First time riding a Monster 696, is this normal for a Ducati??

[phatjoe]

Hey Everyone:

So today, I test drove a used 2009 monster 696 with 1000 miles.  Awesome bike!    More fun to ride than my '08 Ninja 250R.

I just want to know if the following is normal...

Whenever I applied the brakes, they squeaked a lot.  The seller indicated that they do that, and it never concerned him.  I've been around cars, and this is typically a bad sign.  Not sure if it's different for a motorcycle.  Is this normal/okay?  He was driving it an hour before I got there (if that is of any help).

When changing gears, I eased out the clutch and applied a little bit of gas.  Sometimes, it felt like there was a little bit of kick back.  Is that normal for a Ducati?

Sorry for the lame questions.  I'm new to motorcycles and Ducatis.

THANKS!!!
 

[scduc]

The brake issue is due to glazing and yes very typical. I tend to do a couple of hard stops and if that does not fix the problem then I take the pads and hit them with some coarse sand paper.

[JasonV]

My 696 did that too when I got it with 1400 miles on it.  Eventually it went away.  Dealer told me the same thing, probably light glazing, do some hard stops, should get out.

[phatjoe]

Thanks for quick responses 

Anyone have input regarding my second question?
Maybe I'm not explaining it correctly, but when I slowly released the clutch it felt a little kick back.  I was going to say clunky but that's an over statement.  I'm sure there's nothing wrong with the bike.  It only had 1,000 miles on it.  I haven't ridden to many bikes  so probably a difference in bikes...

I'm just being a little cautious. It definitely appeared to be very well taken care of, and not a scratch on it.

[ducpainter]

Thanks for quick responses 

Anyone have input regarding my second question?
Maybe I'm not explaining it correctly, but when I slowly released the clutch it felt a little kick back.  I was going to say clunky but that's an over statement.  I'm sure there's nothing wrong with the bike.  It only had 1,000 miles on it.  I haven't ridden to many bikes  so probably a difference in bikes...

I'm just being a little cautious. It definitely appeared to be very well taken care of, and not a scratch on it.

You're probably letting the revs drop too much in between shifts.

[corey]

Thanks for quick responses 

Anyone have input regarding my second question?
Maybe I'm not explaining it correctly, but when I slowly released the clutch it felt a little kick back.  I was going to say clunky but that's an over statement.  I'm sure there's nothing wrong with the bike.  It only had 1,000 miles on it.  I haven't ridden to many bikes  so probably a difference in bikes...

I'm just being a little cautious. It definitely appeared to be very well taken care of, and not a scratch on it.

coming from a ninja 250, it could just be some awesome torque

[red baron]

depending on how much slipping you're doing of the clutch, it could be messing with it's slipper characteristics.

[somegirl]

I suspect it will just take some adjusting to after riding your 250.

[krolik]

Also going from the Ninja cable clutch to the 696 hydraulic clutch may be part of the difference.

[CromoMann]

Anyone have input regarding my second question?
Maybe I'm not explaining it correctly, but when I slowly released the clutch it felt a little kick back.  I was going to say clunky but that's an over statement.  I'm sure there's nothing wrong with the bike.  It only had 1,000 miles on it.  I haven't ridden to many bikes  so probably a difference in bikes...

Looks like you may have an answer on your brake question, but I've lived with a squeeky rear brake for over 4 years now - I hardly touch the thing relying on front brakes and engine braking to control most stops.

To the lugging you seem to be explaining -
This sounds normal and typically due to revs.  I think there is a tendency to want to roll off with lower revs than required for the Ducati.  You don't have to be a faggot (excuse the SP F Word reference), but give it a bit more gas.  Another common mod is a 14 tooth front sprocket which will help with the low end revs and smooth out the majority of city riding.

Good luck

[r_ciao]

regarding your second question it's probably just the gear engaging
i just shifted at higher rpm's and quicker
try that.

Ciao!

[BastrdHK]

You may be experiencing engine braking even though you are shifting to a higher gear.  If you hold the clutch in long enough(coast) then you will experience this when it re-engages or if you are off the throttle when you release the clutch.

Give it the GAS!

[z0mb1e_DUC]

also, with the 696, the engagement zone for the clutch is in the first inch or so of travel on the uptake, & the last inch or so on the release.  It could lend itself to what you are describing if you were feathering it to much, a sort of lurching engagement on release.

At speed, you don't really need to pull the clutch lever up against the handle the way you may have had to with a cable clutch.

[Porsche Monkey]

You don't have to be a faggot (excuse the SP F Word reference),

Where did that come from?

[somegirl]

Where did that come from?

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=31643.0