MadeinItaly

Was going to get my gps bracket installed this morning, then a nice day riding with the wife. HOWEVER,
A 20 minute job turned into something else.
Tech says bike has three recalls, Steering dampener, exhaust flapper and brake fluid issue?
So I cannot leave with the bike and it has to sit at the shop at risk of damage etc while parts come from Italy. Week to two.
I should be allowed to bring i home at my own risk.
Not real upset but not happy

Ray916MN

They can not hold your bike without your agreement. Whether you leave the bike or not is entirely up to you, as no dealer can force you to have recall or warranty work done at their dealership. You are always free to have warranty or recall work done at any authorized dealer. If you want, you can take the bike back. They may have you sign a liability waiver at this point to get your bike back.

MadeinItaly

They said, "We are not allowed to return the bike back to you. Also the parts won't be in..."

Not upset but not feeling real happy about the service dept. Also even the GPS bracket became a big deal. They said the front fairing would have to come off as the pressure has to come off the front to install the stem bracket. Not sure what to think, or what that means, little uneasy.

Ray916MN

They are wrong. This amounts to forcing you to use them for recall work. Ducati North America doesn't allow dealers to force owners to use a specific dealer for service. warranty or recall work. Ducati North America allows owners to use any authorized dealer a customer chooses to perform service, warranty or recall work.

Some of how you deal with this depends on what you want your relationship to be with the dealer who has your bike, but the net is, if you tell them you want your bike back to take to another dealer, they have to give it back to you.

There is a wide variation in the support dealers in my area provide for Ducatis. There are some dealers who are so far behind the curve on having recall parts and tool sets to support Ducatis that there is no way I would ever allow them to hold on to my bike for recall work. Over a month after doing the first service on my bike, the dealer I bought my bike fromstill didn't have the computer software to reset my service light. They also initially didn't have oil filters for my bike. They suggested I take my bike to another dealer in town to get my service light reset and to buy oil filters because the other dealer had everything necessary to support the bike.

YMMV

rm4two

+1. None of the items are all that serious. Go get you bike then tighten the steering damper screw, get a dremel and cut off the excess screw length on the brake reservoir or wrap the hose in something (I use a piece of velcro) until the parts are available.

Gunny Fitz

I just trimmed off the bolt thru reservoir and it doesnt even protrude thru now. This is madness. If you have a truck or trailer just TELL them you are picking it up for another dealer who DOES have the parts man. Love the title too "Bikenapped!" LOL

elitesoldier357

Get ur bike back, tell them to order the parts, and take it in when they get them. They cannot hold your bike, it is your property, not theirs.

Stw

Yeah... Thats BS.......... That's theft not Bikenapping!!!

MadeinItaly

Thanks for the feedback,
Here are a few issues I have to deal with.
1) like Ray916 said it depends on what I want my long term relationship to be.
2) The only other dealer is really really bad. Purchased my first Ducati from them and trust me they are a nasty group.
3)I want to see how they handle this to decide what my future dealing will be.
I want to see if they are honest about the time in shop. How the bike is handled etc.
Also I would think the shop time they charged to install the GPS bracket and now the wiring should be less as the fairing had to come off anyway for this work.
So I guess I wait and give a report card.
It would be very short sighted of them as our future relationship translates into cash for them or not.

What recall has to do with the exhaust?

Gunny Fitz

Yeah that one I've never heard of either! I'm headed to my shop for some mods and dda install so I'll ask about this bikenapping nonsense from a very reputable dealer. To be continued.

Torquesp

I'm picking my bike up from oil leak service and the bolt recall plus the slip on installation. spoke with my dealer and they said that the recall is in effect and that they are doing as much as they can to get the parts in as soon as possible. And that I can pick up my bike today and bring it back when parts come in. The DNA rep. was there when I called. I'm on my way to pick my bike. I believe unless its very dangerous to operate by law it should not leave shop. DNA could be liable if god forbid something happened to rider.

DRSapp

Yes - nothing that can't be inspected for severity on a case by case basis and later rectified once part are available.

Attached Images

Ducati Recall letter.jpg (92.0 KB, 52 views)

rm4two

I've been waiting for someone to post a copy of the recall letter. Thx!

Hey MadeinItaly, if they insist on keeping you're bike maybe you should ask for a loaner until you're is fixed? A nice Diavel, Multi or SF should hold you over.

kensteele

ducati seems to be getting themselves in a little bit of trouble with all these recalls that really should be service bulletins or called something else besides a recall. i'm not sure if the nhtsa is pressuring them in the u.s.a. but i guess if there are safety-related issues that create a liability....

asainslie

I love the way dealers try to rewrite us law.

Go to a cop station. Tell them the story and explain you want your bike back. If the store refuses lay a charge of theft.

Why try to maintain a relationship with assholes? It's not like they're trying all that hard with you.

SoonerNation

I'm going tomorrow to get the grommet installed to prevent my exhaust from burning the lower fairing. I printed this and intend to ask the service guys about it.

Thanks for the letter.

RSR racer

Dude,

Loosen the fairing bolt by the brake lever, put a faucet washer on in between the fairing and the bike itself. Use a larger cone shaped 1/4 inch washer with rubber cement on the outer aspect of the grommet that is already there. Works like a charm and gives plenty of clearance. Place reflective heat tape all along the inside of the fairing in two or three layers for that belt and suspenders and you're set.

SoonerNation

Dude, I paid too much money to be rigging up fixes for a problem that belongs to Ducati. With as many problems as others have had, I'm not giving them any reason to deny me of a replacement because I came up with my own fix.

Either way, my dealer is 15 min from my house and I actually enjoy hanging out there from time to time shooting the shit with other owners and the techs. Being there for a few minutes tomorrow while they insert this grommet isn't a big deal.

Thanks for the info though.

iamlance

You're both named "Dude"??

SoonerNation

Yep, you got it.