MTS1200 - The things that have failed so far - Ducati.ms

Zero Chickenstrips · Dec 28th, 2011, 4:22 am

I'm curious to know if my 'Ducati Experience" is unusual or the norm.

I bought a standard MTS 1200 in September last year. I ride about 1000 Kms a month mainly commuting (rain and sunshine) but some longer weekend/holiday rides thrown in.

This is the list of things that have failed completely since I bought the bike:

Clutch (twice): undiagnosed the first time by the dealer, siezed slave cyclinder replaced the second time
Rear brake: pedal travelling to the stop with no action at the pistons (undiagnosed, fluid replaced & bled)
Horn: diagnosed as a bent pin in a connector (did work for a while though)
Radiator: leaking and being replaced

The list of niggly/intermittent problems:

Dashboard: engine warning light comes on intermittently, particularly in the wet
Gear lever: rubber pad worn off
Windscreen: rattles
Steering Lock: intermittently stays on

That doesn't count the recall for ignition cut out.

After years of owning Kawasaki, KTM and Triumph bikes, my first Ducati has turned out to be a major disappointment. (I'll save my comments on the dealer for another time.)

So, unusual or the norm?

MTScott2 · Dec 28th, 2011, 5:23 am

I feel a dealer should fix all these issues first time and at no cost...
Then it would be a normal Multi...

We don't know how you treat the Bike so POSSIBLY you could have something to do with it (MAYBE like washing it with a pressure washer or soaking the crap out of it with a hose) Just saying ...

Sounds like Dealer lack of doing what needs to be done...

Everyone who rides 2 wheels has an obligation to go over and be aware of the little things , by doing a pre ride check ...

Good thing they still sell KTMs Triumphs and Kawasakis....Feel free to trade

REALLY the shifter rubber wore off , Now that is what I would call nit pickin...

brust60 · Dec 28th, 2011, 6:09 am

Except for the recalls and regular maintenance my PP has not seen the dealer once.

Absolutely zero (0) problems since 5,923 miles.

And yes, the shifter rubber on mine wears too but I do not consider this a problem.

noelcassidy · Dec 28th, 2011, 6:56 am

dealer should have installed the rear brake fix (new slave cylinder, brake lines, new fluid and rebleeding), not just undiagnosed and fluid replacement.

mollycbr123 · Dec 28th, 2011, 7:01 am

While we have seen just about all the problems you've mentioned on the forum here, I won't say your experience is the norm. Some of the issues you mention are known to this bike, others maybe just luck of the draw. I have a 2010 touring, and have had the DES ECU crap out (also a fairly common occurance) but other than that, I've had 10k+ trouble free miles.

Biker_911 · Dec 28th, 2011, 9:12 am

I've got a little over 10,000 miles on mine in less than a year (Picked it up feb 9, 2011) and, other than the brake recall, I've had zero issues. From what I've read here and discussions with other MTS owners in my area, this is pretty much the norm.

oleary · Dec 28th, 2011, 9:28 am

I purchased my 2011 Touring S last April and now have 14,000 kms (8700 miles) on her.

Rear brake worked, just not real well. It was replaced by the dealer as soon as the kit was available.

No other problems. Love the bike!

Sidebar: My 2008 S4Rs Tricolore has 28,000 kms (17,400 miles) with zero problems. Love this one too!

Bill A · Dec 28th, 2011, 9:52 am

This is the list of things that have failed completely since I bought the bike:
Clutch (twice): undiagnosed the first time by the dealer, siezed slave cyclinder replaced the second time
Wow, bad luck.

Rear brake: pedal travelling to the stop with no action at the pistons (undiagnosed, fluid replaced & bled)
There's a service bulletin for that. The dealer will replace the rear brake master cylinder with oversized compensation hole and oil tank fitting inclined by 50°, and some brake lines and fittings.
MTS 1200 - Does your rear brake work or not?

Horn: diagnosed as a bent pin in a connector (did work for a while though)

Radiator: leaking and being replaced
At least one other MTS owner on this site has experienced that. If you're interested, do a search, and see what his experience was. I think he is in Great Britain.

The list of niggly/intermittent problems:
Dashboard: engine warning light comes on intermittently, particularly in the wet
That's new to me.

Gear lever: rubber pad worn off
weird

Windscreen: rattles

Steering Lock: intermittently stays on
There's a firmware update the dealer can provide to fix that

I have had several minor frustrations with mine, too. After coming from a number of Japanese bikes that rarely had any problems, this was not entirely unexpected, but not commonplace for me. The good news, in my experience, is that Ducati seems to be committed to resolving all the issues.

Dr. Greg · Dec 28th, 2011, 11:24 am

In my 23,000 miles on MTS1200S's (split almost equally across two bikes), I'll have to admit that I've had basically ZERO problems.

OK, the rear brake is not too good (haven't had it attended to on either bike), but no other problems of the type you've experienced.

In this regard, I've been very satisfied with the Multistrada 1200S.

--Doc

multi rider · Dec 28th, 2011, 11:57 am

Sorry to hear all the issues you have had.

I have also had some and am having some. For instance I had to have the rear schock ECU replaced... DES error message.

I am currently having clutch problems....I think its the slave cylinder as its intermittent. Clutch works fine when it does...but sometimes doesnt engage at all.

The bike splutters and jerks at low RPM...feels terrible at 30mph...I have been told that the ECU has been updated...if it has I would hate to know what it was like before hand (Bike was bought second hand)

Having said all this...I am happy to find solutions for them...either warranteed or not as I simply love the bike.

Speed, Power, sitting position, gizmos, so all I can say its...at the end of the day its just a machine, and machines go wrong...some more and some less.

PS the Bike has 3600miles