Paul Smart 1000LE - Review after 600 miles!

**DrBob** · 21 Jan 06, 05:02 PM

Did 200 miles and the thing rusted up worse then a second hand Trabant, and it was cleaned every week. After 600 the thing is a complete state and it hasn't moved for 2 months (I've only owned it 3). It's getting worse while they run around trying to dodge the matter. Ducati can shove thier bike up thier arses.

The Monster I had before it did 7000 miles in 6 months and it was spotless, seems as they're losing money fast they've decided to use a load of cheap parts and stick a premium price on it. Also it's no more then a Supersport in drag.

On a side note I've been riding my fathers Bandit 6 about instead, and that thing since September has been cleaned once and has done 4000 miles between us since then and it's spotless. That was a £3000 bike new, the Duke was £9500.

**Brian** · 21 Jan 06, 05:45 PM

**** that dont sound good does it

I know the salt is not good for a bike but you can keep it at bay with spray on stuuf but if you have only done a few hundred miles and its getting all rusty thats a problem

what have Ducati said about this rusting matter then

**DrBob** · 21 Jan 06, 06:05 PM

Spray on stuff is usless on brake disks and oil pipes, even the bracket for the number plate is rusting. The sproket carrier, the banjo bolts on the brake lines, the bolts holding the exaust together, the outer caseings of the wheel bearings and a couple of other things but I can't find my list at the moment.

Ducati have said speak to the dealer, the dealer said speak to Ducati. They came down and took photos of it over 2 months ago and I haven't heard much since then. Also what really has ****ed me off is that they want to know what happens to one on salted road but I've paid £9500 for the "privilage" of testing it for them.

But they have said they will replace the parts, 2 months ago, they haven't agreed when and twist and turn on it when I chase them up about it. They've also said they're happy to give me load of free stuff, but a load of extra tat on a bike that is going to rust again anyway (which the dealer admited it would) is usless.

I'm taking it to court now. I bought the bike on the strength of the Ducati I owned before it, I'll never buy one again.

**Brian** · 21 Jan 06, 06:50 PM

I am shure you could do something to get your money back

If you bought a car and it started rusting after 300 miles you would get your money back for shure.

my mind has gone blank to who you should contact

But i will think of it and post it on here when i do :wink:

**DrBob** · 21 Jan 06, 06:55 PM

I've been in contact with Tradeing Standards for about a month and they're sorting it out.

But too much damage has been done as far as I'm concerned, if I get my £9500 back it can't recover the cost of the insurance and road tax that have gone to waste over the past 2 months.

**BaggaZee** · 22 Jan 06, 06:58 PM

Shocker!

Sorry to hear that they're useless for the UK. Bizarre that the bike they're promoting most gets the crappiest components.
Best of luck with trading standards then.

**smartv11** · 24 Jan 06, 08:33 AM

DrBob,

As a fellow owner of a Paul Smart 1000LE, I'm very interested in your comments, my bike is tucked up 'till spring, so my bike is staying immaculate, but of course the warranty is ticking away!!!

I remember joking with a Ducati rep that the exhausts were definetly a warranty claim for the future, as they appear to be just painted. I'm also concerned with the seat covering, as the covering does not 'seat' properly on the foam.

Anyway, I would be grateful if you could share a list of the weak spots, so I can monitor it, also to know any outcomes so I know what precedent Ducati are setting for repairs / replacements.

Finally, and a bit cheeky, if you have any aftermarket bits you want to be rid of... please PM me.

Paul

**Frenchy** · 24 Jan 06, 10:45 AM

DrBob, do you live in a salt mine?

Park up the thing outside the dealer, put a sign on it and let everyone see the state of it...that'll get em thinking!!

**DrBob** · 24 Jan 06, 06:38 PM

Where the dealer is, is a loading/unloading only space so I'd get about £1000 in fines or it towed away, good idea though.

Ducati have offered me a free set of exhausts with fitting, a free first service and have come up with a plan to replace all the parts. So I'm keeping the bike over the summer as I planned, I want to take a trip down to the Ducati factory and see some of europe over the summer. But I can't wait to get out for some fun after shunting about on the greasey roads over winter.

Though one thing the rep said during the 45mins I was wrangling with them was that under the warrenty damage by salt isn't covered. Which struck me dumb for a minite or two.

But the problem areas are the banjo bolts on the brakes, the oil pipes, the screen brace between the top yoke wasn't lubed when built causeing it to squeek, brake disks are rusted and pitted, the sprocket carrier is white, a few odd fasteners around the exhaust and battery, and the welds which hold the bracket for the number plate on are rusting.

The actual exhaust itself is fine, if it goes funny out of warrenty then shout about it, you never know. I've had a few electrical good replaced out of warrenty. I was only going to keep it a year anyway so I'm not too worried.

**smartv11** · 25 Jan 06, 08:07 AM

Drbob

In money terms you are being offered an excellent deal - the 2-1 termi' is £1200 with fitting and if you are in addition having the parts replaced, what can I say.

I note some of the parts, ie banjo bolts and some fastners could easily be replaced at little expense for stainless items - although, you shouldn't have to.

Paul

**BaggaZee** · 25 Jan 06, 10:48 AM

Sounds great!
Complete pain in the ass but worth it surely for what you should end up with. :wink:

**DrBob** · 25 Jan 06, 03:29 PM

It's the cheaper 2-2 system as I prefer the looks of it tbh but they're doing the first service for free so that knocks it up to around that price I surpose. :wink:

Also about the seat cover coming away, mine has been like that from new and the Monster was the same so it's probably meant to be like that, the 748/9 and 916-999 seats don't have a curved back so I surpose you wouldn't have noticed on one of those, or it wouldn't happen.

**Dan** · 25 Jan 06, 08:57 PM

DrBob, Sorry to hear all the bad news... Slagging off the Ducati aftersales is a familiar story on this site, however in your case lets hope they prove us wrong and you get your Smart back in tip-top condition before the summer starts, at their expense. Best of luck mate and I really hope this has a happy ending!

**mad48** · 26 Jan 06, 10:48 PM

Dr Bob Real sorry to hear you're ordeal. Definately take it to court, its the only language that will make them sit up and take you seriously as an individual, a court case is the worst publicity for them and they know it. As long as they think you will consider other options they will fob you off as long as they can. I hope Trading Standards help you out, I've had to approach them in the past and they sorted things out for me. I'm just thinking about you're insurance, if you are fully comp' I'm sure they would take up you're claim on you're behalf therefore saving you money. Another good one would be to tell MCN who love to take on stories like this and to fight you're corner, they would bloody hate that!. Anyway all the best and good luck.

**smartv11** · 31 Jan 06, 10:46 AM

Thanks for identifying areas of corrosion on your bike :

problem areas are the banjo bolts on the brakes, the oil pipes, the screen brace between the top yoke wasn't lubed when built causeing it to squeek, brake disks are rusted and pitted, the sprocket carrier is white, a few odd fasteners around the exhaust and battery, and the welds which hold the bracket for the number plate on are rusting.

I killed a few hours on the weekend throughly going over these with ACF 50 and wax oil. I noticed that the brake and oil lines are the same as my Guzzi, so obviously a bought in item for Ducati, the Guzzi's have achieved a patina of corrosion, getting no worse, so I guess you have to live them not looking shinny / new after a few months

Shame manufactures penny pinch, I would happily pay say an extra £50 for a bike if it used stainless fittings - wouldn't everyone?????

Paul