I am absolutely stunned as this seems to prove there is no fair arbitration for consumers in France.
Also it makes it sound as though the legal system is also corrupt.
Btw, just informally, any investigations on the buyer? I can’t help thinking there will be other incidents. I suppose some might consider informal steps.
Thanks Billybutcher for posting this. In my defence, I have only ever had great buying and selling interactions in France for cars and bikes. It’s also important to add that particulars under Vice Cachée have zero responsibility for any factory standard compliance. Professionals do. As for the silencers, it’s hard to dislike the sound of a Ducati V Twin. Of course I’m not a fan of 140dB 50cc mopeds screaming around! Sounds like everyone is pretty clued up. I wish I had been.
Yes. I have a friend in Perpignan who made contact with the police there. Apparently, the buyer is in a Martial Arts group that the police do not mess with. My 3rd avocat was definitely scared off.
Martial arts, or Hell’s Angels?!
That sounds like a real nightmare, the sort of thing that I wouldn’t wish anybody to endure. A slight, very personal positive is that reading your horror story has confirmed that I made the right decision a few months ago. I was trading in a car that I had owned for 19 years and was offered a standard fixed price for it. The price I was offered was about a tenth of what the car would have been ‘worth’ with a bit of TLC. I did think about advertising it on LBC for about four times what the garage had offered hoping that an enthusiastic petrol head would see it as a bargain but it was the thought of the vice cache that put me off. A 19 year old car offered too many possibilities for something to go wrong. Reading your account has reassured me that I made the right decision.
Apparently the martial arts clubs are pretty well connected. Don’t think that Hell’s Angels would have been a problem.
With great respect to the OP, Hell’s Angels would not be seen dead riding a Ducati. 
As an ex Harley owner I agree. They couldn’t have coped with the superior build quality 
A Harley isn’t a Harley unless bits fall off regularly. In the good old days they came with a drip tray to avoid staining showroom floors with oil. It’s all part of their “charm”.
Lots of motorcycle groups here in Perpignan, mostly Harley enthusiasts and other less streamlined bikes. Not heard of any Angels here but lots of martial arts “groups/clubs”, even my 5year old grandson belongs to one! I read the OP story and can understand his frustration with the french judicial system (have been a victim myself of this and the attitudes) but I do feel he may have contributed to the problem unwillingly and should maybe have taken out more prudence at every corner.
My son in law buys a brand new Harley every year so he never really loses much on depreciation. However, he is done with the now and the build quality and has just bought a new Indian whilst I was over there. Luckily the problem with the HD was widespread, mainly in the computer systems it was loaded with and HD gave him a 100% refund on a six month old tourer. The Indian FTR1200 was $10,000 cheaper and he loves it, less electronics and a pleasure to ride long distances and its lighter with the fuel tank in the middle under the seat meaning it sits better on the road.
My somewhat unfair name for them is “Hardly-Driveables”
My Honda NC750S has a similar arrangement - petrol tank under the seat. It means the area usually occupied by the tank is available for a handy storage compartment - you could even get a helmet in it if your head is not as big as mine. 
(Photos are of an NC750X but it’s the same arrangement)
I rather fear he’s jumped from the frying pan to the fire. I thought about buying an Indian and they seem to struggle with things that every other manufacturer solved decades ago.
Hardly Ableson 
I totally agree with you, I was trusting and naive. It’s like a top expert saying that your Ford Focus has a Citroen front wheel, you show them proof that it’s not, Ford say it’s not and then everyone else going along with it. This level of crazy never entered my head (as it should not enter any sane person’s head). Then there’s the corruption with CARPA who are the checks and balances to prevent the retaking of money already paid.
It’s never really been a thing in the US car or bike industry, has it? Building them fast has been more of a priority.
That said, I was impressed with a rented Ford eMustang Mach-E last year and the new electric Capri looks good.
What a horrendous experience for you and your wife! Even more so is the fact that after all of this it still doesn’t appear to be resolved! 
