Whoo hoo! I got my new 696 today!

[Spidey]

Seems like a 40T front sprocket is highly recommended and not too expensive, but I will ride my new bike as  is and see how much I get used to it without making any mods on it.

Pssst.  14, not 40.   <imagining putting my rear sprocket up front>   

[yotogi]

I would think a 40T would take off your leg when you let off the clutch...

[Raux]

you need to check out this thread.

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=12166.0

[hcomp]

Congrats!  I even occasionally find the false neutral between 5th and 6th....Thats always fun!  I agree about the mods, once you start you can't stop! Dang Ducatis....

[Duki09]

Pssst.  14, not 40.   <imagining putting my rear sprocket up front>   

DOH!!!        uh, I  think I must of been drinking a 40 when I typed that.  LOL 

As I have been riding my 696 more and more each day, I am getting more accustomed to the feel of the shifting. Give me some time, I'll have that bike shifting like it had a continuously variable transmission......well, maybe not .  hehehe

[Paegelow]

Yeah before you change anything, get used to it how it is now...  then when you finally upgrade something, you'll appreciate it more!  that's called more bang for your buck my friend!!!

[yotogi]

The other thing that I noticed about the bike is how far out the friction zone is on the bike. That and the light clutch gave me fits until I got used to it.

While my S2R1K has action way out too, the weight and dryness of the clutch in some ways make it easier to feel what is going on for me.

[Raux]

Congrats!  I even occasionally find the false neutral between 5th and 6th....Thats always fun!  I agree about the mods, once you start you can't stop! Dang Ducatis....

yeah clutchless shift from 6th to 5th before a turn and hitting that IZ_ neutral.. SUCKS>

[sl_guy]

I also just bought a '09 696 and I was thinking of the 14T front mod, my question is since the bike still in break-in period (under 6k rpm), changing the gear would affect anything?

[Raux]

yes. you get about 500 more revs
so at 6k limit you'll be going slower.

but unless you are trying to break the law... shouldn't be a big issue.

[peanut_man]

Like others said, the standard Ducati gearbox requires more effort than a lot of bikes.  It will get smoother as the bike breaks in, but even after break-in shifting will still gives you a clunk that you won't find with other bikes.  It will also continue to require a more deliberate effort.  You'll get used to it pretty quickly, but you're right that it's not like your other bikes.  There's nothing to adjust (unless you want to tweak the angle of the shift pedal).  It's normal. 

If you think Duc 'clunk' on the gear change, you should try riding a Buell.  I own an XB12 for a year.  That was enough clunking for me...

[Duki09]

I think Harley/Buell are more known for the clunking during shift changes.  I had a 883C  which clunked fairly loud while shifting into 1st an 2nd gears

[dne1810]

Congrats!  I even occasionally find the false neutral between 5th and 6th....Thats always fun!  I agree about the mods, once you start you can't stop! Dang Ducatis....

i found the neutral on 5th once doing over 100mph on tollway almost pissed myself and that's on my monster 1100S... luckily I up-shifted and all was good but damn it was scary! I'm on almost 800 miles now and I believe is broken in and not observed it since..

[Raux]

that 5-6 neutral is there. oh it's there. just be firmer shifting always. more than 2500 miles now. and it's still there.

[hcomp]

Yep 3600 and it's still there as well. You do have to be really positive when you do that shift. If I am lazily getting on the freeway and do a lazy shift, I find it.  Its not a big deal, just pop it up again and there, you're in 6th...