Got rid of the 1299s

Grayson · Jan 20, 2016

First off I hope this doesnt turn into a heated thread its just my experience.

I love Ducati, this is my 5th one. I know about all of the quirks associated with them before purchasing one. The stalling, regulator issues, random failures, etc.

As I get older I get less willing to spend $$$ on exhaust + tuner and other things to make a bike run properly. What was refered to as the "Termi Tax" has now become the Akrapovic + Rapidbike tax to the tune of 6k and on top of a $25,000. I find that unacceptible IMO

My paint was horrible, worse than other 1299 units ive seen. Ducati failed to do anything about this. Which if that is "standard painting" to them as a business owner I cant fault them for not wanting to lose money, I just wish they would improve quality.

My bike was in the shop for a number of things that did not make sense to me to fix issues that were happening to the bike. Again, I dont have an issue with Ducati because I know these things happen from time to time but my issues were never truly fixed.

I am excited about the next Ducati superbike, as I plan to get that. I just hope it is more sorted than the current beast. As a motorcycle rider, the most important thing is having a bike you can ride. Not a bike that sits in the shop.

Sprinkles · Jan 20, 2016

Cool story, bro.

Styler · Jan 20, 2016

Sprinkles said:
Cool story, bro.

Sarcasm aside Sprinkles (and I do appreciate your dry wit), it is important that such issues continue to see the light.
I almost had Ducati NA buy my 2012 1199 back because of some systemic issues that could not be addressed. Eventually, they figured things out, fixed them and gave me a little extra love to keep me with the brand.
With regard to fueling issues, given today's pollution controls, I find it hard to believe that any V-twin superbike putting out this much torque and power is going to have faultless fueling out of the box. It really is a race bike with lights.

jdgun · Jan 20, 2016

Grayson,

I hear ya brother.. Been there also with my first Ducati in 2007 (1098), and now have a 2012 1199S thankfully no issues. It really is hard at times to want something so much & buy it, only for there to be FLAWS or COMPROMISES in the overall package.

1stduc1199 · Jan 20, 2016

A friend of mine just got a replacement 1299S from Ducati as the Dealer couldn't figure out how oil was leaking into the air box of his original 1299S

maslov · Jan 20, 2016

That's in a way is the beauty and the fault of this brand... These bikes are assembled one by one and each can be different from the other, which makes them so special. Yet at the same time it leaves room for error. Some people report certain issues, others say their bikes are as solid as they can be...
When I bought my 848 it had 0 issues, except for the damn line between the fuel filter and the fuel pump kept coming loose, but that was an easy fix... With 1199, 1299 as the technology grows the issues we are experiencing will be nearly impossible to eliminate.
I guess at the end of the day if you're willing to own this special machine you have to expect to give it some special attention. Just my humble opinion here...

Grayson · Jan 20, 2016

1stduc1199 said:
A friend of mine just got a replacement 1299S from Ducati as the Dealer couldn't figure out how oil was leaking into the air box of his original 1299S

yeah nobody can figure that out.

reganc · Jan 20, 2016

maslov said:
That's in a way is the beauty and the fault of this brand... These bikes are assembled one by one and each can be different from the other, which makes them so special. Yet at the same time it leaves room for error. Some people report certain issues, others say their bikes are as solid as they can be...
When I bought my 848 it had 0 issues, except for the damn line between the fuel filter and the fuel pump kept coming loose, but that was an easy fix... With 1199, 1299 as the technology grows the issues we are experiencing will be nearly impossible to eliminate.
I guess at the end of the day if you're willing to own this special machine you have to expect to give it some special attention. Just my humble opinion here...

thats total BS, the bikes are assembled on a line like any other manufacturer only in Ducati's case they are moving final assembly to Thailand.. At this stage of the game there should not not be quality issues they are pretty much mass produced bikes unlike the ducati's of 10 years ago. With Audi ownership it should get better.

maslov · Jan 20, 2016

reganc said:
thats total BS, the bikes are assembled on a line like any other manufacturer only in Ducati's case they are moving final assembly to Thailand.. At this stage of the game there should not not be quality issues they are pretty much mass produced bikes unlike the ducati's of 10 years ago. With Audi ownership it should get better.

well damn, I'm out of touch... Although with the VW scandal I'm sure the funding for Ducati will be on the back burner...

Thailand though?

speedy14 · Jan 20, 2016

Grayson said:
First off I hope this doesnt turn into a heated thread its just my experience.

I love Ducati, this is my 5th one. I know about all of the quirks associated with them before purchasing one. The stalling, regulator issues, random failures, etc.

As I get older I get less willing to spend $$$ on exhaust + tuner and other things to make a bike run properly. What was refered to as the "Termi Tax" has now become the Akrapovic + Rapidbike tax to the tune of 6k and on top of a $25,000. I find that unacceptible IMO

My paint was horrible, worse than other 1299 units ive seen. Ducati failed to do anything about this. Which if that is "standard painting" to them as a business owner I cant fault them for not wanting to lose money, I just wish they would improve quality.

My bike was in the shop for a number of things that did not make sense to me to fix issues that were happening to the bike. Again, I dont have an issue with Ducati because I know these things happen from time to time but my issues were never truly fixed.

I am excited about the next Ducati superbike, as I plan to get that. I just hope it is more sorted than the current beast. As a motorcycle rider, the most important thing is having a bike you can ride. Not a bike that sits in the shop.

Yep I totally agree! I unfortunately went the route of the Akropovic (with up map, Rapid Bike Racing module and Sprint filter and many many trips back to the dealer just to get it running decent)
Oh, and lets not forget the fact they had to replace the factory ECU and the complete fuel injection and throttle body etc

)
So Now after an additional $5K it now runs way it should have from the factory)
I now have over $30K in mine and it finally runs great (other than the fact I never know when it is going to die on me in the middle of in intersection etc)

I Love the bikes looks and power etc. and I intend to keep it for a while since I went through all the pain ,expense and heartache to get it right.. but it is the last Ducati I will purchase...

As fine a motorcycle as it is, and as beautiful as it is, it is just not worth it...
Kind of like my original analogy.. It is like dating an Italian Supermodel.. You fall in love right away because she is so beautiful and exotic...At first you put up with the finicky nature and the extra expense and attention she requires . But after a while she turns into a total ..... and it is just not worth it!

Speedy

topolino · Jan 20, 2016

Only a handful of models are produced in Thailand at present, notably the smaller capacity Monsters and the Scrambler series. These are destined for all markets, save the European one, where all bikes supplied to this region, still originate from Bologna. Part of the reason for this plant in Asia, as Asphalt and Rubber put it, is "to sidestep many of the region’s aggressive tariffs on motorcycles."

I'm not convinced many would notice the difference, if you stood one example next to another, from differing plants. As has been said, it is only a final assembly line in Thailand anyway and as such is only piecing together parts/sub-assemblies produced by outside contractors. Ducati are unlikely to move the whole process lock, stock and barrel to Asia, unless manufacturing costs soar, and price them out of the market with their hand subsequently forced. Not convinced the economy in Italy has sunk that low yet.

reganc · Jan 20, 2016

topolino said:
Only a handful of models are produced in Thailand at present, notably the smaller capacity Monsters and the Scrambler series. These are destined for all markets, save the European one, where all bikes supplied to this region, still originate from Bologna. Part of the reason for this plant in Asia, as Asphalt and Rubber put it, is "to sidestep many of the region's aggressive tariffs on motorcycles."

I'm not convinced many would notice the difference, if you stood one example next to another, from differing plants. As has been said, it is only a final assembly line in Thailand anyway and as such is only piecing together parts/sub-assemblies produced by outside contractors. Ducati are unlikely to move the whole process lock, stock and barrel to Asia, unless manufacturing costs soar, and price them out of the market with their hand subsequently forced. Not convinced the economy in Italy has sunk that low yet.

i really don't care where they are assembled the point being there should be no quality control issues with any of their models, they are producing enough bikes to get it right.

mark419ny · Jan 20, 2016

the paint is a joke i must say. there is a such thing as clear coat failure and ducati has this in their paint. i just put on the carbon painted fairings from carbonvani. i must say they paint job is 10x better than the factory paint.

anyway i have had every issue from burnt fairing to signals etc. they were all sorted out eventually. point being they should not have happened in the first place. another good point is 25k plus another 6 - 8 k when you add exahust etc. the hp4 all you needed to add was the link pipe 600 bucks and the bike is perfect. que the bmw is ugly etc not the point. point is bmw or whatever brand gets it correct out of the box ducati not so much.

for all of us that put all the money into the bike guess what all lost you cant sell these things for anything. so my panigale will always be with me. if i have to put it in the living room when im done riding it i will.

also sick of hearing the loyalist claim thats what makes the bike so special thats the biggest bunch of ......... ever.

Grayson · Jan 20, 2016

mark419ny said:
the paint is a joke i must say. there is a such thing as clear coat failure and ducati has this in their paint. i just put on the carbon painted fairings from carbonvani. i must say they paint job is 10x better than the factory paint.

anyway i have had every issue from burnt fairing to signals etc. they were all sorted out eventually. point being they should not have happened in the first place. another good point is 25k plus another 6 - 8 k when you add exahust etc. the hp4 all you needed to add was the link pipe 600 bucks and the bike is perfect. que the bmw is ugly etc not the point. point is bmw or whatever brand gets it correct out of the box ducati not so much.

for all of us that put all the money into the bike guess what all lost you cant sell these things for anything. so my panigale will always be with me. if i have to put it in the living room when im done riding it i will.

also sick of hearing the loyalist claim thats what makes the bike so special thats the biggest bunch of ......... ever.

I will always be a Ducati loyalist, however I did pick up another S1k. It's much improved over the past model but it's no Duc. It starts, it wont leave me stranded and it has heated grips. The first two are very important.

dmboone25 · Jan 20, 2016

This is a really interesting thread to me - I have been a loyal Ducati owner (M1200S currently) but have never had one of the company's superbikes. I have become really interested in the 1299, as it has been marketed to have fixed some of the perceived drawbacks of the 1199.

The most common problem I have read about, prior to this thread, is about the heat coming off the pipe under the seat. There are people online (yes, taken with a grain of salt, but still) who claim to have been bruised and/or blistered from that heat. I was curious if you guys have experienced that or if it really isn't too bad?

To the OP, thank you for the honest feedback. It is helpful, especially when considering a 25K+ toy.

I plan to test ride a 1299 this weekend - I have given the 899 a go a few times now and really like it. Want to see how the big brother works out.

Cheers,
David

nikko · Jan 20, 2016

speedy14 said:
Yep I totally agree! I unfortunately went the route of the Akropovic (with up map, Rapid Bike Racing module and Sprint filter and many many trips back to the dealer just to get it running decent)
Oh, and lets not forget the fact they had to replace the factory ECU and the complete fuel injection and throttle body etc )
So Now after an additional $5K it now runs way it should have from the factory)
I now have over $30K in mine and it finally runs great (other than the fact I never know when it is going to die on me in the middle of in intersection etc)

I Love the bikes looks and power etc. and I intend to keep it for a while since I went through all the pain ,expense and heartache to get it right.. but it is the last Ducati I will purchase...

As fine a motorcycle as it is, and as beautiful as it is, it is just not worth it...
Kind of like my original analogy.. It is like dating an Italian Supermodel.. You fall in love right away because she is so beautiful and exotic...At first you put up with the finicky nature and the extra expense and attention she requires . But after a while she turns into a total ..... and it is just not worth it!

Speedy

totally agree but hope ducati will always stand by their bikes not just the name.

Geek · Jan 20, 2016

dmboone25 said:
This is a really interesting thread to me - I have been a loyal Ducati owner (M1200S currently) but have never had one of the company's superbikes. I have become really interested in the 1299, as it has been marketed to have fixed some of the perceived drawbacks of the 1199.

The most common problem I have read about, prior to this thread, is about the heat coming off the pipe under the seat. There are people online (yes, taken with a grain of salt, but still) who claim to have been bruised and/or blistered from that heat. I was curious if you guys have experienced that or if it really isn't too bad?

To the OP, thank you for the honest feedback. It is helpful, especially when considering a 25K+ toy.

I plan to test ride a 1299 this weekend - I have given the 899 a go a few times now and really like it. Want to see how the big brother works out.

Cheers,
David

It's not the heat from under the seat, it's the heat from the Subframe on your leg. And yes, if you leave your leg on it you will burn the .... out of yourself, wear leathers or Kevlar jeans and it's not painful, just uncomfortable. Some carbon subframe covers fix-ish this issue enough you don't notice it.

Grayson · Jan 20, 2016

dmboone25 said:
This is a really interesting thread to me - I have been a loyal Ducati owner (M1200S currently) but have never had one of the company's superbikes. I have become really interested in the 1299, as it has been marketed to have fixed some of the perceived drawbacks of the 1199.

The most common problem I have read about, prior to this thread, is about the heat coming off the pipe under the seat. There are people online (yes, taken with a grain of salt, but still) who claim to have been bruised and/or blistered from that heat. I was curious if you guys have experienced that or if it really isn't too bad?

To the OP, thank you for the honest feedback. It is helpful, especially when considering a 25K+ toy.

I plan to test ride a 1299 this weekend - I have given the 899 a go a few times now and really like it. Want to see how the big brother works out.

Cheers,
David

Yes, I have been blistered by the heat on several occasions. That was not a main issue for disposing of the bike. It was just a negative effect of having a large cylinder and exhaust pipe under my scrotum.

0612Devil · Jan 20, 2016

mark419ny said:
the paint is a joke i must say. there is a such thing as clear coat failure and ducati has this in their paint. i just put on the carbon painted fairings from carbonvani. i must say they paint job is 10x better than the factory paint.

anyway i have had every issue from burnt fairing to signals etc. they were all sorted out eventually. point being they should not have happened in the first place. another good point is 25k plus another 6 - 8 k when you add exahust etc. the hp4 all you needed to add was the link pipe 600 bucks and the bike is perfect. que the bmw is ugly etc not the point. point is bmw or whatever brand gets it correct out of the box ducati not so much.

for all of us that put all the money into the bike guess what all lost you cant sell these things for anything. so my panigale will always be with me. if i have to put it in the living room when im done riding it i will.

also sick of hearing the loyalist claim thats what makes the bike so special thats the biggest bunch of ......... ever.

The plural of anecdote is not data.

Who Makes the Most Reliable Motorcycle? - Consumer Report

speedy14 · Jan 20, 2016

That new 2016 Kawasaki ZX10R is looking mighty appealing....

Especially now that it has the same exact same M -50 Brembo brakes setup as the Ducati 1299. It also has much more sophisticated suspension copied directly from their winning Superbikes experience...Totally new motor High tech electronics TC Etc more power etc etc......... And it will be much more reliable..!
My old 2011 ZX10 ran perfect all the time (and I ran the crap out of it on the track mostly.)..

I may just have to get one....So I will have something to ride while the Ducati is in the shop...LOL

Speedy

Got rid of the 1299s

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