Oh dear that’s a terrible shame. I wouldn’t wish that on any buyer or Ducati. It’s not a good feeling shelling out for a bike and not having it. Been their with Suzuki many years ago. As Bumpkin above says, I wonder what they’re going to do to keep customers happy that have already taken delivery? What do you give these customers to ride in the mean time? I was given an MZ! I was disgusted and livid. It was in my yoof and it was not cool, not cool at all.
Pretty sure it was BMW who had a similarly catastrophic issue with a recall on a relatively new model a few years ago. Everyone effected got a new current bike in the range to ride for the duration and BMW then had a lot of used nearly new bikes to sell. Much in the same way as they do with demo bikes. Can't see Ducati doing the same though. Could be quite financially damaging for Dicati as well as hitting their reputation if it is as suggested. Depends if this is a design issue which is across the board or a failing of QC on a single batch of components. Also if the valve guides are from a supplier or made internally.
Valve guides are made of a very special metal alloy. Perhaps by means of sintering. It seems to me a product made by an external specialist /manufacturer. BMW had the same issue with their S1000RR in 2020. BMW had to replace the cilinderhead of all these bikes. Abnormal wear to valve guides due to titanium valves according below story. https://motorstof.nl/terugroepactie-bmw-s1000rr-2020/
https://www.dnb.com/business-direct...vrm_spa.b1cfe83abcf2d909ecaa54bb3e8f88bb.html This company bought Marzzochi and supply Ducati with parts.
Just think, they could have carried on doing the R&D on the new engine while developing the new Pikes Peak, then release them all in one go a few months later, fully tested! Just kidding. I feel sorry for any new owners that have been looking forward to getting their bikes, only to have them taken away again. I’m sure Ducati will look after them.
BMW gave their customers a choice of pretty much any bike for the period they waited for their s1000rr m sport. Alas I suspect Ducati will shrug and expect the dealer to try and appease customers.
Not fair if Ducati shrug it off to dealers. It's not their fault. Anyway it's all just speculation until they release a statement or something.
Just chatting to a mechanic who thinks the use of springs instead of the tried and tested desmo could be part of the problem. He thinks this is closer to a VFR than a Ducati.
Yeah like who's ever used springs to control valves before right? If it was closer to a VFR it wouldn't be having any problems.
Here is what will happen in europe for the recall: 1) The motorcycle will be taken to the dealer, who will prepare it for shipment. 2) Ducati will send a suitable vehicle to pick up the motorcycles and bring them to Borgo Panigale. 3) The engine will be removed from the motorcycle and the entire heads will be replaced, not just the part in question. 4) the motorcycles are returned to the dealer. To carry out this work, a special assembly line has been set up and the staff has been increased. 20 hours of work are required for disassembly and reassembly. The motorcycles are returned to the customer after 3/4 weeks. All those affected will receive free inspections for 2 years and, at the customer's discretion, a replacement motorcycle for the entire period or a voucher for 1500 euros for accessories. About 300 motorcycles are affected. The action is not listed as a recall on the Ducati website. Source: DucatiMultistrada.it
He saw it as a flawed design principle, moving away from the desmo we all love and trust, it's obviously not working for whatever reason.
Wow, what an incredibly disappointing turn of events for those who have committed to buying one of these. All of the enthusiasm and excitement eviscerated by this disastrous failure. Ducati R&D and quality control need to take a long hard look at why & how they have created this mess! It will take months before any confidence will develop between the new owner and the bike, with this in the back of your mind, wondering what will possibly go wrong next. Well it would if it was me. Yet another reason NOT to be a Ducati "test-pilot".
BMW S1000RR had the exact the same issue last year. There are only two suppliers of valve guides. One in Germany and one in Japan. Not easy to execute quality control if you are not able to travel due to covid 19. I still love my V4.
I'd be after a full refund and buy something different. Mario and Luigi need to lay off the liquid lunches as well.
