Getting Ducati to replace bike

[jsriley]

Alright guys I got a good question.

I got my bike mid-June and since then here is a list of the problems I have had.

1. Air Temp gauge never works properly.

2. I ALWAYS have to use fast idle to start the bike even if its 95 F outside.

3. Sometimes it takes 5 mins to get the bike started after it has been sitting over night.

4. After first oil change the bike had a big oil leak. Got that fixed and now it is leaking oil again. Not much but still leaking.

5. The bike overheats at times. I know it is air cooled, but last time it was night and 73 F and I was sweating and the air temp read --- with 6 bars for oil.

6. Stickers on the panel are peeling off.

7. pops into neutral sometimes while shifting from 5th to 6th gear.

I know some of this problems are an easy fix and not a big deal. Others, like the air temp, are a design flaw that I have to deal with.

I'm more worried about the engine problems. I bought a NEW bike and this thing has been in the shop 4 times in 3 months. I have done everything I can to get the problems worked out. I think Ducati should replace it with a new one.

Do you guys think this is possible? Am I asking for too much? I wanted a new bike not one that had to be fixed.

[rgramjet]

Look up the Lemon Law in your state.  Not sure how it applies to bikes.  I bought a Chevy Avalanche in 02 that was a lemon......GM "bought" it back minus a negotiated mileage allowance.

In MD at the time the vehicle had to meet one of the following criteria in order to be considered a lemon:
-In the shop 3 or more times for the same thing.
-In the shop over 30 days
-A safety issue.

My truck met all three.  Good luck!

[Triple J]

#1) From your previous thread sounds like ambient air temp? Who cares if it's off, unless it's related to #3 or #5 somehow. Worst case get the dealer to replace under warranty.

#2) Fast idle lever is almost always needed if the bike is cold (doesn't matter if it's warm outside).

#3) Are you using the fast idle lever. Maybe an issue...but can likely be fixed by the dealer if they're competent.

#4) Just get the dealer to fix it. Where is it leaking from?

#5) Consensus seems to be that 6 bars isn't overheating. 7 or 8 is. What oil are you running and is it full? Any exhaust/airbox mods that make it run hot? Seems an oil cooler addition would solve the problem regardless.

#6) Stickers on what panel?

#7) False neutral between 5th and 6th is a Ducati thing...quit shifting like a wuss and it'll go away.

Sorry, I don't see anything even close to a lemon law problem. Doesn't hurt to ask if they'll swap it out for a new one though...who knows. Who's you dealer? Seems this all could be easily fixed.

[bikepilot]

I doubt they'll replace it, but you might be well served to find a better duc dealer.  Sounds like most of the true problems listed were caused by bad mechanics (oil leaks) and/or the dealer not showing you how to work the bike (fast idle lever). 

[jsriley]

To Triple:

1. I had a new air temp sensor put in at the dealers. The gauge is reading better, but still 10 degrees off. Like i said I don't really care about that.

2. I was under the impression that if it is a heat wave outside and the temp it 90 + degrees I should need to have the fast idle open all the way to start and yes I know how to use the fast idle properly. Turn key, let it cycle, adjust fast idle and start.

3. Yes even with fast idle it is hard to start at times. When i picked it up at the dealers the mechanic brought the bike out and could not start the bike. He took it back "fixed it" and it seemed fine. Now the problem is starting again.

4. The leak if from the filter and I think the drain plug. I took it to the dealer they fixed it and now after a month it started leaking again.

5. I'm not sure of the oil. I had it changed both times by the dealer. once for the 650 mile service and 2nd for the leak. The only mod I have on the bike is a tail tidy. I shouldn't have to had an oil cooling system to prevent the bike from running so hot that i'mi sweating while wearing a t-shirt at night in 74 degree weather.

6. The monster stickers on the tank. The corner of them are peeling off.

I think bike pilot is right and it is just a bad mechanic. I'm just worried they messed up my bike and 2 years from now when it is out of warranty i breaks down and i'm screwed.

7. Fair enough

[danaid]

  Your kidding right, all those problems are normal on my bike! 

[jsriley]

I hope that's sarcasm. It's difficult to judge tone in a text. I hope it's not normal to have oil leaking from the engine right in front of the rear tire.

[Triple J]

I have to agree that your mechanic is suspect. The starting problem is the only real issue I see. Another dealer nearby who can have a look?

Change the oil youself next time maybe if you have the tools. A new oil filter and crush washer on the drain plug should fix the problem. K&N filters make the job easier.

Using the fast idle lever to start is normal, regardless of the air temp. Some bikes are just cold blooded as well. It's no biggie. Be glaad you have a fast idle lever...it's more reliable than an ecu-controlled fast idle.

How many miles on the bike? Maybe the running hot issue is related to a relatively new motor and will get better with miles. This is one reason why I liked my old M900...no temp gauge. Ignorance was bliss!  Agreed you should't have to add an oil cooler.

Air temp gauges are worthless IMO. When it's nice out no one looks at them. When it's hot or cold they just serve to remind you how uncomfortable you are! 

That's a bummer on the stickers...not sure what to say there.

[jsriley]

Well I have to take it to the same dealership one more time tomorrow. The only dealer is two hours away. Besides this dealer has my replacement tank panels.

The bike has 2800 miles on it now, but it had around 800 when it overheated real bad.

I want to take it to the dealer near Newark and have it looked over. I have to take it there because FBF doesn't have the computer needed to sync the ecu chip with the bike for the tremi slip ons. I just don't want to put more money into the bike if it keeps giving me problems.

If I still have trouble starting the bike, if it backfires more (which it has been doing twice a week now) or if it leaks oil again after I get if fixed. I'm going to demand a new bike.

Hopefully it gets fixed.

[drunkfatguy]

What year (assuming it's a Monster)is this Bike? If this is a NEW (I.e 2011-12) Bike are you sure that the "fast Idle lever" is exactly that? My New 2011 does not have a fast Idle lever as it is ECU controlled. Not that I am doubting you have some problems but I didn't see in your first post a description of the bike.

[Narflar]

#3  I had the same issue on an older ducati and I assume the same mechanism is in place.  It turned out to be a sensor that tells the computer the engine is turning.  Turned out it was shipped out to far and wouldn't intermittently pickup the engine was turning over.  It took about 5 or more visits to the dealer to get it straight and they had to call their support lines to figure it out.

[OT]

Ummm...what year and model of MC, or did I miss something?

Fast-idle lever on Monsters went away with intro of the S2R (2006)...didn't it?

'Ducati Stickers' on the tank are covered by clear coat...on my bike.

[suzyj]

Ummm...what year and model of MC, or did I miss something?

Fast-idle lever on Monsters went away with intro of the S2R (2006)...didn't it?

'Ducati Stickers' on the tank are covered by clear coat...on my bike.

The bigger ones got an idle stepper, but the little ones still had the fast idle, at least up until the new model bikes came out.  My 695, for example, has a fast idle that I use most times to start it, even if the air temp is 30 degrees C...

These complaints sound like a whole lotta whining (with the possible exception of the oil leak).  My duc is often a right pita to start, and carrys on like nobody's business under 3K.  Open it up tho and it makes me grin like an idiot.  Every time.

Perhaps the OP should buy a honda.  They're reliable.

[jsriley]

Drunk: Yeah it is a 2011 monster 6965. It is a fast idle lever. The dealer went over that when I picked it up.

Nar: I'll tel the dealership, maybe thats the problem.

OT: I have the matte black finish without a clear coat.

Suzyj: Sorry if it sounds like whining, but when I bought a ducati i was expecting a bike that would be more reliable then a honda. Perhaps you like to over pay for a lesser machine, but if i'm paying for a high quality bike thats what I expect to get. Honda's are great most of my dirt bikes are hondas. When I got a ducati i didn't expect to sit outside my garage messing around for 5 mins to get the dam thing to start. I don't think thats whining, I just don't like to taken for a ride after payig good money. (no pun intended)

[J5]

Suzyj: Sorry if it sounds like whining, but when I bought a ducati i was expecting a bike that would be more reliable then a honda. Perhaps you like to over pay for a lesser machine, but if i'm paying for a high quality bike thats what I expect to get. Honda's are great most of my dirt bikes are hondas. When I got a ducati i didn't expect to sit outside my garage messing around for 5 mins to get the dam thing to start. I don't think thats whining, I just don't like to taken for a ride after payig good money. (no pun intended)

i really hope you dont buy a ferrari and expect it to be super reliable and low maintenance