Cylinder head o ring wouldn’t worry me. Clatters and rattles would. Tbh, 11.5k miles is nothing if it’s had the oil changed at 650mls, 9k miles, it would be due one on time but not mileage at 11.5k. The Desmo service is due at 18k or 5 years, whichever sooner. Mines in at the moment having the desmo and new chain and sprockets 1200dvt 2016. Hope it all works out for you
I was gonna buy a Multi from there. I am glad I didn't. I bought local instead. I got talking to a couple of different guys that both made the trip to see what they were assured were showroom condition bikes ...they weren't. In fact they had not even been washed, they were exactly as they were traded in. This is apparently one of those places that bangs stuff out untouched if they can and deals with it if it comes back - if it doesn't it's a bonus. Always take care with big supermarket places be they bike or car. They will promise the world right up to handing over the cash - then the fun starts if there is an issue. Most aftermarket warranties are not worth the paper they are printed on.
Do you think any noises of impending doom would be loud enough to hear with the bike at idle and me crouched next to it? I am not averse to doing a “screwdriver in the ear” in the absence of anything better if it wil give me a clue...idgaf what they think of me!!
I got my Desmo and hub service thrown in on my 15 DVT in January, along with new belts. It had (still has grrr) 12400 miles on the clock. I know it's fine for a while now tho' The dealership has an Italian franchise, but it's not Ducati. Still, if they can keep MV's and Benelli's on song - I am happy for em to service my Duke as well.
IMO if a bike starts on the button from cold (feel the engine before starting), then that’s the first good sign. L twins do labour on the first turn of the engine.....this is normal. If it ticks over with steady revs then that’s good. Gently take the revs up and release, if all settles down smoothly that’s sweet. Anything noisy or rattling you would hear by standing by the bike. Over filling with oil could be a cause for the o ring. It’s best to leave oil level just below the highest fill marker imo. As I said, 11.5k is barely run in on these bikes. I would be more concerned about the overall condition of the paint work and fittings. They are very reliable bikes, Maybe once you’ve seen it in the flesh you’ll love it or leave it.
Thanks again - i put 11k on a 2013 twin spark and it never let me down, so I know about the starting but cheers for the heads up, but as they’re quite noisy I wanted to make sure I would know something was out of whack. Really appreciate the advice - thanks again.
