Wages, rent etc will be lower in the north than in the south. It’s the way of a South centric Country.
Just a note regarding the oil filter change. I’m not sure if it’s employed on other models but I’m quite impressed that Ducati are using the double thread technique to make things easier. The oil filter is secured by two M6 x 20mm bolts complete with a wide flange, but the holes in the filter itself are tapped M8. This means that once the M6 retaining bolts have been removed, you can insert and slowly wind in a couple of M8 bolt’s to evenly extract the filter. A good ideal given that the machining fit of modern ‘O’ ring seals is so exact. But it gets better! (subjective)! There are four anchor points for the sump guard but only three go directly to the engine. The forth is to the - you’ve guessed it - oil filter. I’d be more than worried about this if this piece of (rather substantial) plastic was actually expected to protect the underside in the event that it hit something. But seeing as the 698 isn’t an off roader.. To fit the sump guard, both the M6 oil filter bolts are removed & replaced with pillar M6 bolts from the kit. These have an Allen key hole atop them but don’t be fooled, because within that is actually an M5 tapped hole. Once these are fitted, a saddle type bracket (oddly with M6 holes) gets fitted atop using the supplied two M5 fixings & provides a single support hole for the forth & final M6x20 sump guard fixing and they have 6mm Allen heads. One hell of an arrangement & not ideal but how else they could have done it? The sump guard was late in & I had to fit it myself.
overall i'm disappointed, surely they could've employed some M3 and M4 fixings somewhere in there as well?
That's interesting. Looks like it's up to the particular dealership what they charge. Must be a higher standard of living in Preston compared to Bristol
I had to order my sump guard 3 times before I got it and the kit had m5 fixings rather than the m6 needed.
Not sure how that could have happened if it’s an official Ducati part? The bolt’s securing the plastic should all be M6x20 with a 6mm Allen head.
They have their bill of materials on that batch there probably all wrong I wonder how long before it’s corrected
Just picked my RVE up late September and in for first service this Thursday. I'm hoping they can sort the low down fuelling too and the failing to start occasionally. I know it's a single but bike won't pull at all below 4k and surges between 4 & 5k, I'm sure all down to Euro5. Can't remember the demo bike being like this but that was in March. More concerned about the lack of starting, is anyone else having this issue?
No issues with that here. I’m 1800 miles in and all good. Had the QS & Termi’s fitted at the first service after they finally became available. It’s now ridiculously loud
Been looking at hypers to replace my 899, purely for less weight on my wrists and to eat up the shit roads better. Am I barking up the wrong tree?
The lack of starting needs sorting, simple as that. this should be well within the dealers capabilities, and if not then time to use another one if possible.
No. Such a lightweight machine with an excellent turning circle. A little tall perhaps but apart from that.
I'm hoping it's straight forward for the dealer. It's a strange one as only ridden it 3 times and was fine on first 2 rides starting straight away but then took 8 goes to start when it came out of garage, then OK for most of the day and wouldn't start at last petrol station, pushed it to side and waited a couple of minutes and eventually started.
Good to know everything is good for you. Already got the QS and won't be going for termi's as I'm likely to be pulled for loud exhausts.
If your running smaller bumpy roads and don't want the hunched over sportbike feel then it'll be great. I've moved from a KTM 890 Duke R because of the longer suspension and light weight and to get back on a Ducati!
Whats the maximum duration on a motorway, i imagine not long and its quite brutal? If i was to go from east herts to liverpool next year for IOM how many days would i need?
