Ducati Monster Forum

Hey all...I'm in the hunt for a Monster but I did want to ask if there are any "must do's" for larger riders. I'm approx. 6ft 3in and weigh about 220lbs. I really want a Duc but the after sitting on a Monster, Streetfighter and Hyper at a dealership the other day I have to say they all felt kind of cramped to me. Is it just the fact I'm used to offorad bikes? I guess therh are mods you can do to open the cockpit?

Thanks.

probably partly due to being used to off road bikes.
have you checked out the multistrada?

there are a few tweaks you can do to increase the ride height on the monster, but not sure they will be enough for someone your size (perhaps another large monster rider will chime in)

I'm about the same size and the Monster will fit you comfortably enough.  My suggestion is to buy one that has fully adjustable suspension and maybe has been resprung for a heavier rider.  Non-adjustable forks are built for 160lbsers.

PS You will look like a "gorilla humping a fire hydrant" to quote a fellow rider on my appearance while riding the bike! [cheeky]

Ask Mongo (aka Double Eagle)...

I'm 6'5 230lbs and i love my s2r 1000. It took a bit comming from a Enduro to the Duc but i just couldnt live without it. I do need to put some heavier springs on it if i want to ride harder.

I'm  6'2" 220-ish and my M1100 forks will have to be resprung for my fat ass rear is fine
i like "monkey humping a football as the most appropriate comparison"

Did the Ducati dealership you checked the Monster and Streetfighter at not have a complete selection of all Ducati models that you could also check if you were comfortable on or not?
That is the only way you will know.

Do you just want to have any Ducati and don't care what model it is?

Try to figure what about the Monster or Streetfighter made you uncomfortable and if some customization could make the Ducati of your choice better for you.  Could a different customized seat make it more comfortable?  Having the foot pegs, shifters relocated? Handlebars raised or a different set of handlebars?

I ride both a S4Rs and 1098 R and with gear on I'm 6'4" tall and 280 lbs.

Just got to get used to it.

Dolph        :)

Coming from off-road bikes, it'll probably feel cramped no matter what you do. That's kinda the nature of the beast when it comes to street bikes.

That said, there are some things that you can do to make yourself a little more comfortable. In order of cost:

Longer bars and/or risers will make it so you're not as raked-out over the tank. $40 or so for risers, $70-80 for a taller bar. $100+ for clipons if you decide you want lower bars.

A new seat. Not sure what the new "Comfort Saddle" runs, but the old one was about an inch taller and was a relative steal at $220 or so. Seriously comfy, too.

Rearsets. I don't know details on those offered for the new Monster, but the old "standards" would give you about an ingh of adjustability for foot position. Expect to pay $300-600 new.

Some or all of these might make the Monster (or whatever Duc you set your heart on, I'm sure) more comfortable. The thing you have to remember, tho, is that this is a bike designed to be ridden on the street. If you haven't, I'd suggest going to your local Honda stealership and sitting on a CBR or something similar. The Monster or StreetFighter might seem downright comfy by comparison.

Wait for Milan and the new Strada  [thumbsup]

What about a Hypermotard?  wouldn't that have very similar seating to an off road bike?

Multi would work the best

+1 for multi,

but im 6'2 and i love my 750 monster, i just have the bike raised a bit in the front, and a good bit in the rear

Hypermotard or Streetfighter are both on the tall side so those would be good choices.

ST  2, 3 or 4?
I've got an ST3 as well as the monster..  its a LOT more roomy, has heeps of poke, and handle nice as well...

Thanks to all of you for the suggestions. I think I need to do some additional research on many of the suggestions and ask a dealer for recomendations as well. It sounds like it's doable...and to be honest...I think half the problem is my inexperience with street bikes. With dirt bike (have a KTM 300XC), it's realtively easy to set them up for larger guys like me. Sounds like that's a doable proposition for the Monster or SF as well. I'm leaning towards the Monster as it seems like a good first bike...simple, not to high performance, but definitely fun, plus the looks don't hurt. Agree also the hyper is very "dirt-bikeish" but I really want something a little less upright if that makes sense? At any rate thanks and I will keep informed.

Something else to mention (since you didnt explictly state it)... Make sure you know which of the new monsters you are looking at... The 696 is smaller/lower than the 1100... One dealership I know swapped the clevis from an 1100 to a 696 and then adjusted the forks to keep the geometry the same. this increased the ride height a bit for the buyer (and also provided them an 1100 that was slightly lower than normal as well). Point is, if you are looking at a 696, it will be smaller, but there are lots of ways to resolve this...

that being said, I'm 6ft 225 riding a Monster 1100 and it feels great coming from my Ninja 650R which always felt a bit cramped. Hope you find one that feels great to you!  [thumbsup]

6' 190 naked here.  Rode an S2R1000 for almost two years and got used to it.  Just traded it in on a Hyper and couldn't be happier.  The position is very much like a dirt bike so you should feel right at home.

I agree with this guy (although, I in no way think someone who weighs 190 pounds can relate).

Rockgarden, from what you describe about yourself, I think you'll like the Hyper.

Don't waste time talking to a dealer, just test ride a few different models.

 I can not relate in any way to any of this (height or weight).

But may I ask where you recommend they do this?

Next year the hypermotard will come with a 796 motor too.
I rode the 696 for a month until I could afford to get the streetfighter.
Much better handling on the freeway I was getting knocked around a bunch with the afternoon gusts the Monsters could use a steering dampener.

I'm 6'2 and weigh 220 and fit well on my monster.  Like someone else said, ask Dolph - he's bigger than me and I've never heard him complain.

PS:  I just looked back and noticed Dolph already spoke up.  ;D

LA

Nothing is impossable it just costs more.
(http://d.yimg.com/kq/groups/27687483/hr/1601022801/name/sf2.jpg)
The lowering link for my F1098 is $400 and change plus labor the forks get dropped in the clamps but it changes the geometery.
I've been backing her out of parking spaces before hopping on the tip toes don't have as much traction backing up.

I'm 6"1' 180lbs and ride a 696. I'm too big for the bike. This was confirmed by the wife and my riding buddies. I sat on the Streetfighter, GT1000/SportClassic and thought they fit me better (after having purchased the 696 a year ago). The Monster 1100 is def a taller bike & if you are set on a Monster, then that is the better choice (new). My first 6 months of riding the 696 were painful, so I ordered the Ducati touring seat and 90% of my riding pain went away (some of that was adjusting to the bike too).

My opinion is that 6" and under can go 696 while >6" should go 1100 (or completely diff bike).

OK.....I'm 6'0" and heavier than anybody else here has admitted.  (I ain't sayin'....I'm just sayin'   :-X)

I currently ride a mid 90s Supersport and an '02 MH900e.  I can tell you without reservation that the MH was made for TALL PEOPLE!!  I have to tippy-toe when backing out of parking spaces, and I ain't no midget.  The riding position is biased toward a long torso (which I have), so it's actually quite comfortable once you get rolling.  I don't know where you'd test ride one (unless you want to visit Albuquerque and take mine for a spin), and the looks aren't for everyone, but it is a cool bike, IMHO.

As to the others you've tried, I think, as others have said, you just need to spend some time on several streetbikes before you form an opinion about Ducati in particular.  Go test other hardware (gasp .... blasphemy).  Ride the big 4, ride KTM, ride Aprilia, ride Agusta.  Some bikes just feel different (read "better"), and Ducati isn't for everybody.  Get a broad sample before you restrict yourself to a very narrow portion of the curve of possible choices.

That's my 2 cents,

Cloner
ABQ, NM

I understand the concern.  I'm 6'6" 215 with gear, and I ride an m900.  It was my first bike so I adjusted to it and did not know any different.  I love the 900 and how compact it is, but I recently had the chance to demo several bikes and do over 700mi on an ST2 while taking over our local dealer's European brands (Ducati,BMW,KTM,Husqvarna).  We have HYM1100 demo and I think it is the best all around bike in the current line up.  The seat height of the Multi, upright ergos of the ST series, simplicity of the Monster, all while saving you from the type of trouble the 150hp Street Fighter can get you into. 

I've been seriously impressed by the Hyper's agility in urban scenarios, and it absolutely rips in the twisties.  I have done 2,000mi+ trips with two different Hyper's, and I would be lying if I wasn't jealous of it's versatility.

i guess i'll be good on a 696 at 5'7" 185-190 lbs?

Or the 848 Hayden. [thumbsup]

Are you just beginning to ride?  The 696 has a lower stance than all of the other Ducs on the floor.  Very confidence inspiring.  It is great to throw the anchors out on both sides when things get a little out of hand....which they will.....lower seats means less weight to catch in order to regain control.

I'm 6'3" and 240lbs and ride an s2r1000,  pretty much any sport bike at your size you'll need to change the springs if you want it to handle right but I love my monster.  

Just so you know how much I love it I'll whore some pictures of me on it on the track.  I am pretty big on it

(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/vw151/monster-madnessweb.jpg)

(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/vw151/monsterkneethunder.jpg)

Having said that.  I test road a KTM 990 superduke a few months ago.  It was awesome!!!!

Yes I am.. last time I was on a bike was back in 04 when I was 24..  I figured the new 696 would be perfect for me untill I want something more..

Hey, im 6 2 220 lbs and ride a 696. I didn't read the whole thread so bear with me. Im not sure about you, but i know guys my "size" that have bellys, i dont. I fyou do i dont know what would help, but, i fit the 696 fine, the handlebar reach seems short, but im ok with it

get an 1100 monster, it has adjustable suspension

i find riding two up with my wife is a bit much for the 696

also look into different handle bars

hope that helps

after seeing this, yeah a 696 is fine, get your liscense, go test ride one, it was (is) my first bike too, and its just fast enough, very confident, and not too much $$$$$

the 696 was my first Ducati and it's fine if you don't take it too fast or on the freeway.
I outweigh both of you and never had a comfortable ride on the non adjustable shocks I took quite a pounding. Good sales tool to upgrade you into a higher priced Ducati.

Damn..  what's the sugested weight load for a 696, 1100?

wow, the 696 isn't that bad...