You know what they say about first-generation Italian motorcycles…Yes folks, the superbike of 2012, the Ducati 1199 Panigale, is having its first technical recall. Ducati North America is recalling 375 units of the Panigale because of an incorrect screw was used to attach the rear swingarm to the rear suspension linkage. The faulty screw could cause the swingarm to detach from the linkage, which would in-turn could cause a catastrophic suspension collapse.
Ducati is recalling 964 units of its Ducati Diavel motorcycle for a faulty license plate holder mount. Affecting Diavels manufactured between September 23, 2010 and May 12, 2011, this recall concerns the brass inserts that are installed in the chain guard, which may deform over time, and result in the possible loosening of the license plate holder retaining screws on the swingarm. Because of this defect, the license plate holder could come loose and interfere with the rear wheel rotation, which could cause a crash.
Here’s a type of recall that we’ll begin to see more of in the coming years, Ducati North America is recalling 1,051 Diavel and Multistrada 1200 motorcycles because of a faulty software issue. A certain version of the hands free software package may cause the electronic steering lock to fail to disable during the “key on” process.
The result is that a rider would be unable to move their motorcycle, at least not beyond a small radial path. In the eyes of the NHTSA though, this could mean that a rider could start the motorcycle and attempt to ride off, and then realize they lack the ability to steer (read: not good). While the safety issue here seems fairly benign, the idea that one couldn’t get their bike moving because a 0 should be a 1 would be fairly frustrating to us if we were owners of either machine, hence the recall.
Ducati North America has issued a recall for various Multistrada models ranging from 2003 to 2009, including the 1100cc, 1000cc, and 620cc variants, because of an issue with the fuel tank pump flange seal leaking fuel. Affecting 3,911 models, owners of the following motorcycles could be affected by the recall, and should check to see if their VIN is affected: 2003-2004 & 2006 Ducati MTS 1000, 2005 Ducati MTS 1000S, 2006 Ducati MTS 620, and 2007-2009 Ducati MTS 1100.
Ducati is issuing a recall notice with the NHTSA for the 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 adventure-tourer motorcycle. Affecting 1,196 units, the MTS 1200’s recall stems from an ECU problem that could see the motorcycle stall while idling with the clutch disengaged (something we experienced when testing the Multistrada 1200 last year). To fix the problem, affected owners must take their bike to a Ducati dealership, where the ECU will be re-flashed with a modified firmware package.
Ducati is recalling 753 Streetfighters, 1098R’s, and 1198S’s Superbikes because of a potential fuel hose clamp issue. The recall affects only 2010 Streetfighters and 2009 Superbikes, and if left unresolved could result in the bike stalling from the lack of fuel, and potentially starting a fire.
Ducati Streetfighter S owners can get ready for their second recall since the bike’s debut earlier this year. This time Ducati is notifying owners of a improperly installed ECU ground screw that may have been over-tightened, causing the motor to stall.
Ducati has issued a recall for a number of its 2009 1198cc motored models that have the upgraded Öhlins suspension. Specifically the recall affects the 2009 1098R, 1198S, and Streetfighter S. Ducati is issuing the recall because of possible cracking in the lower pinch bolt area of the right fork. This defect affects 732 units sold in the United States.
Ducati is recalling 1,755 units their 2009 Monster 696 motorcycle for problems with its main wiring harness. The harness may come in contact with the vertical cylinder head and exhaust pipe. This poor placement could possibly result in the harness being damaged, and the rider not looking nearly as cool on the cheapest bike Ducati has to offer. Also, the rider could die. For a Ducati rider, its hard to say which fate is worse.
7,130 Ducati Superbikes are being recalled because of voltage regulators that could be damaged from the mighty v-twins radiant heat. Ducati 1098 and 848 owners will have to take their bike into the dealer to have the regulator replaced, a heat shield installed between the voltage regulator and the exhaust pipping, and have a new battery support installed.
This recall specifically affects:
2007-2008 Ducati 1098
2007-2008 Ducati 1098S
2007-2008 Ducati 1098 R
2007-2008 Ducati 1098 Tricolore
2008-2009 Ducati 848
Owners can contact Ducati North America at 1-800-231-6696, with recall reference number: RCL-08-005. As always, you can contact the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 or visit safecar.gov.
This article will be completely devoid of any comments about Italian reliability. Resisting that temptation like Adam resisted the apple from Eve, it would appear that there might be a teeny-tiny-ity-bity problem with the Ducati Desmosedici’s fuel tank drain and breather hose.