2016 Ducati Scrambler

Defect. Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Ducati Scrambler motorcycles manufactured February 17, 2015, to November 11, 2016. The affected vehicles have a side stand pivot nut that can detach, potentially causing the side stand position sensor to no longer function properly.

Risk. If the side stand position sensor does not function properly, the engine may stall, or the motorcycle may be ridden while the stand is still down. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Ducati will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side stand pivot bolt, free of charge. The recall began on begin January 24, 2017. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-800-231-6696. Ducati's number for this recall is SRV-RCL-16-004.

After sitting for the winter, I took the motorcycle out for a ride. During the ride, while depressing the rear brake pedal, there was no resistance indicating no braking. While trying to evaluate any braking ability, I depressed the rear brake pedal with no braking effect. I took it back home, and while sitting in the driveway I depressed the rear brake pedal and could see no actuation of the rear brake system.

REAR BRAKE FOOT LEVER BOTTOMS OUT WHEN APPLIED. NO BRAKE FUNCTION. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS FULL. BIKE HAS 8,200 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND 7,500 WAS PERFORMED AT 7,300 MILES. MOTORCYCLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN FAIL HAPPENED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DUCATI SCRAMBLER SIXTY2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE AT 5 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES FAILED TO ACTIVATE UPON DEPRESSING THE FOOT PEDAL, WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000.

DURING NORMAL OPERATION, DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE STREET AT ABOUT 40MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. WHEN I PULLED TO THE SIDE, AND TURNED THE IGNITION BACK ON, FUEL POURED FROM UNDER THE TANK. WHAT HAD HAPPENED WAS THAT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FUEL LINE AND THE PUMP HAD DISCONNECTED. WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION BACK ON, THE FUEL PUMP PRIMED, SPEWING THE GASOLINE DOWN THE SIDE OF THE BIKE, OVER THE ENGINE. THE PART DID NOT APPEAR BROKEN, BUT WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GET TO IT, I COULD RECONNECT IT, BUT IT WOULD COME BACK APART VERY EASILY. IT SEEMED TO BE A FAULTY PART. THE BIKE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 120 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, BRAND NEW. THE ATTACHED IMAGE SHOWS THE PART DISCONNECTED. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM REPORTED BY ABOUT 6 OTHER PEOPLE ON A DUCATI SCRAMBLER FORUM.