati and/or the dealer (I'm not exactly sure who is responsible for those bits) can and should put together a bike properly. [roll]
The other more significant design/manufacturing issues that folks are referencing are a different kettle of fish.
Quote from: Spidey on April 20, 2011, 02:17:10 PM
OP, those small issues are not normal, but not unheard of. And it's not somehow your fault for maintaining the expectation that Ducati and/or the dealer (I'm not exactly sure who is responsible for those bits) can and should put together a bike properly. [roll]
+1
Good luck on the fender. I'd be kinda suprised if they don't cover it.
Quote from: ducatiz on April 20, 2011, 02:12:35 PM
i have to agree.. OP's problems are pretty minor compared to the ones that have popped up historically... cracked SS frames.. yowch.
Having had frame cracks on my SS, I agree. I just had my 1100S into the shop because of an oil leak, and they found several! However, all fixed free of charge under warranty. Now, if something happens next month it is going to be a different story!
As for the front fender, if the don't fix it....you wanted a carbon fiber one anyway :-)
you should have bought a harley...
Quote from: OT on April 20, 2011, 07:55:36 PM
you should have bought a harley...
....that's funny [laugh] [laugh]
What happened to you is NOT the norm !
Although people are not perfect even though we expect them to be since we pay for perfection.
Dolph
Quote from: OT on April 20, 2011, 07:55:36 PM
you should have bought a harley...
looks like Ducati is now the one with leaking oil problems ;D Not one drop on mine for two years now.
As for the fender, they better fix it if they over tightened the bolt but my guess is that DNA will say no. The dealer taking a pic is a cop-out IMO. I know it's standard procedure but a fender? seriously?
thanks for the replies. Looking back it doesn't seem to be that big of a deal, I was just in a bad mood yesterday after having to drive with no front breaks and fluid spraying all over both the bike and myself. It is my first experience with Ducati and it just seems the problems were simply a result of carelessness during the assembly. Hopefully this will be the most serious problem I have to deal with, especially after reading some of the other coments! :-)
irridium,
I wouldn't be so quick to say 'no big deal'. It is a big deal. You have every right to expect that those things won't happen to the bike early in the ownership experience. But when they do, the dealer should, and hopefully will, step up and make it right.
First experiences are important. They have a big impact on what we choose to make our second experience.
Good luck.
It is a shame to spend a good chunk of your hard earned money on a Premium product, and then have to turn around, take it back, and tell them that the Premium product that they sold you was put together by ham-fisted gorillas.
Be grateful your 696 didn't go through the same ordeal as my gf's 696.
Just about every electronic component on her bike had to be swapped due to a CEL that just would not go away.
O2 sensors, MAP sensor, wiring harness, throttle bodies, ecu, everything.
Took months to get DNA to stop nitpicking about the bike, and just swap everything at once.
There was also the oil leak that actually preceded the electrical issues.
But, when she gets on the bike, and gets to ride it, she forgets all about the issues, and just simple has a great time.
And that right there is the reason why she bought a Premium motorcycle.
BC.
its karma getting you back for repeatedly using the word "break" - something broke.
"brakes"
Quote from: OT on April 20, 2011, 07:55:36 PM
you should have bought a harley...
FTR, my 2005 FXDX never had a problem and I rode the snot out of it from the day I bought it new (okay, I did a proper break in) till the day I sold it four years later.
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll176/nordog59/FXDX01-2009.jpg)
So, yeah, maybe you have a point there.
On the other hand, I would rather my Monster have developed a cracked fender than the need for a new gas tank every year.
Oh, and did I mention the voltage regulator that burst into flames while lane splitting the 101 through downtown LA during evening rush hour?
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll176/nordog59/ClassCFire02.jpg)
to the OP - if brake fluid was really squirting all over like you said, that might be an issue on the paint. Painted surfaces and brake fluid are not friends. Check you bike carefully for any stains or paint peeling.
mitt
that just proves you have a hot ass
Quote from: NorDog on April 21, 2011, 06:24:13 PM
Oh, and did I mention the voltage regulator that burst into flames while lane splitting the 101 through downtown LA during evening rush hour?
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll176/nordog59/ClassCFire02.jpg)
Quote from: j v on April 21, 2011, 04:52:35 PM
its karma getting you back for repeatedly using the word "break" - something broke.
"brakes"
nice one! [thumbsup]