LouigiMoto (Bristol)

**cazman996** · 04 Jul 06, 02:53 PM

I live in Swansea and Ducati dealers are very thin on the ground round here but a bit of research on Ducatisti led me to Louigimoto. I decided to give them a ring to sound them out. I've just had my 996 bip (2000) serviced at Louigimoto,just outside Bristol.
Richard gave me a rough idea of how much a 'big' service would cost (Labour 16 Hrs £480 & VAT), explained how much more of a service I was going to get compared to a 'dealer ' service and offered to come and pick the bike up (Its 200 miles there and back). I explained that I had already done my oil/fuel filter,brake fluid, would supply some parts (belts,plugs)and would like my fork oil changed. No problem says Richard.

The bike was picked up after nine oclock on a Tuesday evening and they said they'ed probably have a look at it Thursday. I explained to Richard when he picked the bike up that I was on a budget (aren't we all) ,that I'd rather be informed if things were in need of replacement and to put my suspension settings back as they were and not to clean my number plate!( But they did!!!

) When I asked how much he thought a taxi would cost me from Bristol train station to their gaff he said just give him a ring and he'd pick me up from the station. I gave them a ring on the following Tuesday to arrange pick up and find out what it was going to cost me.

Here's a breakdown of what it all cost what they did and found......................

Belt service + fork sevice.
Remove forks, strip and clean, renew fork oil and reset air gaps to factory setting,
Remove yokes, clean and grease headstock bearings. Bearings ok but need grease,
Strip clutch to find very worn, fit part worn basket and plate set, reshim inner hub,
strip and clean clutch slave, renew seal.
Check alternator nut, find loose! Strip and clean cases. Check sprag for wear and
refit
Strip out throttle bodies, reset throttle pot and idle CO on ECU find eprom too
rich, renew eprom reset all parameters
Road test

Service 16 hrs
Repairs 10 hrs

PARTS
1 Clutch seal £ 9.00
1 S/H clutch basket £ 20.00
1 Clutch plate kit (new) £ 30.00
1 Sump washer £ .30
1 Pre filter washer £ .30
Fork oil £ 7.99
6 copper washers £ 1.20
Brake fluid £ 3.99
1 996 bp50 eprom £ 35.00
1 Clutch shim £ 2.60
Coolant £ 6.00

Collect bike from Swansea £ 20.00

Total Parts £136.38
Total Labour £650.00
VAT £137.61

TOTAL £923.99

Faults found not rectified: chain and sprockets, RPM clock sticking.

When I picked the bike up on the Wednesday I spent a good hour at Louigi Moto , had a cup of tea, a chat with the mechanics and having a look at their place which was all in order. Richard showed me around their workshop and explained why he'd replaced the eprom chip (too rich every where it was a JHP one), brake fluid as they'd split the calipers the clutch and showed me the worn parts, and told me how close I'd come to a rebuild if my alternator had come off. He also raised the static sag a bit on my rear shock.

I've had the bike back a week now and have had time to ride it a bit on roads I'm familier with I can't believe how much better the bike is. The handling is now spot on it wasn't bad before its just so much better now and throttle response is now excellent I used to have really loud pops and bangs on over run but thats all gone now.

£900 is a lot of money and a bit more than I wanted to pay ( I hoped to get it all done for £750) but I'm really happy with my bike, it had been washed and polished too, and the service I recieved, collecting my bike and picking me up from Bristol train station both saved me huge inconvenience, and I'll have no hesitation in taking my bike back there and recomend them to all.

**RodH** · 04 Jul 06, 04:22 PM

I can backup your comments Cazman.

These guys are literally just up the road from me and I've known Rich for a few years. Whilst he's never done any servicing work for me he's done plenty of other stuff all of which has been top drawer and with great personal service

**Tortuga** · 05 Jul 06, 09:07 AM

I have just had a service also at Louigi Moto. Nice bunch of guys who are willing to give you good advice and sound workmanship. I had a recent service, New front Pads and the suspension adjusted, the bill came to £550. I am now saving up the pennies for a new clutch and to have the original ECU put back in as my bike is running very rich due to the Termi ECU. They have advised me to convert my clutch to a 52 tooth or something like that as they will last longer and save me some money in the long term. They could have just replaced the existing clutch and said see you again soon and made more money out of me if they had wanted to :wink: so I have no problem going back.

**David.Hicks** · 05 Jul 06, 07:03 PM

I use Rich and the guys at LouigiMoto as well. Can't fault 'em. Keen prices, excellent service and boy so they know their Ducati's.

**brillo748** · 29 Sep 06, 05:52 PM

What can I say, dropped the bike in to Rich and the guys for a service and they also sorted out a stalling problem that had been with the bike since a set of Termi's and chip had been fitted by a dealer at Brinkworth. Changed the chip, reset everything, now runs perfect. The bike feels a completely different machine.

What was nice was to be able to watch as the guys did the work and it was great to see the genuine loving attention it was given.

These guys clearly know their Dukes and the bike was spotless when I rode it away, didn't even charge for the replacemenrt chip even though I was willing to pay for it. Brilliant.

Service was cheaper than a dealer and I know all the work was done. One previous Bristol dealer (now defunct) charged me for a replacement fuel filter, etc. and Rich showed me it was the original one still on fitted from the factory, ****ers.

Fanatastic to see guys who give 100% service and satisfaction in these troubled times!

Well done, Rich, I'll definitely use you again.

**red steve** · 10 Dec 06, 03:55 PM

I've used them for over 2 years now and can't fault. These guys know their stuff.

Rich builds race bike and used to race a bit himself. What he doesn't know about Ducati's ain't worth knowing.

Suggest taking some cakes or biscuits with you the next time & offer to brew up for the guys...saves a few £ off the bill!

**Shandy** · 10 Dec 06, 06:19 PM

I'll add to that i've used Louigimoto for a couple of years now for the monster and the 916 since getting it this year.

Rich is a top man, only does what you ask and theres no nasty supprises. With both bikes they were noticably better after their first visit to him.

He's really got me out the poo a couple of times too!!

Cheers,

Shandy

**David.Hicks** · 13 Dec 06, 10:03 PM

Bike gone for service
Well that's it - Rich picked-up my bike this evening for servicing at Louigi Moto. I guess I'm probably off the road till after Christmas. Mind you it is a good time to get your bike done - the workshops are quiet so you can get it back pronto and special offers abound. Better than waiting for spring I reckon!

**khushy** · 14 Dec 06, 10:11 AM

are negative comments allowed on the LM appreciation thread?

**Dan** · 14 Dec 06, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khushy

are negative comments allowed on the LM appreciation thread?

First-hand, honest and truthfull opinion is all I ask, so we can all make informed choices about where we spend our cash and/or get our Ducati servicing done.

**khushy** · 14 Dec 06, 10:33 AM

well - I had my bike serviced last year by LM

Fair enough after a LOT of reminding Richard came and picked my bike up
The bike was serviced (engine only) + I had a problem with the forks and for some reason the calipers were sticking

They sent the forks to their Ohlins "expert" NOT - who didnt even have the right tools for the job.

Anyway to cut a long story short . . .

Convenience of location for me - 10/10
Bike Service - generally good
Product Knowledge - reasonable (999s)
The amount of moaning Richard does about the fact that he doesnt make any money, doesnt have any time of his own and has too many customers - Excessive and not very reassuring
Price - expensive - same as a dealer
Fork Service - C R A P - would not trust the guy who did it at all and hope that I never meet him again and LM did not do themselves any favours in this regard
Customer Service with the Bike - Good
Customer Service for the Fork Service & Subsequent Situation Rectification and finally Refund (which was finally received under duress - " . . . I havent got enough money to pay my VAT so how can I repay you . . .") - C R A P and Unacceptable
Recommend to another rider/owner - probably not
Would I use them again - NEVER

This is my personal experience - however I do understand that he doe s a good basic service and is also fairly well regarded amoungst Ducati owners generally speaking.

If these comments (100% honest) are inappropriate - I will be happy to delete the thread!

Khushy

**David.Hicks** · 04 Jan 07, 10:16 PM

I bought my bike in Dec '05 and it hadn't been serviced for 2 yrs and 2,000 miles. After taking advice from various people on the DSC site I got in touch with Rich at Louigi Moto.

He recommended their standard small service plus a belt check. I also wanted a couple of other things doing (new tyres and a 14 tooth sprocket on the front). It turned out that the clutch was very worn, but they re-packed and shimmed it rather than throwing-in a new one.

This year I went for the big service (gulp!), plus again a couple of other things (carbon headlight pod fitting and MOT). This time, the clutch really did need to be replaced.

Anyways, this is my first Ducati and I have no idea if this is typical for a 996SPS ... but here is the paperwork - for goodness sake don't tell my wife :wink:

**andyrh** · 04 Jan 07, 10:39 PM

Oh S**t!

Hope it feels worth it, when you take her out.

**stretta** · 04 Jan 07, 11:43 PM

Fukkin 'ell!

What percentage of the value of your bike is that service?

I can see a good part of the invoice is the clutch, but did the whole thing work out that much cheaper than a main dealer service?

I guess whats important is....are YOU happy with it?

**RodH** · 04 Jan 07, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david.hicks

Anyways, this is my first Ducati and I have no idea if this is typical for a 996SPS ... but here is the paperwork - for goodness sake don't tell my wife :wink:

I think my 916SPS should be on a par with your 996SPS as far as servicing is concerned. So considering the extra bits on both services (tyres on the small, clutch, header tank and cush drives on the large) I don't think the costs are too different to mine, but mine is main dealer serviced - although Rich does do a good job IMO.

As I know you like a joke David, and it was soo nice of you to start the Sweepstake at my expense, you obviously won't mind that I've printed off your post (incl paperwork) and sent them in a brown envelope to your wife........will you.