Since the return of my 696 from it's spa vacation at Skagit Power Sports, I have yet to have a cold start problem. Yay. Ducati gave me a lovely parting gift of a $500 gift certificate which bought me 2/3rds of a jacket from DucSea. )

On to the solution. In the manual, the start up procedure is key on, wait for greeting, press start button, adjust fast idle as needed. The NEW start procedure, should you experience cold start problems (as I did where it cranks but does not fire) is, key on, wait for greeting, adjust fast idle to full on position, press start button. I have not yet tried this, however, I am told it will solve the problem.

This doesn't seem to have been a problem for others on this list, but I appreciate reading all the information others share, so I felt inclined to do the same.

Best,
Bons in Ferndale, WA

That was my intention, but the new one hasn't come in yet. Meanwhile I haven't had any further trouble, so I am just taking it day by day. One thing. One little thing and it's gone like a bad boyfriend. )

Bons

Today was the day I said goodbye to my monster. She would not start and when she finally did, we went straight to Skagit PowerSports and did the trade. I pick up the new one on Friday. Enough was finally enough, so it was game over for this bike. I hope this story will have a happy ending. I did 4500 miles in the 9 months I had her, but they certainly were not trouble free.

Bons in Ferndale, WA

I'm sorry but I am not familiar with the problem as I am new here, but I would caution anyone from starting a bike with the fast idle set to full.  You want to started the engine, even running rough, at the minimum revs to get the oil under pressure and pumping.  It only takes a second or two, then increase the revs for warm up.

 

If the engine is having a bad time turning over, a small blip of the throttle (maybe 1/8th of wide open) will get it started for you.

 

It sounds like you will be riding a lot of miles per year.  This is one way of ensuring longevity.

 

Have a good one.