I’m in the same camp as you regarding full disclosure of mods etc. and prefer to keep things as ‘legit’ as possible especially with a bike heading towards £30k+ in value. That said, if they don’t ask whether the system is for road use would you be able to argue against any attempt to nullify the cover? Probably down to the small print etc. Sadly, it looks like the race system might come off the wish list however, it’s £2k+ saved for other things I suppose. Good luck with the hunt and I’d appreciate it if you could let me know if there is a company out there willing to cover you. I suspect the premium might be pretty hefty though.
one of the biggest reasons we buy dukes is the sound, the new system changes the whole character of the bike, no brainer. plus you get most of your money back if you can be bothered to remove it and sell it on
And the only thing my dealer said he'd pay more for at trade in. Less what I can flog slip on akra for and we are in more reasonable cost territory
Okay , but you have not disclosed its not a road legal part , its your responsibilty to inform the company you take the insurance out that your bike is road legal , an insurance company will find any reason , and non disclosure is a big one , to not pay out. Say you had a big crash , you survived , but you killed someone , you find your not insured , so then you are chased thro the courts for money , say goodbye to your current comfortable situation . I pondered with this , phone so many companies with the "honest" truth and all said no , YOUR NOT INSURED . I took a hit on the exhaust , but at least I feel safe if something does go shit shaped . Making this point as to point out the pros and cons of non disclosure of facts . Sorry
You’re definitely overthinking this. Insurance company asks what accessories are on the bike. You tell them. Even give them the part numbers if you want. I’ve no idea if it is or isn’t road legal in the UK, there are musings that it’s illegal in the US, but we aren’t in the US. I find it odd that Ducati would sell something illegal for road use on a bike used for touring, so if you’re worried, maybe ask Ducati to put something in writing to confirm that their accessory is definitely illegal to use on UK roads.
Totally agree. It’s up to you to disclose such info.You can’t assume it’s ok simply because the insurer didn’t ask you. Some people on here have a rather naive and arrogant view.But as you clearly stated above, if you have an accident, they’ll investigate everything .You can probably wave goodbye to your bike and possibly much much more.
This is what I based my assumptions on .To add as well , originally I just ignored it , but after reading past posts on this it changed my mind . Until I find an insurance company that will , in writing cover me with this fitted I will have it fitted , until then I will keep on the side line . I’m not trying to wind folks up , more of an insight into what I have found out .
I would love to be able to agree with you but I’m afraid Captain’s not over-thinking it at all. Here’s what Ducati has to say which is pretty emphatic: https://ducatistore.co.uk/shop/ducati-racing-exhaust-96481791aa.html which is shortened in the screenshot attached. Each to their own and it’s likely those who decide to fit the race system will be fine but, those that decide otherwise aren’t wrong though. Note: Captain got in ahead of me so apologies for the double tap…..
It’s only illegal for road use in certain countries. I’ll be asking for confirmation of this from Ducati. If it really is illegal for road use in the UK, I can see a lot of dealers getting into a lot of trouble, especially as most new owners ride their bikes away from the showroom, and straight onto the road.
Its not the dealers responsibility, its the rider's. Its also the riders responsibility to declare any modifications to the bike to the insurance company. Just because they don't ask, is no defence, but in my experience EVERY insurance quote you do asks if the bikes has any modifications, as does car insurance. Its clearly marked as 'Not for road use' on the website and no doubt on the packaging it comes in.
It also comes up with this message in the Ducati UK website when you try and add a race exhaust to the configuration. This is fairly new i think. Not seen it before. Caution Indication of exhaust/accessory type-approval in a specific country only applies to the specified country. For the rest of the world, the same exhaust/accessory must be considered “racing”, i.e. designed for competition vehicles, only used in a closed racetrack. Law forbids use of the motorcycle out of closed racetracks if this exhaust/accessory is installed. The pictures in the accessories section may refer to prototypes that could be subject to changes, also of significant nature, in the process of industrialization and are for information and reference purposes only; they are therefore in no way binding for Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. - Sole Shareholder Company, subject to the Management and Coordination activities of Audi AG.
Some people just won’t be told.But it’s such arrogance and the belief that they are always right that will be their downfall, unfortunately !
Sorry but why the hell have you got to be so offensive during a simple conversation about insurance and exhaust systems?
I’m glad that this has been raised, and will certainly be checking the ins and outs tomorrow. It does seem rather strange that Ducati dealers would sell bikes to customers with illegal exhausts, knowing that those bikes will be ridden on the road (as they watch them being ridden away, on the road when their customers collect). I’ve just checked the Ducati site, and you chaps are correct though, it does mention it on there, but I just can’t fathom why Ducati themselves would declare something is illegal for road use, doing themselves out of a lot of business. If they didn’t put that on their website, it wouldn’t be an issue. Or do they expect people to ride their touring bike to the track, with the full system strapped to the bike, then spend a couple of hours before each track day fitting the full system, and another couple of hours at the end of the day removing it, before riding home? It’s rather bizarre. If they really are illegal, and uninsurable, then I’ve just saved around £5k on exhausts for my new bikes, but we shall see.
Personally I can’t see any point in adding an exhaust which is louder, potentially get you a fine or points, offers minimal gains and can invalidate your insurance? But as you say it’s all about the bragging rights…
Loud exhausts just make more reasons for Government to introduce laws/cameras/hunt us down. Most bikes are now tuned to sound good to the rider but still pass noise regs, that's all I need.
How is that offensive ? I was merely stating that people like Captain helpfully point out that the full system is not road legal and yet people are blasé and have the attitude that it’ll be fine even though they havent actually declared the illegality to their insurers.Thinking you’re above the law won’t be much use when you have an accident and end up in court and they then discover you’re bike is not road legal, simply because you wanted to impress your mates with your full system !! The V4 motor is very very good as standard and it really doesn’t need a full system.The PP even comes with an Akra end can.Saying it needs a full system is a bit daft. I could understand if the fuelling was dreadful due to Euro 5, but it really isn’t ,and even Captain reports that the PP is damn good as standard. We are all entitled to spend our hard earned money how we chose.But trying to make out that a bike such as the PP needs another £3k spending on a full system is just bullshit, IMHO. Especially when you will be running a bike that’s not road legal and risk automatic fines if you venture further afield than Box Hill !!
If your insurance company asks directly, 'is the part road legal', when you mention you've changed your exhaust or part of, you MUST answer truthfully. If not, in the case of a claim and a non UK road legal exhaust was found to be fitted (in the event of a claim) then your insurance is immediately void. If the insurer does not ask you the direct question about legality then it is the insurers responsibility. The onus is now on the insurer to ask. So you ring up your insurance company and inform them you've put a lighter exhaust on. If no further questions from insurer and they agree to continue insuring you then fine. IF however they ask for make. road legal status etc etc then you must answer those direct questions. If you lie, then you take the risk. If you answer; it's not designed for road use, then like those above, most insurers will not cover you.
