Should I keep my recently purchased S2R 1000 or let it go?

[Gadgetech]

I posted this in the other forum but I'm looking for more feedback.  So I've had my bike about 6 weeks now and just about everytime I've ridden it there is a problem. First it was the tires (dealer should have replaced before selling and granted not a huge issue but it is frustrating), then the tank issue that they have only provided the bracket for. After a ride one weekend I went to get on the bike a couple days later and it wouldn't fire up, only turn over. A bracket holding the exhaust has broken and just this Friday I was riding and it just cut off after being on the interstate for 1 mile. Of course they get it back to the shop and it cranks right up so they are diagnosing to see if they can locate the problem. Is a Ducati this maintenance intensive? The bike is a 2008 S2R 1000 and I was hoping with it being a simpler machine (2V, air cooled, etc) that I wouldn't have as much to worry with but man. It had 3200 miles on it when I got it and after an email to the dealer expressing frustration over the above he said he would offer to "try" and buy it back. Should I take him up on it? I really love this particular bike and maybe b/c it had lower miles it sat a lot and that's where these issues stem from but I don't want a lemon. I feel like I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop and something else need repair on the bike. This is the first used bike I've bought and will probably be the last for this reason. I just want to get on the thing and ride it, am I asking too much?
The bike was not near empty either time and both times I had this not starting issue the fuel pump wouldn't activate.  I was told once they got it back to the shop and unloaded it, it cranked right up several times.

The dealer stated he knew the previous owner and said they took good care of the bike so I felt more comfortable with the purchase. The dealer has been great, they did pick the bike up and drop me off after it left me on the side of the road Friday and they did it without cost or anything like that. The dealer has been great and responsive to my frustration so I can't really fault them (other than the crappy tires on the bike). I have friends who are suggesting I take the dealer up on his offer to buy the bike back, and one of them rides and swears by Ducati.

What would you do? I love the bike, the looks, etc but should I take the dealer up on his offer to buy the bike back and look at something else? They do have a brand new 2009 Multi Strada 1100 S with a factory new warranty I could probably get at a good price.

[Greg]

I'd give it another chance. I've had my 2006 S2R-1000 since 2008 and the only thing that has gone wrong with it was the kickstand cut out switch. You might check that on your bike, maybe it is going out as well.

Overall it's been a great bike 

[EvilSteve]

I don't think anyone can tell you if you should sell your bike or not, it's a personal decision.

For the record, I had an S4RS a few years ago that I got second hand. There were endless problems with that bike (burnt rotors, shorted/fried ECU, etc.) it was painful to say the least. Ended up doing a lot of work on it and, thanks to Ducati charging almost as much for stock parts as the fancy aftermarket stuff you can get, I ended up with an exbox, race ecu, etc, etc. By the end of it all I finally found out what it was meant to ride like and I was impressed but by that stage, after all the BS I just didn't want the bike.

Oh, I bought my M1100 EVO last year. Was riding home through traffic & the bike got hot & then stalled. Wouldn't start. Dealership had to come pick me up. The bike had 5 miles on it? You know what the problem was? A 5¢ bolt that had rubbed through the housing of a wire that was shorting the bike. The bold was a hex head with pointy bits on it, they chose it because it was cheaper than a rounded head. Just a bad decision at the factory, save them 10¢ per $12k bike, recall cost how much?

There's a balancing act, I'd discuss it with your dealer and figure out how long they're willing to leave the buy back offer on the table. Make sure you know what you're getting into if you decide to go that way (do you have to buy something from them, can you work a deal if you take another bike from them, etc) and just be upfront with them and honest. It sucks but it happens.

[muskrat]

If he's willing to buy it back, to me it says two things.   First the dealer believes in the bike or he's got a reputation issue and trying to minimize it (doubt the latter is true but worth thinking about it).  Second, you get a fresh start with another 800 or 1000.   Your choice but the things you describe are easy fixes or you could have a lemon.  Good luck.

[ducatigirl100]

when I got mine last year

-the starter motor  failed
-One of the ignition module failed
-I lost my clutch wile ridding on the highway ( try to stop a bike whitout a clutch!! )
-In the fist 3 monththe bike went back to the dealer for repair

but I roll up my sleeve's, and now, It would be very hard to sell it because I love it so much     

A Ducati is a case of though love and a love and hate relationship 

[Gadgetech]

The dealer said he believed in the bike and the experience with them has been great. They've serviced the bike from the previous owner so they know the history. I'm going to talk with them tomorrow but I think if they can identify the issue I'll keep it. If not...it'll be a tougher decision. I've wanted an S2R 1000 since they first came out and hopefully the issues will subside. I appreciate the feedback.

[scduc]

I have not had any problems with my 08' other than the tank issue. Personally, I will never part with mine.

[phishhead1]

i love my 06 and i havent had a problem with it yet

[geoffduc]

It's up to you to make your own decision after all you purchased it in the first place and don't go blaming the dealer on the tyre issue because like I've already stated you purchased the bike and should have noted the need for new rubber and worked it into the deal...

Geoff...

[zooom]

1ST...if your heart was really set on an S2R1K, then a Multi probably won't make you much happier, unless you are just frustrated and want something to ride...which is a different mentality altogether...and that may bring you to different results in the end of happiness or not...

2nd...like someone else suggested, take the bike now, and preface with the dealer that if 1 more issue occurs within "X" period of time, then you would like to engage that buyback offer...regardless of why the dealer is willing to do it ( ie: belief in the bike or their reputation or whatever)

3rd...to me, it sounds like a host of issues that aren't hugely signifigant in the larger picture of things, and while it is indeed frustrating, it could be a whole lot worse...but at least you have documentation on everything with the dealer, so it isn't like you are bringing up a whole host of things to their attention out of the blue that aren't there anymore at the time of a different issue altogether...

in the end, you need to look out for yourself and do what is best for you...and as much as we all may opine here on this and that...it is your decision that matters and how you feel about it all when it is said and done....do you want a salty taste left in your mouth from this, that, or something else...and it is always the lesser of 2 evils when it comes to situations like this, and you are often stuck looking at the seemingly greener side of the fence...

[JimmyTheDriver]

I would stick it out!  At some point, its gotta stop!

I bought a 2007 S4R brand new a few years back.  <10 miles on it.  I was left stranded twice in the first season, with over 2 months stuck in the shop.  Since - its been the best bike I could ever ask for.   Just took it on a 600 mile cruise this weekend and it performed flawlessly.

-Jim

[Gadgetech]

Thanks guys and gals, I appreciate all the comments.  I'm going up to the shop tomorrow to see what the numbers really are but I did have a discussion today expressing my wish to fix the bike.  I asked him to give me an idea on what he though he might give me for the bike so I can truly weigh that option and he didn't give any hard numbers.  He did say he would work very hard to get me out of the bike and gave the impression he wanted me out of the bike more than I did.  It's not like I've been up there every week with the bike or even expressed how frustrated I really am.  It's nice how helpful they've been but I really would rather they fix the bike.  Like suggested above, I've always wanted a previous body Ducati monster which carries a heavy weight in my decision making.  The dealer plans to sell the bike if I take it back in, so he definitely has faith in the bike.  We'll see.

[Gadgetech]

I went by the dealership today and took a 2007 BMW K1200R and a Monster 796 on a test ride.  The BMW had great power but numb comes to mind when I think about the suspension.  The 796 is lacking in the power department and the suspension, while it provided more feedback than the BMW was not as sharp as that on my S2R 1000.  This confirmed for me what I had been thinking, that I bought the S2R because I wanted that bike specifically and no other bike is going to provide the same feeling I get on it.  When I ride the S2R I have to be engaged, the clutch is heavier, you have to be intentional when you change gears, and the torque created by that v-twin motor pulls in a way that only a v-twin can.  Maybe I'm being a little to romantic in my thought about a motorcycle but I like Ducati bikes for the rawness they posses, it's a purpose built machine.  I appreciate the feedback everyone provided.

[NAKID]

Looks like you made up your mind...

[Novelo]