I second Desmoboy on this, Rob and the guys at Pro Twins are good mechanics, but if you're not careful they'll itemise the number of footsteps you took in the workshop. (Billing you for every cable tie replaced et al). Can't fault their work, but yes get a quote first.
Is that for a glowing recommendation Jerry? (TFIC) Seriously, if we're going to 'go there' then it ought to be the same for everyone.
Had to look that one up : ) In my opinion, Si paid a lot of money (four figures and was being asked for a lot more) for the diagnosis of what was eventually a very cheap issue. Mike has told my Ducati buddies that if a job is in the book as an hour and it takes him half an hour, he'll charge the hour because he's good and he can get the job done quickly. Fair enough, but then he switches to an hourly rate when he can't diagnose an issue - I can't remember the details but he did the same (unnecessary) job twice for Si and charged him for the privilege. Theres no consistency. I've also had an issue that pisses me off, but I won't go into it here because I didn't go back to Mike to give him the chance to rectify it. Read what you want into the fact that I use ProTwins, aware of their reputation and won't go near MD Racing with a very long, very sharp stick. Personally, Mike is a nice guy. Professionally...
+1 for this thread. I was going to use Pro Twin for repairs to my SS but they had a long waiting list so went to Proteam and I was massively impressed. Alec is such a nice guy, willing to talk and listen and tried his hardest to keep the cost down. May be out of the way in Kent but will more than likely use them again.
i use rosso corse mainly and have been very very happy, i have often dropped in on the off chance to get things sorted quickly and ray and marcus have always sorted me out , they have given me great advice, and have been happy for me to watch up close while they work on the bikes so have helped me learn me more about my bikes than anyone (even to the point of doing themselves out of work i used to pay them for, and even lending me tools) whenever i have had a annual or bi-annual serivce done by them the bike feels amazing. they are in central london and therefore they can be a little more expensive then some but its still half the money that Metropolis the rip off merchants staff by trainees try and charge. I trust rosso corse implicity with my bikes i have had the odd thing done at pro twins as im in godstone a bit, and they have been very helpful and reasonably priced in my experience especially for a main dealer. but not had any major servicing done there had suspension setup and a full service done by mike dawson on the 998s and was very happy with the work but it was not cheap. mike quoted my an hours labour (45 + vat) to swap shock spring the other day (shock was off the bike) and i needed to leave it with him for a couple of days which miffed me a bit tbh. in the end i took it to Harris (who seem to be renound for their indifference to their customers) who charged me beer money for the 5 mins it took while it waited. take from this what you will but most likely the suns been out so there are a long line of bikes to service for a skilled mechanic like mike. i have heard nothing but good things about alec @ Ducati pro team and he does seem to be the best value around especially as he can collect and deliver bikes but never used him personally hth
Another Alec at Pro Team recommendation from me. Plus you can follow progress with pictures on Facebook. Have used both Pro Twins at Godstone and Pro Team and I won't be going back to Godstone.
Chaps, I followed the advice and went to Alec @ DPT, in fact you can see my bike on his Facebook page a couple of weeks ago Welcome to Facebook Got no complaints at all, he did the major service and sorted all of my bikes issues, replaced alternator wiring, had to drill out the exhaust plugs to adjust the CO2, replaced the neutral switch and old sensor, plus some other bits and bobs like replacing a missing bar plug, and collection/delivery all within the price quoted for a major service!!! Was also told by Alec that if I have any problems or questions at any time to give him a call on his mobile, very nice of him as he new its a new bike to me. Top bloke
I can also recommend. Mike at MD Racing, currently at Walton on Thames. As with most Ducati lovers he's passionate about his bikes. Spent about £5000 since 2004 keeping my 998s and mts1200s in fine fettle. £45/hr Yes he does quote book time and charges accordingly, but then so do all garages, but his hourly rate is considerably lower. When fault finding I would expect to be charged actual time taken. Always found his approach and work to be very professional. No one likes spending money on fault finding as it seems like wasted money, especially, with the power of hind sight, you could have got the same result quicker & cheaper going a different route.
