Local Shop List and Poll

[tuanogus]

The rear brake doen't have any springs.  Hope he was talking about the rear master.

I got clarification (as I've escalated this issue to Ducati USA out of frustration)... It's the rear brake pedal spring. I've confirmed that this particular spring is on back-order and it's no fault of Coleman FC.

[Dannyboy]

I just noticed this weekend that that spring was broken on my 696, as well. 

I bought my bike at Coleman WB.  One of the service guys showed me the maintenance schedule and pricing for the 695 and told me to expect roughly the same.  I didn't say anything but I was thinking that the 696 was supposed to be cheaper to maintain that the previous bikes.  Between that and the really dirty feeling I had going through the purchase process, I haven't been back to WB but I did go to the FC store and was surprised at the difference between the two.  Still, I took it to Ducpond for the 600 mile service and will continue to bring it out there.

[tuanogus]

I just noticed this weekend that that spring was broken on my 696, as well.

Yep, it's a defect. I waited 7 weeks for that damn spring. Once it arrived it took the mech ~5 minutes to install.

I'd call ahead and have your shop order that spring from the regional rep (if you're lucky they've got it in stock now)...this way you can keep your bike. Just make sure your rear brake light isn't being triggered. If it is, you'll have to cobble together a temporary spring.

[Dannyboy]

Yep, it's a defect. I waited 7 weeks for that damn spring. Once it arrived it took the mech ~5 minutes to install.

I'd call ahead and have your shop order that spring from the regional rep (if you're lucky they've got it in stock now)...this way you can keep your bike. Just make sure your rear brake light isn't being triggered. If it is, you'll have to cobble together a temporary spring.

That was actually the first thing I checked.  It hasn't really had any effect.  Any noticable effect, anyway.  But I have been meaning to call and order the spring.

[Lars D]

 I have taken mine to and independent shop .

 Holy shit is it a runnin mothermake the beast with two backser.

 

[twolanefun]

DucPond Kudos again.
So over the last 4 weeks the ST3 needed a new starter sprague, the M900 new fork seals, and the S2R1000 a new chain. The details:
The ST3 starter acted up on my trip to the Springfield Mile, on my way back I dropped the bike off at DucPond and let them know I had a 5 year warranty which had been written by Winchester Motosports when I purchased the bike in April 2005. They contacted the warranty company and ensured me the repair would be covered, minus my $25 deductible. They got the parts, repaired the bike, and the ST3 is on the road again good as new and my cost was $25, the repair bill was $696 so the warranty, $706, has paid for itself.

On the M900, rode it to a client meeting and as I was relaxing after navigating, or is it surviving, the Beltway, I noticed some residue on the left front fork seal. Out to DucPond it went, I was somewhat concerned about what would cause the fork seal to go - but then I looked at my service records and discovered that the front end had been upgraded to the Race Tech suspension 20K miles ago, so I figure that is about right, with the roads I travel and some of the track days. Anyway the work was done pretty quickly and the cost was $250 to remove both forks, repair and replace.

On the S2R, I could feel something was not right with the drive line, checked the chain tension, it was off a little, adjusted that, still was not right. No gap between the sprocket and the chain when I tested it on the rear sprocket, check the rear wheel it was tight and no play on cush bushings. Puzzled I took it to DucPond, turns out the bushings in the chain rollers had worn out with 10,400 miles, my chains usually last 12K but with the amount of track duty the S2R has seen and the fun I have pegging the throttle coming out of the turns on the backroads, I'm not complaining. The cost was $253. As Always this was all done on the schedule promised, with a smile, no BS, just good customer service. - Gene

[Turk]

They are not on your poll, but I've always gotten a square deal from the guys at Richmond Superbike.

[twolanefun]

Not to sound redundant, but I think it's imporatant to keep this current based on real experience. The S2R went in for a 12K service and an idle issue discovered when I was over at Mid-ohio. Turns out one of the timing belt rollers had frozen up, Donnie said he had only seen it on two other 2V' ever, I got lucky, the belt was in very bad shape and if it had broke, well shudder the thought. Note to self, pull timing belt covers very 3K and/or at first sign of rough running/idle. Anyway, got the bike back and it is running great as usual, did some local stuff, a run over in Ohio on way to Indy GP, and all week at INDY GP. No issues or need for follow-up on anything. Bike is running great, I need a track day!

I also picked up the ST3 this Saturday from a 30K service, plus new rear tire. Did about 300 miles so far, about half in sporting mode, bike may be running better than it ever has. Did a short loop with another Duc rider west of Duc Pond shop, about 125 miles. Noticed a missing bolt on fairing at windshield and the gear shift lever needed adjusting, swung by DucPond, fixed on the spot with a smile in about 2 minutes flat.

Still a Happy Customer - Gene

[Dr. D]

I've been happy with the experiences I have had with DucPond.  It is out of the way, but worth it.

I had to find a local place to change tire after I found a nail in the rear tire.  Since I'm off to NJ Motorsports Park next weekend, I wanted to get that done quick.  Found out about NVCycleWorx in Chantilly.  Three man shop, doing work on all makes.  Worked out well. 

[FatguyRacer]

I have taken mine to and independent shop .

 Holy shit is it a runnin mothermake the beast with two backser.

 

Mike is a Ducati master. He did my belts and valves at 12k when he worked at Speed's. Donnie's man checked them at 18k and said they were spot on and now at 35k with Mike working on my bike again, he said the he only had to adjust 1 exhaust valve. This guy is the shit. And he replaced my FUBAR'd sprag for a really good price.

[The Mad King Pepe']

Mike is a Ducati master. He did my belts and valves at 12k when he worked at Speed's. Donnie's man checked them at 18k and said they were spot on and now at 35k with Mike working on my bike again, he said the he only had to adjust 1 exhaust valve. This guy is the shit. And he replaced my FUBAR'd sprag for a really good price.

A big +1 for Mike!

Just had him do the valves on my Monster and he was great. The only issue I had at first was getting in contact with him at first since he was a little slow with the emails. But other  than that  he was great to talk to, answered all my questions etc.

[Wind Noise]

I took the Honda to Crossroads Cycle recently.  They're good guys over there.  I know they work on everything, and there's alot of old Triumphs in the lot.  Certainly not the same kinda place as Ducpond, but I'll definitely head back for the smaller stuff and if I ever need an emergency fix and can't stomach a tow bill from DC to Winchester.

[Statler]

I added Mike Collins to the poll.

He used to wrench at speeds.   

He's now on the DMF now too.

Mike is good people, worked on G's 620, and will get our routine service work for the forseable future.

[Meerkat]

Mike gets my vote. Dropped the 620 off at 2:30 and Mike let me know about 7:30 that it was ready to pick up.

[TitanMonsterS4R]

Does anyone have the contact information for Mike? Would love to have him do some work on Duc. Seems that every Duc mechanic in the area is booked