New Bike!!! (and pics)

[Rambler1982]

I got my Monster 696 last night. Went for my first ride this morning and it was sooooo amazing!This is my first bike and I absolutely LOVE it!!!! I got back from my first ride (15 minutes), got off my bike and thought, "Wait, why am I home?"  I hopped right back on my bike and rode for another 30 minutes. Haha.

Here are a coupla pics, it's bone stock right now and the quality of the pics isn't great, I'll try to post more later.





I'm sure I'll have more questions/concerns to follow, but one of the first things I've noticed is that I'm stalling a lot. It seems as thought the clutch doesn't engage until it's let out almost all the way. It's taking some getting used to, but I think I'll get there.

Also, I'm a little uncertain about the break-in period. I've heard that the first 100 miles are supposed to be really easy, and the first 600 should be kept under 4,000 or 5,000 rpm- but this is all word of mouth, and nothing confirmed from the dealer/manual etc.

For the record, I took the MSF course and passed the licensing exam, I have a helmet, textile jacket, and gloves. And will do my best to ride within my abilities as I'm obviously still developing my riding skills.

Thanks 

[duclvr]

Congrats on your new 696. Hopefully I'm not far behind you.

[Mr Bread]

Congrats on the new ride!

Keep it under 5k rpm for the first 600 miles.

Get yourself some boots, and some textile pants.

After the first 600 - Flog it!

[He Man]

ahhh. the first few miles on your first bike! they were the best! and many more to come! theres a lot of different "procedures" to break the bike in, but like others said, do it by the book per ducati for the first 600, then ride the snot out of it!!!! The bike has a greater tendency to stall right now because everything is still new, it will get better as will your skill with the clutch. have fun man!

[Labbedds]

Put frame sliders on.  Another guy here on the board just bought a new 696 just like yours new to riding too.  I advised it, he put them on, and dropped it soon after putting it on, it saved him a bunch of cash because the sliders saved the bike from cosmetic damage.  Best $100-150 you can invest on your new "investment".  +1000 on boots and textile pants.  I don't always use the textile pants unless i'm going for a long ride but I use boots daily they are comfortable and keep your ankle sliders unexposed.  Check out sidi b2 boots, reeally nice.  ride safe buddy.

[Howie]

Congrats!  The clutch will take some getting used to.  It does tend to grab at the end of the travel and feel a little vague.  The most important part of break in is avoid constant speed and load, in other words, stay off the slab.

[NWapex]

The most important part of break in is avoid constant speed and load, in other words, stay off the slab.

+1  Plus, make sure you keep working through the gearbox.  Congrats 

[wisdesign]

Congrats on the new bike... and big props for selecting the fastest color! Now start the mods to make her your own!  On stalling... here's my 2 cents - use your pointer and middle finger on the clutch lever and leave the other two on the grip as a "stop".  If you don't have huge meats, you'll be pulling the clutch in far enough to shift, but it'll give you a better sense of where the clutch let-out is and teach you a bit better control so as you don't bust your knuckles when you go to shift.  Also... have your dealer swap the front sprocket to a 14 tooth when you take it in for your first service.  Don't listen to anyone else... it's definitely worth it and will make your life much easier. 

I was going to post this under its own thread, but I'll just highjack yours instead.  Had a killer ride in Southern Oregon today.  74 degrees, blue skies, open roads, and two monsters.  Enjoy the pics...

Oh yeah... check out the new cans... and see if you can spot a couple other mods...

[swampduc]

Congrats on the new bike. Got mine 4 months ago, but mine is red, which everyone knows is really the fastest color 
+1 on the frame sliders and the boots. Good Luck!

[Danmack_98]

Congrats!  Get used to taking a whole lot of unnecessary trips to ........wherever!  I got my dark this week and have gone on many!  I have to suggest the 14 tooth sprocket to help with the stalling, that and more time on the bike.  My last bike was a suzuki cruiser, so riding a duc is like riding a bike for the first time all over again.  So light and nimble, I just want to ride all day!  Enjoy the new toy!

[sfarchie]

You guys are all making me so envious. I know I bought my M696 prematurely since I am still recovering from my accident. But I wanted it so badly, I just bought it knowing all I can do is stare at it. 

[Takster]

Congrats!  It's a great bike!  I'm loving mine.

About your clutch issue, if you're like me and have small hands, it helps to get some aftermarket levers.  I got the Pazzos in black with the red adjuster.  It made a huge difference.

~T

[StandTall]

Outstanding bike. I've got the same one. On the clutch, as posted before just use your first two fingers. Took me a little getting used to it too. Frame and axle sliders are a great idea. The axles you can put on yourself but have the dealer do the frame slider on your first check. Congrats!

[Jarvicious]

+1 on the two finger clutch approach.  It feels kind of odd at first, but after a couple hundred miles you won't be able to go back to using all your fingers.  It does help with over clutching as well, as someone already mentioned.  It just takes a tiny little pull.  Congrats on the bike!

[Big Troubled Bear]

Congrats on the new bike, ride safe