The Ducati Dealer Experience

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LyricDreamer95 ! :D

New member
Not exactly relevant but on the subject of dealers my bike stalls. I had it set up with the Termis when I bought it. I had it in for the first 600 mile service and had them attempt to fix the stalling issue. It still stalled so I took it back mid winter. A week later i got a letter from DNA stating that there was a dealer geographicly closer to me than the one I bought my bike from I should go to for service. The following week it warmed up and I took my bike out, and it's still stalling. Yesterday i was visiting a friend and we went to his dealer (the one recommended in the letter) and I mentioned my bike still stalling and the recommendation to switch service locations. Their service guy said that happens when a dealer complains about a customer to DNA. WTF??? Each time I was in I was outright gracious with them. They take three shots at making my bike quit stalling and then recommend for me to find a new dealer? Not impressed, hopefully Dealer #2 has better luck / skills. I guess if they don't want to address real problems with the bike it's unlikely they'd look for imaginary ones.
 
Actually, that's not what I'm stating. And I'm also not stating that I would choose to pay for services not recommended by DNA at a service interval. What I am stating, is that if you foster a good relationship with your dealer....discuss service prices and schedules up front, then negotiate an agreement that will satisfy both the bikes need for service, and my/your need for reasonable prices and treatment....then you wont find yourself in a position where you feel that the dealer is taking advantage of you for money's sake.

It's not paranoia if they are out to get you. I understand that....but a little knowledge goes a long way. Find a dealer that you feel you can work with and have a good relationship with...negotiate these fees up front, and your Ducati experience from performance to service can be exactly what you would expect. World Class!
 
+1 for sure. Nothing improves the quality of your maintenance shop like building a good relationship with the staff. Heck, if nothing else, they may just feel too guilty to take advantage of you. Hang out, chat (not too much) and show mad respect.

-j
 
True, I am friends with the owner of my dealership. I also have the cell phone number of the certified Ducati mecahnic that works there. That said, when I walked in, 9 years ago, I knew no one there. I totally trust my dealer. And ONLY let my mechanic work on my bikes. I let him wheelie them on test rides, and watch him perform the work (If I have the time).

Ducati's are expensive, and the service isn't cheap. But realistically how much service do you need ?? True some things break, but by and large, considering the amount and type of riding I do, they are basically bulletproof. It's no different than cars. If you don't want to spend time and money on maintenance, buy a Japanese make; Lexus, Honda, Toyota, etc... But Ferraris and Porsches, and BMW's and Bentley's and especially Jaguar/Aston Martin's need more service.

Make friends with your mechanics. Give them $ 20,00 bucks when they have done a good job.

Be smart.....
 
Cecil:
Whacha get at a particular check will vary from store to store. Ducati does have items listed, but what you hear is often a dealer selling the service. We do more than XYZ dealer or more than what the factory recommends because you need it. Perhaps they are adding steps to the checkup to enhance profits, perhaps the bikes have shown that an additional few items are needed. I don't know as I do all my wrenching. I do know that the dealer I bought mine from I wouldn't trust tuning up a toaster.

Ducs are yes,, a little finicky at times. But once you get 7-8000 miles on them they really don't need much. Just find a dealer you feel that isn't screwing you or has a mouth breather for a mechanic. The big checkups that require valve adjustment are indeed quite spendy.

A lot of time, perhaps 50% of what you pay for, is required just to take the bike apart and put it back together. This is true for most sportbikes regardless of brand. Tank, fairings, radiator, seat, airbox etc. all have to come off. I'm not familiar with the guts of an 848 but perhaps the battery and the support box has to come off to get at the belts. Then all this stuff has to go back on.

There is nothing inherently difficult about adjusting the desmo valves. It just takes time. And at an average of $70-80 or more per hour the cash outlay adds up real fast. Once the valves have bedded in at about 10,000 miles you may never have to do a re shimming again.
I've heard of testastrettas with 40,000 miles on them and the valves haven't moved since the 12,000 mile check. I do all of my maintenance. I shimmed my 998 at 10K and now at 20K they are where I set them.

So do your own oil changes, air filters and anything else you feel comfy doing. But be sure the cam belts are changed every two years and that they are adjusted correctly. Thats the determinate key item with the ducs.
 
Never trust someone with bike maintenance whose livelihood depends on bike maintenance. Their mere existence depends on getting you into the shop as much as possible.

You realistically can't blame the dealer, though, in my opinion. Blame the people who fall for this stuff. It's the simple economics of business success. If you or I were in the same business, we would spend a lot of waking hours devising new and creative ways to maximize our revenues. Your livelihood would depend on it. A business thrives on profit. No profit, no business. No, I don't work for a dealer and never have. Just speaking objectively. Learn to identify B.S. (which we are doing with this forum) and act accordingly. Granted, there are some very legitimate, "straight-shooter" dealers out there. When I detect a hint of bullshite, I make a mental note and file all of that person's future advice under "questionable". Then, I'll go do the research myself and gather several more qualified opinions.
 
Pretty much on the mark, but don't get too carried away with the "maximizing" part.

I've found, a mom and pop shop, or shade tree mechanic the best route..........a small guy that doesn't need the business doesn't need to rip-off...........but then that can all go out the window when a mistake happens. And they do. Not all mechanics or created equally........and not all mechanical problems are .........



The absolute, ABSOLUTE, most important thing is knowledge.........read, read, read, talk, talk, trail and error......and live with your on mistakes.........

Some, not all, of the fun is working on the bike yourself.

Talk to people and find a reputable shop..........have some faith and watch your back..........
 
Ven or eef zee Germanz take ova..... zee vino breaks vill be replaced vith "The Golden Liquid Bread" .....in oza verds BEER!!
 
Delano Sports Center does not have a Dyno.
Do you mean Silver Back Racing?

I do love Delano Sports Center though. Those guys and girls over there rock the house. For any Dyno work its all about Silverback Racing in St. Paul......they cost $$$$ but after talking with them and then having the work done....in the end you feel great and you know the bike is happy because she is filled with growlng anger.
 
Actually, they do have a Dyno...sort of. Used to be that Butch and Tony Donahue (who own DSC) owned Donahue Harley Davidson which is right there sharing the same parking lot. The Dyno room is on the Harley side. Unfortunately, Butch got tired of Harleys @#$% and sold the Harley dealership. Double unfortunate is the fact that the Dyno room is in that dealership. So, on my '08 1098S which I had summer of '07, that bike was dyno tuned while Butch still owned Donahue....so no worries on the dyno room at that time.

When I bought my R last Spring...that's was the first time it was an issue since the Harley side had been sold by then. Still though, my guys on the DSC side still hooked me up. They worked out some deal (harder than you might think) where we could get the R done. Unfortunately, they wouldn't allow me in there (which was a first) due to the abnormally large post stuck up their #$% But my guys took care of me huge, got it in....worked their magic, and voila....done, with before and afters given the race kit.

Now I'm in a little different situation. My wife (best on the planet) just bought me an 1198s for my birthday. They gave her my standard price on the bike....but I need to go in and see about all my other standard negotiated perks. Like first service, and a dyno tune. I'm sure they'll still hook me up, they always do. But this will be the first time it wasn't negotiated up front.

I'm not worried.
 
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