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

[Duckintime]

Woa, the 696 has tank problems? I thought that tank was concealed by side panels. How did you come to realize it had problems? Since its covered, and one wouldnt normally notice blemishes with that style, was it just not fitting right anymore?

[lazarus7]

when i took it in to the shop it was noticed
that there were fitment issues at the "gap" between the rear of the tank and the seat....
like the tank had swelled up TIGHT against the seat....
apparently this is a known issue as well since they immediately filed a warranty claim
and the new tank is already in the pipeline somewhere...
although its a "skin", the internal actual fuel bladder/ tank had swelled up against the skins enough
to push them waaaay back against the seat....

[ducatiz]

wow.. this is the first 696 i've heard with the problem

i wonder if any 1100s will show it...  ugh..

[Duckintime]

Yeah, this isnt really good news to hear.

[WetDuc]

If the new monsters are having tank problems as well, DNA is going to HAVE to do something, right?!  Some unlucky person is going to have a tank start leaking while riding then explode in flames if they don't, and given the shitstorm Toyota is going through over the gas pedal issues, I can't think Ducati is going to want to be put into the negative spotlight as well.  I hope this crap finds some kind of resolution soon.

[lazarus7]

just rode QSL tonight with matthew (sport 100 w termis)
and matt (s2r orange)
euro cycles was in attendance with their truck and assorted bikes, half the staff...

when we met at my house, i asked them if they had noticed their tanks expanding, they didnt know about it...
sure enough, matthew's sport 1000 has expanded all the way up against the ignition lock as well...
he states he noticed a YEAR ago that his bars were hitting the tank,
he went and adjusted his steering stops out until they no longer hit...
apparently didnt swell much since then, but there is an apparent point where the ignition cylinder has rubbed through the tank stripe...

jeff, service writer, euro cycles , was there tonight, discussed it with him out front,
he didnt even need to walk around back to look at matthews bike,
told him to call with the V.I.N and etc and hed get it taken care of...

[Mojo S2R]

Subscribed.  Thanks 

[Nekkid Tim]

We've got about the same number of NHTSA complaints filed about this obvious safety hazard as have been filed against Toyota for 2009 Camry Sudden Unintended Acceleration problems.   There are about 11ty billion times as many Camrys as there are Ducati Monsters and Sport Classics.

Where are OUR headlines and congressional hearings??   

[ducatiz]

Write/call NHTSA. 

NHTSA Headquarters
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
West Building
Washington, DC 20590

Toll-Free: 1-888-327-4236

[Heath]

I hope what duccarlos said about the March tanks is right.  I left my bike at the dealership on January 23rd and all they keep saying is we are still waiting for the tank.  If new tanks are coming in March that makes me feel better.  They said my claim got approved but they are just waiting for a tank.  If my bike wasn't an hour away I would go pick it up while waiting but just so much hassle.

[duccarlos]

They had told me March, but knowing the eyetalian, it will take another month or 2. I did not leave the bike at the dealer.

[monsterblur]

just a thought but has anyone installed a heat shield material under the tank?
i know this is not a solution but it may help with future problems.
i'm also having problems.

[ducatiz]

just a thought but has anyone installed a heat shield material under the tank?
i know this is not a solution but it may help with future problems.
i'm also having problems.

the problem isn't related to heat.   if it were, there would be similar problems in Australia, Japan, Italy, UK, etc.. No one in any of those countries has reported an issue.

[duccarlos]

I spoke to the service guy that got the info from the regional service rep. I don't think they want to make it too public since the service guy got weirded out when I mentioned that I had posted it on a board. Of course the dealers don't want to deal with the hazzle of warranty work.

[ducpainter]

I spoke to the service guy that got the info from the regional service rep. I don't think they want to make it too public since the service guy got weirded out when I mentioned that I had posted it on a board. Of course the dealers don't want to deal with the hazzle of warranty work.

Why would a dealer not want to do the work?

They get paid at retail.