Ducati Monster Forum

I posted this in the other forum but I'm looking for more feedback.  So I've had my bike about 6 weeks now and just about everytime I've ridden it there is a problem. First it was the tires (dealer should have replaced before selling and granted not a huge issue but it is frustrating), then the tank issue that they have only provided the bracket for. After a ride one weekend I went to get on the bike a couple days later and it wouldn't fire up, only turn over. A bracket holding the exhaust has broken and just this Friday I was riding and it just cut off after being on the interstate for 1 mile. Of course they get it back to the shop and it cranks right up so they are diagnosing to see if they can locate the problem. Is a Ducati this maintenance intensive? The bike is a 2008 S2R 1000 and I was hoping with it being a simpler machine (2V, air cooled, etc) that I wouldn't have as much to worry with but man. It had 3200 miles on it when I got it and after an email to the dealer expressing frustration over the above he said he would offer to "try" and buy it back. Should I take him up on it? I really love this particular bike and maybe b/c it had lower miles it sat a lot and that's where these issues stem from but I don't want a lemon. I feel like I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop and something else need repair on the bike. This is the first used bike I've bought and will probably be the last for this reason. I just want to get on the thing and ride it, am I asking too much?
The bike was not near empty either time and both times I had this not starting issue the fuel pump wouldn't activate.  I was told once they got it back to the shop and unloaded it, it cranked right up several times.

The dealer stated he knew the previous owner and said they took good care of the bike so I felt more comfortable with the purchase. The dealer has been great, they did pick the bike up and drop me off after it left me on the side of the road Friday and they did it without cost or anything like that. The dealer has been great and responsive to my frustration so I can't really fault them (other than the crappy tires on the bike). I have friends who are suggesting I take the dealer up on his offer to buy the bike back, and one of them rides and swears by Ducati.

What would you do? I love the bike, the looks, etc but should I take the dealer up on his offer to buy the bike back and look at something else? They do have a brand new 2009 Multi Strada 1100 S with a factory new warranty I could probably get at a good price.

I'd give it another chance. I've had my 2006 S2R-1000 since 2008 and the only thing that has gone wrong with it was the kickstand cut out switch. You might check that on your bike, maybe it is going out as well.

Overall it's been a great bike  [Dolph]

I don't think anyone can tell you if you should sell your bike or not, it's a personal decision.

For the record, I had an S4RS a few years ago that I got second hand. There were endless problems with that bike (burnt rotors, shorted/fried ECU, etc.) it was painful to say the least. Ended up doing a lot of work on it and, thanks to Ducati charging almost as much for stock parts as the fancy aftermarket stuff you can get, I ended up with an exbox, race ecu, etc, etc. By the end of it all I finally found out what it was meant to ride like and I was impressed but by that stage, after all the BS I just didn't want the bike.

Oh, I bought my M1100 EVO last year. Was riding home through traffic & the bike got hot & then stalled. Wouldn't start. Dealership had to come pick me up. The bike had 5 miles on it? You know what the problem was? A 5¢ bolt that had rubbed through the housing of a wire that was shorting the bike. The bold was a hex head with pointy bits on it, they chose it because it was cheaper than a rounded head. Just a bad decision at the factory, save them 10¢ per $12k bike, recall cost how much?

There's a balancing act, I'd discuss it with your dealer and figure out how long they're willing to leave the buy back offer on the table. Make sure you know what you're getting into if you decide to go that way (do you have to buy something from them, can you work a deal if you take another bike from them, etc) and just be upfront with them and honest. It sucks but it happens.

If he's willing to buy it back, to me it says two things.   First the dealer believes in the bike or he's got a reputation issue and trying to minimize it (doubt the latter is true but worth thinking about it).  Second, you get a fresh start with another 800 or 1000.   Your choice but the things you describe are easy fixes or you could have a lemon.  Good luck.

when I got mine last year

-the starter motor  failed
-One of the ignition module failed
-I lost my clutch wile ridding on the highway ( try to stop a bike whitout a clutch!! :o )
-In the fist 3 monththe bike went back to the dealer for repair

but I roll up my sleeve's, and now, It would be very hard to sell it because I love it so much    :-*  [bow_down]

A Ducati is a case of though love and a love and hate relationship  ;D

The dealer said he believed in the bike and the experience with them has been great. They've serviced the bike from the previous owner so they know the history. I'm going to talk with them tomorrow but I think if they can identify the issue I'll keep it. If not...it'll be a tougher decision. I've wanted an S2R 1000 since they first came out and hopefully the issues will subside. I appreciate the feedback.

I have not had any problems with my 08' other than the tank issue. Personally, I will never part with mine.

i love my 06 and i havent had a problem with it yet

It's up to you to make your own decision after all you purchased it in the first place and don't go blaming the dealer on the tyre issue because like I've already stated you purchased the bike and should have noted the need for new rubber and worked it into the deal... [thumbsup]

Geoff... [coffee]

1ST...if your heart was really set on an S2R1K, then a Multi probably won't make you much happier, unless you are just frustrated and want something to ride...which is a different mentality altogether...and that may bring you to different results in the end of happiness or not...

2nd...like someone else suggested, take the bike now, and preface with the dealer that if 1 more issue occurs within "X" period of time, then you would like to engage that buyback offer...regardless of why the dealer is willing to do it ( ie: belief in the bike or their reputation or whatever)

3rd...to me, it sounds like a host of issues that aren't hugely signifigant in the larger picture of things, and while it is indeed frustrating, it could be a whole lot worse...but at least you have documentation on everything with the dealer, so it isn't like you are bringing up a whole host of things to their attention out of the blue that aren't there anymore at the time of a different issue altogether...

in the end, you need to look out for yourself and do what is best for you...and as much as we all may opine here on this and that...it is your decision that matters and how you feel about it all when it is said and done....do you want a salty taste left in your mouth from this, that, or something else...and it is always the lesser of 2 evils when it comes to situations like this, and you are often stuck looking at the seemingly greener side of the fence...

I would stick it out!  At some point, its gotta stop!

I bought a 2007 S4R brand new a few years back.  <10 miles on it.  I was left stranded twice in the first season, with over 2 months stuck in the shop.  Since - its been the best bike I could ever ask for.   Just took it on a 600 mile cruise this weekend and it performed flawlessly.

-Jim

Thanks guys and gals, I appreciate all the comments.  I'm going up to the shop tomorrow to see what the numbers really are but I did have a discussion today expressing my wish to fix the bike.  I asked him to give me an idea on what he though he might give me for the bike so I can truly weigh that option and he didn't give any hard numbers.  He did say he would work very hard to get me out of the bike and gave the impression he wanted me out of the bike more than I did.  It's not like I've been up there every week with the bike or even expressed how frustrated I really am.  It's nice how helpful they've been but I really would rather they fix the bike.  Like suggested above, I've always wanted a previous body Ducati monster which carries a heavy weight in my decision making.  The dealer plans to sell the bike if I take it back in, so he definitely has faith in the bike.  We'll see.

I went by the dealership today and took a 2007 BMW K1200R and a Monster 796 on a test ride.  The BMW had great power but numb comes to mind when I think about the suspension.  The 796 is lacking in the power department and the suspension, while it provided more feedback than the BMW was not as sharp as that on my S2R 1000.  This confirmed for me what I had been thinking, that I bought the S2R because I wanted that bike specifically and no other bike is going to provide the same feeling I get on it.  When I ride the S2R I have to be engaged, the clutch is heavier, you have to be intentional when you change gears, and the torque created by that v-twin motor pulls in a way that only a v-twin can.  Maybe I'm being a little to romantic in my thought about a motorcycle but I like Ducati bikes for the rawness they posses, it's a purpose built machine.  I appreciate the feedback everyone provided.

Looks like you made up your mind... [thumbsup]

 [clap]

Slap some arrows on the s2r 1000 and you will have one of the best sounding bikes on the road.  I have a multistrada 1200 as well and it's just a different kind of ride.  S2r is def more fun and the multi has its own purposes.  

I say u suck it up, find a great mechanic, get the bike fixed up and u will be the happiest man alive.  If u sell the s2r i am sure you will make someone really happy.

Well the dealer was unable to replicate the problem after having the bike for 3 weeks. I took it home on Saturday, stopped to get gas and pull to the side of the station. Once my buddy showed up the bike would fire up. I never heard the fuel pump turn on. So I was able to make happen in 5 miles what they couldn't do in many hours of riding. I'm looking at a little older Aprilia Tuono at this point. The dealer can't identify the problem and I have no idea what it could be. The dealer is willing to swap bikes with me on the Tuono but I sure hate to give up the Duc. What would you do? What should I check on the Duc? I wouldn't think it the fuel pump b/c those usually either work or they don't. The aggravating part is both times when they picked the bike up the fuel pump wouldn't activate buy by the time they get back to the shop it fires right up. The day they've checked all the wiring. I just don't know but if anyone has an idea, I'd like to hear it.

It's a long shot, but check the ground where it attaches to the frame, and make sure your battery terminals are tight.

My 749 was acting up last weekend at the track, cutting out at random wth no explanation. After a few dyno runs and trouble shooting it turned out to be a loose battery terminal. The dyno guy found it, and said he only thought of it because a few weeks before he spent 3 days chasing problems on an R6, only to finally discover the ground at the frame was loose. Sometimes the most baffling problems have a solution so simple that it gets overlooked by everyone.

Good luck! The S2R is a sweet bike if you can get this sorted. Tuonos are sweet too...just not near as pretty!  ;)

Before I chase down a rabbit trail, if either of these were the issue would the bike turn on and do it's normal routine except activate the fuel pump?

No idea, but checking connections only takes a couple minutes. I'd check the fuel pump connection too. Like I said...it's a long shot, but one that's easy to check at least.

I remember when I hooked up my PCIII I hooked a ground wire up wrong (grounded it to the wrong spot) and the bike wouldn't start. Everything else was fine, gauges swept, lights, the whole nine yards, just wouldn't start...

You should keep the S2R, best looking bike on the road even with the stock exhaust. One key to a joyful ownership experience is to man up, learn how the bike functions, and troubleshoot it yourself. I don't believe in lemons. You have a ghost in the machine, get rid of it. I doubt there is anything major at fault. Probably a flaky connection somewhere, or intermittent electrical component. A DMM, a troubleshooting checklist, and a Saturday afternoon.

The S2Rs are ridiculously easy bikes to live with, you just have to master them.
 

One good possibility, sorta common on your bike, is the wire going through the low fuel sensor to power the fuel pump.  If you have power at the connector under the tank and the pump still doesn't work that is a good possibility.  Did they sell you the bike with a warranty?

vapor lock?

how full are you filling the tank?

No, that wasn't an option when I bought the bike but I'm not certain that what you mention has been checked.  I'll see what I can find!

I filled it up to the overflow hole IIRC but this is the first time it's happened after fueling.  What makes it so aggravating is that there has been no constant thing that occurs when it decides to quit. Also, would vapor lock cause the fuel pump to NOT activate?  The last two times it has happened I have been w/i 5 miles of the shop and by the time we load it up and haul it back, it starts right up. 

My Monster (which I bought used last year) kept cutting out on me. The dealers weren't able to replicate the issue either and the fault turned out to be a faulty wire in the fuel pump assembly. I had a thread here last year documenting what I went through. Once fixed though, the bike has never failed to start and I love it more and more!

If you want, quickly read through my older thread to see if this is the same issue you're having.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=51710.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=51710.0)

Looks like I've found a fuel pump assembly. I'm still going to see if I can re-solder the wires to get my existing pump working. My problems are identical to what avishw01 listed out on his thread. I'm so glad I decided to post something here before pulling the trigger on something else.

That's exactly why I love forums like this. I'm no mechanic, but the wealth of knowledge on this forum is backed up by experience that can help even the slightly mechanically inclined through a situation. Hope this works for ya, and you get to keep your s2r.

Well, I picked up a used fuel pump w/ less than 8k miles on it and the bike fired right up.  I just need to get out and ride this thing a little bit and hope I don't run into more issues.  I'm really glad I kept it at this point and hopefully I'm done w/ gremlins.