Warranty issues.

[tricolore]

G'Day all,
Had my first service done today. Brought to the attention of Fraser's that I am not happy with the finish on the carbon on the front guard and the belt covers  . Both are clearly different from the rest of the carbon on the bike. I may be anal but we are not talking about a cheap throw away bike here, I expect consistent quality and that is all. Long story short I was informed by Fraser's (who apparently contacted NFI) that the "carbon is a race product and the quality of the finish can not be guarenteed". I find this difficult to accept, sounds to me like B-S. Inspected several other S4RS in the showroom, all of which have the same poor finish on the same guards. My suspicion is that the front guards are old stock from the factory, perhaps produced several years ago using old out dated production techniques and I assume that the front guards and belt covers are parts which have been available for several years on other models and the new items such as exhaust guards and side covers are newer additions to the parts bin . Am I thinking too much? perhaps. Should I build a bridge? perhaps.
Wondered if anyone else with DP carbon (s4rs) can notice the difference? Does anyone have after-market front guards and belt covers that have a good glossy finish?
I Appreciate your input.
Regards, Steve

[Dockstrada]

My s4rs carbon has a high gloss finish apart from the belt covers they not as glossy but glossy

[tricolore]

My s4rs carbon has a high gloss finish apart from the belt covers they not as glossy but glossy

That is what I mean, shouldn't it all be the same?

[Dockstrada]

I guess we can’t assume anything with ducati

I just spent more than shit load of cash for a new bike with them and it doesn’t even come with a rear hugger

Which is normal you say, but try and work this one out

The bike I ordered is a team color so it comes with the Alice factory team sticker kit Free Wow free that not like Ducati great you say

Ok think about the logic in the following 

Unless you buy a rear hugger you can’t install the sticker kit as the shell sticker goes on the hugger
 
Yeh you say, well you have gone so far just buy the hugger a few extra hundred aint going to break the bank, you tight arse

Ok well how about I tell you Ducati don’t make a hugger  ??

[mattyvas]

Ya gotta be Fark-in kidding........
Here's a "free" sticker kit but you can't use one of the stickers cause we don't make the item it goes on......

I think I'd be a little   

[Spider]

So Ducati decided after 14 or 15 years that a hugger wasn't necessary, or is that their way of saying that the owners of S4Rs will use it for track or pristine road?

[sydmonster]

This inconsistancy in carbon is not the first time I've seen it either. I don't think they are actually made in the Ducati factory but each seperate piece is contracted out to different sub-contractors. Hence you get an inconsistant, look & finish.

Does that make it OK? Probably not.

Is it a Ducati issue? Most probably, but the importer NFi is were the buck stops as far as I know. So like any other for-profit organisation they will try to minimise ANY warranty claims, because it costs them money....

Does that leave me guessing about the brand/Ducati? Well... I think I come to learn that no matter the brand or maker of any consumer product; things just aren't 100% any more. Everything most of us buy these days is a mass built production (reproduction) product. So Ducati is no better or worse than any other manufacturer in my book... not that I like that, but it is life. Even Ferraries have their "issues". - Chris

[mattyvas]

Too true Chris,

     Everything has it's warranty or dealer issues.
Our new Golf has had a couple of issues and they were dealt with instantly no questions.
Seems Ducati or NFI and the lack of back-up they give there dealers really leaves alot to be desired.

For the repositioning Ducati are trying to do making it a more premium brand you think they'd bring along a greater level of
customer service to make the owners feel like they own something worthy of a "premium" brand tag.

I guess they want to be known as a premium brand but want to back-up there product like Lada or Rover

my 2c's 

[tricolore]

I agree with what you guys have said and it shits me that it's just accepted these days, I have wanted a Duc for as long as I can remember. The premium tag is something that attracted me now that I am in a position to have actually got one. I am just going to forget about it and deal with it because in reality if I think about it too much I risk ruining the fantasy of owning a Duc (I guess it is the same as a few other fantasy's I have  , however the others are unlikely to materialise). I love the bike and I have to accept that it is not perfect and enjoy it  [moto]. If I don't point it out you certainly will not notice it, so I will GET OVER IT!
Thanks for your input guys.

[DUCMONROB]

Hey Tricolour, do what I did to the carbon on my old 900 Special. I took it to a Motorcycle painter and they put clear coat over it and wow what a complete change.

One thing to remember is don't tell them it is a mongrel of a job to do!

Rob