Ducati Austin... What's your experience?

[syne7]

I'm a new Duc rider switching over potentially from CBR 1000 Repsol.  I have a 2008 Ducati s2r 1000 that I bout with 2900 miles on it last Saturday.  It has 3300 miles on it now, but died this morning on my way to work.

On the plus side I called Ducati Roadside Assistance, and they got me to the shop for free in an hour.  +1 one for Ducati, the warranty is still in effect till March of 2011.  So far a plus for the Ducati warranty and corporate service.  I was a bit disappointed the bike died in 6 days, but things happen.  Basically, the bike went totally light less and will not start.  So they towed it to Ducati Austin and I gave them the red key.

I was a bit surprised that they would not look at it right away.  I had an appointment to get some new bars and some frame sliders and a few other pieces added on first thing Saturday morning.

It now seems I've been thrown in the repair queue and they won't look at anything for a few days to a week.  I would have guessed they would have checked to see if it wasn't a minor problem like a short or a fuse right away or event looked at it during my scheduled time.

Also, when I suggested the bike was under warranty, they wrote "warranty?" on the work order, but looked a bit skeptical.  Does Ducati service not like to do warrant work?  Is it low dollar to them?

I've never interacted with the guys from Ducati Austin in a business fashion till now, but so far the experience a bit different from my service experiences with Georgetown Honda.  Is this typical?  I understand with only one Duc dealer in town they may be bit backed up. 

What have everyone else's experiences been like?

[Case S2R]

 I have always been treated well at Ducati Austin, they did my 600 mile service and were great.  I hear the maintenance side of DA have a few great mechanics.  Repair wise I feel your bike is in good hands.  As for if you are being treated correctly, I don't know enough to comment. 

If you want to know who does excellent Ducati work, come down to bike night on an evening with nice weather (Mings Wed at 7) and ask around.  You will get your questions answered.

[syne7]

Thanks, I appreciate your input.  I was beginning to wonder if I wandered on a taboo subject.  I spoke to them this afternoon, they said a tech looked at it but did not see what the problem was.  No call back before they closed. I'll have to see if there is any feedback on Tuesday.

Thanks again.

[IZ]

It's been cold there at night, right?  battery

[syne7]

It stared right away in the morning and started right up the one time the electricity/lights were on with the key.  I'd love it to be the battery .  Simple fix.

[azoomm]

So, it was your battery?  That doesn't make sense to me if the bike died while it was running.... I'm glad it's working now.  It just seems strange to me.

[syne7]

No, I'm sorry to be unclear, I don't know if it's the batter, I haven't gotten the bike back yet and they haven't determined what the issues was as of Saturday.

I was relaying that it did not seem like the battery because when it died, it start twice, nice and snappy prior to dying.  Sorry to be unclear.

[azoomm]

No, no... it's all good.  Well, if you haven't gotten it back yet I guess it isn't.    I'm sorry you're not having any luck.  Personally, I adore Randy Smith - head mechanic for DucatiAustin.  He is one of the best in the country....   

I will say, you have found a topic that is best served in person... and not in writing.

[syne7]

Not too big a deal.  I'm sure they'll get to it in time.  They are likely just overloaded, given only one dealership in town.  Since they'll be holding it for a while, maybe I will see about a 14 tooth sprocket .

[syne7]

Spoke to them this morning, they have diagnosed the problem as a bad connector which fried some or all of th e wiring harness.  They are in the process of ordering a new wiring harness or the bad part under warranty and will fix the electrical under warranty. 

I asked them to add a 14 tooth sprocket to the work list.  I should have the bike back next week, which is fine since I'm on a plane on Wednesday for the rest of the week.

All in all, I would say its a good resolution.  I will be a satisfied customer if the bike comes back okay.

[hiero]

glad to see things look like they'll be resolved   

[yotogi]

Glad you got it sorted!

Be sure to answer your original question when all the work is done.

[syne7]

I will for sure!

[syne7]

I got my bike back today.  I was traveling this week and couldn't pick it up today.

I have to say all in all they did a great job.  I'd give them an A-.  The work was very clean, they did not charge me at all for the warranty work.  Labor times where exactly what was quoted.

I would have like to have seen the repairs done sooner, but to be fair it was an electrical problem.

All in all I'd say I'm satisfied and will be back.

So now I have;

Rizoma Bars
Motovation Frame Sliders
14 tooth sprocket

I'm considering the Termi Exhaust, does anything need to be done with that like an ECU or testing?

Thanks,

Jason

[hiero]

awesome news!

the termi kit comes with a new ecu afaik