Ducati Monster Forum

To make a long and sad story short...Dimsport after tons of miss fires lost all the dealers in US, including importers.

I know, from outside this is weird, but without supporting the product and dealers, without a business plan (including marketing), wrong attitude, lying, no refunds for defective items, no warranty...yes, those are facts and I have to make it public.
Just few examples: after a long fight they agreed (not public, but anyway) that the old RB3 kit doesn't work on '07 up Ducatis and with a long delay they show up with a new RBO2 (O2 simulator)...that didn't work like they promised and "tested", anyway after many upgrades (read another war) it's working...but now modules (RB3) start loosing memory, completely...but who cares, Dimsport (Mr Stefano Cruzzolin) doesn't answer emails this year. The worst case is a local customer who died and this is under investigation by KPD and I suppose this will turn against Dimsport and rbusa big time.
Let's see what else...yes, they promised free replacements (RBO2 for old O2 simulators) to all customers, but after I did that on my expenses they forgot to send the free ones (or money)...same thing with defective RB3s. From now remember, if Dimsport & RB USA promised something free, that will cost you!
RB USA aka Foster Group in NJ..."the importer/distributor" like a comet, you can see this business...but now is gone (not even on BBB records)....anyway they don't answer the phone for 3 weeks now...I hope you don't need a refund from them.

Other then that BBB is working on this in US for Foster and with Italian gov. for Disport and if you want to help (being part and user of a defective RB) just fill out a claim...and also ad your name here for a further lawsuit.
BTW I'm not saying that all the RB's are defective!

I hate this, but you have the right to know...I feel guilty because I kind of started RB in US and now I have to go all the way...out 

does this effect the rb2 model? 

a local customer who died?  meaning crashed possibly as a result of one of these rapid bike units and died?

hum, I talked to Robert (Foster) less than 2 weeks ago and everything was fine. I received the product I ordered?

My brief interactions with Robert was unsatisfactory. Al, thanks for all your time and work. Rapid Bike RIP.

Ride safe

So now there is no way to get a RB3 and we are stuck with DP ECU?

Allegedly Nemesis from Competition Systems will have something for the the larger Monsters late summer/early fall.  They have a product for the 1098/848 and are working to adapt it for Monsters.  Nemesis is a ECU replacement (not piggy-back) like the FIM Ultimap.

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=655.0

That would explain why I am getting so many emails from DIMSPORT in Italy to become an importer...
-M

EDIT!

I just got off the phone with Robert. I wish I could repeat what was told to me, but to say the least, RapidBike USA is not out of business.

This thread should be removed and moto4us.com should be ashamed of what they are doing. 

Could you provide more color so I know what to put in this thread?
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=655.0

How about this... they've shipped 150+ RapidBike units today (for all motorcycles) and have hundreds in stock ready to go. All of my dealing have been outstanding with RapidBike and Robert more specifically.

Their technical support and expertise is second to none - if you purchase through traditional venues. I'll let RapidBike and their lawyers get into that as this is not my fight... though I do have an interest in it as I have just started using the RapidBike and will continue to use it and sell it.

Anthony -- thanks for the input and candor.  Keep up the great work as usual!  [thumbsup]

Hmmm - popcorn anyone??

lol, you had better settle in for a good one I think  [drink]

ill take nachos and cheese with jalos!

Just 3 months ago, ECS siad they were having a great time with Dimsport and the RB3 units...

Just curious. Have any of the NEW RB dealers had to deal with the OLD BAD RB units. Maybe this is why Al has packed it in.

If so. How did Dimsport handle replacing the OLD RB3 units ?

that's funny...maybe you need to ask Doug, or Frank SR-tuning & Techoresearch (who was the distributor) why they pulled the plug one year before me...and maybe also Ron in AUS two years ago and...in fact I don't have to justify nothing to nobody. If somebody wants to deal with them...good luck.
And if you defend somebody who said 3 weeks ago "I don't represent Dimsport anymore" and now acting like nothing is wrong, not counting that he had same problems like me, then again...good luck.
About erased modules...I got one here few days ago from Canada (this customer is a monument of patience)...guess who's paying? Dimsport or Foster...nope...they don't answer to small problems like this, they are busy shipping "150 modules" daily  [laugh]

BTW who's desmoworks ?! do you have a red line with Foster, maybe you can share it with few customers...they are trying for days (there is a customer asking for a small usb cable for days and he ended up borrowing)...we appreciate your help already.

What's really funny is that technoresearch is an investor in Foster Group  [thumbsup]

 [popcorn]

 [popcorn] [wine]

Cheese nachos = chachos  ;D
 [popcorn]

Im eager to see the outcome of this.  Not so much the cat fight but on info as to what RB will be doing in the US.

I just want to know i have  fueling solution that doenst cost $1200.

that's why techno is trying to get rid of all the stock at cost...for a year now without much success...same did the AUS distributor...in fact everybody in business with Dimsport, after a while, realized what a bright future it has  [moto]...and now they are looking for new distributors & dealers, like every other month... [puke]
desmo....so you are an insider...are you dismport or foster group? don't be ashamed... [laugh]

sorry guys I know you need popcorn, but after what I did for rb and how much time&money I spent...I can spend a little bit more just to make it right.

And don't forget all of the B.S. you fed us on the previous board....

Such as what?  I have the rb2 but was there something wrong with rb on the other board?

It was about RB3. and the lack of proof of the numbers they claim because a printer was broken every time. The dyno sheets eventually came out, and they were good, but not as high as claimed and a bunch of other crap, including A/F ratios. I have some of the dyno sheets saved on my flickr if anyone wants to see. I think the belong to GusDuc

 I'd like to see the A/F.  That's alll anyone ever wanted, evidence that RB could accurately custom map the A/F from 0 to redline for the various applications on an S2R. 

 [popcorn]

Here you go. These belong to GusDuc, and i uploaded it for him onto my flickr previously on TOB. I will say 1 thing, i am about 99% sure he was using the RB3 unit, becasue he did send me 1 pic that was NOT an RB3 unit.

Torque
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2217/2373038744_bd8b20e914_o.jpg)

HP
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/2373038660_0a0fc9c065_o.jpg)

A/F
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2062/2373038624_faf18e0932_o.jpg)

The power wasnt as "claimed" by certain users. I believe one claimed over close to or over 90tq at the wheel.

So is it a hit or miss if i purchase an RB3 unit for an 06  S2R1000, i still dont know.

Not an insider, but I ask questions before starting a relationship with a company.

Here is the first bike I tuned with the RapidBike 3. This was a bone stock 749R tuned over a couple of days. I spent a lot of time just playing with the program so I did far more runs than was necessary to arrive at this result and there was still room for improvement.

Sorry they are black and white - I didn't realize it was set to that when I scanned them in. The lines are pretty obvious though so it doesn't matter too much that they are the same color.

HP
(http://www.blog.desmoworks.com/images/internet/bbs/749R002.jpg)

TQ
(http://www.blog.desmoworks.com/images/internet/bbs/749R003.jpg)

GusDuc does not have an RB3, he has a DP HM ECU.  We had our bikes dyno'd together.

OHHH!! your right, i remember that. It was the HM cam +dp ecu kit for $600 bucks.

Then who the hell are these?

That was knowpain.  The dyno operator shifted gears during the dyno run.  The TQ curve showed spikes at each gear change, which peaked at >>80 ft/lb.  The original crowing was that the TQ was something ridiculously high, based on the spikes, but then the truth came out.  

The plots that you posted are Gus', based on the HM DP ECU.

I'm so glad  I got an S2R 800 w/ no O2 sensor..

+1

+2!!!

Sheeeesh. This movie is over rated. I made all this  [popcorn] in anticipation of a good show. Dammmmmm.  :)

pregnant dog, you wanna start shit Mother make the beast with two backser, ill make the beast with two backs you up right the make the beast with two backs now yo umake the beast with two backsing shit bag.


better?   ;D

Thats "R" rated. I was hopeing for something the whole family could watch.  ;)

...just curious who told you to switch two wires to make it run ?! I did the first 749/999 in US like 2 years ago...
About dyno results, like I said before, if you don't want to see them then it's your problem...just search and you'll find, for ex:

http://www.ducatimonster.org/forums/tech/173779-here-what-everyone-has-been-asking-rapidbike-dyno-results.html

also at that time we started having the E3 problem...that's what killed the RB and now when I'm looking back, I know dynojet was right (we tested in same time)

Now about whoever doesn't give a dime about this subject...just use your charm with your girlfriend & friends.

Okay, what's the latest on this?  Is anyone still selling, and servicing the RB 3 units?  I installed the RB 02 Emulator on my 2008 s2r 1K with very good results (it's bone stock otherwise.)  The bike runs much smoother now, which was the main thing I was after.   

But now I'm interested in doing pipes, primarily for more noise, and figured I'd install the RB 3 unit so it could be tuned.  Is this no longer an option?

I'm also wondering what would happen if I just install a mid-pipe and slip-ons, and leave the 02 Emulator in place.

Thanks for any info.

Topangster

Are you referring to the reversed polarity of the 749?

i've got a guy who wants me to tune a rb on a 999 that he bought off ebay i  think.  anything i need to know?

Hey Brad,
The 749R has reversed polarity so RB includes an extra cable with the wiring harness to swtich it back yet again.

I'm not sure which models are like this off hand - the instructions do say though and I don't have them in front of me.

brad whoever dum-kopf (I suppose was technoresearch) translated in English forgot about switching two wires and it flooded the cyl so bad...almost damaged that engine. I had to read the italian version to make it work...and over 2 years they called me to ask what's the right way to do it. nobody knew in US...that's the support I got over the years.
On the other hand looks like you didn't read everything - those modules loose memory (maybe the biggest problem)...and they don't cover the warranty, or refund your money (this is the biggest one, not counting when they lie with free exchange)...anyway good luck if you want to try and don't count on my support (actually you can ask Ron, Doug, Frank...)

I guess you don't know who Brad is, but I doubt he is going to need help  ;)

FYI, I have another defective RB3 on a R1 '06 (I have same problems on Japanese bikes)...there is no communication with the module, was very very hard to reload that module and I have no idea how long it'll hold data and if... (so far I did only few miles).

Who did you buy the box RB module from and on what date?

I know you're joking...

not better.

not cool. >:(

today another bike with same problems...'07 Busa...lost memory completely and runs rough (in 3 cyl, like my customer said).
So far all the local bikes I did are back with this problem in 1-2 years interval (I'm talking only locals because I ride with them and they stop by every week and nobody else touched those modules), so "long life to rapid bike and dimsport"  [bang]

I'll ask this again about the R6 and now the Suzuki

again I don't know why you jumping around this subject... yes I know, you the only guy who can call that invisible distributor "foster group"  [laugh]
BTW tell him that from now I'll get my money back with my credit card (like many other customers did) for the modules he never sent (in fact I asked for money back, because I'm done with this crap)
 

You won't answer any questions as you don't want the DMF members to see the answer because the answer which is the reason YOU can't get support from the legitimate distribution in the US or Italy direct.

If you get on European forums (where RB is the equivalent of PC) nobody is claiming RB doesn't work. You are the only one I've seen anywhere. That says a lot. 

 [roll] moto4us....everything is a  [laugh] to you.

I bought a rapidbike 2 from Al.  He is a pretty frank kind of guy.  If there is a problem, then im sure hes not lying about it.

I purchased something from Fosterrad a while back (different bike) which was an item he had to import and they were hard to get.  He was open and honest about delays and ship times, and wasn't that hard to reach.

you don't know what are you talking about...I don't need any support, I gave support all the time and I started RB here...support, haha that's funny the only support I got was from dimsport for a short period of time...
Europe...you telling me about europe, because I'm from there... [laugh]...I had customers ordering from me because they cannot find a dealer who knows all the details on e3 bikes (Norway, France, Italy just few examples) and because dismport didn't want to help them (one guy from Italy and another from France)
Anyway I'm not telling all this for you, it's none of your business and you are just a regular new dealer (yes I know you did a 749 like a revelation and you parted it out on ebay with the rb kit and yes I know you sell pipes).
On the other hand I cannot list here all my customers with problems and the main thing is that dimsport & forster doesn't cover warranty (modules loosing memory) and also they lied about free replacement for O2 simulators on e3 bikes (there is more and I wrote about that before).

It hurts my head to even read what you write. You are the one who has been complaining about lack of support. Now all of the sudden you say you don't need support and when you did it was no problem? Give me a break.

I love how you think you brought US fame to RapidBike... as far as I can tell you have done no good for the company. You sold products that shouldn't be sold after being told to not sell them. Then when there were problems you bailed on it and said it was everyone else's problem. You've never been able to show any work you've done with concrete proof - just claims. Aren't you the guy that was tuning bikes without using a dyno? You didn't start RapidBike here in the US; there are a lot of people who used it before you...

None of this makes a difference to me anyhow, I just think it is funny how you pat yourself on the back for nothing.   ???

PG, R, NC-17 whatever. I'm watching to the end.

 [popcorn] [drink] [thumbsup]

lol  ;D

I'm going to leave this one at that... too many internet battles too little time! This one won't be any fun anyhow.

Does anyone on the DMF a Rapid Bike part on their bike?  Any issues?

Desmoworks,
Are there any HP/Torque charts and A/F charts you would be willing to share with the DML folks on the RB3?  I'm still fingers crossed on the RB3.  I really don't want to pay $$$ for the Nemesis...not that they have a product for the S4RS yet.
Thanks!

If you check out the first post on page 3 I posted hp and tq before and after on a stock 749R using a RB3. I'll have some more to post before too long as well  :)

You are right...my bad.  [thumbsup]
Thanks and would love to see an A/F chart if you've got one.

When I get to the shop tomorrow I'll see if I can grab it off of the computer. I didn't originally print the AF. You'll laugh when you see it.

...becasue the stock graph is so bad?  ???

so far I kind of ignored you, but now I'm sure you are an insider trying to clean the garbage...and you just trying to make it ready for another "weeding".
 Yes I did the first S2R, S4RS, 1098, sport classics, 749/999, hyper, busa rb3, 312R, brutale and many many more in US...what else do you know...that I make it work on models not on the application list (when I wasn't sure I asked dismport) and I never had a problem... just dismport problems: old O2 simulators not working on '06 up and modules losing memory, what I had to cover with my money! I helped customers even after I stopped selling RB!
 One time I sold one kit in europe and I didn't know that ducati used already the new ecu on '06 model...and guess what, that customer asked all the dealers in EU without any results...yes his bike wasn't in application list, but I have few working here for long time...anyway I refunded his money after dismport didn't want to ship him 1 RBO2 (they don't deal with end users, even if he's from italy and after he called all the dealers in france, italy, netherland and cannot find one)
 If I'm like you said then why many others ran away from dismport and rb?...for ex doug, ron or frank with srtuning (he did the technical support for a very short time and then...nooo moore)...why dimsport cannot find a decent distributor? why they don't have support, marketing & business plan? why they release a product without enough testing? it's just "order 150 boxes and you are a distributor" then order how many you can in one year and if we don't have a bigger player you still our distributor...that's the business plan...

 Nobody can tell me I did wrong, but I have all the right to tell the truth after I spent all that time and money for this product!

PS: about personal accusations like I don't use a dyno...hmm I'm a honest guy and I cannot charge $300 for a "custom map" on dyno (if you don't have a very expensive dynamic dyno) when for that price I can build a real map (wideband recording & tuning)...I have a degree in computer science and I know few things about computers & softwares...that's what a friend from tenkate said and looks like he'll be European champ in his class

Drama or no drama - truth or lies, the fact remains that I have been working to contact the Foster Group peoples since May of this year.  Then a few weeks ago I called several times (repeatedly)  and finally got a call-back after leaving a message directly with some admin chick.  The guy that called me back after hours  requested that I email or fax them my contact info and bike details ('07 S2R 1000) - I did that right away.  I am still waiting.  I have el primo tuner "Joe DiStefano" in the local area ready to help me tune the crap out of the bike which I think it is running like a turd right now after adding the CF full Arrow system, albeit the sound is great, but the bike simply is not as efficient as it could be.  I makes no sense for me to take an alternate path (DPECU, Termis) because the cost/hp benefit is simply not justifiable.  From a simplicity perspective, now that's a different thing. Why is such a pain in the tocas to get RB kits, and info from these people? I almost feel that moto4us has some valid points here but desmo's push-back on them is simply another experience on the opposite side of things.  Customer want options, parts and feedback.  Read: results.  Plus a partnership with a distributor or dealer would be nice, too.  If PC would simply issue a solution, they would be swamped by customers - WTF??!?!  More rant pending unless RB steps up with a decent response.

so, nothing new?!
all RBs I updated are working fine?...usually if it's quiet they run fine...that's good.
So far no other bad modules and looks like they loose memory after about 1 year, or a dead/weak battery, or for no good reason. Also so far, those I reprogrammed are working good, but I'm wondering for how long and that's why I need feedback from users.

Holy freggin crap, are RBs THAT bad....now I dont want to buy the used RB3 in the FS section. :/

...one more: I set up a new race gsxr750 (rb3, switch maps, quick shifter, full race exhaust, bmc) and after about two weeks... the maps changed, I had two different setups for new/used tires and after 2 weeks I had same maps on both setups, but I never saw those maps before ?! It happened before on few ducs, R1, busa....
Anyway I reloaded my maps and now I'll see...nobody else touched/rode this bike (no end user errors here)
BTW the RB horn button upshift doesn't work on this bike, but the shifter sensor is working fine...

After many, many attempts RB3 module is loosing memory (on one of my own bikes) and there is nothing else to do...I know Dimsport doesn't honor his warranty (neither his word...) and it will end with a theatrical smash at dealer expo in Indianapolis, in front of Dimsport boot (if they have the guts to show up)...

Why wait to the Indy show - they will be at EICMA and SEMA this coming up week  [thumbsup]

Do keep me updated....

Im still half way clueless on the whereabouts of my RB3 Unit....

Hmmm. We had the opportunity to support dimsport and the rapid bike products and we're a bit busy to take on something that big right now.

You know... I'm really bummed about the Ducati EFI market in the US. No one seems to ever get it right. It is as though the manufacturers come here looking for importers or dealers and go about it all weird. Like they don't understand the US market at all. From my observation, many Italian manufacturers want you to pay up front for tons of product and then they're not too excited about follow up support. Kinda like what I read out of moto-us's story.

Every time I have inquired with various industry folks about efi solutions for Ducatis, I'm left with the feeling they do not want a network of small local shops pushing their product and prefer to have 1 to 5 heavily invested dealers. This is totally backwards to how the US market works. The US is too big for the small approach. Have big importer who doesn't retail to the public (but most foreign manufacturers are too greedy not to) and then dedicate their efforts to dealer support. Then they end up with a vast number of local points of resale for their brand.

When you shun the local small dealers, then they are against your product and won't mention it at all. And if inquired about, they will dismiss it. Why? Because it's not easy for the local guys to get it, sell it, support it, etc. What good is the best device in the universe if the local dealer only makes $20 or $40 on its sale and they have to put a lot of effort into its support?

6 or 7 years ago, I wanted to sell FIM to folks, but the market was setup in such a way that only BCM could actually make enough money doing it that it was worth the effort. So people asked me for FIM and I simply referred them to BCM. The *one* time I didn't there was zero% dealer margin for me. I did it anyway, as it was part of a huge order and it made a great difference to my customer if there was any way I could get it for him and save him the aggro of buying it. And then the part was an out of box failure. I just pass the inquiry to BCM asking them to handle it and the customer then said he understood why I recommended against FIM at the time.

Ah well. No real info from my post other than I'm bummed that there is drama and I'm bummed for customers who end up negatively effected by this situation. Hopefully, desmoworks (the US importer??) and DimSport will be in a position to make good for all the RB equipped riders and the next thing we hear is how awesome it all works.

We all just want to:  [moto]

I know all about fim and bcm + another dealer in TX, that was the best example and I told dimsport from the beginning how to avoid same mistakes....and here we are. Talking about next distributor, like you said he (a potential one) asked questions before jumping and he called me before flying to Italy...so far I don't see a new distributor and I don't know many to get under this heavy load (also considering the economy...actual, short term or even long term)

Oh wow, I totally forgot about this thread. The only way they're going to get a shop in the US to sell their stuff is if they subsidize the shop. No one has spare money right now.

Where's the  [bacon] ??

Accountant tells me: No Xmas for yoo!

Chris

Well, they got one, Foster, right here in NYC

http://www.rapidbikeusa.com/about/ (http://www.rapidbikeusa.com/about/)

 [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [roll]

its not a shop. you cant go there (ive tried, he runs it out of his house me thinks) everything goes in and out via mail order. They do have a shop with a 516 number so its probably nearby. It has an office and a dyno inside since i can hear it when hes on his cell. They call them selves a R&D company, that also provides tech support.  ??? strange.

Anyway..maybe im not suppose to say this, but ill say it anyway, one of the members of RBUSA said to me (on the fone) they are really trying to weed out retailers of the RB3 units because theres been a huge mix up and a lot of units are being damaged and end up back at their doors for repair.

The RB unit has ran well thus far after the firmware update, i havent had the chance to gun the bike at all though. Next week though.  [evil] the front end goes back together and im gonna haul some ass on it.

Anyone wanna buy my RB3 unit, i perfer Monster mash's DPECU!

Update:

like every other year dimsport has a new sales person, this time a lady and she asked why "angry with us"...I asked in return about uncovered warranty, non paying returns on O2 sim, all the mess with foster and biensure I never heard from them in 1 month. Funny, she was ready to meet me at Indy dealer convention...few weeks ago.
It's still a mystery for me the way they are handling the biggest market, I'm wondering what's next (excluding that desmo... who was the last one trying to "promote" RB)

Is RapidBike for Ducati dead or alive in the US today?

FosterRad   http://laser-exhausts.com (http://laser-exhausts.com)