Hello from Nashville

[gmerri]

I appreciate all of the great information on this forum and am excited about learning more.

- Hello I'm Greg M from Nashville. 

Will pick up my new 12 796 black next week, probably will only install the frame sliders as protection initially and will try to get a feel for all
the Ducati initial engineering before I make any modifications.

I've rode about 4 years on a HD Sportster Custom, but it's been a while.

Absolutely love being on a bike, but for family reasons I sold my bike back in 2003.

This was pre kids about 10 years ago, but can't forget the itch.

So now, I'm scratching it with the Monster, and couldn't be more excited.

I'm a bit nervous as it's been a while, but now that I'm above 40, hopefully a bit smarter.
Any and all advise is recommended, again appreciate all of this great information and advise herein.  Best regards.

[Curmudgeon]

Welcome! Good taste too. 

Fit a 14T front sprocket before you even pick it up (we don't ride 100+ regularly over here and with a 14T you'll have a use for 6th gear  ), and keep the revs over 4K as much as possible. They take a while to break in and its character is totally different than an H-D. Scrub the tires in (32-36 PSI) and find some twisties! Have the dealer set the rear sag / spring preload to match the front sag before you even leave the dealership. Thank me later.

[Gadgetech]

Hey, congrats on the purchase.  I'm down in Greenville SC and I've recently purchased a 2008 S2R1000 which sits beside my 2011 Road Glide (no kids  ).  There's a lot of great advice out on these forums but since I'm new to I'll leave it to others to pass along.

[gmerri]

Thanks in advance folks -

What's the 14T and rear sag adjustment do in English if I can ask humbly?  I'll try to search the forum and get an education also. 

[Curmudgeon]

What's the 14T and rear sag adjustment do in English if I can ask humbly?  I'll try to search the forum and get an education also.

The bikes are geared tall from the factory to cheat the EC drive-by sound tests. The stock front sprocket is a 15 tooth and Ducati Performance offers a 14T as an accessory and there are several good aftermarket 14T's too. Mine is a Driven Racing which was $38- and your dealer probably has them on the shelf. Be nice to yourself and your engine and fit one.

The Marzocchi fork on a 796 isn't too bad but the Sachs rear shock/spring aren't brilliant and leave the factory set up for a light rider and lighter passenger. So..., if you don't weigh 225+, the dealer needs to back off the preload a bit so that the bike settles the same distance in the rear as it does in the front when you sit on it. Then you won't be beaten to death and think it's the bike's fault! 

[gmerri]

So, my black model is still in route, but the dealer loaned me a used 11 red 796.  My oh my does this thing have plenty of torque for me.  I've got a ways to go to get my experience back, but felt like it went everywhere I looked with ease.  Did a few twisties while the roads were dry but when it got wet, lost that desire.  This model had the 14t sprocket as recommended.  I stayed pretty much in 2 and 3 and maybe got to 5th a couple of times, but really didn't need it.  Will the 15 tooth standard feel more groggy down low, is that the reason behind the recommendation.  Also, this model had the small windscreen off and I had more wind than I was used too, but still liked it.  I wonder if the stock windscreen will help a bit? 

[Curmudgeon]

With the 15T you'll be bogging the bike a lot and never see 6th except maybe at 80 MPH on the Interstate. You are lucky the former owner fitted a 14T.

Yes, the bikini fairing and windshield cuts a lot more air than you'd think and combined with the stock mirrors is very quiet. Ducati obviously spent some time in the wind tunnel with the new bikes.

[Nacho696]

Hello. Welcome. I just picked mine up this week. I live in Clarksville.

[gmerri]

It's at the dealership now.  Will have it by Saturday!  Yes Sir Curmudgeon, I asked again about the 14T, he said you'll probably like it, but wait 600 and labor is down as the chain guard will be off.  So 15 and whatever for 600 miles here I come. 

[Curmudgeon]

Sprocket cover? It's two screws. Couple of little bolts on the sprocket. Then he'd have to back off the adjustment on the rear axle. You are paying this guy for set-up? I'm mystified... Extra labor indeed. You are paying MSRP for the bike?

IMO he should do that gratis. Lazy bum.  Make sure that he sets up the sag on the rear shock before you leave the place!

It was definitely decent of him to lend you his used 796 demo, but otherwise I don't understand this dealer..., and I was in the high-line car biz for 40 years...

[gmerri]

Mr. C,

How should I break in those new tires?   Probably won't have access to a pressure washer.   I am confirmed in getting the bike in on Tuesday.  I am taking the advance control course next Saturday and know I'll be leaning a bunch, my concern. 

The demo which I've put more than 400 miles on has 6400 miles on it., your question.  It's very very smooth. 

I'm getting msrp less 3/4 of a G, no freight or fees, so i thought a pretty good deal and I've shopped around.

   

 

[Curmudgeon]

Never go anywhere NEAR a bike with a pressure washer! 

GREAT deal, so go with the flow then. Take it easy on the tires and brakes for at least 250 miles. Hills and turns and keep the revs up. The manual is your friend. Read it here: http://www.ducati.com/services/maintenance/index.do You can download a 2011 796.

Old trick if you want to scuff the tires in quicker. Ride around a bit on some fine gravel..., but be CAREFUL! 

Advance control course? The throttle can be very abrupt before ~ 600 - 1,000 miles. Might be safer at low speeds with a 14T too. I know you're not a total newbie..., but...

[gmerri]

Duh to me, when I read your previous recommendation, it said scrub the tires in 32-36 psi vs. what was mean as scrub by riding the tires in and ensure it is at 32 to 36 psi.   Now that's funny. Actually it's the Lee Parks Total Control next weekend.  About the only thing I'm thus far having trouble with is from say 0-15 mph.   It just feels different, luggish.  but from thereon, it's amazing.   

[Curmudgeon]

Without a 14T and a new bike, you'll have a good bit more trouble. Don't be discouraged as you've seen from the demo what the bike is really like. There is a newbie here who dropped his 696 in a slow maneuver and broke his leg before he had a chance to fit the 14T. All healed now and happy with his 14T, BTW.

Since the bike is light, slow maneuvers are possible with a light throttle and one finger of clutch slip. Pretty easy for anyone who's ridden dirt bikes for a while. Just be sure to cover the rear brake and keep the bike vertical when you try this.

[gmerri]

Okay, put 50 miles on the new bike tonight.   At last!  Okay, here's my first impression and also a request for advise.  The bike is pure stock with the 15 sprocket.  I noticed that it wasn't as snappy as the demo 14T but, it was smoother for sure and still had plenty of torque.  Since, I'm in the break in I find this just fine at this point as  I'm not pushing the bike.  It has a luggy 1st gear to 10 mph just like the 14T.  But, I do feel it is smoother. 

The demo had no windscreen at all and this one has the clear for now.  I much prefer this bikini screen at road speeds.  It is a big difference, amazing as Mr. C says about the wind tunnel testing Ducati must have done.

I tried to get through all the gears and went on the Interstate for about 6 to 7 miles, but 6th gear seems useless below 80, so:

      Is there a concern I should have about not going through all the gears during the break in?  Go past 80 maybe? but I need some daylight to do that.

     I hit maybe 6500 rpm very very slightly, the book says 5500 to 6000, any concern?

     Trying to keep it between 4000 to 6000 rpm, easier to do, this feels right.


I went to Kix Brooks vineyard "Arrington Vineyards" nearby my house to pick up my quarterly wine on a back pack.  The vineyard had a gravel entrance and I tested the ABS.  Worked flawlessly.  No lock up or out of control at all, even down hill.  Absolutely, this is tremendous for control. 

     So, I'm trying to break in the tires and put 50 on -  how many more miles should I need to ensure, I'm ready for the Parks Total Control class this weekend?  I can probably put a 100 on Saturday, class is Sunday.

    Only negative, the heat shield is a joke for keeping the paint on, my finger rubbed the paint off, still will be warrantied by the dealer, but that is really lame, get the carbon?

    It's indeed setting up to be the perfect bike for me, smoother that I thought.