Ducati Monster Forum

Hello!

I have a 696 coming in the spring, and would like opinions on the most needed mods for this bike.  How important  are adjustable levers?  What about the 14t sprocket?

Also, what about rear/swingarm and front axle/fork sliders?  I am definitely getting frame sliders, either the Speedymoto sliders or the Motovation sliders.  After reading some posts here I think I will also get the Rhinomoto bar end slider with the CRG Hindsight mirrors.

Thanks in advance for your help!

With any modifications (be it auto or moto) it depends on you and your budget. I NEEDED the mirrors because I couldn't see squat with the stock mirrors. I did not feel comfortable on the road with them.
As with adjustable levers.. Do you have small hands? Try the stock levers first to see. I ordered adjustable levers not because of the cool factor but because I also have small hands. I have a hard time reaching the brake lever for some reason so I need the adjustability. Assess your situation and go from there.
My 2 cents.  [beer]

First thing I did was get the full Carbon Termi Kit for my 696 before I even toke it home from the dealership.
After staring at the bike all night, I decided that I didn't like Mickey Mouse ears looking mirror, so I order some bar end mirrors.
While I was at it, I also got the tail chop kit from comp werk. It look so much better(IMO).
After reading so much praises about the 14T sprocket, I went ahead and had one installed when I took the bike for its 600 miles service.
I love it.

Jake.

+1 on all of this. The best, but unfortunately the most expensive upgrade is the Termi's. It's a MUST. Not only does the bike sound fantastic, but it actually runs better. The next mod may seem minor, but changing to bar-end mirrors transforms the look of the bike. So does that tail chop, but be prepared to "wear the road" as water and grim tends to come up way more with the chop.

But there are a few mods you can make that are cheap or cost nothing at all. You can always black out the exhaust hangers with a rattle can. Same thing with the headlight housing. And while you have the headlight apart, you can take out the signal light extensions which really tightens up the front.

Here is a pic of my dark:

(http://gallery.me.com/theo.keetell/100150/IMG_1739/web.jpg)

Funny, I was just over at Moto Wheels and got the Werkes tail chop and wondered about how much water/mud would flick up. Bought it anyhow since it definitely looks better. I also picked up the CF Diversion fender.

I already have SpeedyMoto frame sliders, RhinoMoto barend sliders, CF exhaust guard, and CRG LS mirrors. I only wish I got the Termis when I bought my bike.

BTW, Moto Wheels' 696 project bike looks awesome in person! The rear set is simply delicious.

I doubt I will be getting the Termis as I was told they would make the bike even louder than it is.  I know this sounds funny, but coming from a Bandit, the Monster sounded really loud even at idle to me. 

As far as the tail chop, the dealership is throwing in the short tail kit.

I have the money for the CRG Hindsight Mirrors.  They seem to get good reviews, and they look much better.

I do have small hands, and it seems the lack of adjustable levers are one of the few gripes people have with this bike.

Will the swingarm sliders and fork sliders be of benefit?  I want the bike to be protected if it happens to tip over.

Regarding the 14T sprocket, this is something that I plan on getting at the 600mi service, too.  Currently, coming out of turns, the bike needs to be down an extra gear to keep from lugging the motor.  This is further complicated by not revving the engine over 6000rpms during the break in period!  [bang]


Does the 14T sprocket wake up the bottom end?

I would wait to get the 14t at the 600mi service.  There are some people on here that like the 15t.  This way you can compare.  I personally like the 14t and feel it is just a bit quicker from a stop.  I find it revs a bit quicker and I have hit the rev limiter more often than I thought I would.  I imagine the change in gear ratio causes this...

What about top gear cruising? Isn't that just going to hurt your mileage? I feel like I wouldn't mind having a 7th gear sometimes. Maybe it's a California thing?

And gosh, always having to shift out of first so fast. Maybe I should get a 16 tooth front sprocket. [cheeky]

Well, I've always preferred low-end grunt to top-end speed.  Not having to rev it so much from a stop would help.  [coffee]

I'm no fan of bogging my engine, but "low-end grunt" = low-end revs = taller gears. The engine's going to be "grunty" at low revs (it is a twin) no matter what kind of sprockets you're using. But I'd prefer still having some of that "grunt" left over by the time I'm halfway through an intersection (without having to shift).


Let more clutch out. And, hills and obesity aside, bogging in first is only possible when you're not using enough gas. Nothing to do with revs if you're at or above idle. Should your revs exceed 2000, you're slipping too much (unless you're trying to wheelie or do a flying start). Having the clutch out by 2000 minimizes slip time and wear.

(http://gallery.me.com/theo.keetell/100150/IMG_1739/web.jpg)


Clean bike w cool mods. [thumbsup]
First 696 I kind of like....

Lowering the front tooth count from 15, to 14, will help the low end...or am I smoking something?   Currently, 5th and 6th gear are almost useless, unless doing over 70mph.   :-\

Well, changing the gearing won't change the engine's performance (which is really what's implied by "boosting low end"), but it will make it rev higher for the same speed, i.e. more power at some speeds, yes, but less at others. It's give and take. I've never tried the 14t (unless they snuck one on my 696 while I wasn't looking—which actually wouldn't surprise me), so I don't know how subtle the difference is.

Either way, 15 or 14, there are advantages and disadvantages. I'm just trying to make sure unsuspecting lurkers don't read this and think it's a win/win/win modification and do it just for the heck of it. Like the OP—hasn't even tried the 15t sprocket and is already considering the 14t...  ;)

IMHO, louder can be a good thing from a safety perspective. I know the stock pipes are loud, but I wouldn't mind going louder so a cager can hear me when I'm near.

I've heard the rear sliders help if you use a stand, but not required. My dealer said the fork sliders won't help much. I just stuck with the SpeedyMoto frame sliders.

I will put more thought into the Termis.

The other sliders are my biggest dilemma at this point.  I don't want to spend the cash on them if they aren't worth it.  I've had a couple of tip-overs on the Bandit, and would like minimize any damage incurred in the future with the 696.

We've had several bikes saved by fork /axle sliders. One was an expensive NCR Millona that low sided in 4th gear on a track.
My 999R was knocked over in a parking lot when it was hit by a car with me on it. The tip over broke the handle bar sliders and scuffed the front and rear sliders. No body work damage except where she hit me on the rear tail.

The axle sliders are worth it.

-M

Thanks!  I assume Ducati parts are expensive, so $60/pair for those extra sliders is likely cheap insurance.

They are, but it's not the Ducati parts that kill you... it's the aftermarket carbon-fiber or billet alluminum parts that you buy to replace the now broken OEM parts that kill you.   [roll]

I really wonder why they haven't already, but does anyone have any idea if SpeedyMoto is ever going to come up with some rear axle sliders? are they in the works, or are they never going to make any? I like SpeedyMoto better than Motovation, and already have their frame sliders. The skateboard wheel look just kills me, and they look sturdier with more contact area than those of competitors. Maybe it would be worth the wait for me.

EDIT: I just got an email from SpeedyMoto:

Newsflash!

Speedymoto 696 rear axle sliders are out:
http://www.speedymoto.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=10-0205&Category_Code=AXE (http://www.speedymoto.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=10-0205&Category_Code=AXE)

[clap]

I'm a gonna get  me some of dem'.....

I love my Motovation axle sliders. If you have any thoughts of getting a paddock stand, the Speedymotos won't work near as well. Another thing to consider is that on a 696, the axle sliders won't protect your swingarm much as the most damage will be done by the passenger peg mounts! I never considered rearsets until this fact dawned on me.

My standard Pit Bull stand has always been more than adequate. I think supporting the bike by the sliders is simply taboo—sure, they were designed for it, and they were meant to get beat up, but to me it's like hammering nails with a crucifix!

Confused. you say the swingarm WILL get more damaged because of the rear set arm, or WONT get more damaged?

So your saying the sliders are or aren't helpful?

thanks

I think some people are confusing rearsets with passenger peg mounts. What I'm saying is that if the bike goes down, the arms that hold the passenger pegs will probably be pushed into the swingarm. The axle sliders can't prevent that, but they would protect the swingarm from the tarmac.


Taboo? 90% of all race bikes or trackday bikes are supported on stands by the rear sliders. I don't understand the crucifix analogy at all. What does your pit bull stand attach to? I wouldn't trust a type that just slides under the swingarm with little tabs.

1) Rearsets are always a good thing. Can't wait till some good ones are sold for the 696. ;)

2) Not so: they use small metal bobbins that are solely [and appropriately] designed for mating with paddock stand fork supports.

3) You don't need to understand my personal eccentricities.

4) Nothing. That would prevent the swingarm spirits from coming and going as they list. [roll]