Hello everyone, I own a red Ducati SS1000DS from 2003. I am here to connect with other SS1000DS owners and because it was crashed into by an inobservant driver so I am looking on ways to save the bike from the scrap heap now that I am recovering. An inspection ruled it a Cat N write off and they wanted to sell it back to me for £900 and give me a £2100 valuation on top or £3000 without the bike back then I said the bike was worth a lot more than that so they increased the salvage price to £1400 if I wanted to buy it back. Is this normal?? The accident was the other party's fault. I have third party insurance and the third party's insurance company has already accepted liability. Mechanically it was ridable, I got home on it so the damage is to fairings so I want to save it. Any suggestions on how to fix this bike and where to buy fairings would be greatly appreciated as the official Ducati Parts stores appear to be eyewateringly expensive for everything. I know many of you will say it is an ugly bike and not worth saving but I am greatly atttached to it as it is the first bike I bought myself and we have never had a fight. Thank you, JP
So they are being assholes and that is the norm or they are being asshooles and the scrap value should remain per the first quote despite me asking for them to dispute the valuation? Any thoughts on that?
They are great bikes, very underrated, but yes the styling is a little divisive. The styling is actually growing on me a bit now, but I decided mine needed a makeover. It's actually got some more going on at the moment, so the thread below will be updated soon, but in the mean time the process of me doing the Superlight Homage conversion throws up a lot of info on them: https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/1000ssie-ds-900sl-hybrid.84101/ Enjoy .
Where is the bike insured? In the UK the offers can be negotiated by the claimant & the insurer. Whilst many claimants accept what they are given, in many cases the claimant puts together a counter proposal listing why the settlement is unfair. You will need to put together a letter explaining why your bike should be worth less as scrap/ salvage than their estimate. I would consider asking motorcycle breakers to give you a valuation for a scrap bike in similar condition in writing after explaining to them you feel the insurer is exploiting you. Again in the UK there is a Financial Ombudsman who you can apply to consider you case and make an assessment. Good luck.
I’d assume that because they have upped the value of the bike they then see the value of the salvage bike as more. I’d definitely repair it if it was rideable after the accident, I’ve repaired a lot worse. Look on ebay etc for second hand parts.
So did the insurer stick to the £3 k total value and increased the buyback price from £900 (giving you £2100 payout) to £1400 (giving you £1600)? Or did they go to £3500 total value but £1400 for the bike and still £2100 payout? If the latter, I think that’s going to be very difficult to change, as technically that’s a better deal for the average customer who would not buy the salvage. If it’s the former, it’s worth trying to get back to the original deal, they might listen and work with you. I would definitely buy it back anyway and make it how you want it. It’s a nice spec and you won’t lose out in the end, £1400 is good value. I’m sure a good few forum members have original fairings in good condition they could bear to part with for a reasonable sum. (900SSie was the same fitment). Not really looking to sell but I’ve got a full bodykit, (with new fuel tank and alcantera covered seat) of new but pro repainted red/white/ green (tricolore /MHR) panels in bubble wrap down in the depths of my store room (dealers had them painted to shift the last few 900 sport dark models from 2002 somewhere around 2007). As said, I’m sure you will you get plenty of standard ones offered at good price, but if you get totally stuck, drop me a message.
Thank you for the link, I enjoyed skim reading over it. The bike is now back with me and I am looking forward to getting it back on the road. I returned the Honda courtesy bike and although my fairing were broken I was so happy to have mine back. I put some fuel in and she started right up. There is a ding in the tank and some damaged fairing. I was worried when the gauges were not lighting up. Turned out to be a 3amp fuse that blew when the indicator was snapped off. So all in all a nice easy repair job.
It was insured via Adrian Flux who use 4th Dimension and Minster Law. I will take your advise when disputing the value minus scrap quote, thank you.
Thank you, that's the plan, I took delivery and I think I can manage all of the cosmetic repairs and changing the indicators myself. The only part I can't do is pop out the dented fuel tank. I have the equipment to respray it but I might have a professional do that bit as I do not have a paint booth. I will post a picture when she is back to her good self.
No the insurer said that they will argue for a higher valuation (£5,000 to 6,250) from the third party and value the scrap at £1400 if I want it back. I decided to buy th ebike back as I cannot get anything decent for £3000 and I am oddly very atttached to the SS1000DS - I see it and I get exited about riding it. I start the engine and everytime I think I am truly blessed. No other bike does that for me and I have ridden many bikes. The Ducati Performance (Remus) exhaust cans do play a significant role in this . I inspected the damage and looks like I will need the front left headlight fairing (from sitting on the bike) and the windshield and that's all. The dent in the tank is so small that I cannot justify a new tank but I might ask around about ho much it might cost to have he dent popped out again. Thank you for the tip on looking for ss900ie fairings by the way. Does that mean that the ss750ie would be a different fitment to the ss1000ds?
For this reason above any other, it’s worth bringing back to life. Best of luck and pix when it’s done!
