Monster 696 ABS - What to do to handle low speed jerkiness?

[muffinman]

Hey everyone- just got my M696 ABS and am loving it.. but I can't get over how jerky the bike is in lower RPM's + 1st/2nd gears. I do 90% city/highway riding and plan on commuting to work on my bike but the touchy throttle and on/off acceleration is a PITA.

Based on my research and from searching the forums, my options seem to be:

1.) Get used to it / break-in bike; it'll get better
2.) 14T front sprocket
3.) Throttle Tamer

I can't imagine, based on the comments here, that break-in will make the jerkiness THAT much better & and I have an ABS bike so 14T sprocket swap WILL not work.  Ducati's official stance is that the ABS sensor uses both wheel speed and RPM readings

That pretty much leaves me with; Option 3... anything I'm missing here? I'd like to consider all of my options before splurging.

Thanks

[Raux]

DP ECU

i went back to the 15t and now have teh DP ecu. albeit with the electron throttle cam.

bike is smooth and quick.

[jim_0068]

why wouldn't a 14t front sprocket work? Isn't the speed sensor on the rear wheel?

[Amlethae]

I'm running just fine with ABS (1100s) and 14T sprocket, dealer installed.  ABS works just fine and like it should.

I got my 696 (non-ABS), put the termis & DP ECU on it as well as 14T sprocket and found it did fine in 1st and 2nd gear, made a significant difference for what you're talking about.  I also used a throttle tamer on the 696 for a bit but didn't like it so much... the bike doesn't have enough power for the tamer, you'll be twisting your wrist far too much and find it annoying.

[muffinman]

why wouldn't a 14t front sprocket work? Isn't the speed sensor on the rear wheel?

http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?p=906811

The official from Ducati North America:

Thank you for contacting Ducati North America.

The ABS system uses both speed and RPM in its computations, two things directly affected by changes made to the gearing ratio. The ECU that governs the ABS system is programmed to work with the stock gearing on the bike only.

We hope this provides you with the information you were after.

Regards,
Customer Service

10443 Bandley Drive

Cupertino, CA 95014

Phone: 408.253.0499

www.ducatiusa.com

The ABS *may* work but it's not something I'm going to risk... neither will I risk voiding the warranty should anything go wrong with the ABS.  

[muffinman]

I'm running just fine with ABS (1100s) and 14T sprocket, dealer installed.  ABS works just fine and like it should.

I got my 696 (non-ABS), put the termis & DP ECU on it as well as 14T sprocket and found it did fine in 1st and 2nd gear, made a significant difference for what you're talking about.  I also used a throttle tamer on the 696 for a bit but didn't like it so much... the bike doesn't have enough power for the tamer, you'll be twisting your wrist far too much and find it annoying.

Thanks for the heads up about the throttle tamer-

DP ECU

i went back to the 15t and now have teh DP ecu. albeit with the electron throttle cam.

bike is smooth and quick.

I'll def. have to look into the ECU flash; need to find how much it'll cost me before deciding between this & throttle tamer

Thanks

[jvax]

Good info on this thread    Thanks everyone for sharing 

[Amlethae]

http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?p=906811

The official from Ducati North America:

The ABS *may* work but it's not something I'm going to risk... neither will I risk voiding the warranty should anything go wrong with the ABS.  

I got a better (more-detailed) official word from Ducati North America contradicting that one... check it out!
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=42310.0

Go put on the 14T sprocket NOW, it's even cheaper than the throttle tamer!

[arai_speed]

Cool deal - wonder why they told the other guy he couldn't change it 

14T FTW!  [moto]

[muffinman]

I got a better (more-detailed) official word from Ducati North America contradicting that one... check it out!
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=42310.0

Go put on the 14T sprocket NOW, it's even cheaper than the throttle tamer!

You, sir, make the beast with two backsing rock.

[speedknot]

I don't mean to hijack this post but I was wondering if changing the front sprocket on my 01 M750 would alleviate some of the 1st/2nd gear low speed jerkyness.  I am having the same issue, but I know its just how the bike is from the factory.  If I was to change the sprocket, which one would you gear heads recommend?  Thanks in advance.

[ungeheuer]

You, sir, make the beast with two backsing rock.

Another satisfied DMFer  .  Gotta love this place and the help it throws up  .

[seevtsaab]

I can not make the beast with two backsing believe an answer would come out that ABS would not work with different sprocket.

Engine RPMs? So you have to be on throttle for the brakes to work?

Sorry, but that guy needs to be fired promoted.

Traction Control, I'd believe, maybe. 696 have Traction Control?


To the OP, best thing is to try to ride another 696 and see if something different about yours
(could be fueling issue?).

otoh very few have been dissatisfied with lower gearing (smaller front or larger rear).

[Raux]

TC was my original thought in all this as well. wonder if they are thinking they could easily put TC on the new ABS bikes?