Why pay so much for checks during warranty

Thanks for sharing. My dealer has been great. Depsite the failed starter, I still love the bike and the dealer. They have treated me great every step of the way. As this is/was my first Duc, I'm happy.

Starter was replaced while I waited, tech immediately started working on it.

I got a great price and free scheduled maintenance for two years.

15% off accessories and normal stuff like that.

Call Tony @ Commonwealth Motorcycles in Louisville, KY.

My only wish would for them to be closer to me.

Chris

f1addict said:

I'm going in tomorrow for my first service -- now a little concerned!!!

Although I've had no issues for the first 650 miles...

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Just make sure you know what the out the door price is going to be and make them notify you if it is going to be over the stated and price and what good reason they have for the extra charge. You should be ok. It is my guess that they messed up with me so many times, that they took extra time/money out of my pocket, to make sure everything was tip top. I am a bit anal about my bike. However, that is what we expect at $90/hr. Anything less is completely wrong. Oil changes and tightening bolts is not a 2.3hr job.

+1 on the fact every dealer is different and finding a good one is key. I've always felt that a good relationship with a dealer's owner and service mgr is invaluable. Nothing saves more headaches than a dealer that will look out for you when dealing with warranty issues and/or issues where responsibility for the issue is in the gray area. My 600 mile was $240. I think it helps that the SF Bat Area is so competitive with so many good shops that work on Duc's.

TricoloreSF said:

+1 on the fact every dealer is different and finding a good one is key. I've always felt that a good relationship with a dealer's owner and service mgr is invaluable. Nothing saves more headaches than a dealer that will look out for you when dealing with warranty issues and/or issues where responsibility for the issue is in the gray area. My 600 mile was $240. I think it helps that the SF Bat Area is so competitive with so many good shops that work on Duc's.

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Where did you go? I got charged 700$ to install the pipes, first service and two pieces of CF!!

mavic said:

[RANT WARNING] Are all of the "Ducatista" brain washed? Why do you guys pay so much money to have &$*#@ bolts checked for proper tension during a warranty period? I just shelled out 341.18 for a &$#@ oil change that should have cost me $120 at most. Then the &*$#^% dealer adds .... charges such shop expenses for cleaning the bike up after the service. How the F is that customer service. I can't wait for VDSV to get out so I can dump this whole line of ....!!

I checked with my other friends who have any of the big 4 and they only pay for the oil during these service periods. When the dealer kept one of the bikes an extra day due to parts issues, they were compensated with swag in the shop. In this case a helmet. Who gives a .... if you got the helmet... the fact remains that the shop knows what will bring the customers back. Now here's the real kicker. My bike had an oil leak...guess how they fixed it. That's right F'ing Ducatibond. Guess how much fun that is going to be to remove at the next oil change. That is the biggest F'ing bandaid that I have ever F'ing seen from a business in my life. Will Ducati ever fix this problem correctly? I doubt it based upon their horrible customer service and lack of respect for the Voice of the Customer aspect in the business model. For all I care, Ducati can F'ing ROT IN HELL!! [RANT END]

Can you tell that I am upset? I really, really, really, hope your experiences differ from mine.

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You experience this with all your Ducati dealers over there?

I got my first service free and free fitment of any extras fitted to the bike because I bought them through the dealer!

I had a BMW prior to that and they charged for stuff like that, so I would say it was an isolated case, and unfortunately you've got a bad dealer, and isn't a 'Ducati' problem so to speak....?

Mavic sorry to hear about your troubles!

I'm sad you don't like the bike, but it does seem to me that your troubles are mainly to do with an absolutely crap dealership.

Personally I've had a great experience with the bike so far but this isn''t my first Duc so I knew what I was getting into. I also love the handleing, most stable bike in corners I've ever ridden.

I'd suggest that the BMW isn't any better, one of my riding buddies has a 1000rr '12 that blew up shortly after run in, and he waited months for a new engine, after the intial weeks of argueing over who's fault it was!!!! Not happy with his BMW dealer to say the least and they won't take the bike back.

You can maybe find a better Ducati or BMW dealership, but .........

Oh and I'm happy to report I only paid the equivalent of US $182 for the 1st service whci I thought was also reasonable and for that price they also fitted the carbon hugger and tailtidy I bought from them so basically for free.

My dealer charged me 190.00 I supplied motul oil . I've been happy with my bike and dealer. Martins eurosport in coopersberg P.A.

Tricolor3SF said:

Where did you go? I got charged 700$ to install the pipes, first service and two pieces of CF!!

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Hattar. If you mean the full Termi system that sounds about right actually. It's a laborious install.

I can feel your pain. I'm a first time Ducati owner and knew everything with a D on is going to be more expensive. I get that and am ok with it. My issue is when I buy a $24k bike from a geographic area where I'd imagine there will be few of these machines about that the dealer can't work with you. They wouldn't budge on price, throw in a free service, nothing. My 600 service cost $371 which included a $1.04 washer and $63 for oil. I knew it was going to be expensive so no way was I going to allow them to fit my extras - not at their labor rates. Silly thing is all the guys are great but they do nothing to make you want to come back. Maybe they know they're the only dealer for miles. I'm a 100 miles from them anyway. I'm glad I'm moving to San Fran soon.

Well, no call from the owner. Surprise Surprise..... Also to no surprise, I checked the bike this morning and guess what..... IT IS STILL LEAKING! I just took it to the shop and left as soon as I could.

Wow dude... and what's scaring me is that YOUR dealer is MY dealer. F1Addict, let me know what Ducati Austin charges you for your first service.

I am gonna be shocked if they buy that bike back from you for what you paid for it.

From where is the bike leaking oil? (I assume it's oil?)

I did have the first episode of the bike not starting after about an hour of sitting after riding... Freaking embarrassing to say the least.

This is one of my big concerns about buying a Panigale. There is one dealership within 150 miles of my house. And it is the only one that is an actual Ducati dealer and not multi-branded. I really like the sales people but have no experience with the service staff. If that turns out bad, it is going to be a real pain in the a** because of the limited alternatives.

I have also been considering looking at a RSV4 Factory. There are only 3 Aprilia dealers in the state - multi-branded and carry limited inventory.

By contrast, there are 3 BMW dealers within 30 miles or so of me . . . and a gazillion Jap dealers.

For What it is worth, my dealer is providing 2 years of scheduled maintainance per owner's manual if you purchase any new Ducati from them this month (July) or next month! And they give a great deal on the bike as well!

Decided to go ahead and lodge a formal complaint with Ducati North America. We should not have to apply sealant to any surface or bolts that are normally removed as a part of maintenance which is not part of the standard operating procedure. ie. Does every bike have to have this sealant applied? If NO, then there is something abnormal with this bike.

thomaskenyon said:

Wow dude... and what's scaring me is that YOUR dealer is MY dealer. F1Addict, let me know what Ducati Austin charges you for your first service.

I am gonna be shocked if they buy that bike back from you for what you paid for it.

From where is the bike leaking oil? (I assume it's oil?)

I did have the first episode of the bike not starting after about an hour of sitting after riding... Freaking embarrassing to say the least.

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It is definitely oil. They are applying sealant to the threads that hold on the cover. If they do that with every bike that comes into that shop, I will accept the "fix". However, based upon the inputs from this forum, this is not standard. I will take physical possession of the bike today and start raising hell with DNA starting on monday. I REALLY WANT TO LOVE THIS BIKE. I REALLY... DO BUT THIS SH&* IS MAKING IT VERY HARD!!

AKKutz said:

For What it is worth, my dealer is providing 2 years of scheduled maintainance per owner's manual if you purchase any new Ducati from them this month (July) or next month! And they give a great deal on the bike as well!

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That is pretty sweet but 200+ miles away. I have no idea yet how this service is and have not decided what my next bike is going to be. I am going to test ride the Panigale S and I will ask about the way they handle maintenance and if there are any perks. If they are like the sales staff I think i will be fine, but it is definitely something that needs to be in the calculation.

Lemon Law

MAV, start your research now. I had a 2009 1198S and at 5K the motor was ..... Still not sure if it was Dealer or DNA that dragged feet and dropped ball. Middle of summer, 89 days from date dropped at dealer to return out of service in my first year with NEW duc. Many calls to both, many threats, many stops to dealer with no indication of work occuring. Fingers were pointed back n forth with them.

The final straw was my formal start of the lemon law paper work and signed receipt copy from DNA. This was like a bomb going off on the process. You will find that in most states, the lemon law is a charge hidden in the original cost of a new vehicle and that the states take it quite seriously with ceilings of defect repeat repair attempts and periods out of service during first couple years... The cost to go to court is not out of pocket from you, in WA state you simply fax in the paperwork and they have the day in court for you..

Ultimately i got bike fixed within 2 weeks of DNA getting the paperwork citing chapter/verse of lemon law and contact at the State Dept. Returned better than new IMO, serviced by an expert mechanic locally, and a 1000$ voucher from DNA for my troubles.

They (DNA) were terrible to deal with (until i forwarded the lemon law paper showing i was in the clear to force replacement if i wanted) I showed loss of the 1000$ thru the period (insurance on another vehicle/gas/ect...) and they paid it.

As it was put to me, it is a machine, and can be fixed, but if your emotion wont let you deal with delays (and trust me i feel your pain). I also in writing cited the chapter in the law that stated in no way does the 1000$ relieve DNA from my execution of lemon law within the remaining time the law covers if any additional/other issues were to occur.
http://txdmv.gov/motorists/consumer-protection/lemon-law (i think this oil leak falls under safety issue)

cheers

This is a dealer thing guys, has nothing to do with the brand. 6 years ago I was quoted $250 for the first service on my Gixxer 750.

mavic said:

Good questions and yes I did do all of my homework. Here are the facts.
I bought the Ducati because:
1. It looks great. No doubt
2. It has an awesome motor sans belts (as documented in the mags and reviews)
3. It has a lot of Ducati Heritage that most seem very crazy about aka "Ducatista"

Here are the things that you can't do homework for:
1.) Ducati's horrible unresponsive Customer Service Department when you have a problem. Research showed a mix bag. My experience has been nothing but horrible.
2.) Dealer originally quoted $250 for the first service.
3.) Bike was going to have more than standard growing pains.
4.) Motor does not deliver the hype of the magazines in my eyes or the dyno's (not too surprised)
5.) Chassis does not deliver handling (growing pain in my eyes)
6.) Dealers lack of support for 1st time customers. Definitely not going back!!!
7.) Bike has oil leaks. (No excuses... this is 2012 for Gods sake!)
8.) Fuel pump issue. (possible growing pain)

I am sure there are probably more things that are really urking about this whole deal but whether I keep it or not, this is the type of service we should never support or allow based upon the price of this bike.

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BINGO! BINGO! BINGO!
Lets say you meet me somewhere between TX, and NJ and we can pick up two new s1000rr's together! I'm sure we'll get a hell of a deal! "Can't do homework" absolutely agree with numbers one and two! Tomorrow makes three weeks I haven't had my bike. ALL because of ONE ....... BOLT coming lose. My dealer never called me until I finally called them several times after many days of my bike just sitting. Was told on Saturday by my dealership GM that someone would call me Monday. Nothing. Tuesday maybe? Nope! Definitely Wed, right? Guess again! SO maybe tomorrow I'll get a call telling me how many more weeks it will take to get a ....... shifter from Italy. I'll tell ya man, you and me have had similar experiences! Its really not the bikes, its the stealerships! I too was misquoted and overcharged (BUT NJ Law prohibits them overcharging from the quote unless I authorize first).Like GunnyFitz said "its the dealers that make or break" us with these bikes. Especially the service department. Lack of support for new customers means they don't want you back. I bought a Multi in August, sold it in November, then picked up my 1199S in December. Two new bikes, near msrp in 4 months. You'd think they'd try and keep me too. Obviously not.

Best of luck with your bike! Definitely think over selling it for a few days before you pull the trigger and do. I'm currently in the 90% sell it, 10% keep it mindset. That could change though.

mavic said:

Just make sure you know what the out the door price is going to be and make them notify you if it is going to be over the stated and price and what good reason they have for the extra charge. You should be ok. It is my guess that they messed up with me so many times, that they took extra time/money out of my pocket, to make sure everything was tip top. I am a bit anal about my bike. However, that is what we expect at $90/hr. Anything less is completely wrong. Oil changes and tightening bolts is not a 2.3hr job.

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I'd kill to be paying $90 an hour. My dealer gets more than that for Honda Service. BMW and Duc service is $120.00 an hour!