[DaveInWoodland]

Just received an email telling me to make an appointment for the "one year" inspection??

It's nearly a year since you bought your Scrambler Ducati and you will already have had some unique and unforgettable times together.

In order to continue to give you the maximum performance and thrills, after the end of your first year of ownership, your Ducati Scrambler must have an Annual Service carried out, which includes diagnostics on the electronic control units, replacing the engine oil and filter, any technical updates, and the other operations listed in the service items table that you can see in your bike's user and service manual.

Finally, remember that the Desmo Service, which includes checking and if necessary adjusting the valve clearance, is only carried out every 7,500 miles (12,000 km).


If you haven't done so already, book an appointment with your local Ducati Dealer.

I'm not convinced I need to have an oil and filter done since it only has 3400 miles on it and it was changed at 620 miles. Maybe if standard oil was used but they use synthetic. Technical updates? OK I get that, not sure what "diagnostics on the electronic control units" entail other than "oh yeah they're working.

What do others say about this? I'm getting the distinct feeling that it's a revenue generating ploy like many car manufacturers do.

 

[Derek]

I'm inclined to agree with you. It's going to cost me over £180 to have the oil and filter changed and a general check over. Something I'm very capable of doing myself for less than a 1/3 of the cost.

 

[nelly]

The service schedule is an annual one, with various other elements being done on mileage and age. Not having it done will invalidate the warranty.
Along with oil and filter, the bike is checked over, any SW updates carried out and if there are any technical bulletins against the bike they will be done to.
I agree with you that oil and filter is an easy enough job, but it's not just about that. If only for warranty purposes, it's got to be worth having done...

 

[Derek]

The service schedule is an annual one, with various other elements being done on mileage and age. Not having it done will invalidate the warranty.
Along with oil and filter, the bike is checked over, any SW updates carried out and if there are any technical bulletins against the bike they will be done to.
I agree with you that oil and filter is an easy enough job, but it's not just about that. If only for warranty purposes, it's got to be worth having done...

I'm well aware of the warranty implication Nelly and it will be getting done at the dealer but I'll still grudge every penny, more so because of the day out of my time and 200 mile round trip.
I also resent the fact that I have to go to a Ducati dealer to get it done. If it was a car, under EU law the servicing can be done at any VAT registered workshop as long as the manufacturer's service parts are used. Does the same law apply to bikes? I suspect it might, but nobody is going to take the chance to find out because in the event of a warranty claim it would probably involve an expensive court case.

 

[nuttynick]

I have an excellent local independent Ducati specialist who I'd rather did the work than my local dealer.
After my first service my chain came back absolutely smothered in some crappy white gloop pretending to be chain lube, despite me asking for it to be left alone.
What didn't get chucked all over my bike and tyre took me ages to clean off :-(
My local indie is great, and set up the CO a treat on my old SPS.
I'm very fussy and would rather do all my work myself, which once out of warranty I will be.

 

[nelly]

I understand your sentiments entirely Derek. I operated as an independent for a good many years and know the score from both sides of the coin.
The bikes are different to cars as far as servicing goes. One significant factor is the ability of many car garages to run and have access to the diagnostic equipment and data. This isn't so within the bike game and as its a part of the service schedules then that not being done doesn't constitute a full service, despite what parts are used. It's not just Ducati. Most manufacturers maintain bespoke diag equipment, or at least some vital aspects of it.
I know many owners that are capable of looking after their bikes, but the rules are getting tighter and its making the game tougher all round

 

[Auriga]

It seems that the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulations , as referred to by Derek, only apply to road vehicles having three or more wheels, so unless someone intends putting a 'chair' on the side of a Scrambler, to an Authorised Dealer it must go, during the warranty period. Why the EU decided to discriminate against two wheelers is anyone's guess, but we don't matter to many in authority, and never have. As Prince William has a Ducati, and Prince Harry also rides, the situation may change, but it is probably inadvisable to hold one's breath.

 

[Derek]

I have to agree with both of you. As I understand it, bikes will have to be fully OBDII compliant by 2020 but that's not much help now and will almost certainly only permit access to read and clear basic ECU DTCs.

 

[DaveInWoodland]

I'm well aware of the warranty implication Nelly and it will be getting done at the dealer but I'll still grudge every penny, more so because of the day out of my time and 200 mile round trip.
I also resent the fact that I have to go to a Ducati dealer to get it done. If it was a car, under EU law the servicing can be done at any VAT registered workshop as long as the manufacturer's service parts are used. Does the same law apply to bikes? I suspect it might, but nobody is going to take the chance to find out because in the event of a warranty claim it would probably involve an expensive court case.

In the US you do not have to use the "manufacturer's" parts to keep any warranty valid. As a matter of fact if the manufacturer tries to deny warranty work for any reason they have to first prove without a doubt that the fault in question was directly caused by another "part" not their own. It's very difficult to get around warranty claims in the US. Not sure about your situation though.

 

[AIRider]

Got the same letter, I'm only at 4000km so far, I as planning to change the oil & filter for the new season, but didn't plan on doing a full on service again, as I just did one at 1000kms.