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

[hbliam]

It was not discovered until the day I took it to the dealer.  The dealer went over the entire bike with a fine tooth comb and knew exactly what he was buying.

I would not have knowingly sold the bike with a swollen tank to someone.

So, FTR, I didn't tell you the tank was swollen when you considered buying it 5 to 6 months ago, because, well, the tank was fine last summer.  Heck, it was fine at the beginning of November.

I was referring to it being on a third tank.

[twolanefun]

This problem is not unique to Ducati. Triumphs and Aprilias are affected as well...

At last count there are 25 bikes/models on the list. I like some of the other solutions, back to metal tanks. Why is Ducati still selling models such as the 848 streetfighter with the same potential problem?

- Gene

[ducatiz]

At last count there are 25 bikes/models on the list. I like some of the other solutions, back to metal tanks. Why is Ducati still selling models such as the 848 streetfighter with the same potential problem?

- Gene

It is >possible< that Acerbis has come up with either a different formulation or some sort of barrier that prevents moisture from being absorbed.  I haven't heard of any 848s affected yet.

[twolanefun]

If they had I'm sure there woud be plenty of reasons to make that part of the sales pitch, I'm not aware on any such thing. Believe what you want, personally I'm glad I did not buy one. And still pissed about having to get rid of my S2R1000. Cannot imagine how someone with a PS feels, such a neat bike but..... The new Hyperstrada shows possibilities but I'm not sure I want to buy another new Ducati, given thier actions on models with the plastics tanks. - Gene

[DRKWNG]

If they had I'm sure there woud be plenty of reasons to make that part of the sales pitch, I'm not aware on any such thing. Believe what you want, personally I'm glad I did not buy one. And still pissed about having to get rid of my S2R1000. Cannot imagine how someone with a PS feels, such a neat bike but..... The new Hyperstrada shows possibilities but I'm not sure I want to buy another new Ducati, given their actions on models with the plastics tanks. - Gene

This

[MadDuck]

It is >possible< that Acerbis has come up with either a different formulation or some sort of barrier that prevents moisture from being absorbed.  I haven't heard of any 848s affected yet.

I've already had one tank replaced on my 848 and am getting ready to request that the second tank be replaced.  Might go the Al tank route.

[ducatiz]

I've already had one tank replaced on my 848 and am getting ready to request that the second tank be replaced.  Might go the Al tank route.

Wow.

[muskrat]

what a shame that the stubbornness has prevailed.....so far.  I hope Audi makes some drastic changes because I really, really want that Multi next year. 

[Dry Martini]

I love riding my S2R, even with the tank issue. I went the aftermarket plastic tank route and that is less than satisfactory. So I will be coating the OEM tank.

I see no reason to sell a bike I already own, or preclude me from buying a new Ducati. Now if you want to talk about those silly "Transformer" headlights...

[danaid]

I've already had one tank replaced on my 848 and am getting ready to request that the second tank be replaced.  Might go the Al tank route.

  I was planning on buying one but I will wait a while longer for a panigale version.

 Sad that Ducati does not fix this and is not worried about its reputation. I've talked to people who have stopped me to admire my bike, many have said they would love to own a Ducati but have heard that they are very unreliable and parts take months to get ( what they remember about Ducati's from 10-20 years ago?). Now they will be known for their expanding fuel tanks.

 

[twolanefun]

I see no reason to sell a bike I already own, or preclude me from buying a new Ducati. Now if you want to talk about those silly "Transformer" headlights...

That is what they are depending on, other brands got pressure from potential buyers and did something to fix the problem rather than put a band-aid on it. - Gene

[DRKWNG]

That is what they are depending on, other brands got pressure from potential buyers and did something to fix the problem rather than put a band-aid on it. - Gene

Again, this. 

I'ved loved Ducs for a very long time, but...  I've also been getting closer and closer to walking away from them for the last couple of years partly due to this debacle and how they've handled it.

[thought]

I've already had one tank replaced on my 848 and am getting ready to request that the second tank be replaced.  Might go the Al tank route.

I think ducatiz meant the SF848, not the 848sbk

[Charlief]

My 05 S2R800 is getting its 3rd tank this week. Took less than two weeks to get approval and the new tank.

[krista]

I'm reading this thread and I hate seeing all the frustration. It isn't Ducati's fault. Nor is it Acerbis' fault. If someone wants to point a finger, point one at the states with excess corn crop who lobbied for the asinine ethanol program. And point at the legislature who voted for it. And also point at the people who elected them. Still, I'm not convinced ethanol is the lone evil component in all of this.

Acerbis is working with nylon because it is understood to be good practice for use to contain gasoline and prevent emissions. And nylon is hideously expensive to make tanks from! The powder used to make a tank is somewhere near $500 to purchase. Right now, the best that the automotive industry can do is multi-layered blow molding with a layer or two of teflon mixed in. Then they added fluorine gas treatment to layer(s) of polyethylene during construction as this forms a great barrier. The latest I have read is the auto industry has come to the conclusion the best hope for gasoline with alcohol (ethanol) is fluorinated polyethylene mono layer construction.

With the near-term restart of our polyethylene Monster tanks, we will have them delivered out of state to be fluorinated so as to meet CARB requirements. Hopefully, the marketplace will be more receptive to this release of the MTT tank than before. The mold section for the top of the tank is nearly completed being carved from billet. This way, when I polish it, there won't be blemishes in the surface. Added to the new top finish, we have a new rotational molding company that knows how to properly "cross-link" our tanks. Once properly cross-linked, polyethylene is supposed to have the best dimensional stability with regard to gasoline. Finally, add in the fluorination to form the inner and outer barriers to reduce the ability for fuel vapor to penetrate the plastic and I would like to think our tanks will be a stable product, and one that will be paintable. I look forward to seeing how the fluorinated polyethylene tanks handle gasoline and perform.

- Chris