The panel fit & finish under the light cluster on the Panis seems to vary a lot, I've noticed it on brand spanking 0 mile showroom models "manufacturing tolerance"
I'd be more suspicious of a demo bike from a dealer I didn't know than a long termer from an MCN staff contributor. Any owner could have thrashed it to bits so at least you know the history. You could say it's better if you've got a bike from a super careful thats never been thrashed and so has less wear but I'd be happy knowing that a decent rider has run the engine in as you know its had some decent revs to get it sealed up well rather than weak from over pussy footing. Ref the bodywork; under the light cluster the panels and plastic parts all clip together so it's very easy to have them miss-aligned just by the order you do it in. The bolt that goes in from underneath is a right bitch to get lined up so they line up differently just about every time you put it all together and never quite goes straight. There's no frame to bend on a Panigale anyhow so I'd make the decision based on the general wear of the bike. Check things like the edges of the pegs, bar ends, bottom of the forks, etc for signs of it being crashed. You should be able to get a full history from Ducati to see any work. That said I got blatantly lied to by Ducati Croydon when I checked up on my first Panigale which was an ex demo and the clutch cover bolts jammed the clutch solid five minutes after going around the Isle of Man mountain at big speeds!
If your 50/50 to have it, mention to them what you have found out about the bike and offer less or get them to add the tail tidy for free and then see how you feel
Ask them first about it - they must know it's history as they would have been the supplying dealer? Then if they lie, embarrass them and go for another grand off :Angelic:
My thoughts: Chaps in MCN are enthusiastic to say the least and no doubt would've looked after the bike as if they returned it to duc tatty that'd likely be the end of that. What I'm also seeing is a little pedigree start to amass. I'd try and get hold of all the issues that have referenced the bike and store them well. When you come to sell the bike on you have a selling point that another similar trade in wouldn't.
well your explanation of your attitude towards your bikes does change things a bit for me. How many miles has the bike done?
well it cant be bad at that, probably its first front tyre, and second rear. View it, and go with your gut.
I think the dealer would sell a premium bike, and not a bike with poor history. Saying that, id ask if it's ex press and see their reaction. Id want the dealer to be honest about it and not attempt to hide any history here. Otherwise I'd buy it. I don't think it's in a reputable dealers interest to sell a bike with aftermarket or poorly fitting fairings on such a new bike that is priced at a premium. If it were a 15 year old 996 then such issues might be seen as acceptable.
If you're comparing cars, I had an ex Audi UK press RS5 on loan for 7 months to me, and it was hanging. It had about 7k miles on the clock, and judging by the state of the car, it had done them all either on a race track, through a hedge, or in the hands of a complete numpty. It was mechanically knackered and the condition was terrible. I had it free for 7 months though, so I'm not complaining, but I treated it like it had been treated previously The MCN bike did a few track days, but generally appeared to be used a commuter and bike for people to borrow for weekends. Make of that what you will, but personally, I'd want a very low price if it was me
As a few have said, I would rather buy a press bike than a normal demo. I have heard too many 'Billy big bollocks' story's of thrashing the stuffing out of them from stone cold because 'Not mine is it? And I'm not going to buy it, just wanted to give one a pasting'... Idiots. Very few dealers give the demos to a staff member to run them in, in fact, the local BMW dealer is the only one I can think of, but I think press bikes are run in before the journalists get them, it would make sense to get any teething problems out of the way and let the journalists not have to baby it around for 5/600 miles or so.
Careful mate , you'll be accused of top trumps soon with statements like that. Lol Yeh that kind of backs up what I've seen in the past.
Ask to see the service record. Many of the Press bikes are serviced at Ducati HQ at Silverstone so would have had the best mechanical care available.
Not likely, the 1199 goes through a rear in one trackday and a front in two but I agree with you otherwise.
ok mate. You win. I'm wrong in every statement I make and I was just trying to "win" the Internet. Now be a good little boy and pop me on ignore so you can't read anymore of my waffle and I'll happily do the same.
