Now I have heard everything.....

So couple days ago I am out shopping and spot a local Yamaha Dealer. I am walking right past so as I love the look of the new R1M, I thought "Why not pop in and see if they have one to look at."

So in a I go and first thing I see is a nice looking Red R1 on a stand, at the same time a salesman spots me and wanders over. He then gives me the sales pitch and tells me its the best thing ever made.

I ask about the R1M and he tells me they are all sold and this is the only R1 he has and it will be a 3 month wait if I want the blue one.

Its time to tell him that I just like the look and I already have one sports bike, but if I had some spare cash would love one of these.

So what do I have he says. I have a Panigale 1199. Is it always in the shop ? he says
No I say its a great bike. He tells me that his mate has one and its been repaired 16 times. (Later the story changes to 14 times)

I say not too much has gone wrong with my bike. Just the wiring loom indicator recall fix. 15 minutes at the dealer.

He says "Oh you must have the Italian built version" I say "but all 1199's are built in Italy" He says

"No they build them in Thailand now" And the quality of the Thailand built bikes is ...."

As I said, now I have heard everything.

He doesn't know .... then does he . I considered getting a R1 for about three seconds but there is nothing like riding a Ducati at the track so just ordered a 1299 .

Way to lose a potential future sale, what a tosser!!!!! Hope you laughed at him all the way out the door.

Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow and of the man who leads that gains that victory. ~ George S. Patton

It is the same with bike! Man the .... up and ride hard! If you don't feel you can win on the bike your riding buying another isn't going to help. What will the excuse be when you lose on an R1M?

I watch people of means switch bikes like socks and then always cry how they should have kept the Pani. Especially cause they say it looks awesome going by them...I tell them I wouldn't know cause I'm the one riding it

Great bike, but HORRIBLE dealer network.

I've already been offered a black one for $15,700. I have to admit, at that price, it's VERY tempting, but damn.

Dropping the price that fast already.

It comes from years of having to sell R1s that were butt ugly, heavy, and slow. He hasn't yet realized he finally has something worthwhile to offer the customers (other than the R6). Yamaha it appears needs to produce more M models if they are already sold out. Still the slightly ugly step-sister when sitting next to the Pani.

Could be worse; at least they stock them. Stopped by my local Yamaha dealer on the way back from a pedal bike ride the other day just to have a gander since it was on my way, and they said not only had they not ordered any new R1's, they wouldn't without having money up front. Mentally wrote them off my list of potential future relationships, smiled and wished them a good day as I walked out the door.

I hate that over selling salesmen ...........especially when their full of .....

Great idea lets not order any R1's cause this new awesome revamped version won't sell wortha ..... I bet they're selling lot o bikes there.

my ute is built in Thailand and it's one of the most reliable things in my stable....

But I think they are building a lot of bikes in Thailand now...At least for the Asia markets. Not sure if Aus/NZ is part of that batching.

DynastySS said:

But I think they are building a lot of bikes in Thailand now...At least for the Asia markets. Not sure if Aus/NZ is part of that batching.

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nope, the VIN number tells you where it's built. as far as i know Ducati only build the scrambler and maybe one of the smaller monsters in Aisa

ruley said:

nope, the VIN number tells you where it's built. as far as i know Ducati only build the scrambler and maybe one of the smaller monsters in Aisa

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That's correct

I actually don't see it being a problem as it's only assembly . So wether it's assembled in Italy or assembled in Thailand who really cares ?

Thamer said:

Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow and of the man who leads that gains that victory. ~ George S. Patton

It is the same with bike! Man the .... up and ride hard! If you don't feel you can win on the bike your riding buying another isn't going to help. What will the excuse be when you lose on an R1M?

I watch people of means switch bikes like socks and then always cry how they should have kept the Pani. Especially cause they say it looks awesome going by them...I tell them I wouldn't know cause I'm the one riding it

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Hi Thamer, I am not sure what you mean in your post. If this is aimed at me just because I went in to have a look at what I think is a nice looking bike (The R1M I mean) I think you may have misunderstood the intent of my post.

My whole post was about this salesman telling me that Ducati Panigales are now built in Thailand.

I do not race (although I do enjoy going to track days when I can) and if I did I would ride a Ducati, as I am a Ducati fan. Would I race a 1199 ? Maybe not as I may not be able to afford to fix it it when I crash. I have heard so often from guys who race that if you cannot afford to crash it then don't race it.

If I had some spare cash would I buy an R1M ? Only if I had lots and lots of spare cash as there are other bikes I would prioritise ahead of an R1M. I am currently looking at second hand K1300S or maybe the new R1200RS for doing longer trips, fit some luggage and carry a pillion. Pani does not work for me as a passenger bike.

Anyway, that was the point of the story, it was about the salesman. It was not about me buying an R1M to race because I am not fast enough on my Pani.

I am too old and scared to ride anytihing real fast.

And by the way I have fought in my war in Afghanistan, I spent Christmas there in 2008 in the snow. So I guess I understand what Patton is talking about. 34 years of service and 3 deployments and I am still serving.

Oh and I am not a man of means by any stretch of the imagination. My 2012 Panigale and an old second hand 2006 FE450 Husaberg are my only toys. My car is a 1999 Toyota Camry held together by string.

wilkson said:

I actually don't see it being a problem as it's only assembly . So wether it's assembled in Italy or assembled in Thailand who really cares ?

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Wilkson. I am not making an inference that a bike made in Thailand is bad. That is not the point of my story. My point is that the salesman insists on absolute authority that the Panigale is built in Thailand. As far as I am aware it is built in Italy at the main factory. My neighbour a Harley Davidson owner recectly did the Ducati factory tour and saw the 1199 production line.

ruley said:

nope, the VIN number tells you where it's built. as far as i know Ducati only build the scrambler and maybe one of the smaller monsters in Aisa

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Ducati 899 Panigale now Thai-assembled - RM89,888!

They certainly have done the 899 as well, but not sure on the 1199.

Either way, not saying he is right per se.

bradp51 said:

Wilkson. I am not making an inference that a bike made in Thailand is bad. That is not the point of my story. My point is that the salesman insists on absolute authority that the Panigale is built in Thailand. As far as I am aware it is built in Italy at the main factory. My neighbour a Harley Davidson owner recectly did the Ducati factory tour and saw the 1199 production line.

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I'm not saying that's what your saying it's just what I'm saying . Do get what I'm saying ?

DynastySS said:

Ducati 899 Panigale now Thai-assembled - RM89,888!

They certainly have done the 899 as well, but not sure on the 1199.

Either way, not saying he is right per se.

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The Thai assembled 899's are only for the SE Asian markets to get around the crazy import taxes they pay. 899's for everywhere else in the world are still assembled in Italy

He likely heard about the Scrambler and assumes all Duc's are from Thailand.

Technically speaking. Does Ducati make Panigales? Or just ASSEMBLE Panigales? I wonder how many parts Ducati actually makes?

wilkson said:

I'm not saying that's what your saying it's just what I'm saying . Do get what I'm saying ?

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Yes Paul I get what you are saying