This is why I may not buy another Duc ever

Seems odd, my '12's warrant claims exceeded it's sale price by far and never ever have I got any grief either from my dealer or DNA. Me tracking the bike was a well known fact to both but there was never even a raised eyebrow.

Throughout my career I have bought trucks, tractors and equipment for a horrendous amount of money, have had a s***load of trouble and nobody has ever been as forthright and acommodating as the folks who sold me a 20k$ toy.

I'm really sorry for all of you who ran into a s****y dealer, I know they exist.

There's my rant!

PanigaleS, that great you're sorted and now dealer free. I'm going to go the Tuneboy option on my 1299S after my 1000 km service. Btw, and not wanting to make a big deal of it but Frasers should not have claimed what they did. Statutory Warranty is NOT affected by your choice of service provider. Australian Consumer Law (http://www.consumerlaw.gov.au/conte...loads/industry_guides/motor_vehicle_sales.pdf) is the same for cars and motorcycles and it is very clear on this issue:
"This is especially the case when dealers and manufacturers make broad statements that consumers will "˜void their warranties' or similar if they go to an independent repairer (for example, a repairer who is not affiliated with the manufacturer or part of the manufacturer's network). Any suggestion by car manufacturers or dealers that motor vehicles need to be serviced at a licensed dealer to maintain the owner's consumer guarantee rights is not correct."
The only way a dealer can restrict your choice of service is if they offer/sell you an Express Warranty - like an extended warranty period or similar where they can make it a condition that you use their parts or service. But, even so, the Express Warranty does not diminish your Statutory Warranty rights in any way.

Had a big claim ie engine rebuild 2 weeks before warrantee ran out on my multistrada in 2013 no prob claiming.
Had couple of small probs done under warrantee on the Panigale no probs. I decided not to use my local main dealer cause he pi@@ed me off over something which I won't go into . I get great service from an independent dealer who I have the utmost respect for. Last time I was at his workshop he was telling me that Ducati are tightening up on warrantee claims much stricter .
I think I would be really angry if had a genuine claim that was being denied! So, I can understand your frustration. In this case it seems ,thanks to those here on the forum like a simple fix. Thankfully it's not a major issue costing $++.
But, of course it makes one question confidence in the brand.

Then we look at the gorgeous Italian design and the devil calls us back!

Sergio1199Panigale said:

I've never owned a Japanese bike, just Ducs and Triumph D675. Never had an issue with those. How do the Japanese dealers handle warranties?? Just wondering if it's bike companies in general these days??

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Ran 30k miles on a Yamaha, not a single issue, not sure if the Japanese even have a warranty dept. friends had Suzuki and kawa, never a visit back to the dealer. And we all know about Honda.

Ducati is a like a second wife, and the dealership are the in-laws, better get use to it.

jyli19 said:

Ran 30k miles on a Yamaha, not a single issue, not sure if the Japanese even have a warranty dept. friends had Suzuki and kawa, never a visit back to the dealer. And we all know about Honda.

Ducati is a like a second wife, and the dealership are the in-laws, better get use to it.

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LMAO. Thx for the laugh

jyli19 said:

Ran 30k miles on a Yamaha, not a single issue, not sure if the Japanese even have a warranty dept. friends had Suzuki and kawa, never a visit back to the dealer. And we all know about Honda.

Ducati is a like a second wife, and the dealership are the in-laws, better get use to it.

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Every manufacturer has problems.

I've seen KTM 1190s need new engines after 1000kms, GSXRs blow their engines down the main straight of Philip Island after 4000kms, GSXRs brakes need replacing after a few months, two of the new S1000Rs need new engines after 2 months, Aprilias cylinders shut down, MV Agustas starters .... themselves and need replacing to start the bike, Kawasakis, Hondas and Yamahas have their own issues, never had a single issue with my 1199R.

Some people are lucky, some aren't.

I had a bbs unit replaced a year ago on my 1199 under warranty and that's been it,

sexparty said:

Every manufacturer has problems.

I've seen KTM 1190s need new engines after 1000kms, GSXRs blow their engines down the main straight of Philip Island after 4000kms, GSXRs brakes need replacing after a few months, two of the new S1000Rs need new engines after 2 months, Aprilias cylinders shut down, MV Agustas starters .... themselves and need replacing to start the bike, Kawasakis, Hondas and Yamahas have their own issues, never had a single issue with my 1199R.

Some people are lucky, some aren't.

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True that. But if you spend premium dollar on a motorcycle it would be nice to get equal customer service which is not happening with DNA or most dealerships.

TBH, cutting a long story very short, a Midlands UK dealer (no it's not JHP but someone else btw). They sold me a 20 month old 2nd hand 1199 Tricolore and didn't even provide certain standard items., which should've come with it. Even the original owner wasn't supplied the parts either. Anyway after several months I asked DUK to assist and they point blank refused. It still boils my piss, both the this particular dealer & Importer are a complete waist of time and full of useless BS excuses. We've even proved that the missing items were never fitted.

Having heard various stories about DUK offering some SL customers sweeteners because the bikes were late to be delivered, I know that 1 or 2 customers weren't offered the same option/s and I'm totally disgusted that its a 'pick & mix' attitude when spending £54K GBP. Anyway probably the last time I buy a new Ducati after some piss poor and ...... service by this particular dealer and the useless Importer too. None of whom could organise a 'piss up in a brewery'. If I can be bothered I will consider at somepoint raising the problem directly with Italy when I'm next over there. I enjoy riding the bikes, but the people inbetween don't make it the 'best buying experience money should be buying'.

I'm hearing some other horror stories of late about Dealers or owners having to complain directly to Italy, bypassing the Importer. I thought thats what the Countries importers were there for? I used this phrase some years ago and I'll use it again, the majority of them are all 'fuging useless' and they're only getting worse and less helpful.

They're maybe 1 or 2 helpful people/ dealers around but they're very few and far between and rare nowadays. I won't mention or go into the fcuk up or broken promises or handshakes and agreements when buying the SL and not even a courtesy call from DUK.!. So don't be surprised when they throw you a curve ball over and over again.

I couldn't careless anymore whether or not they read this thread. After being told to simply sod off, I pressed the 'buttons' which upset them immensely and I have an innate nature for knowing which 1's to press when I'm totally pissed off too. It probably won't be the 1st or the last time either.

Anyway rant over.!.

Just a constructive suggestion :

- If your in the position of needing to get a new throttle assembly, consider getting a GP switch instead. I got mine from Ducati Omaha a couple of years ago.

I'm about to tape mine as a preventive measure. Any tips?

Thanks and sorry for the folks who couldn't get this covered ...

I couldn't even get the problem with the left hand switch on my bike covered courtesy of Ducati Randburg (Porsche SA).

I had a few warranty problems and all were sorted promptly with no fuss, far less than a previous Japanese brand. Obviously UK but I'm still surprised you've had issues given its not an uncommon fault. It sounds more like a dealer issue than Ducati tbh, I'd be polite and go to Ducati directly.

Claymore said:

I couldn't even get the problem with the left hand switch on my bike covered courtesy of Ducati Randburg (Porsche SA).

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no kidding? i bought my bike used with warranty until May 2015 called in March and they told me i needed to get in to get that fixed ( turn sigs werent working) and my LCD fogging up and no issues he even ordered the LCD screen i just sent him pictures didnt have to take it in) this is Indy ducati btw theyve been great so far.

Why do people blame brands, when their dealer is the problem. I have had ducati's all my life as well as yamaha's kawasaki's and suzuki's, and have problems with every brand. I have never had an issue with ducati not fixing the problem. My rule of thumb is if the dealer is kinda shady when you buy, what makes you think the will fix it afterwards.

Well, I kinda agree.

If you get denied by one dealer and find another that will fix your problem, then it's the dealer.

If Ducati NA denies one or every same claim you make across the board, then it's the brand.

ed218 said:

Why do people blame brands, when their dealer is the problem. I have had ducati's all my life as well as yamaha's kawasaki's and suzuki's, and have problems with every brand. I have never had an issue with ducati not fixing the problem. My rule of thumb is if the dealer is kinda shady when you buy, what makes you think the will fix it afterwards.

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Don't get me wrong, I have a great relationship with my dealer. Since the release of Panigale, there has been numerous recalls and service bulletins, so best to keep the dealer on your side.

ed218 said:

Why do people blame brands, when their dealer is the problem. I have had ducati's all my life as well as yamaha's kawasaki's and suzuki's, and have problems with every brand. I have never had an issue with ducati not fixing the problem. My rule of thumb is if the dealer is kinda shady when you buy, what makes you think the will fix it afterwards.

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Um, the dealers make the brand. They are your liaison between you and the factory. It's not like I'm gonna go to Italy every time I need something looked at.

There are a ton of dealers who suck and even when emailing DNA AND Bologna, I got nada. So in my particular experience, they sucked too.

I even told my story to a member on here who is a Ducati employee who works in the marketing dept in Italy and he just said he doesn't deal with anything but marketing and can't help. I mean c'mon. So.......

I'm happy to hear that a few of you have had a good dealer and Ducati experience. I'm of the opinion that 75% of dealerships of any brand are dbags and once they get you to buy, then you're just a person who's buggin them. Imho

How much to start a Ducati dealership anyway? Maybe I should open my own and treat people right and have a bar and big TVs to have races playing 24-7 and big comfy sofas and make the dealership an experience instead of a dreadful lashing haha.

BadBoyBeltran said:

I'm about to tape mine as a preventive measure. Any tips?

Thanks and sorry for the folks who couldn't get this covered ...

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Take off, 2-3 layers, cut out hole, put back on, done.

Sergio1199Panigale said:

I even told my story to a member on here who is a Ducati employee who works in the marketing dept in Italy and he just said he doesn't deal with anything but marketing and can't help. I mean c'mon. So.......

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OK that is just not accurate.

When I messaged you about something else, out of the blue you unloaded a quite rude and sarcastic 'story' on me in which you said among other things that you were biased and angry towards ANY Ducati rep/exec (i.e. me) and that you think the Ducati family is a joke.

So my exact reply was:

"I'm sorry about the problems you've had with your 1199, I have nothing to do with service or warranties and don't control what Ducati North America does, the best I can tell you is that I'll pass it on to the project engineer to evaluate changing in the future...
Anyway I wish you happy riding, whatever bike you choose."

I did what I could within my area of influence. Hopefully you can understand that no one person in a company has power over every aspect of the business, especially among international subsidiaries. If you want better results with your dealer and others in the future my advice would be to change your approach.