G'day Paul. Based on what I've seen (as a relative new guy here) the Hyperstrada's have a very good history regards engine reliability. Better than Hypermotard, which may see more track time, higher revs and some racing.
The 'Strada (generally) seems to have an easier life. Not much to report here. My bike's failure seems to be a bit of a rarity. Dunno?
I feel Ducati do have higher rate of issues vs. many Japanese bikes ... but are MUCH MUCH better than years past ... and I'd bet they are better then BMW's reliability and recall record ... who are the worst among major OEM's.
Talking to mechanics at two different Ducati shops around here, they say severe failures like mine are pretty rare. My advice? Good warranty.
I love my Hyperstrada, will try to keep it a while longer if it keeps running and doesn't have any more major failures.
As to the real "why" Italian products are less reliable could be debatable. Part could be culture? work ethic? I've never been to the Ducati factory ... but would love to visit. I have been to Triumph, twice ... before and after the "big" fire.
Also got a tour of BMW in Berlin (Spandau). (short, cheap tour .. but still) and got a nice look at Yamaha when I was there to interview CEO. Quick walk around tour as we there only to see the big man. (I do sound, film/TV/documentaries)
If you've been to Japan, spent a bit of time there, then spend time in Italy and
absorb the culture ... you might extrapolate and make certain assumptions. But there's more to it of course.
My experience tells me the Japanese are CRAZY anal about ... everything.
The Germans seem relaxed by comparison, very full of themselves and over rate their engineers where the Japanese NEVER brag. The Italians!? "lets have some more coffee and talk ... oh, look ... it's quitting time!
I never visited Ducati in Italy, but spent time there interviewing CEO's from
a few BIG companies and spent time in various factories, mostly shoe/boot production. Amazing how their industry works there. SO different from Japan, or USA.
My boss is a Japan Expert (Harvard Professor of Japanese ... and much more)
He's a NYC Jew who speaks Japanese so well, Japanese are positively gob smacked when he talks!
Funny to witness. 6'2" American speaking FLAWLESS
Japanese. You should have seen the look on Yamaha's CEO face when he met our guy.
But John was not happy with interview, said the guy would not open up, despite he being "nearly" a Japanese. We just got the standard stuff and ended up not using any of it in the film. Shame. I suggested we do Ducati ... and we almost did, but did Mercedes and Miele instead.
You really have to see how the Japanese work to believe it. Different world. But explains why it's so hard to destroy a Japanese bike! Even if you try!
