Hi all I am from Bedford, UK and I have recently bought my first Ducati. A 2009 1198S. Upgraded from an RSV MILLE R. I was a bit apprehensive because of the extra power and torque but It is so linear I was comfortable with it immediately. And the handling is phenomenal. I do have a few minor niggles however. The paintwork on the plastics looks like it was done by a child. The stickers on the tank have not been laquered over. I discovered this when fuel spilled from the filler cap and started to lift them. It has also damaged the paint on the tank. The fuel is below the maximum level. I think it must be coming up the breather. Does this whilst stationary in the garage. Never had this on any other vehicle. Anyone else had this problem? Tried a search but found nothing. Oh and 15.5 litres of fuel is never going to be enough on a litre+ bike so may look at an ally or carbon tank.
Welcome - unusual that the tank stickers have not been lacquered over - (could be crash damaged/resprayed) and you missed it....someone else with an 1198s might be able to confirm....
the stickers should be lacquered over. Combined with what sounds like a bad paintjob are you sure its not got a "history"? I spilt fuel several times and it never hurt the paint. I assume you have a hpi of the bike?
The tank stickers on the 848 were lacquered but the faring ones werent. 1198 were he same for tanks , but unsure about fairings . Just to clarify.
I have an 1198 and the stickers are lacquered over. Ive spilt both fuel and diesel over my tank and its been fine. Sounds as if its had a respray. BTW you have 25 miles at a push and not 1 mile more on reserve. Do not exceed 20 and you will be fine. The last 5 miles if stuck should be carried out at very low revs and a low gear. Ive gone all over France with only 15.5l no problem as you get to know your limits. Its a great engine. One of Ducati's best ever. (obviously 'r's etc aside)
I took the filler cap apart today and found a lot of oxidisation so cleaned it up and refitted it. Looks to be doing its job now. As for the stickers, i think there is laquer on them but it is really thin. The 'i' has come off and there is an indentation where it was, with red paint underneath. I dont think fuel would do any damage if wiped off but it was leaking for some time before i found it. It was on the side stand so the fuel dribbled down the left hand side of the tank. No other damage on bike so don't suspect crash. Maybe it was painted in the factory on a Friday afternoon. On the rear tail unit where the rear seat goes you can see the undercoat and marks in the paint like it was touched when wet. On the whole I still love the bike. Like most Ducatis it is a work of art from any angle. And everything apart from the paint is quality. And that rediculous torque from the engine is too addictive. and it still has standard cans.
Still seems a bit strange as the whole bike would be unlucky to have a bad paint job as they aren't painted as a complete bike. The parts are assembled onto a bike and they already painted. The bikes 5 years old so ask yourself if you think it's normal that it suddenly starts loosing stickers now. It's had 5 years to do that and I'd bet it's had fuel spilt before. Was it a dealer or private sale? Have u hpi 'd it? Happy to do it if u haven't.
Welcome - hope the residents can help with your concerns Do you have pictures ? We all love our bikes despite their flaws
I have had the bike for a few weeks. The cap only started leaking a couple of days ago but it would fill up within a couple of minutes of closing it and overflow. I think i have sorted that now. Paintwork everywhere else looks ok but I think they were a bit tight with the laquer. I bought the bike from a dealer had hpi with it. No other evidence to suggest a crash. I suppose it is possible previous owner dropped something on tank and had it resprayed though. I'll try to get pictures tomorrow. I'm at work until 10 tonight.
Talked to the dealer and they were also surprised at the stickers lifting. They have offered to sort out the leak, respray the tank and lend me a bike while it is being done. So can`t fault them really. Just have to wait for a warmer day to take the bike in.
Great customer service and nice to hear this after the recent threads on this forum concerning problems with bikes purchased from dealers.Which bike shop is this. Im running a carbon fuel tank on my 916 with slightly larger capacity and it does make a difference to range.But I wasn't expecting it to transform the handling for the better but all that weight loss up high on the bike certainly makes a difference.
