I'm lucky have a well respected indi in my town. My 4 year warranty expires in a month or two so I'll save the trip, and back, to my local Ducati franchise who's technician has changed recently. Not too sure who'll be working on my bike next there TBH, though I'm sure that they're all factory trained. With the indi I'll be using from now on it's just him.
If that is at me, yes I do have other bikes to ride as well I also have several cars too. The Multi I bought specifically for European touring two years ago. We used to go over regularly and I have been all over Europe. Unfortunately within 3 months of buying it - the world shut down and the annual rides into Europe stopped. The best I managed last year was a couple of days (it might have been 3) oop norf. Even this year was touch and go whether Europe could happen or not. To stay on the safe side, we elected to go to Scotland later on, but hopefully Europe is back on the cards again now that everyone seems to have stopped flapping over Covid.
I had a very interesting and indeed shocking conversation yesterday with a well-known independent about the forthcoming Desmo-service on my 1260S. I say 'shocking', as according to this Inde', the quality of service in evidence in their experience when working on accredited dealership serviced bikes, was truly awful, often with undoubted signs of work not having either been carried-out, or dealt with, with sufficient attention to detail and application. I have been in conversation recently about what is required by a Desmo-service, scope of work, duration, price structure, etc, prior to making my decision. To say my mind is now in something of a quandary as to where to take it, is an understatement...... Is anyone else aware of the concerns around such servicing issues with main dealerships, or could this simply be an Inde' generated scenario to create further opportunity?
I had similar and decided to take it with a pinch of salt. Things like, I don't think they've ever taken X off, which is hard to believe when it's been in for 1 full desmo and 2 intervals where I specifically asked and got back valve measurements from two well know major dealers. Still I did have a major charge me for an air filter they didn't replace and another blame the original dealer for using the wrong tool on the fork caps. Unless you are going to do it yourself, you have to put your trust in someone at some point.
I tend to agree with and acknowledge your thoughts. I've certainly to date, had absolutely no reason to doubt the work on my bike(s), by dealerships I trust(ed). The responses from Inde's sort of threw my confidence to some extent. That said, I've already had an open conversation with my preferred dealership about this matter and feel more confident they understand and appreciate my concerns, reinforcing their approach and attitude towards doing the right job, within the right timeframes, according to and in line with Ducati servicing schedule requirements, which are pretty exacting. Now just got to book the bike in and prepare myself for the inevitable......
My local dealership changed hands a couple of years ago resulting in a change of location and staff. Last year I gave the new company my business as previously there had been problems. My thinking being to see if there had been an improvement. Firstly when I phoned up I was basically called a liar regarding my service date by whoever was booking me in. Anyway the service was done. About a week later I was at work when a workmate asked where I had the service carried out and I told him. His information was that due to the changes there were no Ducati trained technicians employed there due to all the staff changes. Now I have had the same info from another source but I personally cannot verify whether it's true or not. Suffice to say my bike goes to a known local independent garage now.
Intersting thread as my Multi is due Desmo early '24.. speaking to the local dealer they quoted £1300, but if done in winter months then the cost would be closer to £900.. not being an expert spanner monkey the desmo will defo be a winter job..
There is no doubt that some main dealers have or are getting appalling reputations, the old Blade dealerships at Reading and Abingdon being two that spring to mind. The long standing dealerships like Snells and Moto Rapido and authorised serving agents like Nellie are getting few and far between so going somewhere new will almost inevitably be a leap of faith. You see posted time and time again, owners travelling miles to go to a preferred service agent. Andy
