Ducati Monster Forum

currently working on an s4rs build and installed clip ons. love the look & feel of the aggressive riding position.
BUT
is it just me or is the bike a bit touchy on steering input now? i dont know how to explain it. i guess its something i will have to get used to, but it is a very uncomfortable feeling for the time being. possibly its the flat centered tire thats on it? wonder if its the transition from the square center to the still round sides? feels like its fine, then WOW its trying to go over
fyi.... i have 3 other duc superbikes, so clip on style/feel is what i have always known, but this is different

if the ONLY thing you changed is the clipons, you've put more weight on the front. and you leverage the bike differently.

a steering damper would help eliminate the twitchy feel, and many others will suggest getting your suspension set up for the new riding position.

I had the same experience.

After some road/track time I've come to the conclusion that what matters most, is that my upper body weight is now further forward. Leaning forward means a lot for turn'ability. Being a large rider, leaning forward means much more than hanging off. That's how it is for me, anyway.

Of course - forward weight can also feel more touchy.

The difference you feel between SBK and Monsters may then be caused by the fact that introducing clip ons to a Monster changes weight bias, while on a SBK it does not.

Square front tire is in itself not a very good thing. Change that and work on the new Monster riding - you'll be very pleased. Unless, of course, your suspension is way off(?)

for me i changed to clipons, new ride height new tires, etc etc. so i had no clue what made what happen, but in the end the bike falls into the corners. was scary at first and i was so hesitant.
if i wasnt in a rebuild i would have liked to have done things in stages to evaluate it change.

I also have clip ons on my S2R, it does feel different but thats to be expected at first.
Have you dropped the forks to fit the clip ons above the top yoke in any way? as that'll make a difference to the steering, and your tyre will make it feel very touchy, in effect you'll be pushing it firmly to steer on the flat part of the tyre and suddenly it roll over onto the round section and the effort you've just been using will be way too harsh causing you to feel very unstable momentarily.
My monster is nowhere near as 'unstable' at low speeds as my NC30 and 35 trackbikes which fall into corners with little effort and I've come to really like Ducatis tendancy to need a lot of steering input initially and being quite stable thereafter.

front tire is ok, back is pretty flat. i plan on putting on tires, but this is the first time in the project build it has been together enough to ride, so i had to run it around the neighborhood.
i had wondered if i had just become used to riding with a damper, but the 749 doesnt have a damper and it is the most comfortable in the turns.
the one thing i love about riding ducs is the way they "fall" or "want" to go into a corner, like a greyhound after a rabbit.  this is that way-ish, but seems twitchy once that transfer happens.
as far as susp setup, this ride was just a neighborhood trip, so there was no speed or suspension action needed, tho once complete the susp will be tuned.
i was wondering if maybe it was a different head angle if that made a difference.

I'd be looking at new tyres first, squared off tyres ruin the handling for all bikes and especially if you're not used to how it should handle.

Personally I've never found any Ducati bike( I've had a 916,SS,couple of Monsters and Sportclassics) to fall into corners, always needing a reasonable input initially though as stable as you could wish through corners, As i mentioned my trackbikes are way more sensitive and they really do fall into corners and I remember my old FireBlade being the same, the 916 afterwards came as a real effort initially until I got used to it.

I have a S4 with clipons and a 749s as well.
There is a big difference in feel between both bikes.
I agree with you that the monster feels "twitchy" compared to the 749.

The bike needs a damper. Night and day difference when i got mine.

Eliminate the forward weight. Dont use the bars to hold yourself upright.

Use your core and legs. Don't be tight on the bars. T-Rex that shit.

Ya a damppr is something i am considering. Any other options besides the $500 ohlins?

What is the net effect of putting the topyoke higher? Slower or faster turning?

Thanks for the input.

Cheers

huh?

do you mean if the forks are pushed up through the yoke or pushed down into the yoke.

if you raise the front of the bike, you slow the steering, through the weight to the rear and create IMO a dangerous chance of a tank slapper.

if you lower the front of the bike you speed up the steering, push the weight forward and create a potential situation for a tank slapper...

it's a fine balance to find the perfect setting.

Apologies if I have not been clear. 

Putting the yoke higher i.e. higher up on the fork, nearer to the adjusters.  Lower i.e. putting it say below the clip-ons.

Reckon which is better for a less experienced rider?

Thanks

I went with the top mount bitubo for my s2r. Beliisimoto has a special on some right now i think. check out their website.

I like the top mount, but if im not using the bar risers, than i would need a different mount. Something more like the 848 mount shown.
Ideally i could buy mounts as seperate parts and use the ohlins damper that came off my 1098s

i have clip ons and i use the top mount. i like it better than the side mounted stuff. I can adjust on the fly plus if the bike tips over, i wont smash 500 bucks.

It is a lil funny looking since it attaches to one riser. But it works so well that i can forgive it. You barely notice the riser since a shiny damper is right on top of it.

It doesnt look goofy sitting up high on the tree with no handlebars? Pics?

I put clipons on my 695 and I'm 6 foot.  I am constantly reminding myself to squeeze with my legs to let pressure off my
grips.  It feels pretty good when I put my elbows on my knees into a tight tuck else hands and back start complaining.
My 2 cents.

Here are some i already took

(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb408/lofty55/IMAG0012-1.jpg)
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb408/lofty55/IMAG0003-1.png)
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb408/lofty55/IMAG0006-1.jpg)


i would still like to drop the cluster and put the "fairing" back on. That would do it aesthetically for me i think.
but this look doesnt totally kill it for me. Im a big fan of a damper.

jeremyh007 - which clipons did you put on your bike?  Got any pictures?  Did you have to modify the front end at all in order to fit them up?

I've been looking at the Woodcraft set (http://www.woodcraft-cfm.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=OOOX (http://www.woodcraft-cfm.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=OOOX)) as they can be mounted w/out removing the top-triple but I'm unsure on which rise to get.

I went with the woodcraft for the same reason....no need to pull the forks