Servicing Opinions Please

12-04-2007, 09:19 PM

Hi,

I need to decide what to do with my S4r that will be 2 years old in July.

Basically the choice is a) official dealer service £661 @ Riders (! but nice stamp in the service book), b) independent dealer (less but no official stamp in book), c) DIY (have the ability but lack time and no service mark at all).

If I knew that I would be keeping the bike for a while then I may go for b or c, but I'm thinking about other options later in the year including p/x for another Ducati.

Any comments?

Regards

Perry

slob · 12-04-2007, 09:59 PM

Given the fact that your other recent post suggests you may be selling shortly, choice A.
If you're keeping it a while I'd go with B unless you have a decent gas analyser and the right software for tweaking your ECU, in which case no problem with C.

13-04-2007, 08:06 AM

Taking Cors 620 to JHS on Sat for a full service and other work. For Bristol you have choice of JHS Racing and Luigo Motos for independent Ducati servicing.

Luigo we used last time and was very good and has hell of a lot of recomendations. JHS we have heard some very good reports and have met James the owner before.

Personally I feel as long as the stamp (and reciepts) in the book is by a good Independent Ducati specialist then this can be better than the dealer and wouldn't put me off buying a bike that is out of its manufacturer warranty.

13-04-2007, 09:01 AM

Here's my thoughts. I'm keeping my Ducati for a while. I had the 600 mile and 1 year service done at Riders to keep the warranty. All my future services will be done by a specailist - Louigi Moto. I think that Ducatis are unusual in as much as there seems to be the opinion amongst owners that as long as the services are carried out by a reputable speciliast then it doesn't devalue the bike. I can't think of another brand where this is the case. My 7 year old BMW has had 7 owners and done 32000 miles with every bit of work done by main dealers - it is expected.
If you are thinking of selling the bike then I would look at the cost of servicing at a dealer or Louigi, then work out the difference in depreciation, and take it from there.
I personally can recommend Rich at Louigi. He's a diamond, a real enthusiast and total honest gent. His knowledge of the bikes is remarkable, and it's not just the service stuff either. If you want advice on improving handling or performance he knows his stuff. His prices are very fair. Give him a call on 01761 453366 and tell him Gilps sent you.

13-04-2007, 09:28 AM

The only thing I would say is there won't be much difference in the cost of the standard servicing between the Dealer to the independent but you tend to get more done for your money. I also wouldn't over glorify any independent as this has to down to how you find them yourself. We had some very good work done it Louigis when Cors bike was serviced ( it wasn't any cheaper than the dealer) and the guy who did the service was very knowledgeable but they let themselves down on a couple of silly things which was such a shame as they did put a lot of effort into the work which was done.

But talking with someone recently they themselves were not to impressed how James (JHS) seemed to come across to them when they popped in with a problem. Something I have never experienced. And I do know a lot of people who give James the same sort of write up as Gilps. Plus have used him for other things.

We are giving JHS a try with the monster for a couple of reasons, his reputation and he is easier to get to plus hope he doesn't do the same mistake as Luigi. Plus Cor hated the location of Luigos place.

When we popped in the other week to have a chat, the amount of ducatis there was very promising and talking with Gary one of the mechanics you could tell how much knowledge on ducatis he had. They were very busy preparing race bikes.

Hopefully I will be able to give a report in a weeks time on how Cor felt about the service, we are getting her forks down at the same time and a couple of other things.

So you should have a choice of 2 good workshops in easy reach.

13-04-2007, 11:54 AM

Thanks for the comments so far. I knew about Louigi Moto and JHS and I have used Royston Edwards in Caldicot before (who I'd recommend to anyone).

13-04-2007, 01:10 PM

recently did a splendid job on my bike, gets my big up anyday

12-04-2007, 09:19 PM	#1
Perryl Guest Posts: n/a	Servicing Opinions Please Hi, I need to decide what to do with my S4r that will be 2 years old in July. Basically the choice is a) official dealer service £661 @ Riders (! but nice stamp in the service book), b) independent dealer (less but no official stamp in book), c) DIY (have the ability but lack time and no service mark at all). If I knew that I would be keeping the bike for a while then I may go for b or c, but I'm thinking about other options later in the year including p/x for another Ducati. Any comments? Regards Perry

13-04-2007, 01:10 PM	#7
dean Guest Posts: n/a	louigi moto recently did a splendid job on my bike, gets my big up anyday

12-04-2007, 09:59 PM	#2
slob . Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: East London Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 9,737	Given the fact that your other recent post suggests you may be selling shortly, choice A. If you're keeping it a while I'd go with B unless you have a decent gas analyser and the right software for tweaking your ECU, in which case no problem with C.

13-04-2007, 08:06 AM	#3
sadbiker Guest Posts: n/a	Taking Cors 620 to JHS on Sat for a full service and other work. For Bristol you have choice of JHS Racing and Luigo Motos for independent Ducati servicing. Luigo we used last time and was very good and has hell of a lot of recomendations. JHS we have heard some very good reports and have met James the owner before. Personally I feel as long as the stamp (and reciepts) in the book is by a good Independent Ducati specialist then this can be better than the dealer and wouldn't put me off buying a bike that is out of its manufacturer warranty.

13-04-2007, 09:01 AM	#4
Gilps Guest Posts: n/a	Here's my thoughts. I'm keeping my Ducati for a while. I had the 600 mile and 1 year service done at Riders to keep the warranty. All my future services will be done by a specailist - Louigi Moto. I think that Ducatis are unusual in as much as there seems to be the opinion amongst owners that as long as the services are carried out by a reputable speciliast then it doesn't devalue the bike. I can't think of another brand where this is the case. My 7 year old BMW has had 7 owners and done 32000 miles with every bit of work done by main dealers - it is expected. If you are thinking of selling the bike then I would look at the cost of servicing at a dealer or Louigi, then work out the difference in depreciation, and take it from there. I personally can recommend Rich at Louigi. He's a diamond, a real enthusiast and total honest gent. His knowledge of the bikes is remarkable, and it's not just the service stuff either. If you want advice on improving handling or performance he knows his stuff. His prices are very fair. Give him a call on 01761 453366 and tell him Gilps sent you.

13-04-2007, 09:28 AM	#5
sadbiker Guest Posts: n/a	The only thing I would say is there won't be much difference in the cost of the standard servicing between the Dealer to the independent but you tend to get more done for your money. I also wouldn't over glorify any independent as this has to down to how you find them yourself. We had some very good work done it Louigis when Cors bike was serviced ( it wasn't any cheaper than the dealer) and the guy who did the service was very knowledgeable but they let themselves down on a couple of silly things which was such a shame as they did put a lot of effort into the work which was done. But talking with someone recently they themselves were not to impressed how James (JHS) seemed to come across to them when they popped in with a problem. Something I have never experienced. And I do know a lot of people who give James the same sort of write up as Gilps. Plus have used him for other things. We are giving JHS a try with the monster for a couple of reasons, his reputation and he is easier to get to plus hope he doesn't do the same mistake as Luigi. Plus Cor hated the location of Luigos place. When we popped in the other week to have a chat, the amount of ducatis there was very promising and talking with Gary one of the mechanics you could tell how much knowledge on ducatis he had. They were very busy preparing race bikes. Hopefully I will be able to give a report in a weeks time on how Cor felt about the service, we are getting her forks down at the same time and a couple of other things. So you should have a choice of 2 good workshops in easy reach.

13-04-2007, 11:54 AM	#6
Perryl Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks for the comments so far. I knew about Louigi Moto and JHS and I have used Royston Edwards in Caldicot before (who I'd recommend to anyone).