Corrosion shouldn't happen but I am not surprised that it does, it is the lethal combination of salt and water that does it. My 2012 Multistrada is holding up very well, but I hardly ever ride it in the winter months and don't ride it at all when there is visible salt on the roads. I just don't see these bikes as winter commuter bikes.
Fair point, but they shouldn't be marketed as 'go anywhere' bikes if they are not robust enough to ride under the same conditions your average Jap bike has no problems with.
I had a good look at my friends 2010 multi engine casing on Saturday. His still looks perfect with 30k miles. Ducati have agreed to replace all my corroded parts. Not really sure how though? Got it booked in at the end of May for it's annual service. They're doing everything then.
Hopefully they won't go again within a year, cos they won't replace them a second time. I speak from experience.
If you ride in road salt you will have aluminum parts dissolving. There is no way to stop it. Salt kills motorcycles, simple as that.
I've never had anything like this on my japs, triumph or BMW. Just the odd furry bolt. And my friend has no sign of it on his 2010 multi. He rides in all weathers.
Agreed, been riding my 07 BMW F800ST all winter, 120 miles a day hadn't even washed it since October when I bought it and there is not a mark on it bar a couple of rusty bolt heads which are soon sorted out with a bit of brushing. I have rode all sorts of bikes all year round, they have always come up good come the first sign of good weather cleanup. My 12 plate MTS is no exception to that (Well bar the chain which is made from cheese)
Whereas my 2010 Multi corroded like soft cheese in a hot shower. Despite it being under warranty when first reported, Ducati just didn't want to know.
Ducati may not be quite as perfect at painting aluminum as Japanese manufacturers, alu prep is ultra critical before painting, so some valve covers may have an imperfection in the coat allowing salt to get to the alu and it deteriorates from there. Thoery
