new tank on the way?

[Sputniks]

BZR was right.

[Wonway]

Originally Posted by sputniks

bzr was right.

roflmao!

[Gochurush]

bzr remove[BZR was right]

[GP1152]

Figured I'd chime in on this......
I got my tank replaced about 4 months ago and am now getting another one installed. I was told that this tank would be the last "stock" tank I would get, meaning (as has been mentioned here already) that whatever I get after this will be a newer tank with "slightly reduced dimensions". I also found this unacceptable. I couldn't fathom the idea that they were essentially admitting that something bad was going to happen and they're just making room for it. I also didn't want to get into a discussion with someone in the future about whether something being so subjective as being "clearly visible to a passerby" (see text from Ducati settlement below). How good does this persons vision have to be? 20/20? 20/30? How close do they have to be standing or sorry, passing by? I weighed the options of just letting Ducati keep replacing the tank under warranty or coating the tank. If I keep having to take it in then ultimately the one I'm screwing is myself because it's more time and hassle for ME. That time and hassle, to me, is not worth the +/- $300 it'll cost to coat it, so I'm having this tank coated. When I called and spoke to the person that will be coating the tank he told me that it's actually not just plastic tanks that are having issues. He claims that the ethanol is causing rust issues in aluminum tanks as well and they're also coating a lot of those.
Anyway, as much as I think it's sucks, Ducati HAS been good about changing the tank. Am I somewhat disappointed by this, of course. But I think this, for a lot of people, is an issue of biting your nose to spite your face. Just coat the tank and be done with this problem. The people doing my tank told me that in four years they've never had a tank come back for expansion. That's good enough for me. And as for it voiding the warranty, that's incorrect. My understanding is that as long as the coating isn't what caused the issue, (I think a class action suit backing your story will suffice), it's safe to say you'll be ok.

Here's the settlement verbiage for the Streetfighter:

Non-cosmetic Problems
• For motorcycles exhibiting lateral expansion resulting in contact between the fuel tank and the upper triple clamp when the handlebars are fully turned, Ducati will install a new fuel tank designed with slightly reduced dimensions to prevent such contact.
• For motorcycles exhibiting longitudinal expansion resulting in contact between the fuel tank and the radiator cap, Ducati will install a new fuel tank designed with slightly reduced dimensions to prevent such contact.

Cosmetic Distortions
• For motorcycles with plastic fuel tanks exhibiting surface blistering, bubbling, rippling, dimpling, flattening, or spreading resulting from fuel tank expansion or an original manufacturing defect, or exhibiting surface scratches resulting from interference otherwise repaired under the Non-Cosmetic Extended Fuel Tank Warranty, Ducati will replace the fuel tank during the Cosmetic Extended Fuel Tank Warranty Period if (i) the surface imperfection is greater than three millimeters in size and easily and clearly visible to a passerby and (ii) there is not some other greater damage to the fuel tank not caused by fuel tank expansion or an original manufacturing defect, such as damage from an accident, motorcycle fall, other impact or wear and tear. Surface imperfections caused by wear and tear are not covered by the Cosmetic Extended Fuel Tank Warranty. The original two-year Ducati Limited Warranty will apply to surface imperfections from fuel tank expansion or original manufacturing defects which are smaller than three millimeters.


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[Wonway]

^ yeah, but has that verbage been ruled upon? Last I heard was that it was a PROPOSED settlement.

And for the record, I could care less if the tank was SLIGHTLY smaller. It would not bother me that much in reality if we are talking a couple of millimeters.

The problem I see is the paint expanding that much.

[GP1152]

Originally Posted by Wonway

^ yeah, but has that verbage been ruled upon? Last I heard was that it was a PROPOSED settlement.

This is the actual settlement.

Originally Posted by Wonway

The problem I see is the paint expanding that much.

Exactly. That was part of the point I was making.....that even if you can live with the expansion, the paint having to be (again, look at the wording) a certain size AND has to be visible to a passerby. I mean, for $300 bucks I'd rather save myself the potential hassle. If it's worth it to you then more power to you. At first it was a matter of principal for me, but the more I thought about it I realized I wast going to prove a point to anyone. They took this to court and this is what they got. So based on this, not worth it.

[GP1152]

Link to letter Ducati sent motorcycle owners (pdf)
Link to the actual settlement:

[MinuteMan]

So if coating the tank is such a great idea (will permanently fix the problem with the tank) why doesn't Ducati send the replacement tank coated? Surely the manufacturer is better equpped than an end user to control quality.

While I understand your frustration Sputs I think you are dumping on the wrong people. We are not talking about a $50 part here.

Originally Posted by Sputniks

When the tank expanding issue became apparent Ducati went ahead and replaced your tank with a new one. You could coat the new tank inside to prevent the expansion from happening again. Instead you chose to keep replacing it every three months waiting till the factory warranty runs out reserving the coating for a last tank you replace. Very smart!









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[twistedme]

GP1155,
aluminum can't rust.

Has anybody had a warranty issue with a coated tank?

I asked about the tanks on the SF, the guy who owns the dealership looked at me like I was crazy. I love it when people lie about know issues,
Just that lie cost a sale.
The dealership looked like a museum, unregistered 2009 model year bikes on the floor.

[Secret Squirrel]

The dealer I purchased my SFS from said they didn't know about the expansion problems before I bought my SFS. I specifically asked them. I knew about the problems before the purchase. I was just testing them to see if they would own up to it. They did say that they had some Sport Classics with tank issues but not on Streetfighters. After the purchase I asked again and they suddenly knew about the problems. There are some dealers that are denying the tank problems before you buy the bike.


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