[luckyskua]

Thats not the problem with Ducati dealers, part availability is the problem. Ducati phase out parts for older Ducati's earlier than 'other' manufacturers. I have never had any bother about grumpy sales or admin' but when I am told that Ducati have scratched my model from the microfiche it makes me think that my Duke is the first and last one I will have, (unless they change their aftersales policy). If Ducati told me that parts would take 3 months to get and cost 3 times the price of equivalent new parts I would still order them. When its being infered that a perfectly useable machine is fit for the breakers it means that the cost of owning your Ducati is a lot higher than you would first think. Because if you go along with the sale strategy of Ducati it means that you will be buying new more often than from other manufacturers and the resale price of your Ducati will be significantly lower because of the afformentioned reasons. Don't get me wrong, I am not ready to trash my current ride - it is maintained to the highest standards that I can achieve. I average about 3 hours of maintanance to 1 hour of riding, it isn't ridden through rain or salt and is kept indoors. So I expect to ride it for a good few years more (to get my monies worth).