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

[WetDuc]

Yes, once a year (about) I plan to have it replaced.   I live 2 miles from the dealer and it involves one phone call then a 1hr visit. $0. Not really a pain in my case. 

[JimmyTheDriver]

2007 S4R

My third tank just arrived at the dealer.  Guess they do replace it more than once.  The shop agreed to let me come get the tank and leave my bike to coat it.  I just want to be done.

-Jimmy

[ducatiz]

They are letting you take the new tank home to coat before installign it?

That's a very cool thing to do.  Who is the dealer?

[DucNaked]

They are letting you take the new tank home to coat before installign it?

That's a very cool thing to do.  Who is the dealer?

My dealer just let me take the tank. I think he knew I was fed up with his B.S.

[TAftonomos]

dealer STILL has my bike, tank isn't here yet.  So pissed I could have been riding the last 7 weeks and enjoying the weather.

No MTS1200 purchase from those guys....

[DRKWNG]

They are letting you take the new tank home to coat before installign it?

That's a very cool thing to do.  Who is the dealer?

Colemans in Woodbridge said they were ok with me doing this with the tank they've ordered for me.

[Uncle Mofo]

Mine on backorder too.

[BoDiddley]

What am I missing here?  Doesn't any one see anything wrong with wasting Ducati tanks five or six times instead of getting one tank and coating it.  Being done with it.  Maybe I am thinking backwards but why waste the tanks even if it is easy and no problem.  Twelve hundred dollars a tank time five is how much??  I got a replacement, coated it and forgot about it.  Obviously Ducati screwed up but why keep making them pay.  A bit of loyalty might be in order?

[DRKWNG]

A bit of loyalty might be in order?

Good luck winning hearts with that sentiment in this thread. 

Besides, I really doubt that Ducati is coughing up the money for these tanks.  I'd imagine that they're sticking the cost to Acerbis.

[NorDog]

Loyalty?

I'm waiting to hear what happens when someone's coating job fails and wants a new tank from Ducati.

Besides, I paid a premium price for my Italian bike.  My relationship with Ducati is one of business.  I'm not married to the company.

[Curmudgeon]

Besides, I really doubt that Ducati is coughing up the money for these tanks.  I'd imagine that they're sticking the cost to Acerbis.

Mostly correct, depending on Ducati's contract with Acerbis. Ducati still bears the cost of administration.

At least in the auto industry, manufacturers buy parts from suppliers based on a quality/failure rate. 10 failures/1000 units is very expensive, 20/1000 is premium. 50/1000 is an average. The lower the failure rate, the greater the cost. Then the manufacturer has a warranty agreement with the supplier which could be probably at best replacement cost and as little as 20%. All that is figured into the price of the part.

Sometimes this cost cutting thing gets absurd. I knew one case (no names) where a manufacturer saved $20 on a power steering pump on a very premium vehicle. When the pump seized, it threw the single belt, usually resulting in meltdown because the idiot owners continued to drive with the red light flashing and the displays going crazy. THAT was an expensive $20 savings. The power steering pump manufacturer did not buy new engines.

[junior varsity]

What am I missing here?  Doesn't any one see anything wrong with wasting Ducati tanks five or six times instead of getting one tank and coating it.  Being done with it.  Maybe I am thinking backwards but why waste the tanks even if it is easy and no problem.  Twelve hundred dollars a tank time five is how much??  I got a replacement, coated it and forgot about it.  Obviously Ducati screwed up but why keep making them pay.  A bit of loyalty might be in order?

I agree but not for loyalty reasons - for my own time-savings and enjoyment. I don't want the hassle of doing it more than once if there is a solution like me coating it.

The premium for an Italian bike is found in the limited production numbers, Italian styling, Brembo brakes, wonderful desmo motors, and watching them stick it to the big 4 on track worldwide. I didn't pay a premium for some mechanically impeccable contraption. There are other brands that deliver that, and they look like hell, generally.

[DRKWNG]

I didn't pay a premium for some mechanically impeccable contraption. There are other brands that deliver that, and they look like hell, generally.

Not all BMWs have been stone-like reliable. Just saying.

[Desert Dust]

Does anybody know if the 2011 Ducatis will have the same problem tanks?

[BoDiddley]

Good luck winning hearts with that sentiment in this thread. 

Besides, I really doubt that Ducati is coughing up the money for these tanks.  I'd imagine that they're sticking the cost to Acerbis.

Winning hearts is a stretch of the imagination, I was thinking more about waste.  Five tanks is a waste no matter who pays for it.    And yea, I quess I am loyal to Ducati with a lot of pride.  I like my bike and everything that goes with it and would not trade for two of anything else even with a bad tank!