Got my class action lawsuit paperwork today - my thoughts

[Indy36]

I have a 2005 MTS 1000S DS. I bought it used. So far I have not seen anything that looks like my tank is expanding but who knows for sure. It's not like I take the tank off to check it. As of now I don't see anything. I did take it in for the X-ring repair this year. That has been done. That's my history.

As I read the paperwork on the settlement here is what I see:

First, Ducati says it isn't their fault. Stupid ethanol is to blame. That being said they say that only a small percentage of motorcycles have any problems, usually measured in a few millimeters.

The paperwork says that the lawsuit aims to cover the plastic fuel tank repairs or replacements for 'non-cosmetic' issues for:

a. 6 years after the original date of a new motorcycle purchase, OR
b. 18 months after the effective date of the settlement, AND
c. any such repair or replacement will be warranted for 12 months from the date of repair or replacement.

The paperwork says that the lawsuit aims to cover the plastic fuel tank repairs or replacements for 'cosmetic distortions' resulting from tank expansion for:

a. 5 years after the original date of a new motorcycle purchase, OR
b. 18 months after the effective date of the settlement, AND
c. any such repair or replacement will be warranted for 6 months from the date of repair or replacement.

So, my Multi is a 2005. That pretty much kills the '6 years' and '5 years' from original date of new motorcycle purchase part. It also doesn't say anything about if you bought the bike used and are not the original owner. Just throwing that out there. That leaves option "B" for the 'cosmetic' and 'non-cosmetic' issues. Well, mine doesn't seem to show any symptoms...yet. In a nutshell the settlement is only good for guys like me if the tank just happens to expand in the next 18 months. Who is to say it will? With my luck it will on month 19, then it's 'get screwed'. I also find it interesting that should they put a new tank on they only warranty it for 6 months. Why? Because it will probably expand again and they aren't going to replace tanks forever.

Is it me or am I the only one that feels like I'm riding a ticking time bomb and if I keep the bike I can expect to be buying replacement tanks for the rest of my life? Provided you can that is. All parts quit being made at some point.

It seems to me that Ducati has been beaten into admitting that ethanol is bad and can cause problems. That's not really their fault. They didn't know that the idiots that run the US would start putting it in gas with increasing amounts. Are they to blame for that? I don't know. I can't expect them to make tanks for it for the rest of my life, for free. I can't expect them to make metal tanks for a 2005 Multi. That being said I don't like the thought of riding a bike for a few more years only to find that when I need a tank I'm told to pound salt because the settlement is over and they don't have to give me one. This settlement is really only good for guys that just bought brand new bikes. For people like me, with older rides, it doesn't do much.

What are you guys doing? Are you opting out of the settlement in hopes that another lawsuit happens and you can get better results? Are you just accepting this one and hoping you won't need a new tank, ever? Are you cutting your potential for issues and selling your bike while you can? I'm curious what you guys think.

[drdave39]

I traded my 04 in at least in part because of gas tank concerns- mine had swelled to where removal had become a major PITA. My first plan was to get Ducati to get me a new tank (my understanding from the dealer was that if the tank exceeded certain dimensions, DNA would give you a new tank for free) then use the Caswell sealer Caswell Inc. - Epoxy Gas Tank Sealer which is supposed to "ethanol-proof" the plastic tank.

I made the mistake of test riding the 1200, and my dealer gave me an awesome trade-in, so I thought I was home free. Now it seems there is some potential issue with the 1200 tank as well!!!

My suggestion is what I'm going to do for myself- take the lawsuit extended warranty, and if I need a new tank, Caswell coat it before it's installed. As always, YMMV...

[imxz28]

Originally Posted by drdave39

use the Caswell sealer Caswell Inc. - Epoxy Gas Tank Sealer which is supposed to "ethanol-proof" the plastic tank.

I'd like to hear is this is a cure and has anyone tried it?
Is it easy to use and effective? Looking for feed back.

PS. Also book marking this thread

[oalvarez]

Originally Posted by imxz28

I'd like to hear is this is a cure and has anyone tried it?
Is it easy to use and effective? Looking for feed back.

PS. Also book marking this thread

It has proven most successful when installed by a professional (bike/car painter).

Use the search function at the top of the page, you'll receive plenty of results.