Good Morning Could someone please advise me what to do regarding a desmo service. I purchased my 2015 899 Panigale only 6 weeks ago from a Ducati main dealer with 14910 miles. I requested that they service and MOT prior to my collection to which they did as the bike has a full history, however I am now being led to believe that a desmo service should have been done and not just an oil and filter. The bike has now done 15181 and is wrapped up as I am worried about using. No desmo service light has appeared as per attached pics. I have spoken to the dealer and they have said it depends what was agreed at point of sale yet I was not aware this would have been needed. Any help would be helpful.
Dealers and their tricks. it’s a bit of a complicated one, I wouldn’t be too amused if I was in your shoes but it’s one of those situations where maybe you should have done your homework before hand and drilled them on it. (Absolutely no offence intended, we’ve all done similar). I’d argue the toss with them. They’re a main dealer so should be following the recommended service schedule. However.. if you didn’t specify when you asked them to service it that it was the desmo service, I can see the sales team wriggling on it/trying to wriggle. It is a bit shit selling a bike that needs a service regardless which I think might be your saving grace. Whoever took the bike in should have evaluated it and realised it needed the desmo soon and that should have been factored in to their sums. The reality is salesman don’t give a shit and take anything in without much of a look over anyway. I’ve traded cars and bikes in and nobody’s even looked at it ! They’ve just agreed. Madness. Main dealers, tbh dealers in general are shite on the whole. The level of technicians is also frightening (generalising, as there will be a handful of good ones). This stuff is all in the details. I’d argue the toss.
Thank you, exactly what I plan on doing, I have already contacted the sales manager and asked for a resolution and I also need to accept I should have looked I to further, hopefully we can meet in the middle somewhere . I was just unsure if I would get a desmo service indicator or if in fact they have reset that at point of service. Thanks again.
The only thing done at the 15,000 service that is not done during an oil and filter service is a check/adjust valve clearances. The 30,000 mile service however is the one with the cam chain check which is essential. I’d not be worried about riding the bike if the engine feels responsive and runs well. Valve clearance checks don’t always require an adjustment. The service schedule is at the end of the Owner’s Manual here, https://assets.ctfassets.net/oifkva...92070a69fcd/OM_-_899_Panigale_-_EN_-_MY15.pdf Andy
Regardless of the condition of the bike etc, if I bought a bike with a 15k valve adjustment service liability and they just did an oil service after agreeing to service the bike prior to handover, then I would have parked the bike back in front of the dealership. They are the knowledge holders / subject matter experts in this regard and if they said they would 'service it' then it should be done as per the maint schedule. if they said we will do an oil service then you might be on wobbly grounds. but regardless, I would give them the opportunity to correct this ( documented with pictures).. or take your custom some where else.
My 899 is due it’s 15000 mile desmo It’s currently on 14750 & shows a count down in mileage when you first turn it on, ie 250 miles till service. Looks to me that the dealers reset the service indicator without doing the desmo service ……bit shady that in my opinion! Please let us know the outcome.
They will obviously hide behind the fact that unlike other parts of the service schedule the desmo service is done at a specific mileage and not mileage/time (whichever occurs soonest). The service was done in accordance with published intervals. The bike was probably sold on as the previous owner knew they were facing a large bill and would rather put that money towards a new bike. Feel your pain.
I really don't get the whole Desmo thing when it comes to dealers. They can complete at cost (half?) and most Ducati buyers want it done, so can add that to the cost of the bike, surely? I bought my 950S 'cheap', aware the Desmo was due in 1k miles, but didn't expect to do those miles in between my new bike arriving. I did the mileage in a week and the new one is a way off, so the dealer agreed to do the Desmo at a reduced cost.
Couple of things, firstly whatever the outcome on this occasion for current and future forum members it’ll hopefully prevent others falling into a similar dealer trap / trick and secondly it’d be interesting to know which dealer it is and for you to maybe let them know that there a forum full of sensible Ducati owners keen to know how that dealer responds to issues that aren’t totally black and white ?
I can't speak for other dealers obviously but at the one I work at now and my previous long term Ducati dealership we always do whatever service is due, whether it is age or mileage related, it just isn't ethical to sell someone a bike that will need a service as soon as they have ridden it away unless agreed upon with a suitably reduced price tag!
