Hey all. We lowered my wife's M620 with the adjustable link from Monster Parts, but she's still on tippy-toe making it hard for her to back up on any kind of incline or slippery surface. Also, we sometimes ride 2-up, and have scraped the exhaust a couple of times this spring (What can I say? I got fat over the winter... :P). So we want to adjust the suspension back up a bit and take as much height as possible out of the seat. As such, I have some questions:
1) How much can be taken out without turning the seat into a board? To me it feels like about 3/4" should be doable if some stiffer foam is added.
2) I've seen a Ducati Performance Low Seat that drops about 20mm (in line with my 3/4" guess). It's a bit pricey, but is this a viable/good option for the 620? What are the pros/cons vs. getting a used seat and having it scooped?
3) What is the stock upholstery material? I assume it's vinyl, but it feels nicer than other vinyl seats I've had.
4) If I have the foam cut down/replaced to get 20mm of lowering in the front, will the upholstery have to be cut & stitched to fit?
5) What's a good source for a used seat in Canada? I know that there's eBay, but the stuff I'm seeing on there is in the states, and my usual wrecker apparently doesn't do Ducatis.
Buy her some platform boots and save yourself a lot of work. [cheeky]
In all seriousness, here's a way to raise the boot sole height:
http://www.vtwinmama.com/BOOTS_Article_Slate_pdf.pdf (http://www.vtwinmama.com/BOOTS_Article_Slate_pdf.pdf)
20mm is no problem, a little more also ok, especially if you replace with firmer foam.
For easier reach, you will have as much, or more, to gain by reducing the width.
BTW - there's a tutorial about this
Quote from: stopintime on April 06, 2011, 02:20:39 PM
20mm is no problem, a little more also ok, especially if you replace with firmer foam.
Good to know.
QuoteFor easier reach, you will have as much, or more, to gain by reducing the width.
Yup.
QuoteBTW - there's a tutorial about this
NICE! Shoulda checked there first. Sorry.
Quote from: Monster Dave on April 06, 2011, 01:38:34 PM
Buy her some platform boots and save yourself a lot of work. [cheeky]
In all seriousness, here's a way to raise the boot sole height:
http://www.vtwinmama.com/BOOTS_Article_Slate_pdf.pdf (http://www.vtwinmama.com/BOOTS_Article_Slate_pdf.pdf)
Not a fan of thicker soles - makes shifting a pain. Even so, thanks for the link.
BTW - here's the tutorial (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=2513.0) if anyone wandering in here wants easy access.
if your following my other thread, i took over an 1inch off.
Quote from: He Man on April 06, 2011, 08:21:47 PM
if your following my other thread, i took over an 1inch off.
This thread (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=47046.0), right?
Did you net a 1" decrease in seat height? I didn't think you were trying to lower the seat from what I read in there...
Another question: Are the seats from all M620's interchangeable? Will a 2003 work on her 2006 bike?
Thanks again for all of the help and info so far.
Quote from: Syscrush on April 06, 2011, 09:44:11 PM
Another question: Are the seats from all M620's interchangeable? Will a 2003 work on her 2006 bike?
Yes. As far as I know, any monster seat from 2001 on, until the 696 appeared will fit. The exception might be the S4Rs seat... but I think that's same same too.
Quote from: Sad Panda on April 07, 2011, 06:03:40 AM
Yes. As far as I know, any monster seat from 2001 on, until the 696 appeared will fit. The exception might be the S4Rs seat... but I think that's same same too.
Great, thanks.
Quote from: Syscrush on April 06, 2011, 09:43:14 PM
This thread (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=47046.0), right?
Did you net a 1" decrease in seat height? I didn't think you were trying to lower the seat from what I read in there...
Come to think of it, i took more than an inch off. I put back on 1/2inch gel pad and 1" foam. but the foam compresses to almost nothing, so yea i did gain 1" drop.
Quote from: He Man on April 07, 2011, 09:57:14 AM
Come to think of it, i took more than an inch off. I put back on 1/2inch gel pad and 1" foam. but the foam compresses to almost nothing, so yea i did gain 1" drop.
In your thread I thought it says that your goal was to raise the seat?
its the 2nd time i was working on the seat. the 1st time i took too much off. so im raised it again, sorry if thats confusing,
BTW - the part # for the factory low seat is 59520204C, but my local dealer says its no longer available.
Correction: that part # has been replaced by 59520202D, and according to shopducati.com it is available. I'm waiting to hear back from my dealer to see if it's available locally.
It's possible that the bike actually has the low seat already - what's involved in determining for sure if the current seat is the low or standard seat? Is there a part# marked/stamped/molded on the seatpan someplace? Is there a measurement I can take?
Thanks,
Phil.
The low seat, isnt that much lower. i think its about an 1".
Its still uncomfortable, it still sucks. Go get your seat modified, they will lower it, and make it more comfortable for the same price.
Quote from: Syscrush on April 08, 2011, 07:13:38 AM
It's possible that the bike actually has the low seat already - what's involved in determining for sure if the current seat is the low or standard seat? Is there a part# marked/stamped/molded on the seatpan someplace? Is there a measurement I can take?
Thanks,
Phil.
yes, the stock seat for a 620 is a bit lower than other flavors. I'm sure there's a different part number - but if it's stamped on it... er probably not, since the plastic pan is the same - it's just the foamy bits that are different.
Quote from: He Man on April 08, 2011, 08:09:07 AM
The low seat, isnt that much lower. i think its about an 1".
It's 20mm aka 3/4", which is what we're looking for (although more would be better if it can be done without sacrificing comfort).
QuoteIts still uncomfortable, it still sucks. Go get your seat modified, they will lower it, and make it more comfortable for the same price.
I'm shopping for a used seat for modding and talking to a couple of upholstery shops about doing the work.
no point in buying a spare seat if they are going to do it. Unless you are worried about down time. tis VERY easy to do if you have a right angle grinder. Takes about 30 minutes. hell i can do it for you. :P
For the factory low seat, the local dealer said that the part showed as "critical quality" so they couldn't guarantee 2 months on backorder before finding out that it's no longer available.
I've got a nice used seat on the way, and have a referral to a local guy who's modified a lot of seats. I'll post follow up here.
i updated my thread if you want to take a look at the final outcome
i have a stock seat for sale that should fit her bike and i'll get it to you for $100 shipped if you want it. perfect condition minus the lowering ;D
Quote from: uglyducky on April 14, 2011, 08:10:30 AM
i have a stock seat for sale that should fit her bike and i'll get it to you for $100 shipped if you want it. perfect condition minus the lowering ;D
I've already got one on the way, same price so you didn't break my heart. :)
He Man, the red pseudo-cowl looks pretty rad. Nice work.
Quote from: Monster Dave on April 06, 2011, 01:38:34 PM
Buy her some platform boots and save yourself a lot of work. [cheeky]
In all seriousness, here's a way to raise the boot sole height:
http://www.vtwinmama.com/BOOTS_Article_Slate_pdf.pdf (http://www.vtwinmama.com/BOOTS_Article_Slate_pdf.pdf)
We tried out the lowered seat and she's not very happy with how it looks, and despite taking 3/4" out it didn't make as much difference as we had hoped for, so the next stop is to have her boots re-soled. Thanks a lot for that article.