[YukonLT]

What's everyone's opinion on break in and doing your own maintenance? The manual says to not rev over 6K RPM's for the first 600+ miles, and I have been following that...at 450 miles now. I have never followed the break in advice exactly on any of my motorcycles, other than to make sure I don't hold constant RPM's for too long. With this being my first Ducati and how much I want this bike to run well for many many years to come, I find myself following the manual. Thoughts?

Also, no mechanic has ever turned a wrench on any of my motorcycles since I was 17. The shop I purchased said Ducati is good with people performing their own maintenance as long as they document using the proper parts, fluids, etc etc.. They did say though that the first service might be good to have them perform. Now, I know I'm more than capable to perform the first service, but I find myself thinking I might just let them do it to have it on record for the future. Thoughts on this as well?

Thanks fellas!

 

[DJ Shrug]

Pretty good thread on here that covers that.

Almost done w/break in... <- This thread's pretty good about what most of us are doing.

Here's the cliffnotes:

• Keep under 6k RPM for first 600 miles. Don't redline until after 1553mile service.
• Ride it like you stole it from the beginning.
• Vary RPMs, don't stay in one range for too long.
• Ducati has broken in the engines already from factory, break-in "period" is for all other components.
• Baby the engine until xxx miles then hammer on it.

 

[YukonLT]

Thanks for the link DJ Shrug, I wouldn't have thought to look for that topic in the pictures and videos forum.

Seems like there are still varying opinions on break in, which is natural. I just wish I could make up my mind on whether to perform the first service myself or bring her in...

 

[D-StyleNZL]

Thanks for the link DJ Shrug, I wouldn't have thought to look for that topic in the pictures and videos forum.

Seems like there are still varying opinions on break in, which is natural. I just wish I could make up my mind on whether to perform the first service myself or bring her in...

Are you under warranty? then get done at dealership/authorize service agent

 

[YukonLT]

Are you under warranty? then get done at dealership/authorize service agent

Definitely under warranty, but the dealership stated that Ducati will still warranty the bike if the owner does the maintenance and uses the proper fluids/parts and documents it all.

 

[Kruz]

You're going to get a million different opinions on this subject, from break it in by the book to ride it like you stole it. I always choose the middle ground on breakin and have had good results, stay off the rev limiter for the first 1500 miles and avoid overheating and lugging the motor. Otherwise, go out and ride it like you normally would.

 

[D-StyleNZL]

Definitely under warranty, but the dealership stated that Ducati will still warranty the bike if the owner does the maintenance and uses the proper fluids/parts and documents it all.

If you have that in writing, then yeah go ahead (I got given the same speech. yet when ask for letter stated that, they refused to. In Australia consumer law is stacked to the customer but I want to ride not spend weeks in court.) Resetting service light will still cost you a trip to the dealer unless you have the correct scan tool or ECU reflash.


I had 4x warranty claims up to 2nd official service (thermostat housing, Water pump, Brake MC and Cracked Dash x2) A water pump alone is a very expensive thing to do if you had to pay out of own pocket!



I still oil change every 5000kms as I do track days and my ambient temp is constantly high (up to to 25000kms now)

 

[grrichey]

A different break in

I can't comment on following the normal break in procedure. Mine was a demo that had 500, mostly track miles on it. Still running strong at 1920 mi. I did baby it until the 600 mi (actually 720 mi) service but no such coddling since. I too used to do all my own service on my previous bikes so I'll have to ask the same question of my dealer about warranty. One thing I'll point out is the dealer did perform a factory software update at 600mi. Now has a sporadic engine response around 3000 rpm, normal engine tone is muted. Almost like it drops to one cylinder. I'm guessing a software glitch.
Good luck with your ride.

 

[Dingo]

... I just wish I could make up my mind on whether to perform the first service myself or bring her in...

The first service isn't just an oil change, its a Check List of items more than 20 deep - definitely do not do it yourself.

 

[Kruz]

The first service isn't just an oil change, its a Check List of items more than 20 deep - definitely do not do it yourself.

Hey Dingo, do you have this list of 20 items they check? I've always done my own maintenance and am curious what they deem important to look at during the first inspection.


Thanks!

 

[YukonLT]

I'm just gonna let the dealer do it to forgo any possible headaches in the future. The only reason I want to do it myself is I know there isn't another mechanic on the planet that is going to look at my bike like I will. I'll still be checking torque on everything when I get it back though haha

Thanks for the input everyone, much appreciated.

 

[Kruz]

I'm just gonna let the dealer do it to forgo any possible headaches in the future. The only reason I want to do it myself is I know there isn't another mechanic on the planet that is going to look at my bike like I will. I'll still be checking torque on everything when I get it back though haha

Thanks for the input everyone, much appreciated.

That is exactly why I prefer to do all maintenance myself. I've had two good experiences with Factory Recalls where I had no choice but to let the dealer mechanic do the work and both times they did a good job but on most stuff I prefer to do it myself, take my time and make sure it's done right.

 

[PatrickR]

I agree that you should have the dealer do it so there's a record incase of future warranty issues.

The service itself is pretty simple...just an oil change, look at a few things, check torque on some bolts. The problem with DIY is that you still need a dealer to check for dds errors and software updates.

I have a list for the 1199, I think its the same for all superquadro engines but idk for sure.

 

[Kruz]

I agree that you should have the dealer do it so there's a record incase of future warranty issues.

The service itself is pretty simple...just an oil change, look at a few things, check torque on some bolts. The problem with DIY is that you still need a dealer to check for dds errors and software updates.

I have a list for the 1199, I think its the same for all superquadro engines but idk for sure.

Thanks for posting Patrick but the attachment is not opening for me, anyone else having this problem?

 

[Kruz]

I'm just gonna let the dealer do it to forgo any possible headaches in the future. The only reason I want to do it myself is I know there isn't another mechanic on the planet that is going to look at my bike like I will. I'll still be checking torque on everything when I get it back though haha

Thanks for the input everyone, much appreciated.

This is where they got ya. Everyone is afraid if they don't pay a Ducati dealership $450 for the 600 mile service/oil change, then they have no warranty coverage. I don't think this would have any chance of standing up in a court of law unless they could prove that the lack of the 600 mile service was the direct cause of the failure. I don't remember the specific federal statute; but it prevents manufacturers from denying warranty coverage because a machine has had aftermarket modifications. The burden of proof that the modifications directly caused a premature failure is incumbent upon the manufacturer. If they can't prove the modifications were the direct cause of failure, they must pay the warranty claim. I'm no attorney; but I think this would be similar.




BTW I changed my own oil at 600 miles and 3100 miles but refuse to pay the dealer $100 or whatever it is they charge to switch off the oil change due light. This is nothing short of extortion in my mind, Mafioso tactics.:frown2:

 

[Kruz]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson–Moss_Warranty_Act

 

[YukonLT]

This is where they got ya. Everyone is afraid if they don't pay a Ducati dealership $450 for the 600 mile service/oil change, then they have no warranty coverage. I don't think this would have any chance of standing up in a court of law unless they could prove that the lack of the 600 mile service was the direct cause of the failure. I don't remember the specific federal statute; but it prevents manufacturers from denying warranty coverage because a machine has had aftermarket modifications. The burden of proof that the modifications directly caused a premature failure is incumbent upon the manufacturer. If they can't prove the modifications were the direct cause of failure, they must pay the warranty claim. I'm no attorney; but I think this would be similar.




BTW I changed my own oil at 600 miles and 3100 miles but refuse to pay the dealer $100 or whatever it is they charge to switch off the oil change due light. This is nothing short of extortion in my mind, Mafioso tactics.:frown2:

Well, after talking with the service manager at the dealership more, and the fact they are three weeks out for service, I'm going to do it myself. They said there really is nothing to worry about as far as warranty as long as I keep the receipt and document the service. I'm well versed in all of this as I have dealt with it in my professional life, so I'm not going to sweat it. Also, after doing some research, there is software available to reset the service light.

I have owned many VW's and Audi's and always did all my own wrenching on them, and used software developed specifically for VAG vehicles. None of this stuff is new to me, and I'm not sure why I even worried about it with my new bike. I more or less just wanted to see what other Ducati owners are doing.

Appreciate all the conversation fellas!

 

[Kruz]

Also, after doing some research, there is software available to reset the service light.

Where do I find this software and how much is it? Assuming I'll need some kind of a dongle as well.

 

[DJ Shrug]

Hey Dingo, do you have this list of 20 items they check? I've always done my own maintenance and am curious what they deem important to look at during the first inspection.

Pages 249-252 in our owners manuals and pages 75-77 in the service manual show the same list.

Thanks for posting Patrick but the attachment is not opening for me, anyone else having this problem?

Adblockers in your browser might be blocking forum images. There's a thread on it with some more details.

Where do I find this software and how much is it? Assuming I'll need some kind of a dongle as well.

959 service light reset

 

[FK482]

I made them throw in the first service for free as part of the sale. Was 100km or so over the 1000km as there was a bit of a wait and I still wanted to ride. Just went for shorter rides.