Would You Extend the Warrany? - 2004 Ducati ST3

[flips21]

I am the happy owner of a new to me 2004 ST3 with 9000 miles on the clock.  The extended warranty is good through March of next year and would cost me $40 to transfer it to my name.  Since I don't know the bike, (but do have a service history), I figue $40 is cheap insurance.

Since I was talking to the Manager, I asked him about extending the warranty.  There is a program that excludes cables, frame and fuel injection, but covers everything else for three more years.  Cost?  $979.  Sounds like a bad bet to me, but I am planning to ride it in the rain and I understand there are some issues with the instrument cluster.  Would I be making a mistake by walking away from this?  

By the way, the 12,000 mile service is just over $1,100 at this location.  Since it is the nearest dealer and the other one is over 50 miles away, maybe $979 isn't so bad?

Thanks in advance.

[st ryder]

I am the happy owner of a new to me 2004 ST3 with 9000 miles on the clock.  The extended warranty is good through March of next year and would cost me $40 to transfer it to my name.  Since I don't know the bike, (but do have a service history), I figue $40 is cheap insurance.

Since I was talking to the Manager, I asked him about extending the warranty.  There is a program that excludes cables, frame and fuel injection, but covers everything else for three more years.  Cost?  $979.  Sounds like a bad bet to me, but I am planning to ride it in the rain and I understand there are some issues with the instrument cluster.  Would I be making a mistake by walking away from this?  

By the way, the 12,000 mile service is just over $1,100 at this location.  Since it is the nearest dealer and the other one is over 50 miles away, maybe $979 isn't so bad?

Thanks in advance.

I think you'd need to read the warranty very closely to see what's covered and for how long before deciding. Like all insurance, it's a gamble as to whether or not you'll need it. But, it would pay for itself with 1 major repair, that's for sure. OTOH, you could buy some nice aftermarket pipes for that money too. The service cost seems about right, depending on how many shims they might need to adjust, but that would include things like an oil change and coolant change and air filter and spark plug change and chain adjust and tire pressure check, all stuff you can do at home, so just ask for the belt change, and shim adjust and TPS reset and you'll save a bundle.

[falconati]

I have a 2006 with 14k miles, and have ridden it over 9 hours in the rain just last month.

I have an extended warranty, and haven't used it.  Also, that service price is maybe about $200-300 too high.  What all are they including?

[veefer800canuck]

Extended warranties are almost a 100% profit item for the manufacturer/dealer.

If it's only got 9k on it, what's the worry? It's hardly broken in.

If you REALLY want the peace of mind, transfer the existing warranty for $40 and forget the rest.

Go ride.

If the motor REALLY went south sometime in the future, you could probably buy a much newer complete wrecked Ducati off EBAY with the same series of motor and swap them.

That engine in the ST3 is probably used in a gazillion different Ducatis, and probably some newer ones with more horsepower methinks.

[ducsbill]

Warranty won't cover basic maintenance so you can't compare the cost of extending the warranty against the 12K maintenance.  As others have noted, do your own oil changes and have the rest done by the dealer if you're not mechanically inclined.  Work with them to see if they'll shave labor off your cost if you deliver the bike without body work except the front fairing with the dash.

As a comparison, my 2005 ST3 has about 42,000 miles on it.  Lots of miles in good and bad weather including multiple days in the rain, some pretty heavy.  No issues except a broken closer rocker spring in year 2.  I do all the maintenance.

Bill W.

[atadaskew]

That engine in the ST3 is probably used in a gazillion different Ducatis, and probably some newer ones with more horsepower methinks.

Nope, just the St3 and St3s

[Roadhound]

If your dealer wants over $1100.00 for a 12,000 mile service, oil change, valve adjustment, belt change. What do you think he's going to charge you for something serious ? Think about it that's for checking and or adjusting a total of 6 valves, the rest of the service is a no brainer. I think I would look real hard at extending the warranty.

[flips21]

I have a 2006 with 14k miles, and have ridden it over 9 hours in the rain just last month.

I have an extended warranty, and haven't used it.  Also, that service price is maybe about $200-300 too high.  What all are they including?

The service includes everything except the fork oil changeout.  Normally, I wouldn't have them do most of the work, just the valves, tps and maybe the belts.  But I did learn what they charge for factory parts in the process.

If the motor REALLY went south sometime in the future, you could probably buy a much newer complete wrecked Ducati off EBAY with the same series of motor and swap them.

Of all people on this board (and VFRD), your input on warranties is not unlike asking a workaholic about vacation planning.  (Intended as a compliment)

Warranty won't cover basic maintenance so you can't compare the cost of extending the warranty against the 12K maintenance.

As a comparison, my 2005 ST3 has about 42,000 miles on it.  Lots of miles in good and bad weather including multiple days in the rain, some pretty heavy.  No issues except a broken closer rocker spring in year 2.  I do all the maintenance.

Yes, but the basic maintenace cost helps to value the warranty.  If the bike was cheap to service, the warranty should be as well.

If your dealer wants over $1100.00 for a 12,000 mile service, oil change, valve adjustment, belt change. What do you think he's going to charge you for something serious ? Think about it that's for checking and or adjusting a total of 6 valves, the rest of the service is a no brainer. I think I would look real hard at extending the warranty.

One of the biggest issues I have with extending the warranty is that I don't want to pay for the dealer labor.  If I did the work myself, the $1,100 service would cost me about $500 in parts and tools the first time I did it and about $200 each time thereafter.  How would the dealer respond to a warranty claim after I did all the service?  I fear that if I extend it, I become beholden the to dealer for major service.  I like to support the dealers but $750 of labor....

Thanks all for the input.  I think I will pay the $40 and invest in some ST3 specific tools.

[still kickin]

If the warranty is sold by a private company and not the manufacture, It is the biggest con in the m/c service area. These so called companies pay a commission to the dealer and always find a way to not pay your claim. Protect yourself.