Riding bike hundreds of miles past first service interval? Is this ok?

[mrpetebojangles]

Hey guys,

Just got back on the bike after being gone for 2 weeks. Am still so much in love with it Anyways, when I got back home I have 560 miles on it, after today I have 640. The first service is supposed to be at 600, so I called my dealership today and they weren't able to get me an appointment until the 11th. There's only 1 "Ducati" tech supposedly and that's when they can get me in. I really, really, really, do not wanna quit riding until that day as the winter is starting soon and I won't be able to ride much when the snow starts. Will it be alright for the bike if I put another few hundred miles or so on it until it can eventually go in? I asked the guy at the dealership and he simply responded ,"yea, you guys always do this, should be alright." But I don't wanna do something bad. What do you guys think?

I also ordered the 14T that will be installed during that service check as well. Excited to see how that will improve low speed performance. Can't wait till i can get the money to get the termi's installed among a few other upgrades I wanna do.

[scooterd145]

change your oil and filter yourself and go ride that thing! ;-)

of course this is not what is "Recommended" by the manufacturer. The risk taken is your own,

[hillbillypolack]

How's it running?  Starting okay?  running well up through the revs?  Be conservative riding it, try to get it in soon, but I think it'll be okay.  Just know that with the first service you will have a lot of metal junk floating around in the oil since the engine is breaking in.  I'd rather do this service sooner rather than later for this reason alone.

[mrpetebojangles]

The bike is running wonderfully other than this morning. I had it sitting for 2 weeks, but since I've been on it today its been running beautifully. Much better I think than the first ~500 miles. Seems to wearing in like a glove. I think I'll be alright, I hope . Did I mention that I love this machine?!!! As I mentioned earlier, I won't be able to get it in till the 11th, otherwise I would of had it in today.

[Axel]

If you flog the crap out of the bike every time you ride you might want to stick to the schedule, but if you're an average rider a couple hundred miles probably won't hurt it.

If you're really worried change the oil yourself and go around and check all the fasteners for security, wheels, brakes, steering head and swing arm bearings, suspension, chain tension, etc. Basically make sure it's not falling apart. The owner's manual should have a table containing the inspection/service requirements.

[Curmudgeon]

Relax and ride it. The factory fill is synthetic. Ducati just wants the dealer to plug it into the computer and send in the readout as well as doing the other checks. After 600 miles you can take the revs up to 7,000 occasionally if you feel the need.

I'm doing mine at 1,000 miles next week and my dealer sees as much as 1,500 miles with no problem for the bikes or the warranty. He's an ex-racer and Ducati master tech, so don't sweat it if the bike is running fine. Personally I'd rather go 1,000 and get a decent chain adjustment and hope not to see him again until I need the belts swapped and valves checked at 7,500. BTW, his fill is Redline 15W50 synthetic which had never let him down through years of racing. (The recommended Shell Advance 4T is not available in the U.S. BTW.)

At the same time he's removing the unsightly CA evaps cannister and fitting the European left side shroud. I guess you shouldn't do that if you're moving to CA. 

[Howie]

Just get it in before you accumulate 1000 miles.  If you can't do that change the oil and filter yourself, check critical fasteners, adjust chain tension and until you can get into the dealer.