Ducati Monster Forum

Missus is fancyin' a 696.  When I first started riding, I just bought a bike and rode it.  Now, after numerous trackdays and feeling the security a solid, properly adjusted suspension will do for you, I am slightly concerned about the front suspension being non-adjustable.

I have searched the intarweeebs, read reviews, and read threads...It seems as there is no answer for this right now. 

My question to all you vertically challenged ladies out there (wife is 5'0"), did you feel the front, stock suspension is solid enough for persons between 100lbs and 130lbs.

Seems after reading a bit here, I am not the only one that is amazed that Ducati would market their top seller without an adjustable suspension in a time when all their competitors have this.

Anyways, thanks for the info! [drink]

Before you get too far insto the suspension....

have you looked into lowering options? Stock seat height will most likely be too high for someone 5' tall.

yes...we stopped by the DucPond in Winchestertfieldville and spoke with the owner.  Most likely will be going with the aftermarket seat and he said he usually brings the forks up through the triples and then replaces the rear spring to match.  Guess there are no lowering dogbones for the 696?

I have a 695, not a 696, but that also has a non-adjustable front suspension, and I am a light rider.

I have had no real issues with it, I've taken my bike to the track a few times and I commute daily on it through the twisties including some goat trails.

I did have the rear adjusted for my weight, that made a tremendous difference in how it felt.

I also rode my husband's S4R several times before he sold it, the only place I noticed a big difference from the superior suspension (which admittedly was left at stock settings, not set for my weight) was on a patch of freeway with an undulating surface that on my bike feels like I am on a pogo stick, but felt much better on his bike.

I have heard that you can make a big difference in the front just by changing the weight of the fork oil, but I've never played around with that.

I'm sure that if I were coming from a bike with better suspension that had been set up just for me, I would notice the lack in the 695, but it's been fine for me for 23,000+ miles.  I doubt your wife will have any problems with it coming from the Ninjette.

696 uses a cantilever type rear shock mount similar to the old SS. You would need a shorter shock to lower the rear.

You mentioned your riding style/ability but not the Missus. The 696 suspension front and rear can be re-sprung for her weight and the rear is semi-adjustable. Unless the Missus is at least a real fast B to A rider at the track the 696 suspension is more than adequate if you get the spring weight & sag correct. My GF just got a 696. I've flogged it a few times on the street and the suspension is fine. I used to do a bit of racing and my times at the track are pretty good I've built a few race bikes with full suspension re-builds & some bikes with Ohilins front & rear so I know a bit about what a bike should feel like. Anyway the 696 is not a race bike and would not be a good platform for one. The 696 is a great street bike and my GF absolutely loves riding it which is very important when you drop big $ on a bike. My GF is about 5'8" 130lbs and the suspension seems perfect for her riding which is spirited back road riding and maybe a trackday here or there. She is back to mid-pack B rider ability and keeps it real sane on the street. Did i mention that she loves the Duc. ?
Good luck with the Missus & her new bike whatever it may be  [thumbsup]

Would she be happy with the 'classic' Monster style? Ie a 695 or 620. There are lowering links for those monsters. In the NoVa area it shouldn't be to hard to track one down. He'll there might still be some new 695 in stock at an area shop.

I think Ducati Seattle has made a few 696's easier for smaller riders.
forks pulled through, shorter seat, different suspension settings on the rear, and even different bars to decrease the reach.

you could decrease the preload, being a smaller lighter person, you dont need to stock preload for a 160lb person. that will help shorten the rear.

Right now, she says no track riding. So mostly western VA road riding and whatnot.

DucPond said they can make the adjustments quickly and we will probably add the aftermarket seat that is a bit lower/narrower to help her reach.  They had one on the floor that already had the aftermarket seat on there adn she was tip toe.  hopefully bringing the forks up through and installing a lighter shock on the rear will get her to a firm toe stance.

thanks for the info and will post pics when this happens!

Reply to link - or anyone else with 696 experience.  Very interested in your comments re 696 suspension as you seem to know what you are talking about.  I have a new 696 and weigh @ 250 lbs and find the front end so stiff it is jarring.  Road irregularities and bad surfaces make the front end feel almost as if it is solid.  Yet, when I put the front wheel against a wall and pump the forks, they feel fine. 
I seem to be the only one who complains about this.  If anything I would think the forks would be too 'soft' for my weight.  Do you think going to a 5 weight oil may help. 

At 250 plus gear your probably overloading the suspension if you're still on stock springs. As a result the forks are already very compressed leaving very little travel to soak up those bumps resulting in that stiff jarring feeling

+1. Gotta set the springs correctly for your weight.

off topic, but I d not believe any manufacturer has stock suspension that would be stiff for anyone over 200lbs (I weigh in at 215). Hence, you are correct by probably saying that it is too soft.  You are most likely bottoming out the forks.

its 160 or so for ducati.

The guys who are telling you the stock springs are too soft are correct & your just blowing thru the stroke and bottoming or getting to a point where the fork valving gets real harsh and feels like bottom. Your also having problems with the rear shock (if you still have the stock spring on that) I'm new to Ducati so I don't know if your local dealer could put new springs in the forks & shock but if your in the US PM me & I can give you a few names of some very good suspension shops that will get your suspension sorted out. For now go put a zip tie around your fork tube pretty tight and up high near the fork seal & go for a ride and see how far the tie has moved & that will tell you how much travel your using, you will know right away if you are bottoming out. Also when you compress your forks (use the front brake don't put the wheel against the wall) you should be able to move them about 3 inches or so and they should take about a second to come back up. I would not recomend a different oil until you get the correct springs. I weigh 185 and never got close to bottoming the 696 forks. Remember that the you need both the front & rear suspension to work together and problems with rear will affect the front & vice-versa.
 Good Luck

Several people around here have already swap'd the back shock to the Ohlins DU737, retails for $764.  I'm actually thinking about going this route.  I weigh in at 195 w/o gear.  Back end can get a little wallowy.  Also thinking about a re-spring for the front end. 

Just to clarify, the recommendation to try changing the weight of fork oil is for folks who are too light for the stock suspension.  I agree with everyone else that if you are too heavy for the stock suspension you need to look at upgrading the hardware.

If this will help.... I weigh 135 and ride on bumpy roads with frost heaves etc. Switched to a Ohlins Du737 and went through 3 springs to finally get the 100N/, now it doesnt launch my butt and I am much happier. This spring will be fork swap time so I can fine tune the front.Not because I have to but it is what makes ring fun for me. Don