Fecking oil consumption!

[wolverine495]

Dear all, my new 19 plate 950 has used 1 litre of oil in 2400 miles since first service, I topped it up and I have done another 800 miles and it has used another 300 mlitres of oil. Jeez I had a Suzuki gsxs 1000 f before this which I thrashed for 16000 miles and it never burnt a drop and was a rocket ship.
So my friendly Ducati mechanics at rider's have suggested I change to Petronas fully synthetic 10 40 which they put in their race bikes, as they say it's much better than the recommended pain in arse shell 15 50. So I have 5 litres from their drum and A filter now dropping it bang on 4000 miles. Yes I ran it in according to the manual down nadgery roads in Dorset up and down hills and round twistys!

If it carries on I will be binning it and getting another Suzuki! Watch this space, unfortunately I love the bike apart from the oil issue, yes I ride it hard down country roads and a lot of two up.

Cheesed off, seems to be a big problem with Ducatis judging by posts on other forum's.

Let me know your thoughts, should I chuck it on a Dyno?

[buzzardbilly]

I have 7k miles on the clock and never used a drop of oil  - think you have a bad one there

[wolverine495]

Trading it in at the mo, getting a 1200s.

[motorman]

I have 4500 mi on mine and not a drop lost.  They need to fix or replace that engine.  Definitely something wrong with it.  I would insist the dealer replace that problem under warranty.  The mechanic is just pushing that down the street.  If that doesn't get you anywhere then call ducati in your country (UK).  I also have a scrambler desert sled and that has 3500 mi on it and not a drop of oil.  This isn't right and they should know that.  Ppl aren't gonna be buying their bikes with a rep of oil burning in this modern day and age.

[wolverine495]

I am totally pissed off to be fair, I may trade it in at a Suzuki dealers and get a vstrom 1000 xt instead, which is actually quite a bit more powerful below 8000 revs it's only after that that the Ducati beats it, I should have been more careful, is going to cost me 3500 in depreciation and to clear the finance. Seen the mechanic this morning just told me they use oil!  £300 deposit for vstrom and 3% finance.

[motorman]

I would be upset.  I wouldn't take the depreciation.  Call Ducati HQs and inform them of the issue.  No reason for you to suffer.  I have kept my Honda VFR cuz I thought there be issues with the ducati but I haven't had a single problem with either of them.  My MTS is 2017 and I purchased it as left over 2 mo ago.  Even after sitting for 2 yrs and now riding it there are no problems.  And if you look on all the forums for this engine no one else is having an oil issue.  Makes me think the rings are not seated properly.  Or the oil plug is loose.  did you check the drain plugs?  Counter sprocket seal?  What is someone made a mistake and didn't torque it properly.

[wolverine495]

Hi I am going to drop the oil, so i will check it then I haven't noticed any oil leaks or any smoke from the exhaust, I suspect it's blowing out of the air box. I have had the clutch lock up when doing a downshift as well, lever went solid as if clutch plates had jammed on the basket. Has only happened once . Clutch is always grabby until oil is properly hot, I don't ride it until 50 degrees is showing on the temp guage just leave it idling to get it hot. False neutrals between 5th and 6th which is bloody dangerous. Gearbox always clunks. Ok I am going back to see the mechanics, they are a pretty good bunch at riders, get them to test ride it as it's depressing me.

[motorman]

I ride with a group of 16 ppl every weekend.  We are going now for a day ride post mothers day in the US.  I will ask about this issue.  Also for comparison my MTS shifts the same as my Honda Vfr .  And I like to shift clutchless.  I am really beginning to think there is something off here and Ducati inspection should not have let this out.  Also dealer is not supposed to let anyone ride until 10 mi on the odometer for testing.  Not likely to catch your issues but its worth continue investigation.  Replacing oil in a new tight engine in 2019 is unusual.

[Conman]

You sound so cheesed off you hate the bike  but really it shouldn't use the amount of oil you're going through. I have heard Ducati accept something like 300ml per 1000 miles but in practice I don't think this happens. As has been suggested, you can contact Ducati customer service directly and they do respond. Someone on here has done it but I can't remember who 

If it was me I'd be asking for a compression check and a look at the engine breathers and maybe an exhaust gas analysis.

[wolverine495]

Well the guy who loves 950s has taken it out for a good blast and thorough inspection, he says the engine is a peach nothing wrong with it at all. So I am going to stop worrying and just put oil in it when it needs it.