Ducati Monster Forum

As someone who's new to riding and my 696, I'm trying to get a sense of target speeds for each gear.  I took my first ride outside the neighborhood today, and it felt like I was likely shifting too soon and the RPMs were probably too low.  Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Michael

Its not speed (mph) that matters.  It's rpm that is most important.  Shifting points will be affected by how your bike is set up (15t vs 14t) and what your riding style is.  The redline point of the engine is also different if you have the stock ecu vs the racing ecu.  Honestly, I don't even know what I shift at because I don't bother looking down; I go by sound and engine response.  Maybe someone else can chime in on this, but I would think you will definitely want to be at 4k at least.  Shifting at too low an rpm is not ideal, but you won't really hurt your bike by shifting at a high rpm unless you are getting into redline.  If your bike is fresh off the lot, definitely avoid redline during the break-in period. 

+1 to the above.

I'll just add that shifting points depend on where you're riding. I'll shift around 4-5k rpm in the city, and 8-9k on the track. With everything else somewhere in between.

After shifting the engine should run smoothly, no hiccups. That should help you see if you shifted too soon.

It's pretty common for folks new to Ducs to run the engines too low. While the plant in a Monster isn't a race engine it is meant to run at a higher RPM than folks expect from a twin. As noted, try running it up to around 6 before you shift for most day-to-day stuff. After a while you'll ge a feel/ear for the shifts in relation to the conditions and sort of ride you're riding.

Thanks to everyone for your inputs, and I'll pay particular attention to the RPM on my next ride.  I hope to get some miles in during the extended weekend.

Michael

Not sure where your stomping grounds are, but I like Clifton as a proving ground. Not that you have to ride it hard, but there's lots of turns, ups and downs all in a pretty short loop. That loop allows for repetition of environment/conditions while you change up settings, position etc.

you'll get the hang of it, just listen to the engine.  the ducati twin has "long legs" so you have a wide range before you lug or overrev it. 

Riding with others with similar sized ducs will help also. You can listen to their bike as well.

Slide Panda,

I've only done Davis Ford and Hoadly so far.  Clifton will have to wait at least a few more weeks.

Michael

When you're ready - no rush.

When you get there, or if you want to peep it on a map, the loop is (clockwise) Henderson to (left turn) Wolf Shoals to (left turn) Clifton Rd. back to (left turn) Henderson.

You can also branch off to stay on Henderson and follow that to 123 and pull a U. Though it's a little fussy to a U turn there. Alternate is to stay on Henderson and not turn at Wolf Shoals. That takes you to Hampton Rd which you can also follow to 123. At the intersection of Hampton and 123 there's a fire station with a nice big back drive that's perfect for a safe and easy turn around or pause.

I would suggest doing some track days when you decide you want to find your (both your and the bike's) limits. Depending on your confidence, you can take a riding course or just ask the control riders to keep an eye on you.

Speaking of, there are regular ones run by the Roger Lyle school out at Summit Point. The usual suspects there are forming up to go in late June.
It's a controlled environment, control riders, chalk talk, rules on passing etc. So it's a safe way to push and with the control riders you can get feed back one your body position, line etc etc.

Milestone achieved:  First gas fill-up.  It took just over two gallons, with around 120 on the odometer.

Pretty good mpg. But have you calibrated your speedo? I found out that mine is always 10% faster, which also make the odometer reading 10% larger. After finding this out my mpg went from 55 to 50.  :'(

Now ride more!

How about this
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=204506514695757708307.0004c11c1c7de0b4ac80e&msa=0&ll=39.063982,-77.248993&spn=1.009757,1.668549 (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=204506514695757708307.0004c11c1c7de0b4ac80e&msa=0&ll=39.063982,-77.248993&spn=1.009757,1.668549)

Or perhaps
http://goo.gl/maps/oXHg (http://goo.gl/maps/oXHg)

JoeP, I haven't done anything to confirm the speedo. I'll ride a confirmed 1-mile segment and compare it to the odometer.

Slide Panda, I did a 30-mile loop yesterday, so I'm building up to a longer trip. Still getting comfortable with the bike and working on fundamentals.

I know - I'm just funnin'

Building up is wise. I kept it short and sweet for a while when I was new to two wheels as well.

Also, going out with someone more experienced *can* be a good teaching tool as well.

I'll vouch for this. Ian took me on my first group (of 2) ride.

Yep - and even more so if said buddy has a camera. They can be great teaching tools

Ugghhhhh...I learned to fear the camera at CSS. That thing catches EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!! I need to figure out a position that mimics the CSS one without having that 10 ft tower hanging on the back of the bike. Maybe I'll get creative/industrious and fabricate something useful.

I did the Clifton loop on Saturday and rode with some friends on Sunday on a Bristow loop (~50 miles). I'm getting more confident on the bike and with various types of roads. Now if I could just find the most comfortable grip position for my right hand...

That may be due, in part, to your relative new-ness on a bike. It's very common for folks, especially newer riders to lean on the bars - as opposed to supporting their weight by gripping the bike with their legs and using the core muscles to take the weight. So next time you're out, see about gripping the bike a bit more and tightening you mid section with the aim of reducing the load through your shoulders - arms - hands

Besides helping with hand - arm - shoulder discomfort it makes the bike easier to turn as you're not fighting the resistance of your own body when you press the inside bar to initiate a turn (at speed)

Most likely it's just a muscle buildup thing that'll go away quickly. Also, don't overgrip the bar, which is a common thing. It'll all come to you with a little more experience. Good thing is, practice is fun with these things.