Hello everyone I purchased my first Ducati 6 months ago, I've wanted one since the launch of the 916 but circumstance and cash has never really allowed. My delightful 821 Hyper which I use everyday as my choice of commuter has been faultless and so much fun. Sadly one early morning commute while pulling away from some inner city traffic lights the gearbox lets go with a bang. Being mechanically sympathetic I immediately pull the clutch and coast to the side of the road. When I say pulled away, I was not racing, wheeling but keeping pace with the heavy traffic. My local Ducati dealer said 3rd gear is destroyed. The Total bill appears to be £3,900. I am picking the bike up tomorrow and I have asked them to supply a full report on the damage and I've also asked for all the replaced parts be returned to me when I pick up the bike. Question to anyone with experience, or knowledge or even hearsay regarding this problem or even general advice if I have any grounds to approach Ducati UK over this issue. I know its premature until I have all the doc emendation but I just want to get things moving. Sadly the Bike is a 2014 so out of warranty. It only has 7,000 miles on the clock and has a full service history with the dealer who has repaired the bike. Until I pick it up and see the invoice I am told the parts are under a £1,000 but lets see. All advice welcome and if anyone has the correct department details I need to contact that would also be gratefully received. Thanks Chris ps apologies in advance if I have unknowingly posted in the wrong section.
Ouch, hopefully they can reduce the bill somewhat if you assert you will continue to use them for the next coming years. In other words promise them your custom for a healthy discount' Unless you are rich & you've ragged the hell out of the bike & got money to burn.
I never purchased a Ducti before because of the initial cost and the following service and possible repair bills.
As said, if you want to pursue redress then it's possible that the seller 6 months ago might (possibly ought to) be sympathetic depending on how many miles you have done since you purchased it from them, but as you hadn't owned it from new I think it removes any chance of same from Ducati themselves.
I am going to try and speak to Ducati, nothing to loose, my gut feeling is probably based on why I've never purchased a Ducati before now. A very expensive lesson learned. Thanks for the reply.
you're right of course, nothing to lose. My reply was partly based on the company's response to the rocker problem on later Desmoquattro engines. Do you plan to discuss with vehicle seller in a similar manner?
Private purchase, 6 months ago, sold with full service history, mint condition and he hardly put any miles on it. He owns a panigale so knows his Ducati's and the need to keep them well maintained. I think it's a much slimmer chance than Ducati saying this is acceptable wear and tear.
Now you tell us that it's a private purchase I totally understand and i wouldn't pursue this either in these circumstances.
@chrisevans821 If you have no luck with your local dealer then I would like to think that a good independent specialist would be considerably cheaper for the repairs. Where is the bike now ? I see you have the Swedish flag showing but your profile says you are in London. There are 2 indys that I use, one is only charging £50 an hour for his labour and is not vat registered so presuming you are correct at £1000 for parts that would leave him an awful lot of time for a rebuild.
i had a 996 gearbox output bearing go on my 996 back in 2016, that was 1900 euros and i removed the engine from the frame myself. so if that is a push in, ride out price then i dont thing it will be much cheaper elseware, but always worth a try..
Thanks for the reply. Im South London based, not sure how that Swedish flag got there. Your info is very interesting. I have to admit, if I'd had the bike a lot longer and became used to the Ducati running costs I may have chanced an independent, but my paranoia of this issue convinced me to go the Dealer option. I would be grateful for your contact for future trouble which with my recent experience seems inevitable.
I am sure the dealer time and cost is probably standard, especially as they have never had to do this repair before from what I have been told. My overly optimistic hope was a reduction in parts from Ducati as this may be considered unacceptable breakage for such a new and low milage bike. A long shot I know but as I've said to others, what have I got to loose.
I'd approach Ducati Uk and the Ducati dealership with the hard luck story, especially as it has FDSH before paying and see what happens. After you have paid I would say your chance of getting a contribution from either is about nil. TB
If it helps put your mind at rest I have been riding Ducatis since 1983 and only ever had 2 serious problems, the last of which was way back in 1991. I think you have been unlucky not that this will make you feel any better. The 2 Independents I use are Iain Rhodes at www.rpmbikes.co.uk/ in Northampton. Iain has looked after my bikes since the 1990s and does an excellent job. He is usually very busy so not the fastest if you need your bike back in a hurry. His workshop is spotless and very organised. The other guy I use is Peter Knight at www.scorpioracing.co.uk/ in Bedford . He was recommended to me by my brother in law and I have only known him and used his services for a few months. He seems very good too but is not as busy and can usually takes bikes in at relatively short notice. He is the one at £50 per hour with no vat so very good value for labour intensive jobs. His workshop is not spotless and appears disorganised but that is just how some people work so is not a criticism , just an observation. I dont know which dealer you are using but in my experience a good indy is often better and cheaper that some main dealers. I think that applies across the board on all brands, cars and bikes. There is a very highly respected independent in South London, Ray Petty. Might be worth a call and possibly moving the bike? https://raypettymeccanica.com/ Several forum members take their bikes there so you should be able to get some good feedback on here.
Christ on a bike. Surely you can find a complete used gearbox from a write off/ salvage company for less than £3,400? I hope something works out for you.
Ill add my opinion in....for what its worth... 1. Find an independant. Ducati John did mine (full engine rebuild) i took the engine out, drove it up to him - long story short - he rebuilt it, i went to pick it up. On asking how many of my type of motor he had rebuilt the answer back was "100...maybe 150" - thats the kind of experience you want... 2. As above - take the motor out if you can...ive never had my 1100 evo sp that far apart before but, its one of the easiest bike ive ever had the pleasure of stripping down. 3. Possible new motor, much cheaper but its an unknown quantity. For me rebuilding my own was the only option, more expensive but, as im keeping the bike for the forseeable it was a no brainer...
