I seem to recall there has been a "free" servicing deal on. Martin M bought an ST3 last year late on from Ducati Leeds with two years "free" servicing.

I can't remember if it was a Dealer offer or a DUK promotion. There might be something on here.


Anyone else remember what happened before Christmas!!???:lol:

DUK and their dealers do make an effort to shift the metal, Deals I have seen publicised include free extras like hard luggage for touring bikes, pipes, finance deals, free servicing, and so on, some of this might be a dealer funded some with DUK support.

It's very easy to loose sight of the fact that Ducati is a business, it has to cover its costs and hopefully a bit more to survive in the long term.

Maybe the Factory itself is the exception to that rule!! but it applies to the dealers in a town near you?

Free lunch?, no such thing, somebody somewhere is paying, the cost just doesn't disppear, be it hard cash or lost margin.

Ray.

[Edited on 24-1-2006 by Ray]

Guys n Gals
The deal works like this. If you read the statements made earlier this year re the sale of TI's 30% share of Ducati stock, Ducati said in their financial statement that they had put aside considerable funds (millions euros) to eleviate their overstocked position. It is this money that DUK and other national Ducati owned companies around the world will be using to finance their own sales incentive programmes.

DUK garantees the finance company the "interest" they would normally receive in such consumer transactions (less a bulk buy discount) and the finance company hopes that at some point in the future they can sell another credit arrangement to you the punter or to DUK.

Your local dealer is offered an extra "sales bonus" on shifting additional new stock under this agreement in the time period specified. Whether the local dealer uses any of the bonus to reduce the ticket price "unofficially" and off the paper work is up to hiom or her.

You the punter however will probably never get the "best" deal available in the market by using this or similar promotions. Remember the sizeable deposit, and remember it applies only to certain bikes and not the whole Ducati range.

Best advice is to see what you can borrow elsewhere before walking into the dealers and negotiate the price down knowing you have the monies available to do so, and, get the bike you really want.

And finally - it is about time that all bike manufacturers behaved like their car counterparts and offer new bikes with 3 years inclusive free servicing with say 30,000 miles mileage limitation over the 3 year period.

[Edited on 24-1-2006 by Athelstan]

Here's my take...

If Ducati are struggling to sell the base model bikes then why have them in the range, and why build so many? Surely it's supply and demand? Why build a load of stuff that no-one wants?

If the demand isn't there to sell the amount of bikes they need for a profit, then they need to sell more of the bikes there IS a demand for. Why not offer deals on the S models? They must be selling as they're not in the offer. The R range should remain exclusive, so why not have:

749/999 Dark/Base model. All black, black frame, black wheels, entry level. Let people bling them up as they want, Biposto and Monoposto, cheaper (Sachs/Boge) non Ti Ni suspension, old style swingarm.

749S/999S. Red and yellow, red and black frames, black wheels, new swingarm, full Ti Ni Showa suspension. Same engine as the Dark, but supply the bike with a Termi exhaust and a few carbon bits, Biposto and Monoposto with numberboards.

749R/999R. Homolgation special. Red only, limited numbers, tricked up motor. Full Ohlins, comes with Termi full system, carbon fairing, no expense spared. Only build the minimum required to keep demand and resale high.

Surely that makes more sense?

[Edited on 24-1-2006 by Twinfan]

Very good point, although, why even make 3 versions of the same lump of metal? They should just make the S version the base model and make the R from this base stock, via special order. Simple. Ducati clearly do not know their own market, they seems to make one financial blunder after another, and as for signing Sete Gibernau...

But again, this would mean having your hard earned cash in a bike, not making you money, but losing you money. If you are a smart investor, 0% finance is king, and your investment will more than cover any residuals and you get a new ride.

I had a choice, put £8000 cash into my R1, or take the R1 on 0% and invest my £8000. Ok, my R1 is only worth £6500 now, but my £8000 has since doubled. Think about it, its not rocket science.

Your £8000 cash has doubled in less than a year, that surely is rocket science. Thats some investment strategy, would you care to enlighten us, i'm curious.

Really? well is it me or would you say it's time to eat humble pie

I'd love to know how to double my cash in 12 months too, any chance you can explain how to do that to us luddite's please

Oi, crap taste in bikes maybe but you're no luddite, thats my title.

Love the Canada banner in your signiture BTW:lol:

....Have you asked him yet :D