NHTSA Complaint #10966646 — 2005 DUCATI MONSTER S2 R

PLASTIC GAS TANK HAS EXPANDED AND WARPED, CAUSING TANK VENTS TO STOP WORKING EFFECTIVELY. GASOLINE NOW LEAKS AND SPRAYS EXTENSIVELY FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK, COVERING THE TANK AND SURROUNDING AREAS WITH GASOLINE. GASOLINE ALSO LEAKS EXTENSIVELY FROM THE OVERFLOW TUBE ONTO MY GARAGE FLOOR. THE EXPANSION HAS ALSO MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO ACCESS THE FRONT TANK RELEASE LATCH. I MAINLY OBSERVE THIS WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS STATIONARY IN MY GARAGE. THE GASOLINE FUMES ARE ALWAYS PRESENT IN THE GARAGE. WHILE I HAVE NOT OBSERVED IT, I SUSPECT THIS LEAKING AND SPRAYING ALSO HAPPENS WHILE RIDING ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. THE CONSTANT PRESENCE OF GASOLINE OUTSIDE THE TANK IS UNSAFE. ON 3-17-17, THE DUCATI DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT I REPLACE THE PLASTIC TANK WITH ANOTHER PLASTIC TANK FOR $1,200. THAT IS NOT AN ADEQUATE SOLUTION. THESE PLASTIC TANKS EXPAND AND WARP OVER TIME. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE REPLACEMENT TANK EXPANDS AND WARPS.