696 Exhaust Afterburn and (occasional) backfire normal?

[melontracks]

So here's a Ducati noob question that I was surprised to not find an answer to.  I've always owned used bikes prior to my purchase about a month ago of my 696.  So far, I've really enjoyed the bike, except for the vexing (and long) break-in period.   Oh well.  Guess I'm old enough to be patient with it, but if I was 20, I'd be losing my mind.

Anyway, one thing has surprised me a lot, and that's the excessive exhaust afterburning that I get.  I mean, all of my old bikes did it to some extent, but I was surprised at how much popping I get when I roll off the throttle to the point where I just start to get a little engine-breaking.  Closing the throttle all the way puts an end to the popping entirely, but with all the engine-breaking this bike has (less now at 450 miles than it did when new) closing the throttle is often not an option.

So is this normal?  Called the dealer's service dept and they say that "some" popping is normal.  Well, that doesn't mean much.  They also suggested it could be related to the coil issue, though i can't see how.  I always thought it was timing-related.

Also have actually experienced an occasional backfire (as in a "real" backfire...cough from the intake, not the exhaust, accompanied by a millisecond stutter in power) though that was more in the first 300 miles.  I think it's done it once in the last 150 miles. 

I plan to bring both issues up at the dealer during the 600 mile services (at least I'll get something more than oil for my $200, I guess) but was curious what take others here might have.  This is my first Ducati, and it's bone stock.  I'm running 91 octane fuel.


Thanks-

Chris

[Howie]

As long as it is only popping and not backfiring and the bike runs well enough I wouldn't worry, the bike is breaking in.  Tell them about it when the bike goes in for the 600.  Oh, there is a possibility what you are hearing is normal.

[ducturd]

My 696 pops and backfires when I'm off the throttle. Like you said, it happens much less if I shut it all the way. Twisting the throttle the smallest bit from being totally off is like a pop/backfire switch. That said, it is a little embarrassing that the engine is so nasty of the throttle. My bike is going in for the coil issue next week. Hopefully this will have some impact...

[printman]

I would make sure we are using the correct terms, especially if it is something that needs to be fixed.


A "popping" is the sound that you here from the exhaust, usually after letting off the throttle. It can happen more often when letting off quickly.
+++++++++ This isn't bad, as long as you're not too lean or rich


"Backfiring" is when there is exhaust/combustion coming back through the intake. Most likely resulting in shut off/cough/smoke through the intake.
------------  This is bad, when happening often, or during running. Have had it happen a few times at start up though.

[melontracks]

A "popping" is the sound that you here from the exhaust, usually after letting off the throttle.
+++++++++ This isn't bad, as long as you're not too lean or rich


"Backfiring" is when there is exhaust/combustion coming back through the intake.
------------  This is bad, when happening often, or during running. Have had it happen a few times at start up though.

My thoughts/assumptions exactly.  What I can't figure out is what might have changed during the first 400  miles to cause the reduction/near elimination of backfiring.  Curiously, though I pay very close attention to things, I've been unable to determine what leads to the occasional backfire.  In 450 miles it's done it maybe 10 times.  A few times it happened as I blipped the throttle to help a downshift, but twice it bacfilred while just riding along.  Not sure if it matters, but that happened at around 7,500 feet, so maybe that was a factor?  Guess I'll just play wait and see.  It's been pretty well behaved in the backfiring dept. lately.  And by backfiring, I do mean through the intake, not exhaust afterburn.

[printman]

Well, the motor might be settling in better, but strange to have it happen while riding.

With it being new, I would make sure it is documented with the dealer. As a precaution.

[cmorgan47]

always get the popping while engine braking up to lights

[gearhead]

 I get the popping and love it...lol. It's not backfiring and it sounds nasty. You can get some real wild rythms out of the bike with various throttle positions and loads. Cruising around 2500 rpm or so with a light load on the motor and a low throttle opening makes the most interesting sound.

[Raux]

coil check?

[ducturd]

coil check?

Had the coil recall fixed on my 696 last week. I can confirm that it pops far less off throttle. There is still a little popping. I'm very pleased with the engine now.

[melontracks]

Well-

Here's what the mechanical folks at SoCal Ducati told me when I aired my concerns at my 600 mile service:

- Popping when rolling off the throttle: Normal  (I'm down with that)
- Occasional Backfiring through the intake: Normal (I don't buy that)

I can't imagine that any backfiring is normal, but I suppose.  If they say so.  They also said that I can expect it to improve as I rack up some more miles.  I can vouch that the bike has "smoothed out" over the first 600 miles.  For one, there's noticeably less engine braking now than when I rode the bike home.  I just can't buy into the idea that a new bike backfiring is normal, even if it's only once every hundred miles or so.  At least it's documented.

Also, I didn't have the reversed coil wire issue...though the other guy with a 696 in for service that morning did.  Ha!

I peeked in on the mechanic working on my bike and was impressed with the thorough inspection of it that he appeared to be giving it.  I was pretty concerned about paying $200 for an oil change.  Still, I think I'll do most of my own service in the future.

Maybe what I need is a pair of Termi cans and a new ECU. 

[danaid]

I get the popping and love it...lol. It's not backfiring and it sounds nasty. You can get some real wild rythms out of the bike with various throttle positions and loads. Cruising around 2500 rpm or so with a light load on the motor and a low throttle opening makes the most interesting sound.

+1  I enjoy down shifting quickly when pulling up to traffic at a red light, the loud rumbling exhaust turns heads and when the people turn and look to see what is pulling up, I believe they are surprized to see a bright red Ducati and not a harley!

[gearhead]

  If you crack the throttle ope in the slightest during engine braking you will get popping but if you keep the throttle completely closed there isnt any

[rosstermyer]

i know this is a little late, but i had the same symptoms exactly as you.  my bike is white too.    dealer told me the same thing...."its totally normal for the bike to backfire and pop from the exhaust every now and then"

mine was doing it in the same instances as yours as well.  randomly maybe 3 times total, but more common on downshifts.

[aguacate]

I just had termis installed and I have been getting severe popping, and it happens pretty much all the time, unless I am accelerating moderately to moderate-hard.  It is really bad if I am engine-braking, and it even happens a little if I am cruising anywhere below 4500 rpm or so.  I'm guessing the dealer set up the ECU too lean?  I wonder if the even messed with it at all (although it does say racing when I turn on).

By the way I have about 300 miles on the odometer now.  I think the popping is frickin sweet if it happens only every now and then.  It's getting kind of annoying since it's happening all the time.

I plan on calling the dealer tomorrow when they open.