Are Ducatis (Like the Desert X) Truly Unreliable? Chat w/THE Shahin Alvandi: Podcast Ep. 16

Рет қаралды 7,281

2 ай бұрын

Shahin Alvandi is the general director of MotoCorsa in Portland (consistently one of the best Ducati dealerships in North America, as well as co-host of the popular motorcycling podcast Brap Talk and just generally an all around amazing dude and International Man of Mystery.
On this episode we pick his brain about all things Ducati, the state of the motorcycle industry, and how he's built MotoCorsa into a very successful dealership through the magic of community, which we very much believe in the power of.
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Disclaimer for reasons: I am not a professional journalist, expert motorcycle rider, or a mechanic. These videos are for entertainment purposes and represent my personal opinions and experiences. I'm just a dude who isn't even good at riding or making videos, so be smart and don't risk life or limb trying to follow my example or advice.

Пікірлер: 60

@Braaping 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for having me on with y'all!

@RollinwithRoland 2 ай бұрын

Hell yeah!

@nikhayes3396 2 ай бұрын

I want to buy a bike from you, and I’m not anywhere near you (south dakota) and I just bought a new bike, so I can’t. haha. I already have a great job in a fun industry (guest hotel entertainment systems) but you make me want to sell motorcycles ha. Definitely a big personality. How do I get a desert X to test ride and write about in South Dakota?

@great_gig 2 ай бұрын

Favorite part is at 44:25 when Shahin is asked what non-Ducati motorcycle would he ride if he didn't work for Ducati, and seeing the way his face lights up with so much energy and enthusiasm when tasked with answering the question.. That says it all right there. The passion for motorcycles, and the motorcycling community is a special thing and this dude totally gets it and knows how to spread the love.

@great_gig 2 ай бұрын

It was great meeting Shahin on this podcast. Thoroughly enjoyed his insights both from a dealership's perspective and on building relationships with customers that create something far greater than the sum of its parts. If this was "live", I would have chimed in with some questions. P.S. Please bring back the "Dual Sport Riding: Hiking but Faster" T-shirts. Mine's getting faded. Cheers!

@shassabo 2 ай бұрын

I’ve been riding my DesertX since launch August 2022. No issues with reliability, just raw fun. It’s a beauty and always puts a smile on my face. The 937 motor has been around for a while now and it’s amazing.

@IRLtrolls 2 ай бұрын

How many miles

@shassabo 2 ай бұрын

@@IRLtrolls just 8500, oil changes and air filter so far. Of course there are plenty of Multistrada V2’s and monsters with the same motor for better data.

@kluthage421 2 ай бұрын

@@shassabo 8500 miles isn't really a reliability indicator. We'll see when it hits 30+

@shassabo 2 ай бұрын

@@kluthage421 very true, only time will tell. That said the motor is not new, it’s been around for years and it’s reliable. My buddy has a Multi with 50k on it with no work other than the overpriced Desmo service.

@mcnuggetapple 2 ай бұрын

@@kluthage421 I would say it is. Tons of new bikes having issues with a lot less miles these days

@suprPHREAK 2 ай бұрын

Had a 2013 Hyperstrada that was nothing but trouble. Of the 6 months I owned it, only a month and a half was riding. Left me stranded 1000km from home. Duc warranty for Canada/US is crap. They used to talk about trip interruption, repatriation coverage, etc. but not in North America, where you only get $200 in towing (which wouldn’t get the tow truck to where I was on the Blue Ridge Parkway). Ended up renting a u-haul to get me back home at my own expense as it was going to be cheaper than the tow to the nearest dealer! They “fixed” the bike 6 times, and each time it died on me at random times. Ended up trading it for a Concours14. A friend had the same model and had no problems for years, so mine was a dud, but the experience of the lack of support, the misleading warranty coverage, and endless runaround has completely soured me from the brand. It’s too bad, I always wanted a Duc, but I guess “don’t meet your heroes”. It was a hell of a ride when it worked, though!

@user-uh3sp9pm8j 2 ай бұрын

I can’t imagine riding off into the adventure ride of a lifetime and not be able to change my air filter without having a factory wrench present. Only to imagine further the chances of me dumping this Moto Princess in a deep pool of water and it shorting out like R2-D2. Ha ha. Good thing we have options still. Thanks for the entertaining Videos. I am always looking forward to the next journey with you.

@skiphalbakken6499 2 ай бұрын

The desert X looks like a great bike. But you shouldn’t have to go to the dealership to get the oil light turned off if you change your own oil and spend money to do it. For what my stealership would charge me to change my oil on my T7 I could be gone for a three day weekend. Great video 👍

@suprPHREAK 2 ай бұрын

T7 also uses standard OBD protocol, so with an adapter you can use automotive scan tools to test everything, diagnose, and even clear codes!

@Lindqs02 2 ай бұрын

Everyone loves Shahin! He truly is an awesome human! Good to see ya buddy! Loved the conversation keeping it real.

@Braaping 2 ай бұрын

🥰 thank you!

@patkennedy1 2 ай бұрын

A very enjoyable podcast - intelligent and informed. After 50+ years as a 'Ducati guy' (owner and tech) I enjoyed hearing from Shahin, and can only say Australia could use a few Ducati dealers more like him. As to the airbox on the Desert X? Yes, disappointing to have to do so much work to access the air filter, rather like its predecessor the Cagiva/Ducati Elefant, which also hid its air filter under the tank, with so many fasteners to remove, to take off all the fairings, sidecovers and tank. I still have my 1995 Elefant, recently updated to a new Transalp. Yesterday I replaced the air filter on my 2023 Transalp with a K & N, as I do to all my bikes, after 13,300 kms (in 7 x months) and discovered a crazy task for a bike designed to go off road. I didn't actually count exactly, but it entailed the removal of about 10 x panels(?) and roughly 50 x fasteners! I took my time, being my first time taking the Honda apart that much, and wishing to do it as a relaxing exercise (now an old age pensioner!) but spent almost three hours on the job, from start to finish. Ian (Big Rock Moto) was brave enough to attempt this task, which was decent of him, given that he only owned the bike briefly for his channel, so I knew it was going to be 'challenging'. I think he got a little annoyed with it, and ended up calling it a "deal breaker". The dealership charges $150/hour, so they weren't going to get the job, and they are 100 kms (62 miles) away. So this nonsense isn't a 'Ducati thing' - many modern bikes simply aren't built to be worked on by their owners, and this seems to be intentional. But I discovered a positive aspect to this new model. Whereas I needed the software to remove the service symbol on my 2007 Ducati (1098S) which of course I needed for my work anyway, it turns out the Honda service warning (which annoyingly obscures the odometer when it appears) can actually be switched off by the owner, via the handlebar switch. Wish I'd known that when it lit up, 500 kms from home. It hadn't appeared for the '12,000 km service', but did at 12,500 kms for 13,000, allowing for the first service being at 1,000. Just a tip for Grace or any of you who still own your Transalps. Thanks to all three for your very engaging podcast. Ducatis, and under-tank air filters just happened to be my subjects at the moment!

@patkennedy1 2 ай бұрын

Forgot to say I was in Portland and Springfield when travelling in the '80s. Very nice! Better forests than here (South Australia).

@Mr450pro Ай бұрын

I think Ian is right. It is a dealbreaker for me, to do so much work for a simple air filter change on a off-road bike. I really like the Honda and I owned the new Hornet. But as soon I figured out the work involved for filter change, i said hell no!

@steveh100 2 ай бұрын

There's a bit of a shortage of my type of podcasts at the moment, been following The Dork in the road for ages, but its great to have a new podcast to listen to... Thank you all. Not watched any of Grace's videos yet but I will do.

@geoffreywall1786 2 ай бұрын

What a fantastic podcast. Thanks for this!

@advredbikes 2 ай бұрын

Thanks guys for an awesome podcast, very interesting topics and really nice to hear that there is a dealership that has an investment in the community. Thanks very much guys.

@scamperstephen4811 2 ай бұрын

You to Dingos need to come down to the South west Western Australia for a aus adventure ride

@alsims8280 2 ай бұрын

Most Excellent Podcast!!

@stevegraning559 2 ай бұрын

Love my 2020 Multistrada 1260 Enduro and would argue I have never had a more comfortable/fast sports touring bike.

@alozborne 2 ай бұрын

For ADV bikes in the 500cc to 800cc engine range, I'm not sold on the need for ride modes. I would love to be able to buy a Transalp XL750 or V-Strom 800DE without any ride modes, as it's just less crap to break over time.

@wanderlpnw 3 ай бұрын

I did a tour in Scotland with a bunch of English riders. Some knew Portland from Brap Talk.

@solidsnake2665 2 ай бұрын

Excellent

@deepspoke2201 2 ай бұрын

After getting a sweet bonus in 2010, I was all set to buy a Boxer GS, but then doing a pass through the late great Progressive motorcycle show I saw the new generation Multistrada and was hooked. Took it for a test ride and was more than hooked. Perhaps I got a Wednesday build but I now have 37,000 trouble free miles on it. Only reason I thought about getting rid of it is that I’ve done some moto camping and with that 17” front wheel it sucks in the dirt, so maybe a Desert X is in my future.

@nscott26 2 ай бұрын

I must part of the 1%, i put 5,000 - 8,000 miles on BOTH my motorcycles every year 🤷‍♂️.

@dstubby82 2 ай бұрын

There's this odd dichotomy that seems to show up in our market where you can have performance or efficiency. But never both. 🤨🤔

@beejaruess5368 2 ай бұрын

you do have to Ducati credit for making each customer feel part of the family! I've never been treated badly at any Ducati dealership. They truly care about the customer.

@rantANDrave1987 2 ай бұрын

Grace- the frequent intermittent “yea” is normal in everyday day face to face conversations but doesn’t translate well in podcasts. It’s distracting to the listener. Think about when someone gets interviewed on TV or radio. The hosts chime in when necessary but they’re not trying to pace the guest with constant “yeas”

@jalex19100 2 ай бұрын

Had a 2000 monster in 2000, myself. Mine wasn’t quirky or problematic for thousands of miles. Manufacturing quality was poor, though - tank seam rubbed on frame out of the box. Nothing was perfectly symmetrical. But it operated very well (factory pro jet kit installed on purchase). I bumped a car in traffic and Ducati and dealer took 7 months to sort out the right part numbers (headlight bracket…), let alone get the parts delivered. Too much incompetence at the time, hence never got a Ducati again. Just BMWs since (not counting ktm and honda dirt bikes). A great dealer would have made a massive difference. Thank you for the hope - Maybe I will end up in the West sometime.

@ttrguy9952 2 ай бұрын

I fully believe that the adventure in owning an Italian adventure bike is actually makin it home!

@patkennedy1 2 ай бұрын

Not that funny, and I suspect comes from one who has never owned a Ducati. After 50+ years on Ducatis, and working on them for my livelihood for much of that time, your 'belief' is simply wrong. I have done massive mileages on Ducatis during that 50 years, and only ever broke down once (in 1976) on a ride few would have attempted, totally due to some poor (local) engineering work. Just by way of balance...

@michaelkrenzer3296 2 ай бұрын

It is true, most of my motorcycles don't get ridden more than 2500 miles a year. One or two range about 3,500-8,000 a year and it is never the same one or two.

@MotoFishy 2 ай бұрын

Do you really have to take the Desert X into the dealer to reset the service light, or can you hotwire it on the startup like the new V-Stroms? Kinda insane if people can't even do oil changes at home.

@toltod 2 ай бұрын

Right to repair comes to mind. I don't mind spending a little money, but I don't want to spend all the extra time and weekends hauling stuff back and forth to the dealer. Which gets even more irksome if you own more than one bike. As I get older I value my free time more...and its easier for me to just do simple stuff after work...when those dealers are closed. I need a dealer for more complicated work...and yeah, I'd rather take my bike to a preferred mechanic. Locked software makes that impossible for independant guys. Right to Repair.

@doobielawson702 2 ай бұрын

I do a lot of my own maintenance. A bike that I would have to take to the dealer to have a simple light turned off is a deal breaker for me. Especially if that dealership is hours away from my house. No thank you.

@DJPTEXAS 2 ай бұрын

Nothing being produced today is with the thought that the owner will work on it.... They don't want you doing your own maintenance.. the main thing is having not only a local dealership but one that actually knows how to work on them not matter what brand/model...

@metalpolishshop 2 ай бұрын

Most bikes have gone this way to not be able to turn off the maintenance light. A continued trend to lead the brainless and the start and ride group of people. I take the light being on as a badge of honor that I have the where with all that I can do the maintenance. Along with my maintenance book that everything is wrote down in.

@doobielawson702 2 ай бұрын

Yeah I just ride a 300L so none of that is an issue for me.

@skylerlovell1780 2 ай бұрын

We all wanted to know when the Ducati 698 Enduro was going to be released 😏

@johnperkins5450 2 ай бұрын

Any chance you’ll be getting your hands on a 2024 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro to test ride?

@DorkintheRoad 2 ай бұрын

I hope to. I love those bikes. I know they made a few changes this year but here are two test ride videos of the previous 900 on the channel.

@johnperkins5450 2 ай бұрын

@@DorkintheRoad From what I’m hearing out there, reviews are saying skip a deal on a previous version, and pay for the new one. Can’t wait to hear what you think. 👍🏼

@randycallow3736 2 ай бұрын

Funny thing about the Ducati.. company did a few things nobody does. Sticker price first!! Ducati put decent fork and shock springs to start, unlike everyone else who builds the bike sprung for @165-175 pound riders which are rare!! And rider, w gear and some loaded luggage, small to big, @460-550+ pounds you are need suspension for reality. And Ducati ace, is their current warranty w Desert X more bikes need 12-24 months unlimited, and that's going to be a game changer for Chinese.. they can put lack of parts, pedigree and dealer support to sleep by offering a great warranty. And dealer support is always going to be lacking for Chinese and Italian.

@mangrumpyold1871 2 ай бұрын

The desert X looks like a cool bike but I am new and fell over 3 times today and picking up over 100lbs more bike dose not appeal to me. Thanks for the information.

@metalpolishshop 2 ай бұрын

So where are we going to with electronics? BMW came out with adaptive cruise and mirrors that tell you another vehicle is beside you. Are we moving towards handle bar holders or riders that are in tune with the bike and their surroundings? The more electronics the more issues and the more manufacturer proprietary products for only dealer access.

@DorkintheRoad 2 ай бұрын

Those bikes exist for the people that want them. If you want something more old school there's a bike out there for you too.

@Mdviousdt 2 ай бұрын

Personally, an ADV (or any motorcycle) should be untethered. You should not be forced to bring an ADV back to an authorized dealer. I know I am an outlier, that’s my life, I physically and socially do not fit, which has forced me to be self-reliant in many areas. That self-reliance reinforces my opinion for me. Hence, I have a hard time justifying a tethered bike, because I do not want to bring it to someone. Ducati reliability, it’s my opinion that the most reliable Ducatis are higher mileage ones. Get one that someone else has already sweated through all the issues. I have an 08 Hypermotard 1100s that is closing on 60,000 miles, it hasn’t had any unscheduled maintenance since 25,000 miles. Also, I think bikes get a bad rap on reliability. If you only drive a car 2,500 miles a year, it’s going to have problems. What’s the saying, “If you don’t use it, you loose it.” Mechanical (and electrical) things work best if they are used regularly.

@GregLanz 2 ай бұрын

Pretty scary that being bought by vw(one of the worst made cars available) would improve the quality...

@PincheBuzo 2 ай бұрын

It's an Italian machine. It will need very expensive repairs and maintenance frequently. They are for people with a lot of disposable income and in no particular hurry to use it.

@Roberta_Esposito 2 ай бұрын

@trey8367 2 ай бұрын

"Yea...Yea...Yea...Yea...Yea" 😢

@alozborne 2 ай бұрын

I can't speak to the reliability, but there's no way I will spend over $12k USD on a motorcycle.

@martythompson6509 2 ай бұрын

Everything European is going to be less reliable. I've owned multiple Euro bikes along with several riding buddies. They've all had issues.... often multiple times. They are simply not as reliable. They ride amazingly well though. So it's a trade off. Work out whats the most important factor for you and make your own decision. For me, I chose reliability. Having issues is just unrequired frustration to me.

@NakaNakaDerkaDerka 2 ай бұрын

I ran a 2015 diavel from new, had it 3 years. Will never buy another Ducati again. ECU blew just before warranty expired, at like 2500 km. Paint bubbles appeared around fuel filler, a very common Ducati problem apparently, and only a problem with ducatis. They are an overrated POS and no different to Italian cars in the 80s. Look great, own one at least once, but expect it to be a disappointment.