I posted this on MS, figure share here also... https://www.ducati.ms/threads/dna-customer-service.750693/ Happy and safe Holidays
Having read your previous posts I still feel that as this is a problem which only you seem to be able to replicate/experience that perhaps a Multistrada is just not the bike for you? I’ve not seen lots of other posts with the same issue, whereas with other issues they come up time and again with multiple riders. You are so obviously unhappy I wonder how the dealer or Ducati could resolve this for you? I remember you saying you went out with the sale manager and he couldn’t understand your problem. Perhaps it’s time to sell and move back to BMW after all?
well just because it’s not a cookie cutter issue doesn’t mean that there is no issue or it’s just in my head as others suggested. dismissed after just 2 dealer visits and not following notes on where, when, and how it occurs tells me the don’t want to be bothered and this is what the mother ship went by to make a determination to me is unfair to the buyer but well suits the dealer. As for that test drive I went with the manger and I was on a V4S, the V4S did not exhibit these symptoms and immediately when we pulled over to discuss after swapping bikes he said mine was waaaay smoother than the V4S. Which one of you lived close by to be a tie breaker… So you mean to tell me that your tft also vibrates enough to overcome the isolators where it blurs out like the mirrors? the funny thing is, this is not my first ducati had a 13 pikes and 14 Diavel which I had no issues with any sort of vibration. Only vibration that was really felt was not being in the right gear.. so needless to say getting back on a Ducati and especially the MTS says a lot about the bike as I never go full circle on any model bike… not so much that my excitement bubble was blown by the actual bike but the service received from DNA is truly unacceptable l, I believe you would would feel the same after spending this much money in a bike. Anyway seems not even Ducati is willing to look into it just forces me to look somewhere else.. and yeah guess it’s Back to BMW, 3 different models and years and never had this issue …. Actually never had this issue before with any previous bikes owned and that’s at least 30 and all new never purchased a used bike before. Does Ducati really have their heads stuck up their asses so deep that they respond this way? anyway sorry for the rant
What? The reply from DNA, how could that be when I just received their reply yesterday? Sorry to waste your time
Just for fresh eyes, can you list the methods you've taken to narrow down the cause so maybe you might get some mechanical help to try and solve it your self? I see you mentioned high speeds, which speeds? Is it a certain range? Is it a certain rev? Specifics really help
They do vibrate. I think (on my later multi for sure) the bars had some cushioning of some kind which I hated as it felt like thh the ey ‘moved’ Witt firm input.
Yes, It seems trying to solve this is going to be on me... Gut tells me an out of balance condition- (but I could be wrong) 1- Complained about a Hi speed vibration and slow speed wiggle Front wheel assembly was checked and came back as balanced and true, Didn't accept the "keep riding it and it should go away" solution, they changed the front tire, new front tire did resolve the slow speed wiggle but not the Hi speed vibration. (so it wasn't a complete waste) 2- Well, never got to 2 because they refused to perform further work on my bike for couple reasons 1- They claim they ate the cost of the front tire and second there's nothing wrong with my bike. And with the above DNA decided to close my case. "The bike is operating normally at this time" So, I still need to verify if the rear assembly is in balance / true I brought it to another shop for the first service, they took it for a ride and didn't seem overly concerned but I highly doubt they were willing to risk those speeds, The tech did point out the excessive amount of weights on the rear tho. Will revisit in the spring during the second service Hi Speeds, When it happens: -Noticeable at 80-85 mph above the midrange RPM (but I can still consider that as normal vibes) -Starts to get annoying at and above 100 mph above midrange RPM (this is where the bars start showing the vibration, mirrors start to blur and dash starts to twerk) -At 120 mph and above is where the party really starts, I can't sustain this level for long because this is when the vibration transfers to the whole bike and starts to shake the entire bike, the mirrors looks like a boiling pot of water, and the dash is in supersonic twerk mode. Under 80 mph and if I stay in the mid RPM range...... I have no complaints For a $30K bike I expect the same rock steady ride quality at 80 or 180
I don't want to encourage someone to try to kill themselves, but, it would be worth isolating engine or chassis. Get the bike to the point where the vibration is obvious and then pull the clutch in so the engine is disengaged and at idle revs. Might help narrow it down.
I know it's an expense out of your pocket, but it might be worth if you can find a rolling road setup near you. Have them run through the gears and do a full power run. See if the vibrations pop up then. The cheapest alternative to finding out if there is a problem, test ride another V4... You're going to have to accept the garage is not going to help further so complaining about them won't do much, time to get hands dirty!
This is the first thing I did to see if it was coming from wheel / tire assembly or internal with the engine. disengaging the engine from the drive train the bike still vibrated so this tells me yes it's tires Sorry not acceptable to get may hands dirty for a -BRAND NEW $30K BIKE- Unfortunately yes I have to take matters into my hands and yes a test drive with another V4S was accomplished, not quite apples to apples with a PP but close enough, The V4S did not exhibit this condition, regardless at 30 or 130 Mph it was smooth, only difference I noticed was more engine vibration was felt on the pegs with the V4S. I like your idea to get it on a Dyno at least that will isolate the front, may opt for this prior to getting a new rear tire
What outcome are you looking to achieve here? Reading the posts and your story so far I would say you are experiencing something most people don’t give a cr4p about or at best try to tell you it’s a characteristic of the bike, which you can’t actually defend not having ridden another one. Several experts have failed to diagnose any issue. Your issue presents itself at >100mph, I’m pretty sure most mechanics at DNA are going to risk their lives and licences to try and replicate the problem. No other owners have reported the same problem. I’m not sure how much evidence you actually need to realise you’re not winning your fight. Back the bike to the dealer at the best price you can attain and move on.
-What outcome are you looking to achieve here? Probably what any owner of a bike thats experiencing a similar problem and that would be... wait for it... A properly working bike -Reading the posts and your story so far I would say you are experiencing something most people don’t give a cr4p about I'm sorry you feel that way, Thank you for cluing me in to how I reply to your posts -you can’t actually defend not having ridden another one. Actually a comparo was done with a same year V4S I mean it wasnt exactly apples to apples but close enough and yes the V4S did not exhibit the same issues as my bike (this was stated previously) -Several experts have failed to diagnose any issue. Your issue presents itself at >100mph, I’m pretty sure most mechanics at DNA are going to risk their lives and licences to try and replicate the problem. Several experts? It was 1 tech and a sales manager I'd say thats only a couple which were far from being experts. Most mechanics at DNA? who ever said DNA had possession of my bike to diagnose? Think your reading comprehension is a little off? I do agree with you tho that liability issues exist and that no establishment is willing to risk- So technically no one to date has yet properly diagnosed my complaint. -No other owners have reported the same problem. This was covered already and acknowledged, again your reading comprehension??? -I’m not sure how much evidence you actually need to realize you’re not winning your fight. Yup this was covered as well, and acknowledged, but still early to all it closed... again your pesky reading comp.. ?? Sorry my post seemed to push a button with you- maybe limit the caffeine intake and deep breaths.. Have a nice day, Thanks for stopping by...GFY
@Leo167 I get your pissed but there is nothing any of us can do other than suggest stuff to help narrow down and find the issue. I'm also confused at the whole DNA situation. Have you or have you not been to another Ducati garage (a proper dealership) to get a second opinion? If you have and they also can't spot the problem, maybe a 3rd dealer? Lastly, the description of the vibration makes me think it's clearly visible when riding, rather than a feeling only. Maybe record a video to prove your point both for the dealer and to show when trying to explain the issue online. Oh, and the vibration, do the bars feel stable or are they slapping around as well? Can you please describe exactly where you feel the vibrations on your body and where they start from as you increase speed? From my experience, vibrations on the foot pegs, bars and maybe seat are not something to worry about. Mirrors do become a blur on 99% of ducatis at some point in their range and even my MTS 1260 'wobbles' it's screen at certain revs, but nothing I'd consider dangerous or cause for concern.
All good points. Also don't narrow it down to just tyres. It could be a wheel out of round, a defective wheel bearing, which will happen in mass production.
Agreed that no one here can do nothing else but offer suggestions....which is appreciated, and is the reason why I posted. To clarify the DNA situation- DNA is Ducati of North America, these are the folks who you submit dealer complaints to or any complaints in general. DNA did not physically diagnose my bike, I took it to 2 different dealers- 1. where I purchased and 2. where I took it to for the first service. It did cross my mind to take a video of the dash but couldn't figure out a way to set up where the camera would not be bothered by other factors and afraid that it would get ruined like the camera on my phone this would be just another dead end argument with Ducati. The idea is not dead just need to figure out a proper way to do it. I think you or someone else mentioned to do a dyno run to document this may actually be the best route since the camera will be held by me and the operator runs the bike. Since delivery of the bike: I would get an abnormal vibration at high speed +/- 80 mph and a slow speed wiggle- +/- 30 mph. My gut pointed to an unbalanced or out of round tire- when confirming that it was not engine related by disengaging the Engine from drivetrain and let it coast at the speeds where the vibration exists. With the original tire the bars would feel unstable, besides the vibes the slow speed wiggle was amplified at hi speeds. When the front tire was replaced the slow speed wiggle disappeared but the vibration remained. The Vibration: At first the bars / TFT / mirrors / then the entire bike- not a high frequency (like a buzzer) but a very fast heavy beat like I'm running down the highway at high speed with star shaped tires- this is why I keep leaning on a bad tire and not from the from the engine. Once disengaged the tire beat remains until it coasts down below the speed where it occurs. I have no vibrations at all on the pegs until the entire bike starts to react at the higher speeds of 120 Under 80 Mph I have no complaints of any vibration. Dealer #1:- Where bike was purchased: Task was to check the balance of the front and to diagnose a slow speed wiggle. Balance checked out and nothing out of round and the wheel was true. I was told everything is normal and advised to just keep riding it and it may resolve itself. I did not accept their advice and with a couple of back and forth ..they decided to change out the front tire. Results of new tire = No slow speed wiggle but Hi speed vibration still exists but now at a higher speed, starts at +/- 90 and really bad at 120, but with the new tire I'm able to go Dealer #1 decided that there is nothing wrong with the bike and that 2 people test rode it and couldn't feel anything but on both notes on the invoice bike was never taken to the speeds that the vibration occurs.... and totally understandable for liability reasons- but don't tell me it's normal if you never gave it a fair shake for the symptom to show. At this point they also denied to check the rear to rule out....because apparently they ate the cost of that new front tire... So this leaves me with a half diagnosed bike and felt unfairly dismissed and prematurely. Dealer #2:- 100 miles away- performed first service, I mentioned the issue and asked them to give it a spirited test run They agreed- the tech who rode it did say he was able to break 100 and did feel something but wasn't sure if he felt that on another V4- He did mention the odd amount of wheel weights on the rear and said on the next visit to have the balance checked and go from there. He couldn't do it then because this was an unplanned ask and they had a full schedule. will return in the spring for the 2nd service. With Dealer #2 at least he gave it a fair try but couldn't devote extra time. Really wish they weren't a 100 miles away or else there's a good possibility that this post wouldn't be in existence. Back to DNA and Dealer #1: What I'm pissed at is how DNA closed my case. I was told verbally that the regional manager was to contact me to discuss my complaint further. Instead I was called by a secretary of some sort to tell me that they made a determination "At this time the bike is operating normally" and my case is closed, with the sole information fed to them from dealer #1 and I'm sure the part where my request to check the rear was not part of their conversation. Mind you 2 visits. One being told to just keep riding it, and second visit to change the tire and get a refusal to rule out the back wheel / tire. Wouldn't you be pissed? Sorry for the endless writing- guess just the nature of the beast since none of us are face to face to discuss
Maybe it's time to get the bike independently tested and look into legal proceedings. Just because other people are not having the same issue doesn't mean it doesn't exist
I had a vaguely similar problem on my old Multistrada 1000. I had new tyres fitted before a trip to Portugal and Spain. At about 100-115 a very noticeable vibration would set in, bad enough to take the bike in to a tyre shop in Madrid to see if they could rebalance the wheel. They kept adding lead until it became almost silly. Eventually they advised the tyre was probably faulty. On return to UK, I spoke to the supplier who said he’d get me a replacement tyre. They were Avons and had a lifetime guarantee against all sorts of imperfections and even punctures IIRC. Once fitted with the new tyre, the exact same issue persisted. I was then persuaded to remove the rear wheel and take it to a wheel straightening/ repair service where it was found to be very slightly out of true and straightened in no time for about £40! The problem was cured.
