Hi all, Seriously considering one of these... just asking the owners, or those who have owned one, when im giving it a once over, what should I be looking for, and what are the questions I need to be asking? Owned a few dukes in my time, including a first edition 1000 MS, but I am completely in the dark with this model. Thanks everyone Bob
Mine's a '13 with 43k km. Fuel level sensor, it's on the 3rd. Left Skyhook fork leg's been replaced at my expense. 13's & 14's had issues with Gas reservoir leaking causing fork to ride high. Does it lean over too far on prop-stand. Gear position sensor replaced. Gearbox return spring broke. Apart from these issues it's a great bike. I've just returned from a 3k km French tour and the bike has been fantastic. Oh, and on this trip the right side rear hugger(large one) mounting broke. Screw/plastic broke away from the hugger.
I have a ‘13, with 14,600m on - just about to go in for Desmo Service £950 quoted....but you know what you’re into already by the looks. None of the issues referred to above - yet - I have the S, have had both heated grips fail (replaced OEM), have also had electrical issues from a badly wired satnav (prev owner) which just needed stripping out to resolve, everything else I have had to do has been wear and tear or pilot error....bike has improved with every repair/mod/change and is now better than when I bought it. Plenty of gen on here about multi fettling, but front preload and drilling out exhaust flap thingy are essentials and have made a great bike into a bike I can’t get enough of. Other obs: Rear brake is generally poor, but many different fixes around (dot 5.1 fluid makes mine at least consistent for long journeys). Check inside left fork slider for wear from brake cable (fixed with sliver of gorilla tape until discovering manual preload sorted it properly), and also be aware of wind buffeting from standard screen depending on your height ymmv, but I am on third screen change currently. Lots of info or suggestions around in that also. I had a threaded bolt in the swing arm casting holding the rear mudguard on, didn’t discover until first time I removed it, but got rid anyway, looks better without and crud isn’t too bad. The seat doesn’t offer a lot of room to manoeuvre so make sure you’re comfortable in the same position else you will be buying bar risers or lower seat or higher etc etc. These are the only things I can think of - i don’t have buckets of experience but did my research as I wanted one bike to do everything and apparently am in a small percentage of folk who love the looks - it’s phenomenal still makes me smile every day after two years and I couldn’t be happier....unless I had a 999, and a v4s, ooh and a Paul smart...
Cheers for your help so far... Does anyone actually have the big 15,000 service done at the time interval? This one I’m looking at has 7500 miles but it’s just 5 years old now. I understand fluids deteriorate over time, but surely valve clearances shouldn’t need doing? Or is that false economy? I’d have the belts done of course, no point scrimping there... This would be my first water cooled duke. Cheers Bob
