Ducati charging for test rides!!!!

Originally Posted by slug

The MTS that I have bought is a MY04 bike which I have up-spec'd to 05 for £200ish, I also added the obligotory carbon hugger, they should realy have a hugger as standard

PS: if you are interested in Numptys visit multistrada.net they whinge about side stands just like we do. personally I think the MTS stand is pretty good... well compared to the monsters precarious lean angle

Thanks for the info Daryl.

Agreed that they should have a hugger as standard - I think it is the case with all other Ducatis...

I read that the new sidestand is a whopping 40mm longer Why is it that Ducati can't get this right - they seem to have a blind spot where sidestands are concerned . I suppose it could be that as they are never down in the promotional pictures (obviously using anti-gravity) so they design them to look good in the up position .

I solved the problem on the Monster by getting 25mm of steel welded on the base of the stand - looking at Multistrada.net (which I'd already found, thanx) - I see owners of the older spec bikes were doing the same.

Miles

Originally Posted by Melnie Mouse

Have you seen how good the 'new' stand is on the numpty? I'm borrowing a 620 babynumpty I call it, and it's lovely to ride, and has excellent stand not wonky at all like the previous 1000 I borrowed last year - much improved.

I love the look of the 'babynumpty' (especially in yellow or 'tangerine') and am sorely tempted , but IF we get one then it would be for 2up touring, so it would have to be the 1000.
Problem is I can't really afford 2 Ducatis

Miles

Melnie
I have never had a numpty before (actually I havent got it yet I pick it up on May 14) but from what I saw in the showrooms the 04 stand didnt look too bad. Mind you I probably thought that when I bought my Monster 2 years ago. I guess its like life, you have to live with someone before you fully appreciate/understand their idiosyncrasies . Still all credit to Ducati, at least they have refined and improved the design on the Numpt' and hopefully have done so on the Monnie as well.

MilesB
I am going to do the same as you.....I intend to visit my local blacksmith with my side stand and have it increased by 20mm or so.

The MTS engine didnt feel that much more powerful than my 800 but it is so smooth at low revs unlike my bike which can be a little lumpy, that said, I love the monster and have found it to be a very confidence inspiring bike.
I imagine the 1000 Monster is an absolute joy to ride with the DS engine.

Inspite of the £20 test ride thing, which is a fairly minor issue to be honest. I have found the 3 main Duc franchises (Manchester/Fylde superbikes, Leeds and Wolves) that I have dealt with to be excellent and very accomodating. In fact Wolves are doing my 600 service FOC

Originally Posted by slug

Melnie
The MTS engine didnt feel that much more powerful than my 800 but it is so smooth at low revs unlike my bike which can be a little lumpy, that said, I love the monster and have found it to be a very confidence inspiring bike.
I imagine the 1000 Monster is an absolute joy to ride with the DS engine.

Oh yes it is, both the numpty and monster.. ask CK about the monnie she has one and loves it

[dunxster]

Oh joy, the price of servicing at DLS. Once the warranty ran out on my Monster I turned my back on them. I now take it to In Moto. I don't know if they charge for a courtesy bike or if they even have one (as they're nice and local to me).

I had a word with Tim Maccabee (MD Ducati UK) to get the official line on the
"charging for test rides" issue here is his reply

"I just wanted to clarify the background to the Ducati demo policy.
It is correct that Ducati UK demo policy pays dealers per demo ride, and
the way we monitor this is through checking the dealer records - be it
demo forms or a demo log, which the dealer has to keep for legal reasons
anyway. The motivation to pay per ride is that it means the dealers are
incentivised to use the demonstrators for..... customers to ride bikes! So
we are running a policy specifically intended to help our customers test
bikes before purchase - which is what started the whole thead off in the
first place."
Tim Maccabee

I hope this helps
TERRY

Go to P&H Motorcycles in Crawley they have full range of Ducatis and you can test them for as long as you want ,Free

Im on my third new bike from P&H and have never been asked for any money for a demo ride also i have never been on a time limit