Plastic Tank problems: Discussion thread, see info thread sticky for updates

[DucRS]

Started to notice rippling on my "08" S4RS.
Local Duc dealer closed shop and I was wondering if I could go to any Duc Dealer to have my tank replaced? and does it come in it's original color?

94 pages of info

[ducatiz]

Started to notice rippling on my "08" S4RS.
Local Duc dealer closed shop and I was wondering if I could go to any Duc Dealer to have my tank replaced? and does it come in it's original color?

94 pages of info

Yes, go to any dealer.  SOME dealers will allow you to take extensive photos and email them (with bike info, i.e. VIN) and then verify when you come in for the replacement.

Give the dealer you go to a call first if they are far away and ask if you can do that.

I have HEARD that you can request any color you want.  Some dealers swapped bike colors on new bikes to suit a buyer's request.  I had a friend who did this on his new bike, he wanted a silver/black but wanted the S2R800, so the dealer swapped the tang with silver and he paid $250 extra for the swap.

Give them a call.

[DucNaked]

New tank is on the way. 

[hillbillypolack]

Contacted Ducati NA customer service with my personal explanation and observations of this debacle.  From providing OE tanks that were never designed to hold Ethanol content fuels (despite it being in fuel mixtures from as early as 2002) to supplying substandard quality on replacement tanks I have had enough.  Ducati fighting this event is just a signal they don't really want to do right by the customer, but are clearing the shelves of old tanks (as evidenced by earlier pics showing 2005 manufacture dates).

Working at GM (yes, I know boo hiss), it's clear to me that if GM tried to pull this stunt they'd be publicly loathed and financially affected. They would also suffer reduced sales numbers in years following a major problem like this.  These details were noted in the letter to DNA with pics of the tank in question.  And its funhouse surfacing, orange peel / scratch paint with offset mold lines at the centerline of the filler neck.  Close proximity to prototypes concept cars for the last 20 years teaches you how to tell well-made products from poor ones, so these details stick out like acetone covered thumbtacks to me.

Of course, I'm venting here but the communiqué was written far more diplomatically.  We will see if I hear anything more after it reaches their service department.  I'll post anything new when it comes my way.

[ducgrl]

So your saying that there are no new tanks being made? so in say 5+ years, when they depleted their inventory of tanks, then we are all screwed?

[corey]

sounds like we're all make the beast with two backsed.

[muskrat]

I still can't believe this shit's going on.  Maybe TPG can take them over (again) and put some spring in their step like before.  Considering their sales are down from last  year and BMW is up 12% they better look at the brand again before pissing so many people off or sue Acerbis.  Either way this shit better get resolved because with options like Aprilia and BMW at lower prices those brands are looking mighty fine these days.

[ducatiz]

Aprilia uses the same tanks and owners are having the same issues.

[muskrat]

huh, that I didn't know.  lesson learned for today 
still though $15k versus $22k, I'll take the $15K with tank problems. 

[DRKWNG]

As Izaak pointed out, several manufacturers are experiencing the same issues with the Acerbis sourced nylon fuel tanks.  I'm curious to see if MV is using their tanks, as that is most likely the next bike I get.

[mitt]

I would not bet my first born that the date on the bottom of the tank was when it was molded.   It isn't unusual to see molding places never change the date insert in mold tools...

[ducatiz]

I would not bet my first born that the date on the bottom of the tank was when it was molded.   It isn't unusual to see molding places never change the date insert in mold tools...

That's interesting, except that there is a second hand stamp which shows the tank was inspected by Ducati, the date is in 2006, I can't make out the month, but it looks like 3/2006, which would mean the tank was inspected a year after being made, which I have to assume is a final QA before assembly.



so someone forgot to change the date on their hand stamp too

[thought]

As Izaak pointed out, several manufacturers are experiencing the same issues with the Acerbis sourced nylon fuel tanks.  I'm curious to see if MV is using their tanks, as that is most likely the next bike I get.

i'm really suprised that it's still going on when it's multiple manufacturers sourcing from the same supplier...  with that many of their customers having issues, you would think acerbis would have done something about it already.

[ducpainter]

i'm really suprised that it's still going on when it's multiple manufacturers sourcing from the same supplier...  with that many of their customers having issues, you would think acerbis would have done something about it already.

They have...

their lawyers are in a huddle as we speak.

[corey]

It really sucks that Acerbis put such a product into market without proper testing.
It also really sucks that none of the manufacturers thought of doing their OWN quality control.
It also boils down (IMO) to the fact that Ducati (and whomever else) CHOSE to use a plastic fuel tank in the first place.