Extended Warranty on a Ducati; Ageis vs Ever-Red?

[Entoptic]

Check is the warranty is inclusive (meaning it has to list what's included) or exclusive (meaning they have to list what's excluded). Check those items on those lists.

$1800 seems exorbitant for a moto, but what do I know...I've never used one.

+1 MV Agusta 4 year was only 1k more after their standard 2 year. With that being said everything on a MV breaks within the first few months of ownership.....

 

[mrzuzzo]

The keyless ignition on my 2015 Diavel was junk. Hopefully they fixed it in the new models.

 

[PrincessFalafal]

The keyless ignition on my 2015 Diavel was junk. Hopefully they fixed it in the new models.

What sort of problems did you have with it?

 

[NoobCorpse]

Arg, don't tell me that! I want keyless ignition so freaking much, it's the biggest reason I'm even considering a silly machine like the Ducati instead of something sensible like a lightly used Tiger 800. I'm planning on getting the electronically unlocking gas cap as well, so the only time I'd ever need to dig out the physical key would be to pop off the seat.

I've lost count of how many times I've gotten fully geared up, (especially in the rain) only to remember that my keys are in my pants pocket under four layers of gear.

After reading stories of early (2010-2012) multistrada owners having issues with the keyless gas cap not working and having to bust out a hex wrench to pull the cap (or having it towed - seriously), I vowed I wouldn't get one ever - I haven't heard if the new Multis have issues with it. My '17 BMW GS had keyless gas cap and I never had issues with it, other than having to google how to work it at my first gas station visit w/ that bike.

 

[ecoyne]

I’m a 15 Multi owner with Aegis... at the mileage you are looking to do, i think you should spend the money on service work... they sell a service plan for around the same price... 1, one, uno, Desmo service pays for the plan and they give you 6 scheduled services!

Otherwise, don’t Ducati for commuting!

 

[fubar929]

I've lost count of how many times I've gotten fully geared up, (especially in the rain) only to remember that my keys are in my pants pocket under four layers of gear.

Sounds like an Aerostich Roadcrafter would solve this problem for a lot less money than a Ducati costs... and be infinitely more reliable, too

Otherwise, don’t Ducati for commuting!

I wouldn't use a Ducati for regular commuting no matter what. My buddy used his 2012 Multistrada for long-distance commuting (South Bay to SF). He's been trying to sell the bike for the last six months and has had absolutely no interest in it, even at fire-sale prices. His theory is that nobody wants to take a chance on a Ducati that has 22,000+ miles on it. I wish I could say that he's wrong...

 

[mrzuzzo]

What sort of problems did you have with it?

Didn't work always, barely worked at gas stations. Something to do with the frequency the fob operated on.

Doubt I'll ever own another Ducati.

 

[PrincessFalafal]

I’m a 15 Multi owner with Aegis... at the mileage you are looking to do, i think you should spend the money on service work... they sell a service plan for around the same price... 1, one, uno, Desmo service pays for the plan and they give you 6 scheduled services!

Otherwise, don’t Ducati for commuting!

Yup, the dealer quoted me $3k for the next six services. Due to the current mileage on the bike, that would mean I could get up to three Desmo services out of that (which I've had quoted anywhere from $1,500-$1,900 each). So I'd be covered for the major services on the bike through over 60,000 miles.

Why wouldn't you commute on a Ducati?

If I'm looking for a bike with an upright seating position, big luggage options, keyless ignition, and top-notch suspension and brakes without getting stupidly heavy, there isn't many other options. The Multi 950 S and F850GS Adv are both excellent, but they're new for 2019 and most dealers aren't expecting them in until April. They've also indicated they'll be firm at or even above MSRP, which is very nearly $20k before you even start looking at the options list.

Sounds like an Aerostich Roadcrafter would solve this problem for a lot less money than a Ducati costs... and be infinitely more reliable, too

I wouldn't use a Ducati for regular commuting no matter what. My buddy used his 2012 Multistrada for long-distance commuting (South Bay to SF). He's been trying to sell the bike for the last six months and has had absolutely no interest in it, even at fire-sale prices. His theory is that nobody wants to take a chance on a Ducati that has 22,000+ miles on it. I wish I could say that he's wrong...

I've never liked the Roadcrafter much. I wear an old Olympia Phantom suit most of the time.

I'm curious as to why you wouldn't commute on a Ducati.

 

[PrincessFalafal]

My '17 BMW GS had keyless gas cap and I never had issues with it, other than having to google how to work it at my first gas station visit w/ that bike.

I test rode a new F750 and F850GS, both of which are getting that full suite of whiz-bang electronic wizardry for the 2019 model year. It would be temping at a reasonable price, but the F850GS is very nearly $20,000. And that's nutty for a bike that doesn't have any adjustment in the front forks, let alone anything besides the two pre-set modes for the rear shock.

The bikes were great. But very . . . clinical and a bit bland.

 

[Blankpage]

Odd that keyless ignition is so unreliable on bikes yet reliable and common in cars.

 

[fubar929]

I've never liked the Roadcrafter much. I wear an old Olympia Phantom suit most of the time.

I have a buddy who bought a Phantom. I can get into and out of the Roadcrafter much faster than he can get into and out of the Phantom, the Roadcrafter feels more durable, the Roadcrafter has seemingly better armor, and the latest Roadcrafter zippers seem less likely to leak than the ones on his suit. I honestly wish I'd bought my RoadCrafter 10 years sooner than I did, for whatever that's worth...

I'm curious as to why you wouldn't commute on a Ducati.

Wasn't that clear from my post? Putting miles on a Ducati ruins their resale value. Unless you're willing to ride that Multi into the ground, you'd be better off buying a Japanese bike: FJ-09/Tracer 900, Kawasaki Versys, Honda Africa Twin, Suzuki V-strom, etc.

 

[NoobCorpse]

Yup, the dealer quoted me $3k for the next six services. Due to the current mileage on the bike, that would mean I could get up to three Desmo services out of that (which I've had quoted anywhere from $1,500-$1,900 each). So I'd be covered for the major services on the bike through over 60,000 miles.

Why wouldn't you commute on a Ducati?

If I'm looking for a bike with an upright seating position, big luggage options, keyless ignition, and top-notch suspension and brakes without getting stupidly heavy, there isn't many other options. The Multi 950 S and F850GS Adv are both excellent, but they're new for 2019 and most dealers aren't expecting them in until April. They've also indicated they'll be firm at or even above MSRP, which is very nearly $20k before you even start looking at the options list.



I've never liked the Roadcrafter much. I wear an old Olympia Phantom suit most of the time.

I'm curious as to why you wouldn't commute on a Ducati.

That $3k service program sounds decent - I remember reading about folks with the DVT bikes being quoted about $2k for the major service intervals (every 18k mi).

The Multistradas are great bikes, but just know that as you put miles on them their value plummets. Little things go wrong here and there, and a good dealer will get them covered for you but it can be annoying. AFAIK the rear brake still doesn't work. That said, it's a fantastically fun bike, even for commuting.
FWIW, I had my 2014 Pikes Peak Multi for sale back in 2016, it had 22.4k mi on it (I rode it across the US), had all dealer records, full luggage, lots of extras, and resale value was painful. 22k is engine rebuild time in the Ducati secondary market.
May I suggest you look at a KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, though? I'm not 100% sure if it's got keyless - the 2018 1290 SA R has keyless start&gascap. It's cheaper than the 1260 Multistrada, and overall operating costs will be a lot cheaper than a Ducati - and now's a good time to find deals on leftover KTMs. Seat height may be a bit taller than the Multi. The 1290 motor is amazingly good, and the WP semi-active works well.
Edit: KTM resale isn't a whole lot better (and they have a hard depreciation fall-off right off the bat), but they combine that fun insanity of Ducatis (IMHO) with some cheaper operating costs.

 

[fubar929]

Odd that keyless ignition is so unreliable on bikes yet reliable and common in cars.

A car is a 5000-pound Faraday cage with a 40+ pound battery and multiple receivers for the keyless entry/ignition system. Is it really surprising that the technology works better there than it does on a motorcycle, where you have one receiver, a much smaller battery, and are subject to any interference from the surrounding environment?

 

[NoobCorpse]

A car is a 5000-pound Faraday cage with a 40+ pound battery and multiple receivers for the keyless entry/ignition system. Is it really surprising that the technology works better there than it does on a motorcycle, where you have one receiver, a much smaller battery, and are subject to any interference from the surrounding environment?

I know exactly what you mean about the Ducati keyless - I had issues at gas stations that seemed to have electronic door sensors near the pumps, or at some shopping centers. Never had an issue with the BMW keyless (2017 model), so maybe it's some frequency that Ducati uses. I'm not sure if KTM keyless has the same issues.

Edit: Friend has a 2018 KTM 1290 SA R, keyless ride + gas cap, says he occasionally gets the same "no key" issues.

 

[Blankpage]

A car is a 5000-pound Faraday cage with a 40+ pound battery and multiple receivers for the keyless entry/ignition system. Is it really surprising that the technology works better there than it does on a motorcycle, where you have one receiver, a much smaller battery, and are subject to any interference from the surrounding environment?

Yes it is surprising. What does the weight of the battery have to do with it?

 

[mrzuzzo]

Odd that keyless ignition is so unreliable on bikes yet reliable and common in cars.

It's unreliable on Ducatis, just like the rear brake.

Just because something is so common and reliable doesn't mean Ducati won't find a way to mess it up.

OP, get a BMW. Better for commuting since they hold resale even with high miles.

 

[PrincessFalafal]

value plummets, AFAIK the rear brake still doesn't work.

May I suggest you look at a KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, though?

What's this about rear brake problems? That's a new one on me. The bike I'm looking at has just under 13k miles, so I'm hoping I can get the price low enough to deal with most of that depreciation hit.

I will take another look at the 1290, they do have keyless from (I think) 2017 onwards. Last time I sat on one it felt huge and cumbersome, whereas by comparison the Multi PP felt much smaller and lighter. Might be due to the smaller gas tank and lower overall height.

Putting miles on a Ducati ruins their resale value. Unless you're willing to ride that Multi into the ground, you'd be better off buying a Japanese bike: FJ-09/Tracer 900, Kawasaki Versys, Honda Africa Twin, Suzuki V-strom, etc.

I do tend to ride my bikes into the ground; my current 2008 V-Strom 650 has almost 90,000 miles on it.

Unfortunately none of those bikes you mentioned have keyless ignition as an option. Of those options I liked the Africa Twin the most for ergos, if it did have keyless it would be a likely buy.

OP, get a BMW. Better for commuting since they hold resale even with high miles.

The new F850GS Adventure seems like a great bike, but it's damn near $19,000 MSRP and the dealer I spoke to said there's currently only 16 of them in the state. AKA "Yeah, we're not letting this thing go for less than $20k". I test rode a regular F850GS and while the bike did impress me in some ways, it was pretty bland. More of a transportation appliance than something to enjoy. There's no adjustment in the forks (a $19,000 bike and they can't even give a preload adjust?) and the rear shock has no adjustment outside of the two pre-configured riding modes.

 

[redtail]

OP, get a BMW. Better for commuting since they hold resale even with high miles.

I agree. The best commuter I had was a K1200s. Heated grips, decent fairing coverage, good ergos and (comparatively) easy, low maintenance.

Sold it after I no longer had a commute.

 

[NoobCorpse]

What's this about rear brake problems? That's a new one on me. The bike I'm looking at has just under 13k miles, so I'm hoping I can get the price low enough to deal with most of that depreciation hit.

I will take another look at the 1290, they do have keyless from (I think) 2017 onwards. Last time I sat on one it felt huge and cumbersome, whereas by comparison the Multi PP felt much smaller and lighter. Might be due to the smaller gas tank and lower overall height.

I had a '11 and '14 Multi, both bikes had weak/nonexistent rear braking power. They would go back to 'weak'/'barely functioning' after a caliper flip (Ducati recommended fix) and bleed, but otherwise would be useless. The '15 DVT Multi I took a tour on had the same weak symptoms, and other owners reported it was happening as well. Some speculated that the line ran right next to the exhaust, and a decat would help it. Some ducati forum guy named eBrew sold a fabricated heat shield (I had one), it didn't seem to help. I am not sure if the new 18/19 1260 Multis have the same issue, but I'd bet yes.

The 1290 KTMs are great, IMHO don't feel as top-heavy-while-stationary as the '14 Multi did (can't remember the '15 feel, it's been a while since I pushed one around). The WP semi-active suspension is great, but I haven't ridden the Super Adventure equipped ones (I have a '17 1290 Super Duke GT).

I am a big believer in ride the bike you love, and there's a lot to love about the new PP. After owning the '14 model I don't think I'd use one as a commuter / tourer because of the little ducati character flaws and what mileage does to depreciation - but do your own thing. KTM's road bikes definitely have a bit of that "italian insanity" but IMHO they're a bit more thoughtful in their engineering and design (not always haha). I'd heartily recommend at least test riding one to see if you like it, for sure.

 

[mrzuzzo]

The new F850GS Adventure seems like a great bike, but it's damn near $19,000 MSRP and the dealer I spoke to said there's currently only 16 of them in the state. AKA "Yeah, we're not letting this thing go for less than $20k". I test rode a regular F850GS and while the bike did impress me in some ways, it was pretty bland. More of a transportation appliance than something to enjoy. There's no adjustment in the forks (a $19,000 bike and they can't even give a preload adjust?) and the rear shock has no adjustment outside of the two pre-configured riding modes.

If you're looking at the Multi and you want a bike with all the bells and whistles, look at the S1000XR as well. That's what I ended up going with.