Thanks Ducati Monster Forum!

[mrpetebojangles]

what?  you dropped it already.  that's it.. you're cut from the team.   

 :'(

[The ModFather]

Not to jack this thread but... would a 14T Sprocket be a good idea for a 620?

[ManaloEA]

I'm currently on a business trip for a couple weeks, will be a long couple weeks away from the bike! Anyways on the way home from my gf's house early on the morning of my departure, I was entering my neighborhood and braked perhaps to heavily at a stop sign and I'm not sure exactly what happened but the bike's weight shifted to the right and me being unable to correct it at the lean point it was at, I literally "laid" the bike down super gingerly. I had to walk around to the side of the bike and lifted it back up. I was surprised the strength it required to get it right side up again. The bike still looks rather perfect, no physical markings on the tank itself or rear, but there are some scratches on the rubber on the right side of the right handlebar (Bar end?)from being on the street, as well on the right handlebar's mirror plastic. I believe I perhaps grabbed the front brake too forcefully at around ~8 mph during my deceleration, the bike lost it's momentum and just tipped to the side, I had managed to get a foot down and tried initially to lift it back up, but it was too heavy as it was at a far lean and I laid it on it's side as softly as I could. Kind of a dumb mistake and I'll be easier on the front brake next time. I believe when I wanted to FULLY stop, I just grabbed too hard near the end of the stop and it tipped. It happened so fast I'm not sure. This all happened around 8 am in the morning so there weren't any cars behind or in front of me, there was a lady walking her dog from afar that I think was smiling at my mistake. I'm just happy the bike still looks alright. One thing is though, the right mirror is out of alignment now, I think the glass's angle shifted when I laid it down. I noticed that on the drive home that it was pointed inwards at my jacket I believe. I fiddled with the adjustment when I garage parked it, but I won't know if that's alright until I get home. I put nearly 600 miles on the bike in about 6 days, and my mind probably was not entirely focused on the task at hand, but at my flight departure in a couple hours. The stopping should of been more progressive, and I think it was, without the heavy squeeze near the end. I'm looking forward to my first maintenance check at 600 miles when I get back home, as I'm hoping to get my 14T installed then also. Unfortunately the snow will start soon and I won't feel comfortable to ride my bike until the ice has safely melted next spring. Thanks again for all the feedback. Any tips to think of to avoid a similar accident would be appreciated. Missing my bike hardcore and I've only been gone for a day!

Also thanks for the pic curmudgeon. Would you recommend that I start with a simple seat upgrade, to let's say a sergeant seat and then decide if I need the bar riser if my wrist pain is alleviated? What would be the downside to a flat seat? What was ducat's original intention with a sloped seat? Just a design for a smaller individual that is supposed to hug the tank with his/her knees? Thanks again for all of the feedback! Can't wait till I can jump on the bike again.

Don't sweat it...
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=50101.0

[Curmudgeon]

Hmmm... Sorry to hear that. No ABS? Didn't I tell you to use 1 - 2 fingers?!  Maybe learn to use a bit of rear brake when you come to a complete stop as well?

I've done something very similar on my 851 in a parking lot when it was new. I think you are probably finding it difficult to unwind your legs at 6' 7" and couldn't get your foot off the peg in time. Guess you'll have to plan ahead a bit better?

Hard to call but I'd say you'll get more benefit from the Rizoma bar and riser to relieve your wrist pain, but the seat will open up your legs a bit and also give you a seat with a wider platform and being flatt"er", you can move all the way back on it when you are moving faster. No idea why Ducati made the 696 seat that way. Possibly to make it suitable for shorter guys and women? My stock 796 seat was not much better. The Sargent is still not "flat", even though superbike perches often are.

When your dealer installs the 14T, have them set the sag/preload for you in the rear. That may lower the rear slightly and give you a flatter "compartment". After 10 miles on a 696 though, I knew exactly what I needed to do to the 796 I ordered. This is my 8th Ducati and 32nd bike though..., so I have an idea what works for me.

You are in Reno? Work on finding a girlfriend with a big garage in Santa Barbara so that you can have "winter visitations"? 

BTW, the mirror is mounted by an allen bolt. Maybe it shifted slightly. I doubt a replacement is expensive anyway and you won't need the plastic plug if you mount a Rizoma bar.

Be safe!

[akmnstr]

Hard stopping should not cause you to drop the bike.  Were you turning slightly while stopping.  The combo of turning and coming to a fast stop will put you on the ground in a hurry. 

[Slide Panda]

Hard stopping should not cause you to drop the bike.  Were you turning slightly while stopping.  The combo of turning and coming to a fast stop will put you on the ground in a hurry. 

Yep - sounds like you didn't have the front wheel going straight. If it was dead straight the bike wouldn't have had the tendency to flop over as you described.

[rlgMcoupe]

2011 696's have the 796 riser and seat so it's a lot more comfortable now.

do they still have a manual throttle advance for warming up? I know the 796 doesn't; I wish I could just turn the key and go. Oh well, 1st world problems, i know... 

[mrpetebojangles]

Hard stopping should not cause you to drop the bike.  Were you turning slightly while stopping.  The combo of turning and coming to a fast stop will put you on the ground in a hurry. 

I think I may of slightly turned the front wheel during my deceleration to the right to better straighten myself at the stop sign, or turned as I fully braked. What's the benefit of 1 or 2 fingers on the front break vs 4? During the MSF class we were instructed to use all of our fingers. Not saying you're wrong. I paid very close attention during my class and I can still hear my instructor talking as I do most of the things I'm doing on a bike. It's been so valuable. I would think I'd be hurt/dead if I hadn't been through that class. My dealership thought the provided me with the bike's manual at the time of pickup but they didn't and they had to order one. Otherwise I would of adjusted the weight by now. I'm 200 lbs and they are tuned in for 150 lbs no?

[ManaloEA]

Two fingers are totally capable of stopping. You have to remember that the bikes at MSF do not have Brembo twin cylinder calipers. With four fingers, you are lucky you did not go over the bars. Two is all it takes.

[Curmudgeon]

Two fingers are totally capable of stopping. You have to remember that the bikes at MSF do not have Brembo twin cylinder calipers. With four fingers, you are lucky you did not go over the bars. Two is all it takes.

 

Maybe they are teaching stoppies now!

[Curmudgeon]

MSF is fine for beginners riding the bike equivalent of a Jeep Wrangler.  You now have a little thoroughbred.

Try one or two fingers and observe how much more feel and feedback and control you have. Maybe MSF is afraid your fingers will fall off the lever? It's the definition of "hamfisted". Time to forget that junk. I doubt many racers use more than two fingers either; at least none I knew.

NOW, also learn to "cover" the front brake at all times. This means your forefinger is always resting on or near the brake lever. The first time you need it, you'll understand the "why". 

Do you have ABS?

The manual is here too. Easier for old eyes to read.  http://www.ducati.com/services/maintenance/index.do

The bikes are set up for a ~ 150 - 175 lb. rider PLUS light passenger, i.e. 250+ lbs. Check the sag but you probably need to back that preload off a bit.

I think I may of slightly turned the front wheel during my deceleration to the right to better straighten myself at the stop sign, or turned as I fully braked. What's the benefit of 1 or 2 fingers on the front break vs 4? During the MSF class we were instructed to use all of our fingers. Not saying you're wrong. I paid very close attention during my class and I can still hear my instructor talking as I do most of the things I'm doing on a bike. It's been so valuable. I would think I'd be hurt/dead if I hadn't been through that class. My dealership thought the provided me with the bike's manual at the time of pickup but they didn't and they had to order one. Otherwise I would of adjusted the weight by now. I'm 200 lbs and they are tuned in for 150 lbs no?

[thought]

my TCARC course was taught by MSF instructors and they explained that they teach the 4 finger braking in MSF because the ultimate focus during that course is safety.  they said that for that kind of course they are not looking to teach you the fastest way around the corner, they're there to teach you the safest way.  so every single thing they teach you there is the most cautious and safest things to do.

[Curmudgeon]

OK, fine for rank beginners maybe. Now that you are no longer falling off the bike though..., time for some CLASS.

REAL safety is all about technique and control and knowing what to do. Nothing to do with speed..., although a smooth rider will untimately be a fast rider. Survival is the key.

Contact Reg and tell him what you need. http://www.classrides.com/_about/about.html  Reg is a nice man and no rider is too "green" to learn.

One of Keith Code's books wouldn't hurt either.

my TCARC course was taught by MSF instructors and they explained that they teach the 4 finger braking in MSF because the ultimate focus during that course is safety.  they said that for that kind of course they are not looking to teach you the fastest way around the corner, they're there to teach you the safest way.  so every single thing they teach you there is the most cautious and safest things to do.

[Slide Panda]

And Lee Parks book or classes as well.

Yes the MSF taught you, me and 6 million other folks 4 fingers. But the bike you were riding in the MSF was the VW (old) bug of the moto world. Capable, tough, but not fast or high performance in any regard.

The 696, even as the base Monster is big step up... Sorta like a Boxter vs the Bug.

Hop on a 10/11 98 and you'll need one maybe two fingers on the brakes to get a lot of result.

[mrpetebojangles]

Well when I get back home, I'll certainly be trying out that 2 finger brake. I noticed the front brakes were extremely powerful and I just always assumed I was squeezing too hard. Also, it is recommended that I at all times or close to all times have my index finger pointed outwards and resting on or near the front brake, for just in case situations? I do have the Lee Parks book and Proficient Motorcycling.