I'm looking at an 848 that's local to me and wanted to know if there are any model specific problems to look out for. What are the service limits for belts and valve shims etc. The bike looks very clean with fsh etc but has fairly high mileage, I know what to check for on Jap bikes but need a bit of a heads up for something like this, any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Rob
Main highlights are 15k or 2 years on the belts. Valves done at 7500 mile intervals. These are covered by the 'desmo' mileage dictated services. The bike should be serviced annually, which is oil and filter, chassis etc. coolant and brake fluids every third year....... I think the schedules are available on Ducati.com? Theres not really anything of concern with the 848's. early bikes suffered with radiator failure on the left upper mount. Ducati sorted the failures out under warranty. other than that, check it over as any other bike and take a good look thru the service book etc. they're a cracking bike
Best bike i have ever owned, this one's a keeper!! Pretty much the perfect mix of power, handeling, weight and to top it of its sexy as fick!!
It has to be said that this bike is "speaking" to me! Sell the TRX sell the FZR............ Sell all the sh*t it the garage Is it time for a change? Mmmmm?
Nelly, What's your experience with valves on the new engines when checked @7.5k? Mostly in or out? Cheers.
I would check: Wear on clutch discs and plates> misuse? burnouts? any cracks on the paint (chassis)> accidents? cover the exhaust with your palms momentarily to muffle them to listen to the engine noise> valve wear > ticking sounds? irregular firing order? observe the exhaust fumes> any smoke coming out (oil burned i.e. piston rings worn) front forks sealers> leaking? wheelies maybe or front abuse ask for service history> if more than 24000kms has he changed the timing belts? any visual leaks (engine casings, oil breather) clutch fluid in reservoir> black then maybe leaking tyre wear> if only in the middle then highway riding maybe high revs/ gears> valve clearances checked? sit on the bike and test the front forks> spongy feeling then oil change may be of need > labour costs starts easy> if no there was an issue with the starter gear on 1098 not sure about 848. If recalled and changed no problem. If you can hook it up at a dealer diagnostic software you ll see much more (maybe errors) Fine bike no doubt, agree with others.
As Nelly said, pretty standard servicing type maintenance. Mine has been a great bike, and done 25k miles now. List of issues has been: 1. Valve shims were too tight from the factory on exhaust side, wrecked the cams, needed new camshaft at first service. Thereafter all valve clearances have been fine and within tolerance 2. Front discs warped 3. Stalled like f-ing crazy until ECU was remapped 4. Alternator failed 5. Battery failed despite always being on optimate 6. Voltage Regulator failed 7. Radiator (as Nelly said, done under warranty) 8. A coolant connector failed spraying coolant all through the bike (and over rear tyre!) 9. Clocks mist (they all do that etc - don't bother replacing) Optional bits - I changed out the rear shock as it's not good - but the front Showas are not so bad. Ideally get them revalved too, but not the end of the world to manage with the stock ones. Don't forget to fit Termis, at least the half system. Corse rearsets are nice, as is the neoprene seat if you can still get one. All the rest is optional. Brilliant bike. Have abused mine through rain, hail and shine on the road and bounced it hard off the rev limiter around some of the nicest tracks in Europe. It's a great bike. Enjoy!
This bike has 21000 miles on it now so would you say it's worth doing the belts & shims as although it has a full sevice history I can't prove if the work has been done. My experiance with cars is that I will always do the belt when I buy one. :smile:
Yes, do the belts and get them to open the front and check shims. If the fronts are OK apparently the rears (more difficult to access) are usually OK too. Not too much labour to check. And the belts are precautionary and not dear.
I've been quoted between 4-6 hours for the service plus parts at £70 per hour! I was thinking of doing it myself anyway to save costs and so I know that it's actually been done as I've heard so many tales of dealers not doing the work after taking hundreds of pounds off people. I think that these bikes need to be serviced and checked more carefully than jap fours and don't want to spend loads of money then have the valves burn out or belts snap because they have never been touched! I just need to find out about what service tools might be needed and get hold of a manual.
My plan FWIW is to do all (inc belts) myself and get the valves checked/set by an back-belt Ducati Zen Master. With an older bike no biggie having a home service history, guess on a newer bike you have to decide if that's the route you want to go and maybe have to deal with it if/when you sell. Good luck whatever you decide, they are fab bikes...
Well I have owned my Yam TRX for nearly 11 years from new and never had it touched by a dealer after the PDI they gave it. I think if I get an 848 I'll keep it for a fair while so not having the dealer stamps won't make much difference anyway.
If you are confident with the belts and checking valve why not. Or, get a dealer to do it and pay, on provision you can watch and learn; its a quiet time winter so more likely they would oblige
just had my 2 yr service done with belts- 3.5 hrs tops. I was there for 4 hrs and they fitted a new chain and sprocket in that time too. Who quoted you that long? How many miles has the bike done? I had my shims checked a year ago so that didn't need to be done this year. If the bike hasn't don't loads of miles, perhaps do the belts for peace of mind and do the shims further down the line.
