Brand New Rider

[LSD4me]

So i thought i would chime in again after a few weeks and let everyone know how I'm doing...(not that u care...) ha ha

My fears of dropping it are completely gone, i am definitely more comfortable with riding it and riding in traffic...(Safely..)

The one major obstacle i have yet to overcome is switching gears...Sometimes i switch gears so smoothly its like an automatic and sometimes my hands just don't coordinate...clutch in gas on...the symphony has yet to be completed but is progressing nicely...

There are a few things about the bike that have me puzzled....After driving from light to light, sometimes i will be sitting at a light and will rev the engine (not like those A holes... and the exhaust will backfire or "explode?"...is this normal? should i be concerned?

I also wanted to know what impact driving straight will have on my tires...i don't really turn more than usual and i am concerned with wearing down the center of my tires...should i be concerned?

Lastly, putting gas into this beast is a pain...I have yet to spill a drop on the paint which is why its a pain.....i basically hold the fuel pump to the side and hang over and look and wait to see when gas starts accumulating into a consistent "puddle" next to the fuel opening...this method KILLS my back

Other than that, having a kick ass time...

[swampduc]

But... we do care. 

The shifting will smooth out with time and experience. Did you go to a 14t front sprocket? Finally got mine a wk ago and it makes a huge difference.
I've got a 696, and the backfires seem to be a characteristic of the bike when it has the racing ECU. I've been told by one person that's because it runs lean, and by another it's due to running rich. I don't know, but I like the pops and backfires on decel - of course, I firmly believe that that's the bike talking to me.
As far as putting gas in, I just put the nozzle all the way in and let the auto shut off stop me, which is usually at about 2.6 or 2.7 gallons. Since I don't fill up until the fuel light cuts on (.8 gal left), that's pretty much a full tank. I used to spill or backfire gas occasionally until I started doing it that way.
Keep on riding safely and enjoy!

[somegirl]

Glad to hear the riding is going well!

I agree the shifting will improve with practice.

As far as the backfiring is concerned, hopefully the other 696 owners will chime in, but it might be something to ask your dealer about.

Lots of straight driving will cause your tires to square off, eventually you will want to replace them unless you find some more twisty routes.   If that is most of your riding, next time look into sport touring tires.

And for putting gas in, I'm short and I usually hook the hose over my shoulder, which allows me to point the nozzle straight down and see better while I am filling my tank.

[stopintime]

I adjusted my throttle wire to help with the smoothness. Maybe there's too much freeplay on your bike too? Mine is now just about tight and it's much easier to control. Don't overtighten, you need a little tiny bit of freeplay. It is delivered with generous freeplay and then the wire stretches a bit = too much freeplay IMO.

Backfiring is not very good - have the dealer fix it - don't accept the common answer: "that's normal" 

[zLoki]

The backfiring may be the result of the coil issue that some 696s have - have it checked next time you are at the dealer.  Some backfire IS NORMAL depending on the lean/richness.  You can spend your days trying to get the mix just right or like most of us, just enjoy the sweet sound.

[Raux]

the 696 does seem more tempermental as far as the off throttle popping. but i love the sound. it's more menacing that way. the 14t sprocket made a huge difference in low speed riding for smoothness sake.

oh and ALWAYS get the coils checked. you never know if that worker was on sick leave  when they found the problem

as with any bike, an aftermarket power commander tweaked to not worry about Euro 3 emissions would smooth it out a lot and maybe add some decent power. but stock it's still nice.

i think i finally have the go ahead from my personal bank loan officer (ie the wife) for pipes, so i will see the difference with a more open exhaust system.

[swampduc]

I did actually have the coil issue on my 696, it was fixed, and the pops/backfires on decel continued essentially unabated. So I'm guessing that this is, in fact, normal for this bike. As Raux said, I'm sure it could mostly be eliminated with a PC, but I enjoy the sound, so I'll probably leave it alone. If I ever do a PC it'll be because the throttle response is still abrupt at 3500-4k rpm, even with the 14t sprocket, although it's much improved.

[Slide Panda]

I did actually have the coil issue on my 696, it was fixed, and the pops/backfires on decel continued essentially unabated.

LSD, check w/ you dealers about the coils

LSD and swampy popping on Decel is a common symptom of an exhaust leak.  Have a walk around and check the various exhaust connections.  It doesn't have to be some gaping hole, just a little looseness can do it.  I had a 620 w/ highmounts that developed a popping problem.  Someone told be about the leaky exhaust cause for this.  I had a good look around, but didn't see any signs of leaks (soot at the seams etc) but tightened all the joints in the exhaust system - and bam!  Problem solved.  Fix time about 30 min (15 of which was dicking around) cost $0

LSD, if you're interested in doing some of your own basic maintenance, but don't have tools yet -Here's a thread on getting a basic tool box http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=12262.0
There's also more some in-depth gear heady tool discussions going too.

[NWapex]

+1 on the 14t counter.  I installed the 14t because of the low gearing from a start.  I do believe that the 14t allows the engine to rev a bit quicker due to the gear ratio, but I was never really good at math because I spent too much time in college 

[stopintime]

+1 on the 14t counter.  I installed the 14t because of the low gearing from a start.  I do believe that the 14t allows the engine to rev a bit quicker due to the gear ratio, but I was never really good at math because I spent too much time in college 

With the 14 teeth front sprocket the bike will run at 1/15 x 100 = 7% higher revs (the right college) at all times. It means a quicker start and it means the next gear shift will come sooner. At some specific speeds this is good, at other speeds a 15t would have been better. The statement that 14t is "better" for city riding is inaccurate - it's only "better" from standing still. Unless of course city riding means really slow speeds, in first gear only....

[psycledelic]

Well ive def picked the right forum to become a part of...You guys respond faster than any forum ive ever been apart of and I'm confident I can get reliable advice for the future..

Thanks again!!!

You think they respond fast now, wait until you post something stupid. 

Anyway, welcome and enjoy your bike. 

[Slide Panda]

You think they respond fast now, wait until you post something stupid. 

Or derby an item... even faster then.

[LSD4me]

Sounds like i have alot to talk to my dealer about in approx 300 miles..;P

I more thing...When droping down into first gear (both standing still at a light AND while driving) it makes a really loud clicking noise when it actually hits the gear...none of the other gears react this way...only when dropping into first...its dfficult to describe the sound....its definetely normal but im not sure if it is supposed to "clank" as loud as it does...also at a stand still, dropping to first jerks the bike somewhat...nothing big but its noticiable...

Otehr than that, you guys have great input!! keep it comin..

[stopintime]

My bike does the same thing. I'm normally not accepting "that's normal", but I think this is.

[somegirl]

Some "clunking" going into 1st gear is normal.