Ducati Monster Forum

OK i live out of town Tyler actually but need to head to dfw for any dealer work. i called advanced in Alvarado and they quoted me 800 to 1200 for a 6000 mile service. does that sound right to you guys it just seems alill high. I'm a new duc owner and got laid off right after i got the bike so i have to watch my spending so the wife doesn't make me get rid of the duc ( shes been alill jealous of the time I'm spending with it  [roll]) anyway just wondering if that sounds right and if there is anything i can do to bring it down alill ( not mechanical enough to check and shim valves myself). thanks guys love the forum and can't wait to get together for meets.

What sort of bike do you have? Is it under warranty?

Did you try calling North TX bmw motorcycles (they sell/fix ducs)

Steve

sorry its an 06 s2r800 not under warranty. no i haven't talked to them i will give them a call thanks

That is a ridiculous price for a 2V.

Adam

i thought so also i know ducs are expensive to maintain but that threw me for a loop. any suggestions on who to talk to in the area ?

I do not (I'm in Boston, just saw your post come across  :) )

How handy are you?  The 2V Motors are not difficult to check and service yourself.  Many Ducatisti prefer them for their simplicity and elegance, especially with servicing.  If you can turn some wrenches and have a free afternoon, you could do your service yourself for very little $.

Adam

My .02 cents is DO NOT call the dealer in Plano.  They will hold you bike hostage and damage it in the process.  There are many like us with that experience, they will cater to Beemers all day long and it seems Ducs are simply a pain for them.  Mine, same bike, cost $800 but I replaced the belts as well.  Of course add tax to that.  You can also try Stuart Rust at Rust Restoration in Mansfield.  Someone here will have his number.

Stuart Rust
 
817-899-6261

Muskrat, Sorry to hear about your experience with BMW in Plano, My wife and I have had the exact opposite experience there.  We have purchased 4 Ducs from them over the past 3 years or so and have always been impressed by them.  I had my 7500mi service done a few months ago on my S2r1K for about $600.00.  We have always called ahead for maint and our bikes have always been ready the same day as promised.  When I needed a new Back tire they matched the lowest price I found on the internet.  They also price matched my wifes full Termi kit for her 696 [thumbsup]  So not everyone has had poor experience with them.

you're right, not everyone just most I've talked to.  He held my bike for more than a month with nothing having been done to it.  I had to get DNA involved to get my bike back......pitiful really but my .02 cents.

I'm glad John had good luck. That's nice but as Muskrat said he is in the minority. They had my friend's Triumph for SIX MONTHS last year! That's right, half the year. When they finally said that it was ready he went in several days later and it still wasn't ready. He blew up (as he should!) and they stayed late putting it together. Guess what, on the ride home it stalled, bucked and died. Yep, back it went the next week. Then they finally got around to really fixing it. Sorry, but stories like that are going to follow a shop around forever.

Flip a coin, hope for John's good luck or that of others. Or... Stuart Rust. hint hint

I had a bad experience with them and my MV Agusta.  I also had a bad experience trying to buy a new MV.  I was there to buy a new F4 and walked out empty handed.  The salesman literally blew me off.  I told him that I wanted the bike three times, and to please start the paperwork.  Every time he walked over to a different customer.  This was a cash deal. 

I also tried to buy some parts for my MV through them.  Epic Fail.  I actually bought my first Ducati just so I didn’t have to deal with them any more.  I truly miss the MV, but will not own another one until we have a different dealer in the area.

Would Randy McCarter [817-706-8870] over at Motopia in Dallas be another resource for a 6K service?

I'm asking for two reasons: first, to help the OP; second, I need the 18K service myself (and his new shop is VERY close to where I live).

Thanks.
George

Randy is great, no two ways about it. I am not sure if he will do major scheduled service on Ducatis. I never have asked him. I know he did the major 24K on Scott's flying brick Bemmer. He's obviously capable. He has done great work on all my scooters but I have never had him do a full Duc service. There is no loss in making a phone call and asking. 817-706-8870.

As great as Randy is (and he is...) Stuart is the Ducati Zen Master of the Universe. He made the AMS service dept. what it is today. He assuredly is one of the top 10 Ducati technicians in the US. No offense to Jeff, Jordan and the gang at AMS, but they lost a great tech when he decided to leave. Apparently no hard feelings, he just wanted a break. If your going to haul your bike from Tyler to AMS Alvarado then Stuart is just rock throwing distance away in Mansfield. Besides, I bet you could make arrangements with Stuart to have the bike serviced the same day you bring it in. Leave Tyler in the wee hours, be at his place in the early AM and be finished that afternoon. Call him and see if that's possible. Plus he's cheaper than AMS. [thumbsup]

If I'm not mistaken, the "major" maintenance is done at multiples of 12K, no?  The 6K and the 18K are the "tweeners", right?

My plan is to use Randy for anything and everything he is interested in doing - I know there are some things he'd prefer not (refuse?) to do and that's fine.  I just don't know what those things are yet.

G.

 :o Wow - I am shocked and amazed that someone had a good story about Plano Eurosport !  You must be one large dangerous fellow Mr. Duc Fever, sir, to get something good outta them.  +1 on they take forever, they leave your bike outside the whole time they have it, and they made me pay big to be treated like ignorant scum.  I have evidence they charged for work ( & parts) they did not do too!  They will never get another $ from me & I think BMW should pull their franchise - definitely room in the Dallas market for someone to compete with them & put them out of the business of making so many so miserable.   [bang]

 >:(  I will never pass on an opportunity to trash Eurosport - so i guess i am a loyal customer !  [laugh]

D that is funny as hell! You just made my day! [clap] [thumbsup]

that makes two of us Cyclone!  I hate that shop and for over 5 years haven't stopped.  They should have their Ducati license pulled also........so close too when Texas Pacific Group owned them.  I should have never stopped after I got my bike back.  [bang]

+11tybillion...you will be happy.

plano shop was teh suck....at least my last experience with them (an older monster) a few years back.

Cyclone that's really bad if they treated a BMW customer like shit. All I ever hear is that if you own a Bemmer you are golden and everyone else takes a back seat. "Want your GS serviced? Sit down and have a cold drink, it will be ready in ten minutes. You with the Monster (or Triumph or MV... take your pick) come back in four weeks and we'll let you know if we've done anything, maybe." That's all I have ever heard. Man, you must have really pissed them off for them to dis your GS!! [laugh] [bang] [evil]

To the OP: call Randy or Stuart. Both are good but Stuart is the "go to" guy for Ducs for sure. [thumbsup]

 ;D  Now that I have found Perry's in Ft. Worth I will be going there for anything tricky ( electronic ) - they are awesome competent, friendly, and cuss in Deutch quite well.  Randy Mc will do the valves, brakes, & tires & I can actually do a lot myself. 

I would never slam a shop over a single experience but once I got the proverbial 4th strike from Plano I feel obligated to warn others - they need to do a lot more people like Duc Fever because by now they are headed upstream against a powerful sewer full of ill will of their own creation.  Just for instance they over filled my oil which can cause damage from piston slap, and over inflated my tires & when called out about the tires they said " we filled it to the pressure written on the tire " uh.. that is the MAX pressure for 2-up with pillion !! Dumb asses!

Sadly, they are only three miles away and would be so convenient...  :'(

Edit: Sorry, .. I bought a chainsaw so I wouldn't have to grind my axe so much & here I go !   
overrideem696 good luck ! Maybe somebody would want to prove me wrong to your advantage ? Unlikely but maybe..   [bacon]

Go where you think they will have their head in the game and get it right at whatever price  [moto] - your life may depends on it !  [beer]

Ok, I didn't necessarily reccommend USING Nth Tx BMW. I just said call them. Ok, I know, I know. I've heard the stories myself, but I've also had some good experiences with them. On my old 02 ST4s, they replaced the rockers underwarranty at 18K in 2007. I bought the bike from Eurosport FW (I will never use them. If anyone wants to know why, pm me). It was a Demo. They never registered the warranty (never titled so sold as new with 8k). Nth TX BMW got it squared away in about two weeks. Since sold the bike.

that being said, Stuart is THE MAN in my book. I'm really sorry I didn't reccomend him first. Also, you can try David at North Texas Superbikes in Highland Village for a price check too.

Good luck and may your dealerexperiences be well.

Steve

I assume you mean Perry Bushong (sp?) of Ft. Worth BMW fame. He is awesome!! I have dealt with him since my first BMW, a 1981 R100RS. He has forgotten more than most BMW dealers will ever know! His shop has always rocked. I won't hold it against him that he suggested the Krauser 4 valve head conversion for my bike. Can you say race gas only? [laugh] [bang] [moto]

Perry sometimes thinks that BMW's can race like Ducs too. ie.. remember the days at Aquafest in Austin in the late'70's when Hogman would trash the team Yoshimura's 750 Suzukis w/ a 900s ! Yeah, Perry's got some strange ideas about BMW performance enhancements alright. All the while being his cool, calm, collected self.

I always wondered about those Krausers. I assume you bougth them?

thanks for all the input guys im thinking about  calling stuart. but i had to take the bike in to the local yamaha place today to get a rear tire replaced. turns out the lead mech is a ducati guy he used to have a m900 and was thrilled to see my s2r come in.  after alot of ducati chat i told him about how much advanced was wanting to charge and he did his 6000 and other service himself. he said if i would pick up a shop manual for my s2r he was more than comfortable doin the service work on the bike for me. even asked while they had it if i minded if he "test rode " it he misses his monster  [laugh]. these guys have a great track record with all my buddies that ride misc brands. so im thinking about letting them do my services since they are local and seem like reputable guys.

Yes, Perry talked me into it. The heads kicked ass but apparently mine was one of the last living examples of the conversions he performed. He would call me on a regular basis to inform me of the latest one to grenade and I would take mine in to him ASAP so he could do the preventive "fix" on mine. I guess he would do a CSI on the remains of some poor soul's bike and determine what went wrong and call the Krauser bike owners to come in for the "fix". I know mine was one of the last ones running before I sold it to another sucker.

It pinged on pump gas like crazy! On sport touring rides I would take bottles of early 80's octane booster and every time I refueled I would give the tank a splash of additive. When I was home in town I would gas up at an independent station on the I-35 service road in Carrollton that sold high octane race gas out of it's pumps. The bike was only happy with hot gas. Honestly, I filled the tank with race gas when I sold it so it would run good for the prospective buyer. Does that make me a bad person? [evil] [roll] ;D

One thing is for sure, it was one quick early 80's air head boxer. Nothing by today's standards but really fun at the time. [thumbsup] [moto]

Sounds like a plan. Nice to keep it local. Hope it works out OK. I am sure the tech would enjoy spinning some wrenches on a Duc. I can only imagine that he doesn't see too many in Tyler! Post up how it all turns out after the service.

I'm in the same shoes.  I have a 2003 620 with over 6,000 miles on it, and I know it's ready for service.  Before I found this thread I called up that BMW place you all were talking about and they quoted me about $850.00 and said the bike would be done in a day.  I have  buddy that works at RPM that called them this morning and they quoted him $550.  What the shyte?

Are there special 'Ducati' tools that are required to do the belts; as I am told they are just as important as checking the valves.  This is my only form of transportation for the summer since I sold my car to put money back into my business and stay afloat.  Basically I need good, reputable, and reasonably priced.  So basically call Stuart and Randy is what I'm gathering?  Anybody actually use them for the 6,000 service?



Thanks for all the input!  Hope to see you all out there soon?

Hey there Uptown! I'm guessing you are around the 'Uptown' area of Dallas? D'aohm I'm smart.  [laugh] Well, if so then you have a close outlet at Motopia. I'm sure for your bike that  Randy at Motopia can take care of you for a reasonable price. (Randy does do valves right?) Well, I'm hoping I'm steering you right. If not then Stuart in Mansfield is tops. Over at Eurosport in Fort Worth the prices are a little lower. $75/hr I think. Either one of those will do you good. Of course call before you go.

Also Up keep an eye on this here board for luncheon updates that spring up. I posted one last week at the Idle Rich which turned out to be fun. Hope to see you at one soon.

This has been a public service announcement and now back to your thread.  [beer]

I rest my case!  they are still assholes.

You may not need to pay the big bucks for the 6K service.

I'm replacing the belts and inspecting valve shim gaps myself.  These are the two major things done at 6K.  If the valve gaps are off you may consider having a professional re-shim for you (Stuart). 

Get yourself a good maintenance guide (LT Snyder), some basic tools, and a person with experience to help guide you through your first time.  Sdlrodeo and I are going to tackle my 6K service in a couple of weekends.

If you're not a hands on type of guy, Stuart Rust hands down.  I've been to two of his tech sessions and the dude is a Ducati god.

Wow.  That's sad to hear those unpleasant experiences with N. Dallas Eurosport.  I've taken my bike in for various service items on Saturdays, waited for the bike and ridden it home.  Reasonable prices, proper wrenching - no probs... I was upset about the ECU replacement required on my 2006 ST3, but they didn't make the bike.

I suppose any dealer or mechanic is going to generate horror stories sooner or later, most of which are well-deserved.  But just for the sake of balance, my experience - perhaps in the minority - was still decent with DNE.  I have no reservations about going back.

BUT, since I live downtown now, Plano isn't a convenient place for me to get service and I wasn't crazy about having my bike bussed across the Metroplex for service by AMS, although that seems to be changing now.  AND I like to support the competent independent wrencher (like Randy, since he's 5 minutes from my place) or Stuart (because he's so highly regarded).

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

G.

Word up:
[story] In warranty: AMS. Out of warranty: Stuart Rust or Randy. Believe it or do it yourself. [/story]

Randy voiced that same sentiment. If you are in warranty only have a certified Ducati tech do the work. DNA will bust your balls if something goes wrong under warranty and you have worked on the bike yourself or had a non-cert tech do it. You will be screwed even if you or the non-cert tech are competent mechanics. It's a major "out" for DNA to fix anything under warranty.

Magnuson Moss Warranty Act of 1975 disagrees with you.  They have to prove that your work on the bike caused the problem that you are trying to have covered under warranty.  Do I recommend that everyone check their own valves?  make the beast with two backs no!  But a manufacturer cannot void your warranty because you let Randy change your oil  [thumbsup]