Monster In Houston, TX

[vinni]

I have my 696 for almost 2 months now, this is my first bike. first I just want to say Thank you for any help and advices. I got my 600 miles checkup.
Rear brake is grinding a bit still. when starting bike, with choke on the rpm rev to lil over 4k. does that sound normal? I have frame sliders on should I get the bar end and/or the steering stabilizer? questions out of the way. I love my new baby, she purr so sweet... any Houston,TX Monster owner?

[andyj100]

I'm in Houston and just had my 600 mile oil change, so I'm a couple of months behind you.

I've got a noisy back brake too, the mechanic (Lunsford) has changed out a caliper on a previous bike to fix it, he's currently referring to Ducati to see what they think.

I'll wave if I see you

[vinni]

I now have 1300 miles on my 696 now. when I bring the bike back for the 2k maintenance I would have to bring up the issue with my back brake noise to the mechanic(Eximport) again, it seem like the sound is still there. And some how after my 600 mile maintenance, the choke idle about 1k higher now and still doesn't help with my engine cutting off now and then... Andy is this your frist bike? this is my first. Have you MOD it yet?

[andyj100]

I bought the bike at Eximport but got the oil change at Lunsford, their rates are a lot less.

There is another post here in tech about the brakes, it looks like it's a common problem. I'll post there when the mechanic hears back from Ducati.I'm sure they will be looking for a fix that doesn't require changing out the calipers.

I've had no cold start problems. On the colder mornings I'll use full choke for 15 seconds then reduce it to bring the revs down. I give it a minute or so to warm up before I move off with no choke. It can be a bit temperamental sometimes, I just put that down to it being Italian. I've had Alfas before.

First bike for me after borrowing a Ninja 250 for a few weeks. No mods apart from the frame and bar end sliders.

[andyj100]

how are the breaks? How's the bike? I've not seen you around..

[vinni]

The breaks is still grinding. I have 1500 miles now. and i notice that after the last maintenance at 600miles some how the choke idle higher now and i still have issue with cold start, I would have to keep it on choke for awhile (1 min). How long do you keep your choke on?. I think i should bring the bike in for the 2k miles maintenance. I hope Eximport won't tell me everything is fine again.

[vinni]

So had my break checked. They had to sand/resuface the pads to get the noise to stop. But now I notice that my front and rear breaks is not biting like before. I have to put a lot of pressure on them. I also got the CF termignoni exhaust add on my 696. I was very surprise at the sound level increased. I'm scare to start the bike early in the morning now. My check engine light come on and off now with the new exhaust. I have to bring it back to Eximport for them to take a look at my brakes and check engine light.
what else have yall done with the bike?

[andyj100]

I feel bad, I've done nothing but ride it.

I'm at about 1700 miles so far. I even went as far as Swiss Alp, TX. I was a underwhelmed. As I'm a newbie I don't want to be too loud, drawing attention to me going carefully round the curves. I'm hoping to get out to the hill country soon as soon as the mornings warm up a little.

The caliper change fixed my rear brake noise and I've had no technical issues at all.

[vinni]

Yeah the dealer said that the had to sand my break pads. I hope that fixed the problem.
i like to get new mirrors and a shorter tail and maybe the steering stabilizer.

[vinni]

what's going on? Been riding? nice weather this week. I couldn't take the bike to work b/c or the fog. I saw some 696 on Westhiemer on Tuesday around 6. was that anyone here?