My bike is in the shop.

[JulesMaximus]

I took it in for an annual checkup and oil change (the Ducati dealer also flushed the brake fluid and clutch fluid) a couple weeks ago and last weekend rode it over to a friend's house and noticed the front brake felt a little spongy. I was going to bleed it myself yesterday but decided to throw it back in Ducati's lap as they had just done a fluid flush and bleed. As I was riding back to the dealership yesterday I noticed that it was getting worse and by the time I arrived at the dealer the brake lever would go almost all the way to the grip when depressed. I had almost no front brake. It is a 2014 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S I bought new back in 2014. It has 11,000 miles on it.

They diagnosed the master cylinder is failing and needs to be replaced. Fortunately, I bought an extended warranty so it will be covered. They have to order the part as they didn't have one in stock so I left the bike with them. Should have it back by next weekend. I hate being without my bike.

 

[bruceb]

That sucks for a 2014 to need such a major repair.

 

[Evilviking]

Luckily it will be covered under warranty. But it sounds like they probably had something to do with it's failure. Unintentionally I'm sure

 

[rstrohkirch]

That sucks for a 2014 to need such a major repair.

To be fair, they do fail from time to time and they aren't a major repair. It's just a metal plunger, spring and a couple of seals.

 

[bruceb]

Yeah, they fail. But only 3 years old and only 11, 000 miles ? The one on my 1999 Grand Prix is the original with 246,000 miles on it

 

[JulesMaximus]

Yeah, they fail. But only 3 years old and only 11, 000 miles ? The one on my 1999 Grand Prix is the original with 246,000 miles on it

You can't really compare motorcycles to cars. Motorcycles need more maintenance and more often. Parts are designed to be as small and light as possible yet give great performance.

To be fair, they do fail from time to time and they aren't a major repair. It's just a metal plunger, spring and a couple of seals.

That plunger cost $350 just for the part.

 

[rstrohkirch]

That plunger cost $350 just for the part.

If someone is trying to charge you $350 for a plunger you need to laugh at them. Then find other people around you to laugh at them too. You can buy a brand new Brembo RCS master for $300 shipped to your door. I also doubt a multistrada even comes stock with that grade of master but it could I suppose.

 

[bruceb]

He has a Ducati .. prices are going to be high ... But $350 for just the plunger, which almost never goes bad is insane. Usually you take it all apart, wash the plunger in cleaner, and put new O Rings on it. You just need to be sure the bore of the Master Cylinder is not scored. If it is then it needs to be corrected or the master cylinder replaced. You can get the whole front master cylinder here for 100 Pounds (about $125 USD) .. Note: This may be a used part
https://www.motorparts-online.com/en/ducati/multistrada-1200/all/front-brake-master-cylinder#

Maybe also look here for new parts (prices in British Pounds)

http://shop.oemducati.com/en/products

Or also here (where you can also download the parts list)

http://www.ducati.com/ducati_genuine_parts.do

 

[JulesMaximus]

He has a Ducati .. prices are going to be high ... But $350 for just the plunger, which almost never goes bad is insane. Usually you take it all apart, wash the plunger in cleaner, and put new O Rings on it. You just need to be sure the bore of the Master Cylinder is not scored. If it is then it needs to be corrected or the master cylinder replaced. You can get the whole front master cylinder here for 100 Pounds (about $125 USD) .. Note: This may be a used part
https://www.motorparts-online.com/en/ducati/multistrada-1200/all/front-brake-master-cylinder#

No, that is for the whole master cylinder. And it is Brembo.

Also, that link is for a used part and has brake fluid damage to the finish on the lever.

 

[bruceb]

Yes, Jules, I saw that. And I also posted links above just now for a couple of other sites that have new ones. The point was, being charged $350 parts only, for just the brake cylinder piston, was insane. You can buy the whole assembly (probably without the reservoir) for much less.

 

[rstrohkirch]

See, you got us all confused saying the plunger cost $50 more than the whole thing. If the dealer is charging you $350 for the master then that makes sense.

Still funny though as you can generally buy a master with lever and reservoir cheaper online from any hole in the wall retailer than you can from the bike manufacturer, regardless of bike brand. Honda wants $300 for a full setup that only costs $250 online from anyone.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Yes, Jules, I saw that. And I also posted links above just now for a couple of other sites that have new ones. The point was, being charged $350 parts only, for just the brake cylinder piston, was insane. You can buy the whole assembly (probably without the reservoir) for much less.

I was referring to the master cylinder as basically a plunger. I can see where that might have been confusing. No, the $350 is for a new OEM Brembo master cylinder ordered from Ducati. The dealer will swap the other components over (reservoir, lever, etc) install it and bleed the front brakes.

The extended warranty is covering it so I don't really care what it costs.

You want to hear some high prices? A new stator costs $600 as does a new starter.

 

[bruceb]

See my post #08 ... a good site there and you can also download the parts manual for your bike. Not sure how their prices are, but they have to be less than Dealer List

 

[olds]

Uh, it's a Ducati. Of course it's in the shop...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Uh, it's a Ducati. Of course it's in the shop...

No, you're thinking of Harley. Unless they're hardly riddenson.

 

[twinrider1]

This scenario seems familiar. Did you buy this bike when you had your previous bike in the shop?
Hey, take this new 2017 Multistrada home for a few days, while we work on your bike. Diabolical (or Diablo-olical) on their part.

 

[lxskllr]

Uh, it's a Ducati. Of course it's in the shop...

Italian engineering...

 

[rstrohkirch]

Italian engineering...

I was going to say that the issue with the master isn't Ducati's fault but Brembo is a Italian company so I guess this works either way.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I was going to say that the issue with the master isn't Ducati's fault but Brembo is a Italian company so I guess this works either way.

Yet their braking systems are on some of the most coveted vehicles on the planet.

 

[C1]

Motorcycles are considered a sport and prices for parts are treated as such with huge markup.

No surprise.

That has been the standard of the industry for many decades.

 

[rstrohkirch]

Yet their braking systems are on some of the most coveted vehicles on the planet.

I'm pretty sure he was just joking. Besides, I have the exact same master and caliper setup that you do.

 

[foghorn67]

You bought the Ferrari of bikes big guy. I think most Duc owners know that going in. Fortunately, the reward will be a smile. That's what bikes are all about.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You bought the Ferrari of bikes big guy. I think most Duc owners know that going in. Fortunately, the reward will be a smile. That's what bikes are all about.

Funny, I've owned a few bikes and a couple Ducatis. They are unique but they aren't much more expensive than any other bike (super expensive R models not withstanding). Not sure that frequent belt changes and valve adjustments qualifies as Ferrari-like. Harley sells far less capable and heavier machines for more than my bike cost.

Riding it does make me happy though.

 

[agent00f]

Funny, I've owned a few bikes and a couple Ducatis. They are unique but they aren't much more expensive than any other bike (super expensive R models not withstanding). Not sure that frequent belt changes and valve adjustments qualifies as Ferrari-like.

For real, folks who think Ducati is the Ferrari of bikes maybe don't realize how much those cost to own. Pretty sure some easily broken button on the steering wheel would cost $2000 because you have to buy half the wheel to replace it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

For real, folks who think Ducati is the Ferrari of bikes maybe don't realize how much those cost to own. Pretty sure some easily broken button on the steering wheel would cost $2000 because you have to buy half the wheel to replace it.

Exactly. I've read about cracked exhaust manifold issues with the Ferrari F430 costing owners $10,000 just to replace both of them. I could buy another complete used Multistrada for $10k.