I hate plastic!

NewRider · Aug 4, 2014

Most the of the bike's plastic finish is fine on the bike BUT the black centre fuel tank cover is errr.... aaarrrrrgh! Barely a year old and this part alone looks like 5 years+. I guess if got destroyed by the daily dose of sun.

I wonder if I should ask for a replacement and if it will fall under warranty.

R6chase · Aug 4, 2014

Ask. The worst they can do is say no, and I find the gas harms the finish there more then the sun, though my "beak" doesn't look brilliant anymore either.

gatdammit · Aug 4, 2014

I think it's totally understandable that the plastic around the filler port looks worn. Gas constantly splashes and vents/sloshes right after a fill up when the air starts moving around the cap. That area- where your crotch is usually resting on a sport bike- always gets abused. Thats why they make tank guards and I intend to just throw a dark one on when it's really bad. I keep that area well coated with cleaner polish and it still gets hazy and shows spots after a couple days.

The black beak doesn't like to take polish anymore. I have to keep coating and coating. Just a cost of actually using your bike.

NewRider · Aug 5, 2014

Okay. I've stopped by the dealer and asked them if something could be done under warranty. They took few pictures and they'll keep me in touch soon. But has for now they too beleive something has to be done and nope it's not fuel related. Fuel damage is still a potential candidate but after seeing the picture I'm sure wou will conclude otherwise.

R6chase If your bikes beak look like my tank cover I would suggest you to give it a try before the warranty is out.

b88f217b-4e25-4cb0-9261-02c06301924c.jpg~original

gatdammit · Aug 5, 2014

So you never used any odd products on it? I ask because it's dispersed over entire piece.

I get a few cloudy spots where fuel discolored after couple days or hard rain but I can still get the color back with polish. My beak is nothing like that.

NewRider · Aug 5, 2014

Nope. Nothing. And has for the fuel splash; barely few drops. I'm pretty good at avoiding spills. The waves patern may have been induced by the plastic pooring process.

twozzie · Aug 5, 2014

NewRider said:
Okay. I've stopped by the dealer and asked them if something could be done under warranty. They took few pictures and they'll keep me in touch soon. But has for now they too beleive something has to be done and nope it's not fuel related. Fuel damage is still a potential candidate but after seeing the picture I'm sure wou will conclude otherwise.

R6chase If your bikes beak look like my tank cover I would suggest you to give it a try before the warranty is out.

Man that sucks. Mine is still pristine and the bike was on the road in May 2013 in California sun. Hopefully Ducati will cover it, good luck.

NewRider · Aug 5, 2014

Well. It kinda sucks.

It's only today (a few hour after going to the dealer) that I've tried a new trick for waxing the bike and look at the results...

0220d142-dc1d-42d5-b5c6-21bfc35beb65.jpg~original

How a my going to explain them that I still want a replacement? FFFF !

BlueSwede · Aug 5, 2014

What did you use?

NewRider · Aug 6, 2014

BlueSwede said:
What did you use?

If you dont mind. I'll refer to another thread. So you'll have to complete picture.

http://hyperstrada.com/mechanical-technical/947-waxing-bike.html

R6chase · Aug 7, 2014

Wow! What a difference! Yea seeing the pictures I agree it looks allot like sun damage, if the pledge didn't work so damn well it would have been warranty.

paulquinnq6 · Sep 3, 2014

Hi I can get similar results by using a product from Autoglym....Bumper Care...its designed to ..."Revive colours and protect exterior plastics and rubber"
Top product can treat as often as you like restores it to as new every times.My Hyper has 6000 miles and admittedly NE UK not as sunny as California [emoji41] [emoji41]

PomGP · Sep 3, 2014

Down here in the bottom of Africa we get a Wynns product called "black back" It works a treat and sorts out the oldest grey plastics by staining the stuff black again and buffs up to a lovely sheen.

appliance821 · Sep 3, 2014

A tidy bunch. I'll have to clean mine someday. I have some of that Honda waterless cleaner - worked great on my Honda - hopefully it will be adequate for the ducati. Maybe this winter unless a bird does what birds seem to love to do.

I hate plastic!

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