2013 Ducati Monster 1100 Evo Review
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Discussion Starter · #1 · (Edited)
Ok so first off I must say I love the bike. It looks, sounds and handles like a million bucks and it's even decent for 2-up touring.
But so far I have been disappointed by reliability and quality of finish.
On the first day back from the dealer, the left fork seal leaked like there was no tomorrow. They replaced a 6$ bushing and that was fixed.
Then front brakes started pulsating when coming to a slow stop (Also first time I've had that on any new bike). I used brake cleaner on all rivets with the bolt trick, cleaned the rotors, and no improvement at all. The dealer are not sure what they need to change (just rotors, just pads or both)...so waiting from them to hear back from Ducati Canada to tell them what to do.
The paint on the middle section is already flaking on the sides (like if they didn't use primer). When looking at the frame you can see places around the welds where there's less paint. On side panels of tank where it bolts on the side you can see they didn't quite paint inside the holes. None of this is the end of the world. But I've had over 10 bikes of many brands, and have never seen poor quality of finish like this. I changed body kits and on both I can find impurities in the paint (like dust or something that was there when they painted), try finding that on a Japanese or Triumph. Clear coat also appears to be much less resistant to scratches then what I've seen in the past.
Then this morning I go to the bank, and on my way back the engine starts stuttering and DTC lights flashing...pull in the clutch, release it and again, I just can't accelerate and had to stop on the side of the road to deactivate the DTC. Was then able to ride back home.
I love this bike, but the reliability is killing me (already that the maintenance is insane if at least it was reliable between scheduled maintenances!). I've bought many new bikes, and old bikes and never have experience these kind of issues in so little mileage. Now I might be lucky and things go well from here...but I can't say I would feel comfortable recommending Ducati to anyone, unless you're a Ducati mechanics.
To be honest I wasnt expecting top reliability, but certain was expecting more then what I've seen so far...
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I was having some issues with my bike draining the battery when I first got it. When I was not getting the help I wanted I actually wrote to Ducati via there web site and made a formal complaint. They really take that information seriously. I was soon contacted by a regional manager and they took a hard look at my bike to resolve my issue. It may be a good venue to make those comments.
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Discussion Starter · #3 ·
You mean the "contact a dealer" link on their US site? Cause their main site is in itialian only..
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There is a price to pay for Italian bikes. One of those things are little "issues". Although Japanese brands are not without their issues either. My old Z1000; the model had issues with steering tubes cracking away from the frame. My old Buell popped drive belts on average every 5k. Each upgrade costing 500+.
Some of the new Japanese bikes are nearly perfect in all the details. Fit and finish are excellent (if you don't look behind the fairings) and reliability is awesome.
I will still take my slightly imperfect Monster over any of those. The sound alone stirs my soul and I am seldom going slow enough to notice the thin clear coat.
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Customer Service
You mean the "contact a dealer" link on their US site? Cause their main site is in itialian only..
If you go to the US page and then Company, Customer Service and then the contact form, very bottom link, what I had used to get the ball rolling.
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Discussion Starter · #6 ·
There is a price to pay for Italian bikes. One of those things are little "issues". Although Japanese brands are not without their issues either. My old Z1000; the model had issues with steering tubes cracking away from the frame. My old Buell popped drive belts on average every 5k. Each upgrade costing 500+.
Some of the new Japanese bikes are nearly perfect in all the details. Fit and finish are excellent (if you don't look behind the fairings) and reliability is awesome.
I will still take my slightly imperfect Monster over any of those. The sound alone stirs my soul and I am seldom going slow enough to notice the thin clear coat.
Don't get me wrong I love the bike. The character and sound is what I always wanted and handling is superb too. But there's a limit to where I'm willing to accept imperfections...fingers crossed that I'll be ok for a while without further troubles...but I'm slowly starting to lose trust in the machine. I have the impression it was built on a Friday at 16h45...Had I paid 5000$ on a used bike I could live with these issues. But with Termis taxes and preparation in Canada it cost me 17800$. A lot of money to have so many problems in so little mileage (and DTC issue can be really dangerous depending on where and when it happens).
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Discussion Starter · #7 ·
The dealer replied that they should start replacing parts on the brakes to stop them pulsating, and theyll look into the DTC problem. Good thing they have a 2 year warranty...
Hopefully I can get this bike running like a new one soon (oh it is new!).
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I as well had the infamous front brake hum-vibration. Dealer changed the pads under warranty (problem solved) 1000km or so later the pulsation started from the front brakes. Dealer replaced rotors under warranty. As much as it sux going to from my dealership for warranty work they've never given me any grief and always came through in a timely manner.
Btw I live in Ottawa.
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Truly sorry for your issues. I'm at nearly 14k on my 2012 EVO and have had no problem except a supremely mushy rear brake.
Good luck.
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Coming up on 10,000 miles on my 2012 1100 EVO with no problems, other than a self induced one.
I've read about the brake pulsations and the DTC actuation problems and have not experienced either.
I am fastidious with my bikes and always clean them after a ride. After many, many cleanings, and several tank and airbox removals for mods, I am still impressed with the design and build quality.
I am very surprised at the finish defects described by Speedo007 because mine is, and remains, at about a concours 8. I do know that I would have never accepted a bike with a finish as described. His description suggests that the finish is by hand. I do not know, but expected that those parts were painted by a robotic arm. Maybe someone has definitive knowledge of the paint process and could comment?
As for Creaking Leathers mushy rear brake, a caliper bleed ought to fix that. Due to the caliper bleed port orientation, a proper bleed requires removing the rear wheel so that the caliper can then be removed and positioned higher than the MC. Do it that way, then tie the pedal down overnight, then tap the MC gently several times with a soft mallet and re-bleed it and all will be well.
My only complaint about the M1100EVO monster is the awful fuel map. The, so called Ducati Performance map is not much better. I knew this going in and had budgeted for a PCV and dyno time. After buying the bike, I opted for an Auto Tune instead of the dyno time. The bike is still going through AT re-maps because I have been incrementally modding the air box. I can happily say that it runs strong and that low speed drivability is extremely smooth. Hard for me to understand why some M1100EVO riders accept the stock poor drivability and justify it with various excuses.
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Agree with most of what you say - great bike - surprisingly adept to two up touring (short tours), beautiful, soul-stirring...
... and not all that well put together and finished.
Hopefully this will be the last of your troubles. Here's to a great choice of bikes!
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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
Update: Dealer said they will replace brake pads. If issue isnt resolved, new rotors will be installed as well. I can't say dealer isnt doing what they can to make things right, just wish I didnt have the issues to start with and that they werent 1h away...
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I bought the five year warranty. It just made sense.
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Discussion Starter · #14 ·
Extended warranty didnt make sens to me cause I've never kept a bike more then 2 years and thank god Ducati have a 2 year warranty.
Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
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Discussion Starter · #15 ·
Brake pads replaced, no noticeable changes. They'll order new rotors.
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Yep, gonna do that shortly. My suspension is out for a rebuild (*the Works. 25mm full cartridge forks, Penske rear) so I now have time to pull the bleed.
On my BMW's, just bleeding the brakes wasn't enough. You also had to bleed out the ABS unit with the brakes. That was pretty much a Dealer Option only. Somehow you had to bleed out a closed system...that's my single fear about the Ducati ABS.
But yes, since the bike's rather unridable right now it's on my list.
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PS: currently at 13,750 and 4 track days on the bike. With an ECU reflash on a full MWR Airbox and Arrow Ti Race exhaust the bike fuels very well over 3k rpm. Having put over 100k on twins I'd never expect them to be happy under 3k.
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.......
On my BMW's, just bleeding the brakes wasn't enough. You also had to bleed out the ABS unit with the brakes. That was pretty much a Dealer Option only. Somehow you had to bleed out a closed system...that's my single fear about the Ducati ABS.
......
Bleeding ABS brakes on several brands does require system electronic activation. On Ducatis, at least on 1100 EVos, the brakes can be bleed successfully using the old pump and bleed method.
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Discussion Starter · #19 ·
New rotors arrived at dealer. Going probably next week to have them replaced. Didnt have more problems with the bike and dealer has been very helpful so far.
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2013 Ducati Monster 1100 Evo Review
Source: https://www.ducatimonster.org/threads/3000km-review-of-my-monster-1100-evo-2013.242114/
