New to motorcycles, bran new 696!

[xteraco]

I've been riding various scooters (mostly 125cc but some 50's) for almost 10 years. 2 weeks before my birthday (July 21) my Zuma 125 was stolen. A week before my birthday we recovered it and it was in very bad shape, over 1700 dollars worth of damage to parts alone. Our insurance gave us a good deal of money to get it fixed but I decided it was time to try a "real motorcycle".

Long story short, I ended up with a showroom new pearl white Ducati Monster 696 (2009).

My first impression is a mixed one because of two problems. Maybe you can help me out.

1. I've almost dropped the bike 3 times, all of which were tight U-turns in parking lots. Two times were on hills. My memory of the cause is hazy because of the adrenalin shot I get from almost dropping my new bike.

Is there a common technique or cause to this type of problem?

2. I *almost* cannot back out of parking spaces. My feet touch the ground but it is only because my boot is so thick, so when I try to propel the bike in reverse my feet mostly slide.

I love everything else about the Monster and the motorcycle experience. If I can find a way to overcome these 2 problems I will be a Ducati/bike fan the rest of my life!

[stopintime]

Maybe your near-drops come from the old scooter habits...
(small wheels, short turning radius)

Ducati engines can be tricky to control at slow speed - use the clutch more maybe...

Backing out can be done by walking it out.

I'm sure you'll figure it out after a while

... and of course - WELCOME

[supperduc]

1. U-turns and slow left or right turns are hard to handle, even for experience riders, and more so for new riders with short legs on new bikes. Try to get use to the bike by practicing as much and as often as you can. Be extra careful with that front brake when you turn the bike at extremely slow speed. I have seen guys dropping their bikes at walking speed because they tap the front brake in a turn. BTW, dropping bikes in parking lot and in & around of garage is quite common so don't doubt your ability. Heck, I dropped my first, brand new duc, in my work parking lot and it was so darn embarrassing that I had to take a couple of sick days off.

2. You don't have to sit on the bike to back her off. You can just walk her back...  

Again, these are typical, new rider's minor problems that can be overcome with time/experience.

[xteraco]

Thanks for the advice! 

I'll be getting a TON of practice when my next school semester starts, because the Monster will be my daily driver.

I have heard it can be tricky to back the bike out by hand. I'll give it a shot next time I get a chance.

@supperduc:
What was your first duc?

[supperduc]

My bikes in chronological order:
Bunch of scooters and dirt bikes
1995 Kawasaki ZX-6R (first real bike)
2001 Kawasaki ZX-7R
2003 Ducati SS 620 (first duc)
2006 Ducati 749S (current garage queen)
2010 Ducati 696 ABS (sold a few months ago)
2007 Ducati S4RS (current commuter)

[xteraco]

Very cool! I love the look of the S4RS. What made you decide to sell the 696? (if you don't mind my asking)

[supperduc]

Engine heat was the only reason. I like the look and feel of that bike but I live in Virginia so it gets pretty hot and humid in the summer. On top of that, commuting traffic in DC and Northern Virginia areas is just horrible so I thought a liquid cooled monster would be a better fit.

I also have a 749s sitting in the garage so my CFO asked me sell the 696 if I wanted the S4RS.

[Slide Panda]

*hand waive generalization*
Scooter and chain/belt driven biek dynamics are different. On a scoot.. at least on my old Vespa GS, the engine, trans and rear wheel were one big sub unit. On a bike bike, they aren't so directly contained. Also, your scoot might be an automatic? As a result, the amount of throttle/what you're doing with it has a direct impact on the rear suspension and the bikes dymanics.

On the throttle, the bike will stand up as there is tension through the chain. Chop the throttle in a turn and that tension goes away allowing the rear to compress more and wallow.

For low speed maneuvers like a U turn, the rear brake, throttle and  clutch control are where it's at. A bit of rear brake (no front) will help control speed and help the bike track more predictably. Also, that braking force will allow you to give it more throttle - modulated through slipping your clutch. That force will help keep the rear suspension taut and prevent the bike from that previously mentioned 'wallow'

A good, basic drill to work on this is the slow ride. Go to an empty parking lot and find a long line - Ideally one of the center lines that divides one row of spaces from the next. Pick a distance, say 4 spots worth and work at riding that line as SLOWLY as possible. With practice you should be able to get your bike to track pretty much stratight down the line at near or below a walking pace.

At first don't try too hard, no one wants a drop, just get a feel for how the rear brake can help keep you track. Work up to using more and more clutch/throttle control in conjunction with the rear brake to keep the bike stable and straight at lower and lower speeds.

Once you've gotten a decent feel for the combo of inputs in a straight line - try working some low speed turns. And important part of this is to also turn your head where you want to go. No just eye look, whole head. 

[xteraco]

Thanks for the advice Slide Panda.  I'm taking her out for our 2nd ride today, we'll see how it goes.  I'll be sure the avoid the front brake as that makes a lot of sense. One of the times I almost dropped her I know I had jabbed the front brake.

I was trying to turn around on a hill to park the bike in a storage unit. I had both feet down to try and keep the bike stable. I released the clutch a tad without giving it gas and before I knew it I felt like I was rolling too fast. I gave the front brake a jab and the bike started to fall. I reacted by dumping the clutch and giving the throttle a twist. The bike jerked hard, but this saved it from falling.

In that case it was definitely a combination of the hill, and use of the front brake. But I am extremely weak (think Mr. Smithers) and I am wondering if this is effecting my ability to keep the bike up and stable as well.

[Ducatamount]

Balance and technique are more important than strength.Practice is more important than anything.

[xteraco]

Thanks! Yea I did some riding today and it went really well. I had a friend walk along side of me while I practiced tight turns on uneven hills. Everything went really well and I didn't have any problems.

[Curmudgeon]

Suggest you fit a 14T front sprocket ASAP which will help with slow maneuvers and also make it more responsive. In addition, you might find a use for 6th gear.  The bikes are overgeared from the factory to pass drive-by noise testing in the EC.

Definitely keep the bike bolt upright at low speeds and bear in mind that Ducatis have very limited steering lock.

Rubber side down. 

[GreasySnipe]

Congrats on the new monster! An MSF course may be what you are looking for to clear up those low speed turn problems.

[Slide Panda]

As a general rule, no class is a bad thing. Education is always a handy thing. I've only done the basic MSF class, and they do touch on low speed maneuvers and chassis dynamics - but just touch on it in the basic class. More advanced classes may do more. But if you want one that focuses on bike control - look to (Lee Parks) Total Control. There's also a book by the same title that I quite like.

The class works on your bike handling skills, control, um, control, and vision. Look 'em up. I'm planning to hit their class in my area in October. They put on classes all over, so one might be near you.