Ducati Monster Forum

Hey Everyone:

So today, I test drove a used 2009 monster 696 with 1000 miles.  Awesome bike!  ;D  More fun to ride than my '08 Ninja 250R.

I just want to know if the following is normal...

Whenever I applied the brakes, they squeaked a lot.  The seller indicated that they do that, and it never concerned him.  I've been around cars, and this is typically a bad sign.  Not sure if it's different for a motorcycle.  Is this normal/okay?  He was driving it an hour before I got there (if that is of any help).

When changing gears, I eased out the clutch and applied a little bit of gas.  Sometimes, it felt like there was a little bit of kick back.  Is that normal for a Ducati?

Sorry for the lame questions.  I'm new to motorcycles and Ducatis.

THANKS!!!
 

The brake issue is due to glazing and yes very typical. I tend to do a couple of hard stops and if that does not fix the problem then I take the pads and hit them with some coarse sand paper.

My 696 did that too when I got it with 1400 miles on it.  Eventually it went away.  Dealer told me the same thing, probably light glazing, do some hard stops, should get out.

Thanks for quick responses  ;)

Anyone have input regarding my second question?
Maybe I'm not explaining it correctly, but when I slowly released the clutch it felt a little kick back.  I was going to say clunky but that's an over statement.  I'm sure there's nothing wrong with the bike.  It only had 1,000 miles on it.  I haven't ridden to many bikes  so probably a difference in bikes...

I'm just being a little cautious. It definitely appeared to be very well taken care of, and not a scratch on it.

You're probably letting the revs drop too much in between shifts.

coming from a ninja 250, it could just be some awesome torque ;D

depending on how much slipping you're doing of the clutch, it could be messing with it's slipper characteristics.

I suspect it will just take some adjusting to after riding your 250.

Also going from the Ninja cable clutch to the 696 hydraulic clutch may be part of the difference.

Looks like you may have an answer on your brake question, but I've lived with a squeeky rear brake for over 4 years now - I hardly touch the thing relying on front brakes and engine braking to control most stops.

To the lugging you seem to be explaining -
This sounds normal and typically due to revs.  I think there is a tendency to want to roll off with lower revs than required for the Ducati.  You don't have to be a faggot (excuse the SP F Word reference), but give it a bit more gas.  Another common mod is a 14 tooth front sprocket which will help with the low end revs and smooth out the majority of city riding.

Good luck

regarding your second question it's probably just the gear engaging
i just shifted at higher rpm's and quicker
try that.

Ciao!

You may be experiencing engine braking even though you are shifting to a higher gear.  If you hold the clutch in long enough(coast) then you will experience this when it re-engages or if you are off the throttle when you release the clutch.

Give it the GAS! 8)

also, with the 696, the engagement zone for the clutch is in the first inch or so of travel on the uptake, & the last inch or so on the release.  It could lend itself to what you are describing if you were feathering it to much, a sort of lurching engagement on release.

At speed, you don't really need to pull the clutch lever up against the handle the way you may have had to with a cable clutch.

Where did that come from?

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=31643.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=31643.0)