No idea why yours is smoother from the get-go than the used demo you rode. It's possible that the 2012 has a slightly richer map, the used bike needed a valve adjustment, had been run on crap gas, etc. etc... Not due to gearing for sure. Mine was fairly rough for the first 500ish miles, so maybe my valve adjustment was tighter than yours.

Unless you need to do 130 occasionally, fit the 14T and you'll be able to use all the gears more often.  When you've built more confidence, you'll also have a more responsive bike.

Those tires are pretty good. Ideally 250 miles will scuff them in but maybe less is fine.

Break-in? Hmmm... You will get a lot of argument here. I go by the book. You are not breaking in a new engine before a race which will be coming apart again during the season. IMO..., use as many gears as you can in the hills and in the bends. Keep it under 6,000 RPM, especially if you're under heavy load. A momentary 6,500 isn't going to break it as long as you weren't charging up a steep incline. Avoid the same RPM for extended periods during break-in. NOT good.

Agreed, the stock fairing and mirrors are quiet. You should ride my T-100. Maybe THAT'S the reason you thought your bike is smooth?  Did you notice how quiet your helmet became? 

Yes, 4,000 to 6,000 is GOOD. Learn to use that engine for braking into turns. Learn to match revs although that clutch is quite forgiving. This is the nature of a Ducati, i.e. lots of good engine braking. Will keep it running primo too.

Heat shield on the cans?! What was touching them? Passenger? Mine are fine. Maybe they used water color on yours? 

Did they set up the sag in the rear for you? How much do you weigh? If you find it stuttering back there, consider an Ohlins DU-737 sprung for your weight.

Yes, the ABS is non-obtrusive and one of the better examples. Only has to "work" once to pay for itself.

Thanks Mr. C -
Manufacture date was 1/12, so maybe some fine tuning.  Might very well have been the windscreen, but don't think so, smooth indeed. 

My plan is the 14T at 600 miles.   Confidence is growing and I'll be ready for it then, indeed I think I know what your talking about now.  I'M FRANKLY FEELING A BIT TOO COCKY AND KNOW BETTER.   

I'll try some extra weaving on the tires and at least get to 200 MILES. 

It came set for "2" on the brake and clutch levers, versus the demo was at "4".  Didn't seem as harsh, so now I have something to compare to on the controls. 

Helmet was quiet. 

Yes, 4,000 to 6,000 is GOOD. Learn to use that engine for braking into turns. Learn to match revs although that clutch is quite forgiving. This is the nature of a Ducati, i.e. lots of good engine braking. Will keep it running primo too. -   NOTED AND I'M STARTING TO GET A FEEL FOR THIS AND LOVE LOVE IT!

Heat shield on the cans?! - NOPE, ON THE PIPE ABOVE THE REAR BREAK, THE 4 INCH RECTANGLE ONE.    What was touching them? Passenger? Mine are fine. Maybe they used water color on yours?  - DUCATI USED SOMETHING WEAK ON THIS, VERY BAD. 

Did they set up the sag in the rear for you? How much do you weigh? If you find it stuttering back there, consider an Ohlins DU-737 sprung for your weight. - NOT YET, I'M 180 AND IT SEEMED FINED SO FAR.

Yes, the ABS is non-obtrusive and one of the better examples. Only has to "work" once to pay for itself.   ABS IS AWESOME.

THANKS AGAIN!

 

Just remember..., "There are OLD pilots and there are BOLD pilots..., but there are NO OLD BOLD pilots". 

The Diablo Rossos are good. My 34-year-old son liked mine so well, he put an identical pair on his ST4s. The gravel you rode through might have helped too.

Ahhh... Heat shield on the flapper valve. Mine's fine. Not sure I touch it though. Maybe just water color on yours...

I'm 175 lbs. The stock shock I rode wasn't doing much. The forks were fine. Maybe I'm just very particular. Not just me though because Donnie Unger set mine up, rode the bike, and in his words, "that shock made all the difference". He's a man of few words.  You'd have to know him. An engineer. Most are non-verbal. 

Yes, by all means learn to use that engine for control. A light brake application is fine if you need it. If you find yourself going wide because you are moving too fast, tap the rear brake to get yourself over and tighten your line. See if that works for you. Smoother is always better. We old farts learned to ride smoothly because bikes HAD no brakes..., or much else, come to that. As you are learning, the 796 is a finesse machine. Hard work not required.

Have Fun!

After 200 + miles and a bit of gravel on my new bike and tires, I'm ready for Lee Parks Total Control course to get my sea legs back so to speak tomorrow.  Might just tap a knee.

I've been through all the gears and have nothing but smiles, still breaking her in. 

My only gripe is wind past 65 and the interstate is intimidating without a bigger screen.  I wonder if there is a quick release screen to take on and off when you are thinking of touring.


So in this order, planned mods - 14t, carbon heat shield, rear removable bags, and some pipes ( but I'm just fine for now on pipes ).

People are following me staring at my black on red frame going " oh my that's one of the best bikes I've ever seen".

Tap a knee? Easy, boy!  No idea about Lee Parks, but if you get hooked, I see that Reg Pridmore has one of his CLASS schools at V.I.R. in July. No smoother rider than Reg. (He's not past his prime but I am!  )

Not aware of anything but replacement screens for new-gen Monsters. You can see them at Monster Parts. Not a look I like but your mileage may vary. How tall are you? I'm 5' 8" and have no issue at 80 but wear a Schuberth Concept helmet. Is your helmet possibly the problem? Expensive, but the Schuberth C3 is even quieter than C2 and Concept if it fits your head.

Are you sure you want louder cans?  I have tinnitus, so wear ear plugs anyway unless you want to end up like me with constant ringing in your ears... BTW, even the stock cans make noise. Haven't you noticed that people turn around when you ride past? They get louder with age too.

Have Fun!

I don't know how I didn't tap but there's nothing but rough tire on my best new monster friend.  By the end of the day I'm fig 8 40 ft circles having a bladst. 

That bike handles so well, it's amazing. This was a great course on vision, cornering, throttle control including trail braking that I feel real good about how to continuing refining my riding. They had suspension training and tweaking but I was drinking from a firehouse on that. What's VIR? 

I'm 5'9 and have the shoei rf1100 which I'm told takes wind well. I had all the vents open, maybe a small culprit. But at 75, I'm not feeling fun. 

What air pressure do you run?  I took it to 30 on the rear and 27 on the front and had great traction. I think I need to bump it back up for everyday stuff, came pretty heavy from the factory.

http://virnow.com/ and http://www.classrides.com/_calendar/calendar.html See July.

Get your dealer to adjust your shock preload to match the sag of your forks at the 600 mile service if they didn't already.

If your helmet is quiet, the next thing is your gear. Jacket? Pants? Do they flap in the wind? If so, that needs attention.

For the 796, BOTH Ducati AND Pirelli recommend 2.25 bar and 2.5 bar front and rear = 32.5 PSI front and 36.5 PSI rear. (1 bar = 14.5037738 pounds per square inch) On the street do NOT run less unless you want to buy very expensive rims. Handles fine for me too. Get a very accurate gauge and check the pressures weekly.

Now, on the track you want to run a cold pressure which rises 3 PSI when hot. So, for example, 30 cold should be 33 hot. If it's 32, then you need 29 cold and if 34, then you need 31 cold. Understand?

Factory? That's for shipping after mounting? 40 PSI?! Didn't your dealer check? Mine, (ex racer), gave me 33 and 37. 

Quote from: Curmudgeon on March 31, 2012, 10:16:25 PM
Are you sure you want louder cans?  I have tinnitus, so wear ear plugs anyway unless you want to end up like me with constant ringing in your ears... BTW, even the stock cans make noise. Haven't you noticed that people turn around when you ride past? They get louder with age too.

Have Fun!

Even without loud cans you should wear plugs. The wind noise can erode hearing as well, even with a quiet helmet. Also, there are studies, which I agree with from personal experience, showing that not wearing ear plugs in a high noise environment leads to a higher rate of fatigue.

I try to ride smart so ear plugs are coming. I checked out the VIR, that looks great. Around July 4th.   Hmm. It looks like one day class and about 8 hours from me. Ordered the evo tech tail kit today by the way. The bike is running better all the time. Have 320 miles, so should get the first service out of the way in two to three weeks. Have used all gears and about every riding condition I could. No more than 20 minutes at a time on the interstate and lots of twisty roads. It's strange, off the interstate and with tree lined roads, 70 - 75 at wind speed feels very comfortable.

Quote from: gmerri on April 02, 2012, 06:28:22 PM
It's strange, off the interstate and with tree lined roads, 70 - 75 at wind speed feels very comfortable.

Not at all. On the slab the air is very turbulent from all the cars and trucks. Get away from that and the buffeting drops off a lot

That makes much sense, like the "slab" comparison.   

Any experience with the evotech tail tuck out there. The folks at monsterparts generally recommend it?

Tail tidy looks incredible. Big improvement.  About 4 beers. I need to read how to post a pic.