Hello everyone, London

[fingerpuk]

Hello.

I'm from London, buying my 696 next week, not ridden for 6 years and cant wait to get back in the saddle.

Me, I'm an interaction designer working in London, living in London, and hopefully riding out of it.  If any London or near riders feel like a hook up let me know, am keen to learn the roads and meet new people.

Never owned a Ducati before, rode a Suzuki GSXR600 then 750 before moving to the world of Yamaha Dragstars (quite a change).

Anyway, that's me in a nutshell.

[Curmudgeon]

Welcome!

Consider fitting a 14T front sprocket on that 696 before you pick it up. The bike is overgeared for Euro 3 and IMO you'll find traffic and country lanes a good bit more pleasant with a 14T. You'll also have a use for 6th. Certainly it's that way on this side of the Pond and your likely speeds are similar, particularly with all those nanny cameras!

Perhaps you should search this thread and a few others and see how many Metro-Londoners you can herd. If many, perhaps ask a moderator for your own club thread. I'd be curious to see where you ride. My fave drives/pubs are in the Cotswolds though.

[Grampa]

Say hi to the congestion zone for me.

[fingerpuk]

Congestion zone?  That doesn't effect bikes, and I'll be pointing my front wheel in the other direction and heading for where the land is green.

I spoke to some Ducati mechanics who I trust as they have more experience servicing them than years I've lived, and the 14t which seems popular is not suggested as it lets the chain wear down a section of guard.  They suggested adding three teeth to the rear sprockets next time I change them and the chain.

[Curmudgeon]

I spoke to some Ducati mechanics who I trust as they have more experience servicing them than years I've lived, and the 14t which seems popular is not suggested as it lets the chain wear down a section of guard.  They suggested adding three teeth to the rear sprockets next time I change them and the chain.

Sounds very "pre-O-ring chain", "old school" think to my mind. My 796 guard shows no signs of wear (with a properly adjusted chain). Unless a 696 is very different, which I doubt. You'll just be condemning yourself to 15,000+ miles of overgeared riding until you can do the larger rear cog with a longer chain.

Maybe you'll figure this out, maybe not... I'm on my 8th Ducati and this and two others screamed for a 14T. It's not rocket science.