Ducati GT 1000 - Corrosion Problem!

**Rudolph Hart** · 23 Mar 07, 08:15 PM

Check out this blog, scroll down to the article on corrosion.
Anyone experiencing this in the U.K.?

http://www.webbikeworld.com/ducati-m...-1000/blog.htm

**Dan** · 23 Mar 07, 11:11 PM

DrBob had a similar complaint about his Sport Classic (Paul Smart 1000LE - Review after 600 miles!) and consequently refuses to buy Ducati ever again because of the poor Ducati after sales. I don't blame him, not what you should expect from a new Duke.....

**RichieW** · 23 Mar 07, 11:58 PM

I am becoming sick of worrying about corrosion on my Duke but then what am I supposed to do? If I still lived in England, should I (and all other proud Ducati owners) lock up their bikes until the sun decides to shine? This event (sunshine) would probably take place between Monday and Friday followed by rain you've not seen the likes of before over the weekend on a weekly basis.
Let me put this to the panel, I owned a Yamaha FZR600R which I rode come hell or high water which never so much dared to show one iota of rust anywhere. In contrast, the SS managed to get to Bilabao, ironically dry, only to experience a downpour in Bilbao followed by the carbon Laser Perfornace carbon cans rusting up beautifully. This was after one day.
WHY, when one shells out big money on expensive aftermarket accessories should one have to suffer such inconveniences?
Don't get me wrong, I can and WILL polish them up and try and bring back the shine that once was but doen't this seem a little fecking annoying?!!
You may scoff and say, look who's complaining, Mr Malaga, but the damage was done this side of the Med, not yours!!!
I also have reservations about parking the bike in front of the beach in case, when the wind is blowing, the bike gets covered in salt. This is not a concern when I park the equally italian Fiat Punto en frente del playa! A few hours is all that's needed I hear!
Are we supposed to use these bikes or store them in deep freeze?
Should we always have a Jap bike inreserve for the other 364 days of the year (specific to Blighty?)
Don't get me wrong, I am luckier than most as I rode my bike all over winter which is brilliant but I leave you with this question...
When paying through the nose for exotica, should Ducati not at least look at the finish quality of their products and then they really would be in a league of their own?

R.

**Rudolph Hart** · 24 Mar 07, 10:13 AM

You raise some very interesting points Richie.

Just for the record, I have ridden a 2003 Suzuki GSX1400 through the last 2 winters. Now Suzukis are not exactly revered for their build quality so the bike has been regularly cleaned and protected (used Muc-Off products this year). The result is not one spec of rust. OK the GSX doesn't have the cachet or the handling of a Duc, but it still gets a fair shift on and it's comfy too.

Perhaps I should look at other Ducatis? I do need an upright riding position and would like comfort & reliability. Any suggestions?
Multistrada? Monster?

**Psychlist** · 26 Mar 07, 08:40 AM

TBH it's a problem we all suffer with on Dukes but at least if it's new then a good dealer will replace it under warranty. I've had good responses from both W.M.Snell in Alton, Hants and JHP in Coventry about replacing corroded parts under warranty. I've now replaced all my fasteners with stainless which should stop them furring up, but that wont stop the fork ends tarnishing and the paint peeling off the crankcases

**Rudolph Hart** · 26 Mar 07, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudolph Hart

I've tried both and settled for the Multi, great riding position but if you are challanged in the leg department this will limit you to the Monster.

Er, I didn't post that paragraph. Administerial editing??

**Dan** · 26 Mar 07, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudolph Hart

I didn't post that paragraph. Administerial editing??

Hey what...... nothing to do with me!

**jre** · 26 Mar 07, 08:15 PM

Well, I've done about 2,400 miles so far on my GT 1000 in about 2 months. I have had some shockingly wet days on it, and hail(!) two Sundays ago. I think the man upstairs doesn't like me very much. When it rains I am always at least 30 minutes from home, not just round the corner.

So far no rust, or none that I can see. It's kept outside though covered. It gets cleaned and polished once a week. I don't expect my bike to stay immaculate, but I do like it to be very shiny when I head off for a day's riding. It's not a museum piece. It's meant to be rode. But I hope it doesn't go all rusty. That would be a huge disappointment.

John.

**bolds** · 26 Mar 07, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

DrBob had a similar complaint about his Sport Classic (Paul Smart 1000LE - Review after 600 miles!) and consequently refuses to buy Ducati ever again because of the poor Ducati after sales. I don't blame him, not what you should expect from a new Duke.....

Put it this way looking at the video he posted of his bike-I wouldnt lend my bike to him

**triumph5ta** · 18 Jul 07, 08:38 AM

I have had minor corrosion: mirror stalks had spots of rust (polished up OK though). The metal fitting that holds the rear reflector below the number plate is now devoid of paint, it has simply fallen off! I have removed the fitting and might paint it up again. Apart from that its fine. So , dont worry too much. I clean mine with Muc-off and spray it with "Bike Spray" which is sold by the Muc-Off people.
Adam.