First service interval is at 600 miles (cost approx. $225.00). Don't go to far over that if it's not too late already. You MUST have you belt tensioning checked. Your new cam belt will stretch as it breaks in. DO NOT PUSH IT. Mech. valves are not forgiving, and you'll lunch your motor if you push it.
The 2nd. interval is 6000 miles (cost is approx. $650). Your dealer should have given you a sheet specifying the service intervals outlining the specific services performed. Go ask one of the mechanic's or the service manager. If your a do-it-yourselfer, plan on spending $500 on the belt tensioning tool for the desmo' engine.
Get your belt adjusted asap if your over 600miles. Too risky.
Hmmm 225 for 1st service, where? In Chicagoland it 389 plus materials, it takes almost 5 hours of labor. Average shop rate is 79 an hour. I didn't bring in my 05 ST3 until almost 1100 miles. The tech didn't even say a word about the mileage, I hit other sites, most don't take them in til around 900. Just keep revs under 6000 and you'll be fine.
I paid 230 total for my 2V 600 mi'er in NY. My dealer also told me to get her in within 100 mi max, of 600. He claimed if trouble reared it's head and you were any more late than that, DNA would pitch a fit over footing the bill.
gregc
Or buy the prepaid service plan from Ducati and get it paid for like a warranty claim - at any Ducati dealer. Will use one for the 6000 mile while on vacation in Colorado next month.
All you NEED to do for the first service is oil/filter, and check fluid levels, and check fastener torque. No need to check the tension on the belts or check the valve clearances, or sync the throttle bodies, or do any of the other things they're trying to sell you.
If you WANT to check those other things, do it. But the belts don't ever stretch enough to require checking, and the valve clearances change very little over time. Some people like to know that the valve clearances were set correctly from the factory. You'll pay for that check. And I suggest you watch to make certain they actually perform that check (and the other stuff they're selling you).
No need to buy the belt tension gauge ($300). You can use a $2 hex key and get good results.
Some dealers do a lot more than the Ducati recommended service. Some do only that which is required. Some charge $500 and do an oil/filter change, and lube the chain. Those dealers usually don't let you near the bike when it's being "worked on".
The service interval on my ST4 is 6k miles. The valves have settled down and I plan to have them checked every 10k to 12k, with a belt change, and a rocker visual examination.
If you have a great dealer near you (BCM is one that comes to mind), then follow their recommendations. A good dealer won't rip you off. But there's no need to spend $500 on a 600 miles service.
I paid 230 total for my 2V 600 mi'er in NY. My dealer also told me to get her in within 100 mi max, of 600. He claimed if trouble reared it's head and you were any more late than that, DNA would pitch a fit over footing the bill.
gregc
Ditto that, I paid $225 @ 600miles for my ST4s, and almost $450 at 6,000 miles (did the plugs and oil myself, I maintain a tight ship so she is always spotless), I let the dealership do the valves since the bike is still under wanrranty. Going on 10,000 now, next service at 12,000 for a belt change and valve adjustment, then 12,600 for retensioning the new belt after break-in.......you should see a pattern building.
It's NEVER the case. Belts should be properly tensioned when installed. That's it. There's no service required on the belts except replacement at 2 yrs or 12k. The load and stress on the belts is minimal. If you WANT to do it then go ahead, but I don't buy this position that the belt tension is super critical and must be checked or your engine will eat itself.
Same with valve clearances. Check them at the first 6k minor service, and then every 10k or so from then on at the major service. That's it. They rarely change much after the first 6k, and a little 0.001" change in clearance is nothing to worry about unless you're beating the heck out of the engine. Oh, and pull the cams and check for rocker flaking every time you check clearances (10k or so) on the 4V engines.
These Ducati are tough. The newer kevlar-reinforced toothed belts are tough. No need to treat them any differently than the official Ducati service manual states.
That's my $0.02
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2001 ST4 Mod Rod
Built by BCM in 2004 and still running like a clock. 120 HP at the rear wheel. 55 mpg. Thanks Bruce (and Jay)!
It's NEVER the case. Belts should be properly tensioned when installed. That's it. There's no service required on the belts except replacement at 2 yrs or 12k.
Same with valve clearances. Check them at the first 6k minor service, and then every 10k or so from then on at the major service. That's it. No need to treat them any differently than the official Ducati service manual states.
That's my $0.02
If the bike is under warranty, do it. It's cheap insurance.
Further, belts stretch. Kevlar or Nylon, makes no difference. Think of the environment their subjected to, and use a little common sense. They will stretch, guaranteed. Especially considering cyclic termal stresses, and the sometimes repeated violent Rev's some riders will subject these engines too.
As for valve clearance tolerances, and how they corrolate with a given degree of belt tension loss, I can not say. But Who can really? None, except the people the eat and drink this stuff for a living can really say.
Do I think Ducati, or any other manufacture would stipulate a cover their ass policy or blanket statement that requires service intervals that are more frequent than TYPICALLY required.....you bet I do..... And that's because everybody rides their Bike's differently. Under different climates, under different loadings, on different terrains, at different cruise speeds, and different rev's, with different sprockes, etc. etc..
I could never make a bold statement like by saying, just every XXX miles and that's it, just because it works for the way I treat my bike. I don't think the GP boys keep the same belts on for several races, say every 1200 miles, or 1/10th the manufactures required change interval. What do you think?... Or do you think they spend the extra money on new belts because the belive in wasting money.
Does the guy who thrashes his motorcycle riding in Arizona heat, treat his bike the same as the fella whoo putt-putts around in the Colorado mountains.
The fact, for me anyway, is that I noticed a significant difference in performance at my 6000 mile service interval. Only 2 valves were out of wack, but one was considerable. So much so, that I can't believe anyone would go 10,000 miles before considering an adjustment. But then again, I lean heavily toward optimum performance for all my engines.
No disrespect Dan, I know you've been around Ducati's longer. And I have read some interesting things from your posts. But I do know a little about material engineering and the dynamics of mechanical motion.
I used a lot of absolutes in that post and you're right, there's always an exception.
I know there are variables but I'm talking about Joe Average who rides his ST on the street and open roads, and doesn't beat it. No racers, every-weekend track days, or professional factory teams. Sure you can be more careful and service the bike more often however I believe the average Ducati owner is a little bit easier on his/her bike so I think 10k is a reasonable distance to go between valve clearance checks after that first 6k service. And for the average street and touring rider the Ducati recommended 12k or 2 years for belts is fine.
I agree belts stretch but just a very tiny amount. The initial tensioning of a new belt allows for this very slight stretching. But again there's nothing wrong with checking and changing things more often if you'd like.
When I read about dealers telling owners to spend $1000 every 6k miles, changing everything and checking everything, well, I disagree and respond by saying that under normal operating conditions you don't need to service your Ducati more often that the factory recommendation, and in some cases you can go past the recommendations without fear.
But doing the service more often is AOK and probably more common with Ducati than other brands. Heck I change the oil filter and full synthetic oil every 1500 to 2000 miles which is much more often than the factory recommendation. And I change it just before winter hibernation and again early in the spring.
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2001 ST4 Mod Rod
Built by BCM in 2004 and still running like a clock. 120 HP at the rear wheel. 55 mpg. Thanks Bruce (and Jay)!
Since my ST3 was the first "new" bike in 36 years of riding bikes. I paid $400 for what amounts to an oil change in my eyes. The dealer (chicagolalaland area) claims it takes 4.5 hours of labor I say BS, I did an oil change on Friday, went over the bike myself, I'll be damned if I found any evidence of them doing anything other than removing the lower fairing to do the oil change After speaking to a number of ST owners the first service is an oil change and visual inspection, yep they look at the bike and say "Yep it's a motorcycle" Classic stealership methods, you think I'll ever purchase a bike from them again What is really annoying is when I brought in the bike for the service I looked the Service Manager right in the eye and asked him if this was a $400 oil chain, he claimed all this work would be done, I found no evidence of it done, either that or they managed to torque everything back to the factory markings! All this because Desmo Times hasn't release a service manual, it's due in late October. My ST3 will never see the inside of a stealership service ever again.
Wow, that blows! You know what I have found regarding "Dealerships"?... Like anything else, there are GOOD ones, and BAD ones. For example: I brought my '02 ST4S up to BCM in Laconia NH and had the best possible experience. You can watch what they're doing through a window, and then the tech invited me in to show me what was done. Just first class all the way. BTW, I live a little over three hours away from BCM, but it is worth the trip! As a matter of fact, I have decided that they are going to do my 12K service, which is literally just around the corner for me. Now, regarding my local Ducati dealer:
Nice guys too! They have serviced little things on my bike and haven't even charged in certain cases... You can also watch them work through a good sized picture window, and keep an eye on things as well. Needless to say, we can't all stay/wait for certain service requirements, but all these other things add up to a positive feeling about what the dealer says they will actually do on the bike, and how much they will charge. Regardless,
I don't balme you in the least for not going back to that dealer! It's all a roll of the dice I guess as to how your particular dealer will treat you... although they ALL should be wary of suspect practices/overcharging. Reason being: That dealership just lost your business!
Interestingly my pre-paid maintenance from Ducati has intervals at 600, 6000 and 12,000 miles. Found a dealer in CO that honred the service certificates and they submit it like a warranty claim to Ducati.
I was mildly surprised to find that the valves were still within spec and did not require adjustment at 6K. Saw the belt covers off.
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2008 1098
2003 ST4S-ABS
Corbin seat w/br
+3" Zero Gravity
Ducati Designs headlight
New in 2005 are the following:
- Staintune stainless exhaust
- Spidi Ergo Jacket & pants
Service intervals
I say BS, I did an oil change on Friday, went over the bike myself, I'll be damned if I found any evidence of them doing anything other than removing the lower fairing to do the oil change
After speaking to a number of ST owners the first service is an oil change and visual inspection, yep they look at the bike and say "Yep it's a motorcycle" Classic stealership methods, you think I'll ever purchase a bike from them again
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