The Official My Bike is in the shop more then on the road thread story exchange

[howiroll]

My new M1100 has been in the shop on and off for 11 weeks now with a problem the bike had when I picked it up new from Ducati.  Nice oil leak that sprays on the back tire, good stuff.  Anyone know of any good ways to motivate Ducati to fix this?  Customer services is running way to thin and it is impossible to get them on the phone.  Basically, constantly waiting on parts with noETA from Ducati.  I have tried the vehicle off road/urgent parts order route but it is a joke.  That mixed with stupid tech bulletins that are written to purposely confuse techs, so always waiting on new instruction.  I can't imagine I am the only one having massive problems with a new bike and would love to hear the horror stories and how you got it done.  About had it with Ducati, not a very well ran company.

[junior varsity]

As an aside, oil on rear tire is why I throw a rear hugger on my bikes - saw an engine shit the bed on a ride one time, and thought "hey, here's some cheap insurance that also increases the usable life of a rear shock..."

Waiting on parts is part of working with a *very* small manufacturer. I do much of the parts ordering at the shop I'm at, and never have difficulty getting hard parts, either as "expedited" or "VOR". The tech bulletins seem straightforward to all of us as well... What shop are you using? Without naming names, perhaps you might consider another shop.

When we do warranty engine work, the bikes are back on the road in less than a week (average), all done up correctly. We've completely rebuilt engines and had the bike on the dyno within two days of the customer dropping the bike off (a 999 earlier this summer).

Don't let this bad experience ruin ownership for you. The bikes are marvelous, it is unfortunate that you are having to deal with this, but it shall pass

[the_Journeyman]

Wow, I hate to hear your woes.  I've got a 1999 M750 with 34,000 miles and a 2000 Supersport 900 with 16,000 miles and the only things I've had to replace are common wear items or stuff damaged in a drop.  I've got nothing but a story or reliability ~

Do you know what parts you are waiting for?

JM

[redxblack]

I broke a couple things wrenching wrong and it took forever to get them. They weren't essential, but important. I waited 5 months for neither of the two local shops to not get them before buying online w/ pro-italia. I had them in 3 weeks.

The internet is rad.

[MadDuck]

Speak with the Dealer and bring up the phrase "Magnuson-Moss". It's a federal law and trumps any state law, I believe. There is a time limit on how long the bike is allowed to remain out of service during it's warranty period before you can ask for a refund or a new bike.

[duclvr]

Speak with the Dealer and bring up the phrase "Magnuson-Moss". It's a federal law and trumps any state law, I believe. There is a time limit on how long the bike is allowed to remain out of service during it's warranty period before you can ask for a refund or a new bike.

Yup, that would be my next move.

[howiroll]

Have not tried the Magna-Moss Laws; will give that a try, thanks.  Have already researched the lemon laws which they have broken for Ohio and could and will have this does not take care of it.  The only thing is that I have pumped so much money into getting this thing the way I want it would be a shame to go another route with a different manufacture.







I want to actually ride this thing and hoping the motorcycle gods give me some love to get it on the road before it snows.

Would like to get this fixed and reasonably together.  No other problems besides this but just taking forever and hard to motivate.  Mixed with terrible customer service and etc.  

[mookieo2]

Where's GLantern with his 1098 stories?

[El Matador]

Write DNA a letter expressing your distaste with the matter. A member called swampduc had some recurring electrical issues with his 696 and did just that. A couple of weeks later he was on the road and happy 

[xcaptainxbloodx]

shit happens man.

talk to your dealer/D.N.A. about getting a new bike through lemon law and swapping your parts over.

[howiroll]

I know John Burnsten, Ducati NA Customer Service to well.  Another set back with no time table to get this done.  Still waiting on a part and no manpower in the near term to get it done.  Looks like the season is over for me.  New bike and grand total of 1 month of riding.    Ducati = you need two bikes.

[junior varsity]

I know John Burnsten, Ducati NA Customer Service to well.  Another set back with no time table to get this done.  Still waiting on a part and no manpower in the near term to get it done.  Looks like the season is over for me.  New bike and grand total of 1 month of riding.    Ducati = you need two bikes.

You don't need two bikes.    Don't let an unfortunate situation sour you already!

What is the part? You haven't said. Our shop or another may have it in stock. Stay optimistic - the Ducati community is great and we can all help out

[howiroll]

It is a gasket sealant for the base and top of the head gasket.  Ducati is having issues with bikes leaking oil and put a teach bulletin on it.  Of course Ducati does not have any of the stuff.  They are trying to track it down through other manufactures but nothing yet.  I guess Suzuki uses the same stuff and they are going that route.  The other unfortunate problem is that no one knows how to use the stuff and waiting for training from Ducati.  They said they are sending someone one out but have not heard anything from Ducati.  Just a big waiting pattern.  Unfortunately, no other shop near my area.  I understood Ducati is a smaller bike company, just around 500 million, but they are having some growing pains.  Of all my experience with power sports, I have never seen such a cluster ......   The best case scenario is 12 to 13 weeks now.

[booger]

Well that sucks dick. For me personally your situation would compel me to jump off the Ducati train and ride something more reliable. The thing is there is no other bike I can think of that I like, so Ducati it is. It's either Ducati or no motorcycle at all, really. I've had some minor troubles with my bike as well, but I've learned that there are only a handful of dealers in this country at least that know what the make the beast with two backs it is that they are supposed to be doing. They all seem to have their heads lodged inside their rectums. Makes me feel like a gold-plated asshole to keep sucking on the kool-aid but when I'm done with this bike another Ducati I will ride. On principle I would normally say f-you. They're not the most competent, most well-made, or the cheapest but they are the sexiest, and they ride really nicely when they are dialed in properly which 90% of US dealers have no clue how to accomplish, and don't care to.
Whatever sealant that they are using, why don't they just use what the Kawayamahonzuki dealers are using? It's not like Ducatibond is proprietary secret stuff. All this heartache and pain over some goop. Probably a warranty red-tape thing. When that warranty's up get rid of the bike or learn how to fix it yourself. It's not a space shuttle. You are a better mechanic knowing nothing at all than most of those dealer idiots. Christ on a cracker this stuff gets me fired up.

[Howie]

It is a gasket sealant for the base and top of the head gasket.  Ducati is having issues with bikes leaking oil and put a teach bulletin on it.  Of course Ducati does not have any of the stuff.  They are trying to track it down through other manufactures but nothing yet.  I guess Suzuki uses the same stuff and they are going that route.  The other unfortunate problem is that no one knows how to use the stuff and waiting for training from Ducati.  They said they are sending someone one out but have not heard anything from Ducati.  Just a big waiting pattern.  Unfortunately, no other shop near my area.  I understood Ducati is a smaller bike company, just around 500 million, but they are having some growing pains.  Of all my experience with power sports, I have never seen such a cluster ......   The best case scenario is 12 to 13 weeks now.

This makes no sense at all.  I don't know what Ducati is recommending for a sealer in your case, but in the past the stuff was the same as Three Bond, Yamabond, etc.  Special training to use a sealer?  Maybe someone who is working in a dealer, a m comes to mind, can look up the service bulletin.  I would also call Mr. Burnsten back and ask to speak to someone in tech.  Chances are he is a public relations person.