Monster 1200 R and the dreaded Desmo service

Pale Rider

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Ok I’ve had a lovely monster 1200 R for several months now as a second bike to the BMW. Well it’s coming up for the desmo service im happy to do it myself over the winter months when the bike is laid up but worry about destroying the resale value or indeed being able to sell the bike at all as and when the time comes by doing it myself and not having a stamp in the book, so wonder how others feel about doing the work yourself.
 
i do all the work myself (well my mate Dave does the valve adjustment) there is nothing scary there just time consuming
But I dont ever think I will sell my Ducati so dont care re the resale
 
I love the Ducati Monster 1200R. It’s a Very special bike. Especially if low mileage. Correct front mudguard and single seat unit. Came so close to buying one on more than one occasion.

Personally, I would insist on a full Ducati Dealer Service History.
Rightly or wrongly.
It makes a big difference when buying or selling.

Other folk have different opinions.
Not looking for an argument.
 
I'm pretty close to Nick's view, but I would be happy with the service being done and documented by a known Ducati independent garage - like Luigi Moto in Bristol. They're usually at least as good as main dealers...

Would you trust some random bloke who you've never met before to have done the Desmo service properly? Even worse, might he have done some damage along the way which won't surface until another couple of thousand miles? Etc.

I have a 1200s and will not being doing the Desmo myself
 
I had a 1200R and swapped it for a GS..........I often question the decision
 
When it comes time for mine, I'll be going to Luigi Moto, as they really know their stuff and being almost £100 cheaper than the £410 bill from main dealers for the belt change/desmo service. (according to a ducati main dealer).
 
Dunno if he's still trading but Alec at Ducati Pro Team in Kent was excellent. Did my Multi 1200.
He collects and delivers.
 
People stress about the belt change, which is in act quite straightforward and not risky if you're methodical.

The valves on a desmo, however.... well beyond what I'm happy to take on.
 
How often are you guys getting the belts changed? My 1100 Evo had the belts changed just before I bought it and the dealer (authorised Ducati, Laguna Ashford) said that the next change would be due in 5 years, a lot longer than I was expecting. Improved materials apparently. I don't mind paying the local independent (Proteam Italia in Rochester) to do that every five years, they can do the desmo valves at the same time, I'll do the intermediate servicing (oil & filter and brake service) myself each year in the interim.
 
My second Desmo is due , I will use Nelly from the Ducati forum .
Workshop is immaculate

Ducati approved service centre

We aim to provide the same level of care and attention for your bike as we would lavish on our own machines, and at real world prices. Based in Nottinghamshire, UK.
cornerspeed.co.uk cornerspeed.co.uk
Great service and a fair bit cheaper than the dealers , you’re still looking at about a grand , however there’s quite a lot involved
 
When I changed the belts on my monster at about every 24 months (the original schedule was annual but has been noted, the belt material improved extending their service life) the belts generally looked fine BUT the idler wheels that tension the belts were usually notchy and did require replacement. Easy enough to check.
 
The Other PaulG said:
When I changed the belts on my monster at about every 24 months (the original schedule was annual but has been noted, the belt material improved extending their service life) the belts generally looked fine BUT the idler wheels that tension the belts were usually notchy and did require replacement. Easy enough to check.
Click to expand...
How many miles did you cover over those 24 months? Surely that's the biggest factor that determines wear on the idler wheels? When the Ducati dealer told me the belts were good for 5 years I was surprised he didn't qualify that by also giving a max mileage before they should be replaced
 
MILLE_RIDER said:
How many miles did you cover over those 24 months? Surely that's the biggest factor that determines wear on the idler wheels? When the Ducati dealer told me the belts were good for 5 years I was surprised he didn't qualify that by also giving a max mileage before they should be replaced
Click to expand...
There is a recommended mileage that differs for models.
1260 is 18000 miles.
The valve clearance is also checked and amended if required
 
MILLE_RIDER said:
How many miles did you cover over those 24 months? Surely that's the biggest factor that determines wear on the idler wheels? When the Ducati dealer told me the belts were good for 5 years I was surprised he didn't qualify that by also giving a max mileage before they should be replaced
Click to expand...
Not that many, maybe 8,000.
 
The Other PaulG said:
Not that many, maybe 8,000.
Click to expand...
I don't suppose I do more than 2000 miles pa on my Monster as the Mrs insists we take the GS if she's coming along for the ride. I'll get the belts changed at 5 years/10k (which will probably come up about the same time) and get the desmo valves checked. I have just given it an oil/filter change and a brake service. 🤞it hasn't missed a beat yet and this is my third year of ownership.
 
MILLE_RIDER said:
How often are you guys getting the belts changed? My 1100 Evo had the belts changed just before I bought it and the dealer (authorised Ducati, Laguna Ashford) said that the next change would be due in 5 years, a lot longer than I was expecting. Improved materials apparently. I don't mind paying the local independent (Proteam Italia in Rochester) to do that every five years, they can do the desmo valves at the same time, I'll do the intermediate servicing (oil & filter and brake service) myself each year in the interim.
Click to expand...
I did mine after 2 years and they looked perfect (as were the pulleys) I will do it again over winter and it will be three yrs since the last one
 
I would want a Ducati service history, preferably even a Ducati specialist*. Cool bikes, regret selling mine. Peace of mind for a very special bike.

* who would check belt tension rollers etc.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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