Ducati dealerships closing?

[cyrus buelton]

ducati dealer in columbus, ohio blows.

I wouldn't spend a dime there.

Especially in their parts department.

The prick behind the counter tries to argue that you don't know the correct part you are ordering or thinks a 1999 750 is a dry clutch.


stick to BMW's parts guy who will remain nameless.

[2 Wheel Wanderer]

My dealer just closed!! Moto-Meccanica in Santa Rosa, CA went under as of 12/6.  Now I'm stuck with Hattar, whose service dept hasn't gotten the best of reviews.

I heard about Moto-Meccanica, they were a good shop. I heard mixed reviews about their service as well but brought my bike there anyway (they were cheaper than Hattar). They did a pretty good job. I just got a service from Hattar and was very happy. I know most of the people there, I bought my bike there and I live in San Rafael. I also know the head mechanic, you don't have to doubt their service, they are very solid. I've had warranty work done there as well and they have always taken care of me and fixed the problem.

If you do take your bike to Hattar, be ready for a price shock.

[desmoworks]

Times are definitely a little tighter in the motorcycle industry, but with a little foresight and proper planning dealers should be able to survive. Those going down aren't going down because the economy slowed... they are going down because of decisions made long before the "economic crisis". The Economic downturn was just the last straw for many of them. Just like Madoff, bad practices are hidden in a good economy but show themselves quickly in a poor economy.

I'm not going to name names, but it will be interesting to see who is still standing in a few months. I've heard some big names being thrown around.

I know we are taking this "slow" time to get our dealership in a good position for next year. We are organizing, we've gone back through inventory of every nut and bolt and created a better bin system, we are sending techs to schools for more training with Ducati, Triumph, KTM and Suzuki, I've been adding many features to the website and have a lot more for release in the spring (though web sales are still going really good). Basically we stepped back and said what can we do to imporve our effeciency and level of service for our customers - most of it came down to being more orderly and putting effecient systems in place.

We are also using this winter to learn new technology such as tuning devises to be used with our dyno, etc... So our bike sales are down at the moment and service is a little slower than an average winter, but I think we are primed to make huge strides over the next few years both in the shop and online. 

[fastwin]

More good thinking! Why other shops (of all brands) don't practice the same forward thinking/positive frame of mind is baffling. Customer service and good business efficiency work wonders in both good and bad economic times.

Mentioned these same concerns about the well being of shops and Ducati as a manufacturer on my local board and was teased about thread jacking. These are challenging times for everyone, especially the motorsports industry. Bikes are great, but they are a personal luxury item. What's more important your motorcycle or putting a roof over your family's head and food on the table? Wait, don't answer that! It will turn around for sure, I just hope the good dealerships and the manufacturers find a way to stay afloat. No government bail out for them.

[geoffduc]

Good luck Desmoworks it's dealers with alittle forward thinking that hopefully will survive these hard times and to my mind it will sort the wheat from the chaff   

[hypurone]

I heard about Moto-Meccanica, they were a good shop. I heard mixed reviews about their service as well but brought my bike there anyway (they were cheaper than Hattar). They did a pretty good job. I just got a service from Hattar and was very happy. I know most of the people there, I bought my bike there and I live in San Rafael. I also know the head mechanic, you don't have to doubt their service, they are very solid. I've had warranty work done there as well and they have always taken care of me and fixed the problem.

If you do take your bike to Hattar, be ready for a price shock.

Hey thanks for the info and the FHE!  Approx how much more of a sticker shock are we talking about here?

[gearhead]

 From the ashes the strong dealerships will rise up to reveal themselves. We will be better for it, think of it as culling the herd.

[hypurone]

From the ashes the strong dealerships will rise up to reveal themselves. We will be better for it, think of it as culling the herd.

And the "stronger" dealerships get even stronger with less competition and the rates go even farther thru the roof!!   

[red baron]

And the "stronger" dealerships get even stronger with less competition and the rates go even farther thru the roof!!   

Maybe Ducati is weeding out the poor performers or those that don't pay their bills.

[Capo]

And the "stronger" dealerships get even stronger with less competition and the rates go even farther thru the roof!!   

And as rates increase, it will become more viable for less expensive outfits to become established. and the cycle will continue.
It is indeed a cull of the weak and innefficient, and we as consumers should ultimately benefit in the long run.

I admire Desmoworks proactive response to this crisis. 

[2 Wheel Wanderer]

Hey thanks for the info and the FHE!  Approx how much more of a sticker shock are we talking about here?

No problemo and it depends on what bike you have but with me changing my own oil my service was $570 (that's including the cost of the oil). Hattar charges $98 an hr., I dont remember what Moto-Meccanica charged but I do think it was less.

I admire Desmoworks proactive response to this crisis. 

+1 million.

[hypurone]

No problemo and it depends on what bike you have but with me changing my own oil my service was $570 (that's including the cost of the oil). Hattar charges $98 an hr., I dont remember what Moto-Meccanica charged but I do think it was less.

+1 million.

MM was $85hr. Thanks for the hourly rate info. Are they amenable to " a la carte" servicing? I do the oil/filter, air filter service, I have Iridium plugs etc. so I would need them to only do the valves & belts (my next service is the 15k one) and TPS/TB synch only.

[2 Wheel Wanderer]

MM was $85hr. Thanks for the hourly rate info. Are they amenable to " a la carte" servicing? I do the oil/filter, air filter service, I have Iridium plugs etc. so I would need them to only do the valves & belts (my next service is the 15k one) and TPS/TB synch only.

Yeah, just let em know what you need them to do and you should be good.

[Munch]

Coulda bought em...

http://www.westauction.com/auction/item_pics/id/161/num/8648

22.8k, not a bad price considering the inventory

[MotoCreations]

Coulda bought em...

http://www.westauction.com/auction/item_pics/id/161/num/8648

22.8k, not a bad price considering the inventory

I wish I had known about it -- I would have bid quite a bit more than that for the contents of the dealership.