That's a shame. Alec has looked after my various bikes since the mid-90s. As a fellow-North-Londoner, I'm in the same boat now.
I intend to keep supporting the independents in London, but for anything that needs a dealer stamp, for the Panigale, I'll keep going main dealer. Reason being when I had a tank issue with the well out of warranty Monster, I got a much reduced offer of help from Ducati due to not having full main dealer stamps in the service book.
The EU Block Exemption Rule means this is no longer necessary. You can have your bike serviced wherever you like, so long as they use original parts. What happens after 29th March is anyone's guess. https://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/new-car-warranty-servicing/
To clarify, the issue with the Monster was 3 years ago, and it was very out of warranty, the goodwill offer of a reduced price tank from Ducati rather than free replacement was based on lack of main dealer stamps. So not covered by the legislation. For resale value, are people more fussed if it's main dealer or as long as the service schedule is adhered to, and has been carried out by a reputable garage?
We'll just adopt current legislation and adapt/improve down the line when required. We won't turn the laws back 25-30 years because of Brexit. We won't all suddenly be riding horses and firing flintlocks at eachother either.
Wishful thinking. We already see that dealers try it on now, they try to bully owners into using the dealer network 'to keep up your warranty'. It's only by quoting the Block Exemption Rules at them that the consumer has some rights. Try quoting EU rules to them after March, you'll be promptly told "we're no longer in the EU mate".
Car being the main word, unfortunately not the same for bikes, stick with main dealer services for at least 3 years, this will help on out of warranty claims. Opened a can of worms now.
Like I said it's a can of worms and been discussed on hear numerous times, if you read the Ducati warranty it states must be serviced at a Ducati authorised workshop. @Android853sp knows his stuff about servicing or maybe @nelly would like to comment.
Simmy is correct... Block exemption only applies to cars. Warranty is invalidated if not done at authorised dealer/workshop. I know BMW is the same for sure and I'd guess with all other manufacturers to.
Depends how far you take it. If prepared to go legal, you can win. When I had mine assessed by a pro examiner, he told my my home oil servicing was of no issue and they wouldn't win on that one as i'd used genuine parts and the oil I had used was the correct rating (different brand though). True to his word, all went through without a hitch.
I used them today. I was very impressed, small welcoming place with friendly service and they seemed to know their stuff. Unfortunately for me it's a horrible journey there and back.
A very difficult market. A true London based Ducati franchise may need to be subsidised by Ducati. The rents are astronomical & sales are not great. When I was looking for my S1000RR, I rang Park Lane London & the first question he asked was if I lived in London. He claimed he refused to take London dwelling customer deposits until they had received a satisfactory insurance quote. He said a large part of his sales were nationwide through the internet because of the diminishing local market.
I can see why a BMW dealer asked customers to get an insurance quote before ordering. I live up north in a low rating area and the S1000R was between double and treble the price of other similar bikes.
This is the crux of the matter. My local high street is nothing great: kebab shops, charity shops and pound shops but one of our long-standing ironmongers, been there generations, was driven out by the landlord demanding £137,000 rent - for a small shop! Dainese have done it, they've set up a flagship London store. I think Ducati will have to do something similar. Sadly true too. I've been depressed at my Supersport quotes, many insurers simply declining to quote.
Most smaller high streets look the same mate, the charity shops get rates concessions ( & mainly no purchase costs for goods), kebab shops have high margins ( augmented by the mandatory brothel upstairs) & as for your poor ironmonger, I’m not privy to the P&L accounts, but there is a large chance he/she struggled to net £137k , let alone pay that in rent! As for your insurance situation, I genuinely feel for you, a nice motorbike is great way to get round the city. Sadly hindered by the fact that it’s almost impossible to insure & if you are able to remortgage your house to raise the premium, gone in 60 seconds when spotted by the scooter crew.
Hola all! Just piecing together information from different links on this forum, my question which I think I know the answer to is... for Safety Recall work, this can only be undertaken by an Authorised Ducati Dealer, correct? ie. you can't use an Independent, right? It's the Safety Recall on the Panigale for the Breather Crankcase CR180. I'm in Central London and well... ideally looking to go somewhere in... "London"! Previously used Metropolis but they're closed... I was checking out Hyside Romford but read on the forum that they're moving premises further away in March 2020... so I guess that leaves solely Ducati Croydon as the only way forward... unless any of you moto people say otherwise
Really? Damn. They're already an awkward journey for me. Croydon is no better. So Ducati are turning their backs on the largest population in the country.
