No need to explain we realise that. Shall we look through your previous posts re things going bang, think you'll find your right up there in the experience stakes......
Then when they say it's fucked and it'll be £x to fix, put on your finest disappointed face and mention that the bike has complete service history, it's only just outside the initial warranty period, and surely the bike should be expected to last longer than this without a major mechanical failure. Follow it up with "as a long standing Ducati owner you are surprised and disappointed by the situation, what can Ducati do for me as a goodwill gesture to help resolve it?" Hell, if necessary I'd come down and say it for you but I'm not sure that would have quite the same effect!
i was absolutely fuming with blade after my previous visit and icing on the cake was £115 more for first service and heated grips fitted than snells, the salesman is among the most unhelpful I've ever had the chance to meet , I've mentioned to them to take a look at how snells and moto rapido treat customers as a lot could be learnt i hope you find them satisfactory but their knowledge of ducati is going to be nowhere near that of snell and moto rapido and that would concern me the most
Am I missing something here? If a recognised Ducati dealer sold you the bike why are we not taking it back to them? For a start IF ducati cough up they'll get paid to do the warranty work, it doesn't come out of their pocket so they won't feel hard done by IF ducati don't pay I'd have thought you stand a much better chance having a dealer you've just spent £10k+ Stand by your side surely? Instead your taking it to a dealer whom you didn't buy from and have a low opinion of (as do others by the looks of it) I appreciate the mileage thing but surely it's false economy? Ring the dealer you purchased it off, they're very unlikely to cast you aside, I think you're just complicating things having others getting involved as it's now an option to finger point.
I'd look at the relationship a dealer has with Ducati. The way the dealer works with Ducati will ultimately affect any contribution from them. Idiot waste, I'd go somewhere that has built a relationship over a number of years, not someone who has little experience.
I see what you're saying but sadly it wasn't from a Ducati dealer. To those who have given their opinion of Blade, thanks. As the bike is my main commuter, getting it fixed is a huge priority. It's not a weekend toy, I use it as my main and only mode of transport. So waiting another 2 weeks for Moto Rapido to have an open slot also complicates it further.
So if not from a Ducati dealer the from who? I realise there's not much point in discussing the bikes history on a public forum but its a little late for that, all I'm trying to get an idea of here is who's done the servicing on your bike and whether they've done what's required.?
I understand and don't mind. I'm in Wales at the moment and will update in terms of who did what. The first big service was with the original owner and done by Ducati. Then the guys who I bought it from did a small service and stamped the books. They spoke to a Ducati garage at the time to make sure all basis were covered. I was very analysis at the time that they don't skimp and miss things. Also, do I detect a hint of frustration? You seem pissed off... Not sure I understand the reason(s) if you are.
Well as long as the stamp in the service history book is from a workshop that telephoned a Ducati technician' your fine, how could Ducati possibly not agree that the bike has been serviced according to it service schedule? Anyway got to go, got a big service to do on my Pantigirly, have checked on Google what Ducati would do to it.and bought a rubber stamp from 'Rubber Stamps R Us' saved a fortune don't you know On a serious note I think you may struggle with that. Blade will probably have a spot ready for you next week as I'm sure they will monitor the forum so will preempt your call.
Not at all mate, far from it unless you count the fact my coffees now cold and I have a day out at the zoo surrounded by hundreds of kids I'm just trying to get you to clarify stuff so you can be helped and advised accordingly. Unfortunately I suspect (although can't be sure) that if the service last done was when the bike was still in warranty but not undertaken by a registered ducati service centre then it could be a get out clause for Ducati themselves should you have to go down that route of making a claim. I could well be wrong as it'd be a bit harsh but I guess it depends on the calibre of the guys who did the service. For instance I don't know if they required specific tooling to undertake certain aspects, as such did they just make do? You see Ducati could cite that all registered Ducati service technicians undertake a level of training and anybody outside of that program can't officially conduct ducati services. I guess we/you will find out
Although you could possibly argue that if it is a faulty 4th gear/cog/twat/windmill that shouldn't be affected in the service as it's not a serviced part so to speak. If it is the 4th twat/gig/windmill that's at fault then I'd at least go for the 'not fit for purpose/ faulty' line and see how it goes.
Without seeing it in person it's difficult to make any real diagnosis, however the damaged gear / missing tooth theory is possible. On the plus side there is likely a case under 'reasonable life expectancy' for Ducati to cover some, or all of the bill. It would be difficult for Ducati to justify gearbox rebuilds on a 10,000 mile bike being reasonable.
Have you tried Snells in Alton, they are probably closer to Reading & a better ride, and seem to be a quality dealer (in my experience anyway) I would give them a call and explain the situation and see what they say. I guess you won't get any promises re Ducati covering the cost but in my experience they do what they say they will so if they say they will try then I would believe that they would do their best and I also believe that they would take a quick look for you to at least give you an opinion on you continuing to use it until they can fit it in properly.
Well the run to and around Wales, should give the problem a chance to go away or properly manifest itself. And test it the 'man way' if it's safe to continue using. Get it looked at sooner rather than later Freshage, if only for safeties sake. If anything drive or chain goes terminally pear shaped, it could be at speed, and no one wants that. If it's your only mode of commuting then the bus or train will become your friend for a few days. Anyway, Wales, without all the right gear(s) is a dangerous place, if youre the only Freshage in the village........
The EU directive that allows cars to be serviced by dealers other than the manufacturers (as long as its done to spec) and still retain the warranty, does not apply to bikes.
This is good advice, you need to remember that if it does go bang, it will go one of to ways. 1) You'll lose drive and have to coast to a halt 2) the box of "cogs" will lock and also lock the back wheel, there will be no dipping the clutch and rolling to a stop.
