Two and a half years after selling my MTS 1200 S I still find myself missing the performance and handling of the Ducati. I've had a Speed Triple and currently a Tiger 800 xc both good bikes and perfectly reliable. I sold the Ducati after I got sick of returning the bike to the dealer for warranty issues (7 times in the first 12 months) and never did get a back brake that worked properly. My question: Is the reliability now better on the current bikes? I do quite high miles, so how well are the current bikes standing up to the miles? I'm thinking there may be some deals to be done when the new machine comes out but I'm very wary considering all the issues I had previously.
Think you might just have had a Venerdi pomeriggio bike, Dave. They do make them on other days too I'm led to believe
12,800 miles on a 2013. Perfect except heated grips just replaced. Looks like I will keep the bike to at least 30k, nothing compares.
Dont do it. As you expect everything to work perfectly, it never will, you will be disappointed again.
Have to admit, as much as I like this bike...If it was my only form of transport throughout the year I would not be riding a Ducati.
2013 1200S - currently at just over 26,000 miles in 22 months and the only thing that has been a niggling fault is the heated grips, I think I am on my 4th set at the moment! Oh and the gear lever return spring broke on the way to Cumbria but 4 elastic bands fixed that on a temporary basis. Apart from that ZERO problems.
33k miles on 2010 ohlins model. 4k miles on 2013 PP twin spark (purchased two months ago). Heated grips all OK. Rear brake...well documented on how to get an adequate one. Low down running and flapper exhaust valve issues. Failed front fork foot...now a recall. AND. I still love my Mutleys
There's a scale. It needn't work perfectly, but to be reliable without rusting to shit would be a start.
To be fair....I've had no corrosion issues on the engine casings. My 10 month old PP had the flapper valve mechanism look like it had been at sea for 10 years. For some reason this is made of untreated mild steel!!!!
I nearly always buy new so I'm more relaxed about issues as I have a warranty. Nonetheless, it would be a real hassle to have constant issues. I've had new Ducatis consistently over the last few years and not had a huge number of issues, inc my MTS PP. I've also got a KTM, a brand new model out and did have an issue with that which was fixed without any major hassles. My own view is that Ducatis respond better to regular use, mothballing for weeks at a time doesn't seem to negate the negative impacts of salt etc. in the winter which a decent wash removes. I've seen some corrosion points and a decent ACF50 treatment should help. The underside of any new car after a winter would make most of us shudder, it's just that bikes have their worst side on display more. Many MTS owners seem to handle larger mileage and often without issues, those that do post more than the rest of us hacking about in lousy conditions without missing a beat. @PeterT and I did nasty little trip in the freezing cold, salty roads, freezing rain and terrible surface conditions for a few days (bascially great fun despite the conditions). Our bikes were unrecognisable and the MTS didn't have any issues. There is a school of thought that other manufacturers produce more reliable bikes but any casual dip into the GS forum or similar will find familiar tales of woe and angst against the manufacturer. Ducati seem to have caught up with most for reliability in my book. If you really want a boring ultra reliable A-B then probably some nondescript Honda is the right choice but given we have a small window of life to enjoy, it seems a shame to include boring bikes in a brief existence.
Agree. I had the rear accelerometer problem and a fooked clutch master cylinder (that made life, er, interesting in London rush-hour traffic) but otherwise have loved the bike and have averaged 750 miles per month since buying my Sport in April 13. I will test ride an Ariel Ace but expect to change to whatever replaces the PP later next year. Nothing I've ridden comes close.
I picked up a CBF1000 for bad weather, commuting and in case my 2013 MTS failed - but never ride it as the Multi is just too fantastic. The fuel sender died after about 6 months and will be replaced under warranty when I get round to it.
Error message on dash and suspension feels a bit wooden. Still ok to ride the bike but not very comfortable from memory. It happened 18 months ago.
Dealer replaced the accelerometer (£600 for the part) but later learned that it was a cable routing problem and they need not have fitted a new one.