Maintenance 50% cheaper on all 2007??

[Patou]

Hi guys,
I think everyone will agree that maintenance on a Ducati has always been costly, compared to Japanese motorcycles.

Now, I am not sure how I should read Ducati's statement that maintenance on ALL the 2007 models will be 50% of what it used to be.

Indeed, since not all the models are new for 2007 (meaning that some 2007 models are identical as past model years), does that mean that prior to 2007, Ducati was calling for more maintenance than necessary and that it was litterally ripping off its client? If that's the case, that's pretty sad.

I can understand that for a marketing/branding/image purpose, a company wants to price its products higher, but there is a limit...

Anyhow, it seems that money talks and that for profitability purpose, Ducati realized that a lower gross margin on each unit would be more than compensated by higher sales volume... and I think it will probably work as it seems the lower price tags, lower maintenance costs and the claimed improved reliability are already attracting a broader segment of riders.

What's your opinion?

I can't wait to see the new 1098 before my eyes!! I never owned a Ducati before but I have to admit that Ducati's offer is pretty attractive to me! The sound alone is so sweet!!

Pat

[John]

"By as much as 50%" it reads. The first bike in this category is the 695 Monster. The remaining bikes, for example in the case of the Multistrada, the maintenance schedule has been pushed to 7,500 miles instead of 6,000 miles. I understand what Ducati is trying to do, their goal is to reduce costly intervals which has been the boogyman for non mechanical owners, like myself. As long as they have desmo power, the valves will need checking more frequently than the competition. But there are ways to mitigate that. When I sat through a valve adjustment process the vast majority of the time was consumed gaining access to the valves. This time adds up to expensive labor hours. I think in the case of the new 695, the motor was designed to help facilitate that process. Heck, in a small way just taking the fairings off my Supersport saved me a couple bucks. I was told to do that by Jim at Nichols and not having druz fasteners on the Supersport, well every little bit helps. Which reminds me why doesn't the new 1098 have druz fasteners? Kind of backwards using the bolt and washer fasteners, besides being a pain in the ass.

Anyway, I don't think I would categorize Ducati's previous maintenance procedures a deliberate rip off in the context you described it. I would say it was just an Italian thing that needed time to work itself out. They have heard for years the negative comments regarding the service intervals, I think in this category they just didn't have a fix or were working on other more important matters; you know, Luigi at the plant had to pick up a bag of noodles for Mama, that sort of sideshow.

As we can all see the maintenance issue is in the forefront and I won't be completely satisfied until they extend the ST models out to at least 18K intervals. Man, they are sport tour bikes, designed to pack miles on them. The short term fix in my mind would be installing MB collets from the getgo while they work on access to cut labor for all the bikes.

Ducati knows they will sell more bikes by reducing maintenance intervals/costs. One positive result has come out of this: it has forced many mechanical and more importantly non mechanical people to learn about the adjustment/service procedures. The valve adjustment subject has been the center of many discussions, interesting ones at that. I'm sure many Duc owners can say they accomplished a lot and saved a lot of money learning how to do their own valves/service.

[kaos]

i see it as marketing.belts are still every 2 years and thats the one item most complain about.mileage wise most bikes don't see the 6000 miles per year so the valve chek is mostly a moot point.it's just that now ducati is saying you don't need to get you bike serviced it you have had it a year and only have a 1000 miles on it. 6000 miles is now 7500.... wow thats a weekend ride to some and a decade to others

[Vettesrule]

I think Ducati is trying to change their image of high cost maintenance. They are probably trying to attract intimidated buyers by relaxing their service intervals a little.

[grendels_arm]

Originally Posted by Vettesrule

I think Ducati is trying to change their image of high cost maintenance. They are probably trying to attract intimidated buyers by relaxing their service intervals a little.

I'd say the guys at Ducati are being smart as the main reasons people don't buy a Ducati is high price and high and frequent maintenance and reliability. All three of these have been addressed in recent years. Of course the flaking rockers...

[ENGAKATS]

the greater service intervals apply also to the sport clasic models?

if it does, what makes them different from bikes with the 1000ds engine??

I don't think that there's something different in the 2007 models that allows Ducati to "increase" service intervals. It's just that they know that they can push that "litle" bit further the bikes without a service...


And as John said, I don't understand why they have those cheap collets installed instead of some better ones that can keep the valves run longer without the need of an adjustment....

Anyway. I suppose taking a classy girl out costs more

[desmoworks]

"There appears to be some confusion regarding the service intervals on all MY 2007 models. Ducati Motor Holding has extended by 25% the maintenance service intervals giving us an opportunity to change the customer perception that our product is “high maintenance”. In order to achieve such goal it is very important that all Ducati dealers will cooperate by applying to all 2007 customers the lower maintenance cost recommended by the factory."

-DNA

[ENGAKATS]

Originally Posted by desmoworks

"There appears to be some confusion regarding the service intervals on all MY 2007 models. Ducati Motor Holding has extended by 25% the maintenance service intervals giving us an opportunity to change the customer perception that our product is “high maintenance”. In order to achieve such goal it is very important that all Ducati dealers will cooperate by applying to all 2007 customers the lower maintenance cost recommended by the factory."

-DNA

does that mean all customers buying in 2007 or buying 2007 models?

I know, it's probably a silly question but it's good to make things as clear as possible!

[Geistfahrer]

I have a deposit on a 1098S after being away from Ducati for a few years - last bike was an ST2. What hooked me was the 'reduced cost', longer service intervals and believe it or not, the two year warranty. BMW has a three year plan, ALL of the Japanese models are one year - after one year the engine is just loosening up and you're finally acclimated to its 'character'. The two year warranty speaks volumes - plus unlike BMW, Ducati will still honor the warranty if you make mods to the engine, at least they did for my ST2.

[kurtfriedrich]

Originally Posted by desmoworks

"There appears to be some confusion regarding the service intervals on all MY 2007 models. Ducati Motor Holding has extended by 25% the maintenance service intervals giving us an opportunity to change the customer perception that our product is “high maintenance”. In order to achieve such goal it is very important that all Ducati dealers will cooperate by applying to all 2007 customers the lower maintenance cost recommended by the factory."

-DNA

So is there any real diff between an 06 999 and the 07 999 that allows the 07 to go that extra difference? I would guess no, in which case, why don't they change the maintenence schedule for all 06 999 and 749s too? (I hope the answer is not, "you fish already bit, we are now trying to get new fish!)

Kurt