I've had my ducati 848 for 2 weeks now and I have to say I've had a terrible time. Went for a run on sunday, Charity event so slow, but lots of miles covered. I got back, went to start the bike again after 30 mins or so and it wouldn't start. Had the RAC out who were unable to determine the problem but randomly after about 2 hours it decided to start. I managed to get it back to the place I store it, switched it off and it wouldn't start again, it did eventually start after a couple of hours. The next day, yesterday, I had my first proper run out on it, the bike started in the morning but the back-light on the dash wasn't working, also the clock had reset itself. during the ride, the engine management light would keep coming on for a couple of seconds and then go off again. We made a stop and all the group could smell was sulphur/rotten eggs. We thought it was just something in the air. Anyway, the smell followed me home and that's when I realised it was the bike. Researxh suggested possible battery or CAT issue. Anyway, I went to restart it an hour later to take it to storage, when I discovered it wouldn't start, again, so I had the RAC out a second time, they did allsorts of checking, discovered no live from bettery to the starter, deduced that the battery was knackered. Jumped it, got it going so off I went, the recovery guy decided to follow me to make sure I got were I was going, which is just aswell because the bike completely shut off whilst I was riding and I ground to a halt o the motorway. sulphur smell was back and smoke pouring out of the battery. The battery had exploded. I love the bike, the way it feels etc. But If this is what owning a ducati is going to be like I want no part of it. I don't really know where I stand, but I will be ringing the dealer tomorrow to tell them to come and get it and I don't want it back, I don't know exactly what caused it, I don't know what other damage has been done or gremlins it has so I do not trust this bike. Hence I don't want it back. Its such a shame, but my ducati experience has been one to forget.
Classic sign of a failed rectifier/regulator which there is no second guessing. It’s a shame you want to walk away because the 848 is a good bike. Hope you get satisfaction from the seller. Andy
Really sorry to read this Michael, as Andy says, regulator is a popular reason for your symptoms and it's in a daft place anyway as regards cooling.
Agree with both ^^^ above. It’s something that neither you nor the dealer could/would foresee. And in my experience of Ducati over the last 10 years it really isn’t a common occurrence as far as I’m aware. I hope you get it sorted because the 848 is a fantastic bike. I should know as I had a 848 Evo Corse.
Hello. As said above, sortable. Not a massive issue if you, as you say, love the bike. Get supplying dealer to fix or do yourself. Then enjoy. It’s a Ducati, not a JIL4 so things do go wrong once in a while but if you take care of it, it will reward you in bucketloads. Persevere my friend. And welcome to the forum.
I admire your brand loyalty or alternatively you've been lucky Terry, but either way, regulator trouble rears it's head earlier on 848/1098/1198 compared to our Japanese competitors in my opinion and you don't have to take my word for it as i'm certain a survey on here would confirm. Mine failed (1098) before it reached 4,000 miles.
Rectifier, alternator needs checking out. Could be erratic output blows rectifier, cooks battery. Had it on three bikes, bmw r100gs, triumph 955i Tiger and 1050 motor. Not a unique Ducati problem. Same stator and rectifier almost certainly used on other marques. Get the dealer to fix it on approval. Try it again for the remainder of the dealer warrantee and explain any further problems and it will be rejected.
I have had 6 Ducatis (still have 4) - of those, 3 have had reg/rec faults and two of those (748 and 1098) were in the first couple of weeks of ownership, leaving me stranded by the roadside. Just part of the pleasure of ownership. I also had a CB200 and GSX750 that did the same. Once yours is sorted you’ll love the 848…don’t give up so soon!
It isn’t an uncommon fault for a Ducati, I’ve had it happen on a Fireblade luckily 100 yards from home. To be honest I’d be more peaved at the RAC for not diagnosing the fault.
Only mentioned 1098 because it was relevant to the thread, if I did the same as you R, I’d have to delve into 24 other Ducati cases, some which were far worse. Had many Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha during my biking lifetime, and from memory only had to change one regulator and that was only because of its age, nothing to do with poor wiring/ wrong duty connectors or poor location, looks like I must’ve been really lucky. (tfic).
AA chap who collected my 1098 said it was the ecu. I said it is no way that, it’s the reg/rec so just load it up and take it home like a good chap and I’ll fix it. My experience of AA and motorcycle diagnostics is very poor - I just use them to get me home.
My last experience with the AA decided me to join the RAC which turned out to be not at all an improved experience.
Let’s face it the Italians have never been great at locating things, they are quite happy to attach the rear brake master cylinder next to the highest heat source they can find
On my 8th or 9th ducati, only one rectifier problem, on the 916, which was renowned for the rectifier failing
