New 696 - Is this normal?

[gearhead]

 I have 600 miles on my 696 now and the tranny is like butter. I had the false nuetral thing but as it broke in it vanished and now it never happens. Cold starting can be tricky and requires a definate routine which is no fast idle lever, quarter to half throttle, crank and it will light up immediately and reach over and pull the lever to about half way. If it stalls I found turning the key off and then back on following the same step works every time.  The check engine light comes on when you have it turned on the first time without running so you can know the light is working normal. You won't see the surging issue, only putting the Termis on it will cause that.

[Snips]

I have 1100 miles on my 696 so far, and I had a 620 before.

I have always used the 'idle adjust' lever before starting from cold - but has always started instantly.

I've also noticed that the 696 seems more keen for me to wind off the idle-adjust as it warms (it begins to cough otherwise).

I would get a few false neutrals with the 620 until I learnt to be clear n=in my intent. After that I never got false neutrals.

Likewise the 696 requires me to be firm, but I'm quite clear I've been to blame for any false neutrals I've had.

I always dread the severe clunk of selecting first for the first time when the engine is warming, was the same with the 620.

Enjoy the bike!

[NWapex]

I have 1100 miles on my 696 so far, and I had a 620 before.

Not to thread-jack, but how did the 620 compare with the 696?

[Augustus]

Apparently, you should use the cold start level in ambient temps below 95 degrees F, according to the manual - so for me, that's pretty much all the time. (assuming it hasn't been running anytime recently)

This is humorus,  I wonder why the bike has a cold start lever when it's fule injected? 

[herm]

I just picked up my 696 over the weekend after two month wait.  This is the second bike I've owned since I started riding back in 2001 - the first being a CBR 600 F4i.

Now, I've never owned a bike with this engine type and I have a few questions.  Sorry if they are newbie - I could just be overly paranoid.

1.  My bike had some trouble starting this morning... it just wouldn't start.  I had to try it about 10 time before it would actually stay running.  I'd rode the night before, to and from work, and it only dropped into the upper 60's over night.  Is that normal for this engine type?  My CBR never had any problem starting even in 40 degree weather. 

if using the cold start lever does not solve this, then no, it is not right

2.  This morning after finally getting it started it was idling fine, and then just cut out.  The check engine light was then on, but that may just be because it stalled.  I turned the key back off to power it off, then back on, and the light wasn't on at that point.  Upon restarting everything was fine - it even idled easier.  My buddy who was with me (we both ride our bikes to work together) mentioned that maybe it was just because it was new, and only about 120 miles into the break in period.

3.  I keep finding some magic neutral somewhere between 4th and 5th or 5th and 6th - not exactly sure which as it catches me off guard.  I'll be heading down the road a click and find myself, upon shifting up, in neutral - no neutral light on the display, but clearly there is no gear engaged as I throttle up.  That never happened on my CBR, nor on my buddy's Katana that I've tooled around on from time to time.  It has only happened 2 or 3 times since I got it (about 120 miles on it now). 

ah,....the extra neutral positions. they can be kind of scary if they occur at the wrong time. shift like you mean it, and always be ready for a little surprise

Like I said, this may be overly paranoid, but I want to make sure nothing is wrong.  Luckily, I haven't seen any of this 'surging' issue I've read about for the 696.  I've just never had a bike like this so I'm kinda a newbie considering I've not had a lot of exposure.

Thank for any info.

[somegirl]

This is humorus,  I wonder why the bike has a cold start lever when it's fule injected? 

The lever just adjusts the idle speed (it is also known as the "fast idle lever").  It's not a choke.

[Howie]

Now that the starting problem is solved, if the shifting doesn't get better with practice and a few miles try adjusting the gear lever.  Instructions are in the owner's manual.  If you still have a problem at the 600 mile service you want the complaint written on the work order. 

[Dozer]

This morning the bike started up like a champ.  I used the cold start lever and had zero problem.

So, it looks like my only concern now is what to mod!  *licks his lips*



Thanks for helping to alleviate my concerns.