Do you have an expanding gas tank? Who did you tell?

[ducatiz]

I know this is a new thread.  Please don't merge it.

If you have an expanding gas tank, you need to email your favorite magazine or e-zine or bike news website about it and ask them to do a story.

Reference the links here:

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=25074.0

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=20672.0

and give them these photos for an example:

Latch will not close at all.  The latch should be approximately 10-15mm from the keyswitch when closed.
http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DML/CIMG0021.jpg
http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DML/CIMG0023.jpg

These are the rubber U bumpers.  They are supposed to sit directly on the frame.
http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DML/CIMG0025.jpg
http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DML/CIMG0026.jpg

Side Rippling:
http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DML/CIMG0027.jpg
http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DML/CIMG0028.jpg
http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DML/CIMG0029.jpg

Full view -- doesn't look like any problem at all from a distance.
http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DML/CIMG0032.jpg


The more this gets public, the more it will push Ducati to do something official.

[WetDuc]

My tank is driving me crazy with the changes.  The rubber U bumps don't fit on the frame anymore and the latch hits the ignition assembly.  I told my dealer about it and he contacted Ducati and that was almost a month ago and still he says they will not respond to him about the issue!!!
 
I joined the group and will do what's needed later tonight when I can read my bike's VIN.

[Monster Dave]

It's instances like this when I'm glad to have a steel tank.

[NorDog]

I doubt any of the major magazines will touch a full story that examines a single (yet major) problem with a bike made by any of its major advertisers.  They would certainly mention it within the context of an article about something else if the point was relevant to the article.  I'm thinking of the "Long Term Ride Followup" type article, and those tend to be side bars and not full articles.

Case in point: When was the last time Motorcyclist or Cycle World had an article about a "new" Harley that didn't read like a press kit?  Now, I'm a HD guy from way back, but I tire of reading of the "new" Wide Glide or whathaveyou and only learning about a chassis tweak, a new paint scheme, or the brilliance of "Parts Bin Technology".

Granted, a full ride review would include and disappointments in handling or power (maybe), but a plastic (nylon?) tank ain't gonna swell during the course of a one day test ride on a new loaner bike from the manufacturer.

Now that I think about it, the whole issue could get a "Thumbs Down" or what ever it is in the one mag (Cycle World I think it is), but not a full article, imo.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I doubt any of the major magazines will touch a full story that examines a single (yet major) problem with a bike made by any of its major advertisers.

No one said it had to be a moto mag. I'm sure bad press from anyone else about this would help.

[ducatiz]

No one said it had to be a moto mag. I'm sure bad press from anyone else about this would help.

 

i think it's better that Ducati get on it officially now rather than wait it out.  when ethanol gas comes online in the EU for emissions, they are going to be a$$f*&ked by the number of angry people over there.  i think it could be big enough to put a huge dent in the company's sales.

[Supero100]

Consumerist.com might run a story

They tend to highlight individual cases to turn up pressure on companies

Have you contacted them?

[WetDuc]

I just want my tank fixed and will do whatever is necessary on my part to get it right.  You guys organizing this uprising are great folks!

[sally101]

Is it all tanks? Some tanks? Bikes parked outside? A certain model year?

What's the common thread on this?\

NM... read the OP.

[LA]

The more this gets public, the more it will push Ducati to do something official.

Someone pointed to my bike and said something about some waves or some defect they perceived at the back of my tank.  What? I didn't see it. Still held gas and was firmly affixed to the bike and is glossy black.  Not a prob.

Your tank has changed a lot.

I might get one of the last steel tanks for a replacement if I were you.  OEM price is ridiculous for either.

Ca-Cycle works has a good tank, but it ain't monster.

LA

[WetDuc]

We need to get Ducati to do something.  My dealer keeps telling me the same thing, over and over...that Ducati has not gotten back to him about my messed up tank.  This is so stupid.

[Statler]

We need to get Ducati to do something.  My dealer keeps telling me the same thing, over and over...that Ducati has not gotten back to him about my messed up tank.  This is so stupid.

another case of dealers making or breaking the ownership experience with Ducs.   The shop I go to now has replaced many tanks, knows the problem, and gets quick responses from Ducati.   I am at a loss for why there is such a difference in abilities/responses.

[NorDog]

We need to get Ducati to do something.  My dealer keeps telling me the same thing, over and over...that Ducati has not gotten back to him about my messed up tank.  This is so stupid.

If your bike is less than 5 years old, tell them to replace it under emissions warrantee.

[WetDuc]

I will give them a call again today and mention the emissions warranty.  But seriously, why did I have to get stuck with a crappy dealer?!  I might head over to Dothan, AL and meet the dealer there to see if he's running a tighter ship.  The guy here in Tally is all business, but I had thought he could take care of important issues when they came up, obviously not.  Really, the dealers can replace the tank, but it will just happen again if it's the exact same tank.  Best for DNA to do something about it, change something!

[shiftless]

No one said it had to be a moto mag. I'm sure bad press from anyone else about this would help.

Motorcycle Consumer News (mcnews.com/mcn/) might be a good place to go with something like this.  They are not supported by advertising, only by membership fees, and they have been known to go into some real detail regarding issues like this.  It wouldn't hurt to send them an email with some specifics and see if they are interested in following up.

Henry