How far would you drive? Maybe a bike change...

[mitt]

Corse is closing?  I need a source, cause I don't believe it.  I thought they were great.

mitt

OK, it says it in big red letters on their website, that sucks.

mitt

[77south]

Bob Barr has been out of business since 2006

[bluemoco]

I feel the same way sometimes.  I've been thinking about a more distance-oriented bike and am excited to see what the new VFR1200 looks like in person:

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2009/09/2010-honda-vfr1200-shamu-visit.html


Dealer distance and/or maintenance issues with the Duc would definitely put me in the market for a new bike - if I were in your shoes. 

YMMV

[Kopfjäger]

As far as I need to for a good mechanic. I never have and never will use a dealership, for my cars/trucks or bikes. 

[vwboomer]

I think even without the dealer issues Im going to shop around. This trip is sealing the deal and we only rode 30 miles yesterday - the rest was on the SSBadger. Guy Im riding with pulls the key ou t of his bike and walks away. I gotta take my tankbag off, backpack and carry that shit around which weighs probly 20 lbs. need saddle bags!
we'll see how i feel in 8 hours

[jerryz]

In Thailand the only and nearest Ducati Dealer is 100 miles away , I never use them do all my own work, I have 3 HD dealers and Kawasaki only one mile from my home but they are not an option.

IN UK there are 3 Ducati Dealers within 40 Miles but I only by parts from them.


Independants are usually the best if you do need work done because they love what they do.

[RC Fan]

I think even without the dealer issues Im going to shop around. This trip is sealing the deal and we only rode 30 miles yesterday - the rest was on the SSBadger. Guy Im riding with pulls the key ou t of his bike and walks away. I gotta take my tankbag off, backpack and carry that shit around which weighs probly 20 lbs. need saddle bags!

Convenience is key!  I say why not shop for a new bike.  Go for it, and let us know what you end up with.

[lwszabo]

the drive would not bother me as long as it was good service. When I had my Monsters I used a local guy who did awesome work.....until the last service. The last time i took my monster there the guy kept my bike 2 weeks before he started working on it. (I stopped by 8 times and he was never home, when I did find him home he looked like he had not slept in weeks and his answer was I am getting ready to start!) T

Then after another 1/2 week I stopped in again. I could tell there was something wrong just by the way he was acting, so i told him how much I missed my bike, and how long i looked to find a older M900 in PERFECT shape....His answer was ahhhhh yeaaaaaa I need to ask you something. He then took me in his shop and asked me if my bike had any scratches when I dropped it off. I said no it is Perfect. (the bike only had 2500 miles) he then showed me 3 very deep gouges on my tank, and my exhaust cans were scratched up aweful, and the FBF badge was all messed up!!! He said his "helper" must of done it when he moved my bike!

I told the guy to get the bike back together it is leaving in 30 minutes. (I had new belts, oil, filter, fuel line, Kreeme, Clutch fluid, and brake fluid.) He said dont worry I will give you this service for free. I said Free? I dont care about the money , I just wanted you to take care of my bike! He then offered to paint my bike and sell me tires at cost. I said I will pay you for parts only. (he has to eat) I felt like if I paid for parts maybe he would realize he need to treat other peoples bikes with respect.

I then went back to give him one more chance to redeam himself. He ran out of fuel line to finish my bike. I needed 1 more section replced. As he lifted my tank he said "looks like someone didn't fasten you tank when they removed it!" I said it was you, you took the tank off to Kreem it! He then started unbolting the fuel cutoff and scratched the $hit out of my frame....I said stop, get away from my bike, and left....I sold my Ducati the next day. The guy will keep me from owning another one because I cannot afford Ducati of Charlotte, and have no idea how to do belts, valves myself...just sad to think about this guy.

[lifeinohio]

I have a Ducati dealer less than 2 miles from my house but I now go to one 1.5 hours away, just because of poor service.  I always consider it an adventure.  When I used to ride Husqvarnas in the woods, the only dealer was 2 hours away, I never thought it was a big deal.

[Kopfjäger]

  I sold my Ducati the next day. The guy will keep me from owning another one because I cannot afford Ducati of Charlotte

Wow. I've never heard of selling or not owning a particular vehicle, because of 1 mechanic. 

[lwszabo]

Wow. I've never heard of selling or not owning a particular vehicle, because of 1 mechanic. 

I have to be able to service it, and I cannot afford Ducati of Charlotte, and am not mechanically savvy

[lwszabo]

Wow. I've never heard of selling or not owning a particular vehicle, because of 1 mechanic. 

that was not the only reason, my baby probally had a little something to do with it...it just made for a better ending!

[sugarcrook]

While the BMW has a higher upfront cost, you'll also likely get a loaner bike when you take the bike in for service.  You'll also be able to test ride just about anything you want.  They didn't let me test ride the Megamoto, which was probably good for my wallet. 

Some bikes you might want to look at include the F800ST, the Triumph Tiger, the V-Strom 650 ABS, and that new VFR looks nice.  Figure that you'll need a new seat for whatever you buy. 

As far as the extra bits on your bike, pull them and sell separately.  You'll never get that money back on an outright sale. 

[kingbaby]

We have service "loaner" bikes & a demo of every Ducati & Triumph model. Wait, not true, no 1098R or Desmosedici (big surprise).

Have never understood how dealers sell newly released models without having demos.

[junior varsity]

lots of people always want the 'latest and greatest' - so superbikes are quick sells no matter what