It sounds piss-poor to me if Ducati have started putting sub-standard chains on their bikes which, let's face it, cost top $. That is a penny-pinching avenue they definitely don't want to go down.
I've learnt, aggressive cleaning this time of the year does more damage than good. Unless you coat the bike in ACF-50 or similar straight after, you are going to get fur and red rust. Leaving the crud and stuff to sit on top of previous protection is best. As it acts as a barrier. Yea it looks nasty. But just jet wash it off once every now and then. No need to degrease and clear the protection off.
The chain itself is a decent Regina Z-ring - it's just that Ducati cheapened out and went for bare links rather than the gold finish that Regina supply normally.
I got my bike late December (salty roads) Had done 400 miles on it over a week. covered it up when ever I got home. I went to wash her while the weather was bright and I noticed a few rust spots on the chain links, So got a nail brush and a green Scottish pad some WD chain cleaner and Chain wax. Cleaned all the old chain wax off and gave the side plates a good scour with the Scottish pad both sides, gave it another spray with cleaner dried it off and gave it a good coat of WD chain wax and let it dry for an hour before I used the bike again, it's been fine ever since now on almost 1000 miles and a good few bike washes later. O do give the rollers a little spray befor I wash it tho just to keep the water out and lube the sprockets. Yes the chain does seem to rust fast but it you take 20 mins to service it once a month it should stay pristine looking until it's worn out you sprocket or snaped ;-)
Just bin it (and the sprockets) as these 'consumables' are by the lowest bidder and are supplied to Ducati at a bulk price. Spare me the lecture/s on the ticket price of the Duc and "it shouldn't be like that" and so forth. It is what it is; rubbish. Don't mean to be harsh but it's the brutal truth. Regina haven't rated as chains for years. DID or RK are the go. It's just the way it is on new Duc's; brilliant concept; shite ancillaries. Flash the plastic card and get the good shit on.
Not worth it mate as the bike is on the tri options scheme and couldn't justify removing chain and sprockets to spend 200 approx for new chain and sprockets. I'll just try and give it a clean up as best as I can
No but the point I think he's making is other than essential service you don't make anything on it so why change...not like you're adding carbon you can tale off when it comes to selling/handing back. I feel the same tbh, just as long as the bugger doesn't snap, then I would be having a word with the dealer. in fact I may now, as if it goes pear shaped I'd want recognition of the issue
None whatsoever. Just a late night sweeping comment. The qualifier should have been; "mass produced"...and that would apply to any manufacturer.
Well done it again today, proper rust off stuff with a wire brush, but ffs how hard do they make getting at anything on this bike?! Oh and all the other fasteners that are shite too. steady getting a downer on the finish of this bike. I have treated it well, FS crappy stuff on and washed it and cant believe the state of it after only 2400 miles. Quickly becoming disappointed...
Wait till you get to the point where the (replacement) exhaust valve regularly locks up with corrosion and the (replacement) sidestand switch fails for the same reason as the first - corrosion. That's disappointment. Not to mention the generator and clutch covers. Just waiting to see how long the replacements last before they start showing signs of corrosion. I've taken all the same precautions as you - more than any previous bike I've owned. It's a great bike when it's working, but it should be more resilient than this FFS.
Tbh this bike has been washed and protected more in the few short months I've had it than my 848 did in the 2 years I owned it. In fact, I've never looked after a bike like this yet it looks like I've just ridden it, never washed it, never protected it and done 20k hard miles. the state of the front cylinder head...no way will I be outright owning this, its likely after 3 years it will be going back
Sorry to hear that you guys are pissed off over winter corrosion. My mates take the piss out of me for my cleaning routine. But having spent nearly £13K I want to look after it. I'm lucky in that I only use my bike for fun but do like to ride all year round. In winter when I come back from a ride I go into my wash, blow dry, and fettle routine - ACF50. So far I have kept corrosion at bay. I do not think Ducatis are any worse than any other make for corrosion. Fact of life built to a budget. I think they are all shit. Just had a thought were I am here in West Sussex I do not think the roads have been salted yet, so may be thats why I have no corrosion yet. Only got the bike in Sept 13 and done 2100 miles to date.
I've never heard of anybody having problems with a side stand switch. All bikes have them, yet this is the only one where it seems to be a common problem. I've had three Honda VFRs for 5 years each. None of them were treated as well as my Multi and none of them looked as corroded. The Multi is not yet three years old.
My multi is not yet 6 months old! We've had salt on the roads since Oct here and its all leisure miles. My garage is a little damp with a steel roof, although water tight so no leaks, but these fasteners and casing just don't like moisture never mind salty spray
Maybe best to limit your riding to a couple of laps of the lounge, tho don't leave the windows open as moisture may sneek in and rust the bugger out. Gotta laugh!
This comes back to my point that every modern bike seems to to built to a budget and not tested properly. Every year new models. My BMW GS1200 got though 3 sets of rear wheel bearings in 18000 miles. Result I got pissed off with it and sold it. Products just seem to be made not to last - corrosion or have cheap components that then fail. Shame.
