1199 Build Quality question.

I just recently went to possibly purchase a 1199 and had a few questions about the bikes build quality. Some issues I noticed were jagged cuts in the plastics when they were molded. Most specifically the rear of the bike. The next is the exhaust tips on the bike look like they were cut out with a jigsaw?! These as well looked really rough and not smooth at all. Is the Termignoni exhaust look better? Also lastly the black trim between the tank and the side panels had a very odd rough spot possibly from where they where molded. Maybe I have OCD but little things like that kept bothering me and putting me off a little bit.

Is all of this normal for these bikes. They had two and they both had these problems. I REALLY want one of these but little things like this are putting me off and I feel like an idiot asking the dealer to replace all this stuff before settling on one. Especially whwn two different ones had these issues.

It's your money you spend.
If you don't like it, let the dealer replace it to your likings, or just don't spend your money on it.
I can tell the Termignoni is way better quality and higher finish than the OEM system, i'm happy with the system.
But compared to Akrapovic even the Termi's look like some childs from 3rd world tried to make an exhaust out of used tin cans, so you might consider looking into Akra.
I also see some jaggies in the painting and some parts have tiny blisters on the edges.
Can live with it, once you step on the bike, you (and enthousiasts weaving and thumbing-up at you) won't see any of this.
Ride it, feel it and make your decision

EntwineRyche said:

I just recently went to possibly purchase a 1199 and had a few questions about the bikes build quality. Some issues I noticed were jagged cuts in the plastics when they were molded. Most specifically the rear of the bike. The next is the exhaust tips on the bike look like they were cut out with a jigsaw?! These as well looked really rough and not smooth at all. Is the Termignoni exhaust look better? Also lastly the black trim between the tank and the side panels had a very odd rough spot possibly from where they where molded. Maybe I have OCD but little things like that kept bothering me and putting me off a little bit.

Is all of this normal for these bikes. They had two and they both had these problems. I REALLY want one of these but little things like this are putting me off and I feel like an idiot asking the dealer to replace all this stuff before settling on one. Especially whwn two different ones had these issues.

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Easy don,t buy it. Build your own perfect motorcycle then buy that. Meanwhile I will keep enjoying just looking at my imperfect Panigale in my garage.

You do not sound like a Ducati kind of guy.

Don't bother buying. If little things like this bother you then what happens when you scratch your tank? That's over $2K to replace. If you expect perfection you'll never be able to ride a bike - things happen. Ducati's build quality is pretty damn good compared to other manufacturers.

I've been nothing but impressed with the quality of the materials, the consistency of the fitup, and everything seems to be holding up perfectly. If anybody thinks they can do better that what's been done here, please show us.

I own an RC8R and a Pani R. Both are superior in build and quality to anything you'll see out of Japan. I an a great fan of engineering and design.

I'd say other than the frames, Jap bikes are ...... built bikes. The Europeans definitely win in the quality and finishing dept. Ducatis are really well built overall.

Of course we can go back to the 80s and early 90s if you want, but that time is long gone.

In the end owning Panigale is like dating a stripper...lol. Just love it for what it does and how it makes you feel.

I've seen dozens of 1199s including mine. The build quality is exceptional. Not sure why you saw differently. A little odd...

bronch said:

I've seen dozens of 1199s including mine. The build quality is exceptional. Not sure why you saw differently. A little odd...

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He did admit to being OCD...

Thamer said:

I own an RC8R and a Pani R. Both are superior in build and quality to anything you'll see out of Japan. I an a great fan of engineering and design.

I'd say other than the frames, Jap bikes are ...... built bikes. The Europeans definitely win in the quality and finishing dept. Ducatis are really well built overall.

Of course we can go back to the 80s and early 90s if you want, but that time is long gone.

In the end owning Panigale is like dating a stripper...lol. Just love it for what it does and how it makes you feel.

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How do you like your Ktm??? That bike just looks too angular for my liking....

I agree that the bike is exceptionally beautiful. However, he does have some points about the build quality given the price tag (I have an R so that may sway my opinion). The paint is definitely not up to par for a 30K bike and some of the finer details of fitment are slightly off. That being said, I don;t really care about that crap because I ride the shi* out of my bikes and people can't see those details when I fly by them in a blur.

I understand what you mean. My dealer told me the day of my delivery, that both fairing side panel are going in for warrenty claim. They ( the dealer) noticed rough painted surface defects. And the dealer put in the claim before I got the bike. I have also noticed, whom ever trimmed the flash on the black plastic below the tank wasn't that skilled. However, I have been doing injection molded thermoplastics for 27 years now. So I do get particular about my polymers..overall it's better than other manufacteres I've seen......

Stw said:

He did admit to being OCD...

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Yeah, except it's called something else when delusions are involved

Quality....
Actually I think this is a very general term. I would split such a discussion at least into two separate threads: mechanical design and components.

Design:
As far as I can see motorcycle design has radically changed in the last 10 years. If I compare the first MV Agusta F4 (state of the art in 1999) with the 1199, it gets really obvious. Now every part is designed and produced using 3D technology. All parts (especially the plastics and metal casts) become far more complex, no straight lines anymore, very complex shapes, and extreme reduction on mounting points (i.e. screws). On one hand side that's pretty cool (weight loss and visual design), on the other hand it sometimes becomes a PITA trying to install the stuff. Older motorcycles are far more easy to maintain, but they are simply overweighted! And more expensive. Just look at the price of the new bikes: they are sometimes half the price as the comparable ones ten years ago.

I also think that the new young "breed" of engineers desinging the motorcycles is sometimes not expirienced enough to avoid pitfalls in design (e.g. collecting dirt between the engine and the rear swingarm of the Pani).

Components:
Cost reduction is everything! And I am happy that Ducati stays to some delivering companies like Ohlins. On the other hand one see's very well that a lot of things that were common 10 years ago are simple not done anymore, because of manufacturing costs. Good example again is the rear swing arm of the Pani: It has milled parts that are not protected anymore against corrosion. Or the threats in it: the easiely get destroyed. I had to use helicoils a couple of times :-(
The good news is that one can replace components! And there haven't been so many companies in the past that provided the customer with cool replacement parts as today. Thanks to the internet I guess. You'll get all kind of hitech stuff for this bike for a really very good price. So not everything you'l do to your bike is bling, sometimes its just completing "the quality you want".

Design...
Actually I think this is a very general term. I would split such a discussion at least into two separate threads: mechanical components and fit, and engine performance.
Mechanical components and fit:
The components and fit seems very advanced compared to older ducatis and Japanese bikes. The amount of thoughts that go into the component design is definitely above the cut. This is the first bike where i see such things like electronickery compartments with its own cooling air channel, easy-to-remove parts (e.g., subframe), almost-plate-like sidestand, and cable+hose routing that are mostly shielded. Overall, no doubt that a lot of thoughts and care go into his in the design and quality process.
Mechanical performance:
Now this is perhaps where 1199 suffers the most. Engine heat and mechanical defects needing warranty fixes seems like a lot of missed consideration in the design process. Sure they extracted a lot (i mean real lot) out of the superquadra engine in terms of performance, but they seem to neglect that most customers will have to live with the bike daily without the assistance of a team of mechanics.

Saying all that, I am very happy with the bike quality, particularly compared to the bikes I have ever previously owned (fireblades, RC51, a hayabusa, and ducati 848).

I have a Diavel and 1199 trycolor. Both seem very well built and have no problems to date. No they are not perfect but one needs to understand that everything is built to a price standard.

The suspension on my Diavel was the biggest issue and I ended up replacing with Ohlin's. I have an AMG and yet is still had s lot of plastic where I would have preferred carbon so these too got replaced. It is noteable that where plastic is used to cut weight and cost, I have found no flaws.

All bikes, even the Superleggera, are built to a budget and inevitably you can find fault in anything if you look hard enough. It is usually the small details that let the overall impression down, so you are highly unlikely to find a bike that is going to tick all the boxes, only one that you can live with or aim to improve to your level of satisfaction. It is, as with most things, very subjective, so don't be dis-heartened by it. If there are aspects of the bike that you simply cannot live with, then change them. What you might perceive as a minor irritation might not even feature on someone else's radar.

Anything that is mass manufactured is inherently "built to a standard" that is derived mathmatical equation that involves cost, profit and time. Remember, Ducati is a business and businesses' are in business to make money. Making money means cutting cost, increasing profit and shortening maintenence. Thus, the sum we get and gleefully fork over $$$ is thier best effort at wowing us. and with the Pani, wow us they did.

if you mean the paint is terrible for a 25k+bike, the screws arent made to be taken out more than once without striping, the footpegs may be the worst ever, mirrors are terrible, and the factory doesnt loctite the bolts yea build quality is great.

Why is everyone giving this apparent troll (Entwinerych not Markany) the time of day?

I owned a 1098S an 1198SP and now an 1199R. My only complaint with Ducati has always been the quality of their paint. My 1098S paint and 1198SP paint had dull spots through the bike. I mentioned it to two separate dealers and they said it was a result of ware and tear and didn't cover it under warranty. My 1199R I noticed that at a corner some paint has flaked off. I need to mention this to the dealer and see what they say. I take care of the bike and don't neglect it at all. Other than that build quality wise I think Ducati has got to be the best. Observe the quality of the plastic when compared to Honda, Yamaha, BMW. Ducati is 100 times better. Feel at the quality of the aluminum, the finish of the aluminum, the texture when compared to rival motorcycles. Ducati is worlds better. Also take note of the consistency of the powder coat. I ran my hands through a Yamaha wheel and it was grainy, so what does that tell you?