I hope I didn't get a lemon

[Rambler1982]

I'm probably just being paranoid.

As most of you know, I just bought a M696. It's brand new, and I've put about 15 miles on it. This morning I wanted to take it to work, but a few issues kept that from happening.

First, it had trouble turning over. The engine just wouldn't start! I would push the button, the engine would turn on for about 1-2 seconds, and then shut down. Finally (after about 5-6 tries), it finally held and stayed on.

I keep it in a heated indoor garage, so I didn't think I needed to let it warm up for very long. But I let it run for about 2-3 minutes before heading out. As soon as I try to go, it stalls. I try again, and it stalls. No matter how slowly I let the clutch out, it stalls. So I think, "Ok, maybe I need to let it warm up some more." (I don't even know if warming up and stalling are related, but I figured it was worth a shot).  I let it run for another 2-3 minutes, and this time I was able to get moving.

HOWEVER, I got outside, stopped, and guess what? Friggin stalled AGAIN! 
It was cold, but it wasn't THAT cold (~40*f). And I don't even know if the stalling and the cold are related. Maybe I'm just an inept driver??? I was letting the clutch out soooooo slowly. But it still kept stalling. I kept trying to get it moving again, but then the yellow light (top left corner) when on. So I said "F-this!" took the Monster back in the garage, and rode my bicycle to work. 

Also, when it does finally get moving, the bike starts chugging back and forth until it picks up enough speed to run smoothly. 

So between, 1) The engine not turning over, 2) the stalling, 3) the yellow light going on, and 4) the chugging at slow speeds from a stand-still.... I'm somewhat concerned.

Again, maybe I'm just being paranoid.

[corey]

yellow light = fuel light?
is it out of gas?!

[Rambler1982]

yellow light = fuel light?
is it out of gas?!

It's not the gas light... that's on the right.

Also, the light went off after I turned off the engine and re-started it. But still...

[jdubbs32584]

First of all, are you using the cold start lever?

[minnesotamonster]

I could be completely wrong here, so wait for somebody who has an FI bike to chime in, but If it's 40 degrees out, you may have to let it warm up for more than a couple of minutes. The stalling and the cold are probably related.  As for the yellow light, I don't know what that is on the 696. The stuttering at slow speeds could just be the tall ducati gearing, but it's hard to tell from your description. Hope some of this helps.


edit: +1 to Jbubbles Post.

[MonsterMI]

Were you using the cold start lever? Especially at that temperature it needs to be used to start up and warm up. There is a bit of a procedure to it that took me a few tries and fails before it worked. Basically I always let it warm up with the cold start lever open before I even attempt to drive off.

[gh0stie]

I just asked a similar question in a different thread...............how long is a good enough warm up period for say 30 degree weather? 5 mins? 10 mins? till engine runs smoove?

[wisdesign]

You definitely need to use the cold start lever / choke on left side handlebar to start her up on a cold day and then I generally let her sit for a minute or two at about 2k rpm to get some heat in the engine.  Anyone else can chime in here, but you really shouldn't need to let it warm up for much longer than this.  

On the stalling and lugging... that tall first gear takes some getting used to.  To risk stating the obvious, I found that you can't just let out the clutch without rolling in some throttle.  The true engagement of the clutch is very near the end of travel, so you may think you're letting it out slowly because you're focusing on that full travel and dumping it at the end.  I mentioned this in another post, but just use two fingers on the clutch lever and use the other two as a travel "stop".  This will help focus you on the small amount of travel that actually does anything on these bikes.  On top of all of this, go get your dealer to install the 14 tooth front sprocket at your first service (if not when you take it back if you've still got problems with it).  This change makes all of this WAY better and is really how the bike needed to be geared in the first place.  After I got the swap, I yelled "HELL YEAH!" in my helmet.

Not sure about the yellow light and if none of the above works, then I'd take it back to the dealer and ask them to ride it around and either show you what you're doing wrong or fix the d@mn thing!  BTW... probably a good call in taking her back to the garage.  Not a good idea to ride mad.  Best of luck.  

[Slide Panda]

Have you checked to see if your 696 is on the ignition coil recall list?  A number of 696 came out of the factory with incorrectly hooked up coils.  This could be adding to some of your woes.

Also - how many total miles on the bike?  IF the engine's still running in, it will be a bit tight, even more so on cooler days.

[corey]

I just asked a similar question in a different thread...............how long is a good enough warm up period for say 30 degree weather? 5 mins? 10 mins? till engine runs smoove?

I would say until your temp gauge stops flashing "LO" 
Seems to be at about 125°

[wisdesign]

By 15 tooth, he means 14 tooth.

Oops... good catch. fixed.

[DesmoDisciple]

Like others have said, you need to use cold start lever. I put mine on, start the bike, then adjust it down so the bike idles around 2000rpm. I let it warm up for a minute, get the oil moved around, the lower it again so that the bike idles around 1500rpm, then off I go. Keep in mind, the lever is still on while I am driving. I leave it on for a good 3-5 minutes depending on the temperature. When I finally take it off, my bike idles around 1000rpm (unusual, I know).

First gear on a Monster is TALL. Real tall. This was the first bike I had with a dry clutch, and my first monster. You can't easy it out slowly and hope for the best. Make sure you have room to go, and release the clutch while giving it some gas at the same time. It WILL stall if you don't roll on the gas while letting out the clutch. The dry clutch does not like being slipped. If find its much more of an agressive launch that I was used to, but it works. Monsters was to go baby!

Don't get frustrated. Even if you are an experienced rider, that dry clutch and tall gearing can take some getting used to.

[Fresh Pants]

Like others have said, you need to use cold start lever. I put mine on, start the bike, then adjust it down so the bike idles around 2000rpm. I let it warm up for a minute, get the oil moved around, the lower it again so that the bike idles around 1500rpm, then off I go. Keep in mind, the lever is still on while I am driving. I leave it on for a good 3-5 minutes depending on the temperature. When I finally take it off, my bike idles around 1000rpm (unusual, I know).

First gear on a Monster is TALL. Real tall. This was the first bike I had with a dry clutch, and my first monster. You can't easy it out slowly and hope for the best. Make sure you have room to go, and release the clutch while giving it some gas at the same time. It WILL stall if you don't roll on the gas while letting out the clutch. The dry clutch does not like being slipped. If find its much more of an agressive launch that I was used to, but it works. Monsters was to go baby!

Don't get frustrated. Even if you are an experienced rider, that dry clutch and tall gearing can take some getting used to.

Just FYI, the 696 does not have a dry clutch. Wet clutch.

[NWapex]

When my bike was breaking in and up to about 700 miles, I had trouble with cold starts and had my yellow engine light come on a couple of times (and then go off after shutting down and restarting).  After taking it in to the dealer and getting the codes cleared, it seemed to start better and better.  I am guessing this was likely due to the engine breaking in, my proficiency with the cold start lever, and getting the ECU codes cleared.

Keep in mind this is a FI bike.  If the bike is not at operating temps, the ECU is adjusting the choke  (fuel/air mix) on the go.  This could cause some stalls from a start if the engine is not fully warmed.  If conditions warrant, a little more aggressive starts may allow you to ride through the problem.

Finally +1 to the suggestion you get the coil wires checked although if you just purchased your bike, this probably should have been checked by the dealer as this is a known problem.   There is a long thread on the coil issues, but two likely symptoms would be overheating and engine stuttering at about 3.5-4K.  

Let's see some pics of your new baby  

[Roy]

Yep...wet clutch on the 696!  It is not a dry clutch! 

Anyway, have the dealer check the coil issue...I've been having an extremely difficult time starting my M696.  It would usually take 10 - 12 time to get it started.  Right now it has been in the shop for 3 weeks and they have just replaced the Throttle bodies.  I hope that your new bike doesn't have the same issues as mine. 

Once they get it sorted out I'm sure you will love it!  Congrats on the new toy!