M696 "Teething"

[Major Slow]

I think you got a real lemon. I'll take it off your hands for 15 million dong.

[Raux]

Stop selling MrIncredible 

couple of things, Duclvr

1) did you find the fuse issue? sound like a similar situation when one of my tail wires was pinched. did you do a tail chop or when you did your cans mess near the rear wiring harness?

2) had the coil issue myself, real pain in the rear, but once fixed no issues.

3) the check engine light.... maybe the same issue that popped the fuse???

[duclvr]

Stop selling MrIncredible 

couple of things, Duclvr

1) did you find the fuse issue? sound like a similar situation when one of my tail wires was pinched. did you do a tail chop or when you did your cans mess near the rear wiring harness?

2) had the coil issue myself, real pain in the rear, but once fixed no issues.

3) the check engine light.... maybe the same issue that popped the fuse???

I thing this should be directed to swampduc

[swampduc]

<snip>
3) the check engine light.... maybe the same issue that popped the fuse???
occurred to me too, hope it's the same.

I'd vote its just a new models issues.


What you might need is an old model...I know a guy with a really clean S4R.....

Don't think I haven't thought about it  ; that'd be a huge jump in power all at once though.

[Raux]

I thing this should be directed to swampduc

sorry was trying to read as i was writing... now you know why i dont use an MP3 player while riding.

[r_ciao]

Got my 696 in June 08 and have zero problems after 2300 miles.  Coil issue was addressed at the 600 mile checkup.  Sounds like your experience is atypical.  Good luck.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Got my 696 in June 08 and have zero problems after 2300 miles.  Coil issue was addressed at the 600 mile checkup.  Sounds like your experience is atypical.  Good luck.

The coil issue was checked or was it fixed?


If it needed fixing, why would you not consider that a problem?

[NWapex]

I picked mine up in July 2008 and now have 2700 miles.  The only issue so far was a hard starting problem causing my check engine light to come on twice.  After a TPS reset at the 600 mile (no bad codes pulled), it has started much easier.  I have noticed that now that I am through the break in period, I seem to be running just a tad hotter.  I am very happy with the bike so far.

My biggest issue is like yours - I live about 50 miles from the closest dealer.  I took this into consideration when purchasing.  I also considered Ducati's claim for longer maintenance intervals, a better build quality reputation, and a first year model run.  Even though I have not needed to take the bike to the dealer, I do wish I could just pop into the dealer to check out some bike bling or other Duc models.  

[rosstermyer]

i love my bike, but it too has been in the shop numerous times already.  coil issue, and oil leak.  also something with the charging system TWICE.  the charging system was the biggest headache.  at least its winter.

[danaid]

 I've had my bike since may, and the only severe problem I've had has been the coil issue.
  I believe having a good mechanic/shop is important. In my town there is a Ducati dealership but it and its shop are incompetent, so I have to take an hour and half drive to Modesto Ducati for profesional service where my bike is "taken care of". At my service there was a small oil leak, missing hardware and other small things that where fixed and the bike handed over to me wiped clean. All these little things done help ease ownership.
Maybe most of the problems with your bike are what was said earlier, new model bugs, which should be expected. I knew better not to buy something the first year or two of production for these reasons but my heart said I must have this bike now no matter what.   

[Big Troubled Bear]

Nothing in the month and a half and 1500 Km I have had this bike

[hcomp]

Ive got 1900mi. Only thing I had go wrong was the right hand mirror wouldn't stay in its position.  Duc replaced under warranty. That really sucks your bike is acting up.  I was one of the few bikes just after the coil issue(bought in early Aug.)  I wonder if the early production run bikes are more prone to problems?

[Sleeper_I]

The coil issue only affected a number of 696s that were built prior to June of 08. I bought mine late August and the only PIA experience was trying to start it in low temp when it was new (not broken in yet). Now, my ride have 2300 miles on the clock trouble free and starts on first try.

It sounds like most of your problems are related to early build issues.

Now that you have dealt with most the problems you've encounter my only advice is rack a crap load of miles on it for the next few months and then make your decision from there [moto]

[Special K]

I'm also new to Ducati's and bought the new 696 despite the perennial advice not to buy the first year of a new model ( the motor is almost the same as the 695, which is why I felt confident jumping in). I bought in September so, apparently, no coil issue (confirmed by dealer and experience, runs great, starts easy, no surging problems). I had a broken taillight (as so many have had) that happened at the dealership before I picked it up, so they fixed, no charge.

3500 miles, no problems (knock on wood), doesn't use oil, 45 to 50 mpg around town, 54 mpg on highway. The only mildly negative thing I would say is that it needs a lot of warm up time in the winter. Below freezing I've been leaving it warm up to 2 bars (about 5 minutes, idle switch about half way, 1500-1800 rpms), otherwise it can stall. Warmer temps I only warm it up the time it takes to put gear on, a minute or two.

Hopefully you've got it squared away now and can just ride. If not, ditch it, no bike is worth that aggravation.

[r_ciao]

The coil issue was checked or was it fixed?


If it needed fixing, why would you not consider that a problem?

Coil connection corrected so yes, fixed.  I don't consider that a problem since it caused no inconvenience and was corrected when I was taking bike in anyway.  I didn't have to make a separate trip to fix, so IMO "no prob"