Ducati Monster Forum

How much am I missing out on by NOT having adjustable forks? I have a M796 and I am considering changing to SBK or M1100 forks. Will it be worth it? I don't race or do track days at the moment but I do beleive in good setup. Am I truly missing out or will I never be able to appreciate the difference because I do not race and will not see a half second difference in lap times? 

First you need to find out if you actually need changes.
Have that established by a professional who can measure how well suited your fork is for your weight.

Your riding today, as described, might not benefit enough to justify the cost.
That may or may not change later on.

I think all bikes should have adjustable suspension. Once preload, comp, and rebound are properly setup, you will notice a huge improvement in handling and comfort. I went from non-adjustable crap suspension on my s2r 800 to fully adjustable units at both ends and could not believe the difference.

I agree with stopintime.  The cost to benefit ratio will likely lighten you wallet without putting a smile on your face.  Something that I learned from a mechanical engineer was that companies spend thousands of dollars in the research, development and testing of most components of vehicles.  These components, or sum of all parts, are set up for a wide range of usage to appeal to the masses.  I believe our bikes come set up from the factory to suit most rider situations.  Unless your weight is way off the scale(+/-) or your competing, I would just leave it.

I put adjustable fronts on my CBR600 some time ago and ended up just leaving the adjustment in the middle somewhere which was pretty much the stock position.  It was a waste of $$.

Its only a waste of $$ if you dont know how to actually tune suspension, or are not willing to hire someone who does.


That said, I have non-adjustable forks with RaceTech gold valves. Did I say non-adjustable? They are quite adjustable!! Sure, just take the wheel off, unscrew the bottom bolt hidden above the axle, remove the top cap, pull out damper, remove valves, adjust shim stack! and youre there! adjusted!!!


Once I found my set up, I've been good since.

Worked for me. 

Agreed on all accounts.  [thumbsup]

Not making a generalization; just merely stating it was a wast of money for me because I ended up preferring the ride with the forks it in the stock position anyway.  I'm pretty well versed in setting up my suspension.  For me, dialing in my ride was all about how comfortable the bike felt under me.  I'm fortunate to have learned this skill.  Back in the day, before politicians took away our tracks, being able to do this yourself was key.

Those guys at RaceTech are really nice.  They helped me set up my forks for my CB550 with the Gold Valve Kit and springs.  Having that kit with new RT springs made a huge difference in high speed handling and keeping the front wheel down while cornering.

I am 5'8 and 154 lbs so I am probably near the middle of the road for what Ducati considered an "average rider" when they engineered the bike. The bike feels good, but I definitely think that there is room for improvement. 

I posted this all, but didnt realize we're talking about totally different forks. These are the OLD showas.

how much will the front end saw cost you?


Race Tech Gold Valves and linear rate springs.

description	|qty	|unit	|Race Tech part number	|unit price	|price
Type-1 compression valve	1	set (L/R)	FMGV S2043	169.99	169.99
Type-1 rebound valve	1	set (L/R)	FRGV-S02	169.99	169.99
Spring set 34.7x340mm .85kg	1	set (L/R)	FRSP S3534085	109.99	109.99
Shock oil 3.5-5wt	2	quart	US-1	29.99	59.98
Inner fork bushing	1	set (L/R)	FMBI 41201 P	24.99	24.99
outter fork bushing	1	set (L/R)	FMBO 41202 P	21.98	21.98
SHOWA oil seal	1	set (L/R)	FSOS 41P	21.98	21.98
SHOWA dust seal	1	set (L/R)	FSDS 41P	19.98	19.98
			TOTAL	598.88

also...it was kind of a pain in the ass to get that table formatted correctly....I hope someone finds it useful.

Favorite'd for future reference - thanks [thumbsup]

regarding the table that avizpls posted.

I wouldn't replace seals unless they were leaking.
If the forks are 6 years old or so, still on original seals... yes.

I've not seen a set of OEM fork bushings that were needing replacement.

All fine as an effort to keep things in top-notch working order, but not mandatory.

--------------------------

Most of the non-adjustable Showa and Marzocchi forks are pretty crude, and function that way.
IE; none, minimal, or stone-age valving.

Older non-adjustable 41mm Showas have proper valving, so they're pretty good and can be made better.

The main benefit of the adjustable forks are that they're equipped with the proper valving.
The usual 'issues' with the adjustables is that the valving shortcomings cannot be overcome by the adjustability.
The adjustability is all low-speed, but it's the high-speed that's less than optimum.

OK, this is useful information. As I have the same bike and am 5' 8" and 175 lbs., I have to ask what you have done for the back. If you are still riding the bike stock, the Sachs shock doesn't do much and the preload is factory set for a passenger. The stock Marzocchi fork is actually not bad at all.

Prior to delivery I had an Ohlins DU-737 fitted and the whole bike set up by an Ohlins certified tech for my weight and a solo rider. That Ohlins was ordered from Ohlins direct with a spring and valving for my weight. Total cost = $615. I find the bike very slightly firm but never jarring, settled at all times and completely balanced. The tech who did the work was also very satisfied, and he holds sevesral regional and one national road race title on Ducatis.

There is a bad bridge crossing on one of my road loops, in a dip, in the middle of a turn with bad transitions on and off the bridge deck. I can take it heeled over at 75 MPH without a wiggle or hiccup. Pretty decent I'd say.  ;)

Could it be better? Maybe 10% with an even better Ohlins out back and a nosebleed expensive Ohlins fork. NOT cost-effective in my book. This set-up even impressed my son who weighs 90 lbs more and rides a full Ohlins ST4s!

Good Luck! I think this bike will be really nice with 2,000 miles. My other tweaks on my signature line.

I'm very surprised at some of the reply's. Simply put the stock 696/796 forks are CRAP they were engineered for cost saving only. It's not a matter of adjustment I've seen shocks with Hi speed compression adjustment, lo speed compression adjustment and rebound adjustment and no matter how you adjusted it it still was a POS.

If you want to transform your 796 into a sweet sweet handling bike do the superbike fork swap the 848/1098 forks work well and the internals are good. You will notice a big big difference in your bike, search this forum for "fork swap help" It is by far and away the best money you will spend on your 796. It is really amazing how much difference the sbk forks make. I thought I was going to also replace the rear shock but after the fork swap the rear shock feels fine. After the swap the bike is much smoother and way more comfortable especially on bumpy roads & you don't need to be a racer to appreciate that. Now when out on the back roads the bike is so stable through the corners, in turns where 50mph felt sketchy with the stock forks now can be done at 70mph with no drama the bike feels like it's on rails even in the slower turns it makes a big difference it is so much fun and way safer. If your close to SF stop by and ride mine then yours and I guaranty you will be doing the swap. Ducati built a great frame,motor,brakes and you will never really know how good until you get a decent set of forks on that bike.

I really want to upgrade to Ohlins equipment front and rear. My bike is awesome but the suspension does not inspire confidence at all. I still have the rear @ the stock setting. Its a bit firm but I don't mind too much. I didn't buy a Monster to go 200 MPH, I bought it to tackle the twistys. With the stock suspension I don't see that happening like I had imagined. Any bumps in the road through a corner is very unsettling. Not that it puts the bike out of shape, but it bothers the hell out of me. I'm going to set the sag in the rear this weekend. Hopefully that will help a bit. It looks like my mod list got a bit longer. 

big difference between the non-adj showa and marzocchi forks.
showas can be rebuilt/gold-valved, the marzocchis cant

I believe that the forks in 6xx monsters are even more basic.  Only one of the 2 forks has damping, while the other only has spring with no oil.  At least that's what I was told with my M620.

that's interesting... so only pre 2011 696/796's will work with the gold valves?

and how about moving to showa m1100 forks?  how do they compare to the sbk forks?  the same or are the sbk's noticeably better? 

Well, Ohlins are great but the Showa 848/1098 forks are more then enough for the Monster trust me, I've done many set ups on street & race bikes, Race tech, Ohlins kits & full on Ohlins and many re valves along the way. As I said prior that after you get the front sorted the stock rear shock is OK. Suspension is about balance after you've done the front you will find that the SBK forks work well with the stock shock. I would do the front test it out & then swap the rear out if you feel it needs it. The bumps are what really screws with the stock fork the 848/1098 forks fix that problem. And the mod can be done for around 600 bucks. You bike will never handle right with the stock forks. If you need any help getting parts let me know cause I just did this mod a few months ago.

Anyone know if I will be able to re-use my stock brakes with the SBK forks? And will my ABS stuff mount up as well? I was thinking about trying to find a set of M1100 forks and do a swap. They should be about the same as far as mounting of the ABS and brakes. I don't know about the SBK forks though.

for the sbk forks:

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=36913.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=36913.0)

pretty much everything you need to know there for the upgrade.  it's for a 696, but the 796 is basically the same, though at the end motionducati says that you dont need the shim for the brakes on the 796, but i dont know how they did it.  the 796 has the same 5 bolt 10mm offset brakes as the 1100, so i cant see how they did it without getting a 5mm shim into there.

not sure about the abs, but i should mount up fine since you're still using the same front wheel/abs ring.

m1100 forks should mount right up easily, but those are harder to find than the sbk forks.  and i dont know if they are as good as the sbk forks.

no gold valves on any non-adjustable marzocchi forks
spring/oil changes only

Ohlins=awesome
Showa= good
Marzocchi= um, these were the cheapest forks we could find to put on the bike
 (they are also used on aprilia, bmw and others...)

thanks jeff.  so if i found a set of m1100 forks, it should be about the same as a sbk fork upgrade since they are both showa?

When I finally spring for this, I'm gonna send my "new" (new to me) forks out to be "worked". I have heard a lot of good things about Traction Dynamics. Anyone here ever used them? I hoping that my tax return will cover my mod bug for next year. At this rate... no @#$^ing way!!

Not sure what forks your going to send out, but if your using the ducati 848/1098 Showa they do not need much "work" just get them sprung for your weight and replace the compression valving the rebound circuit on those forks are good. T/D do great work. There's a well known suspension tuner in Ca. that knows what to do to make those forks work. (if you want his contact info. let me know) Springs plus the re valve, new oil with labor should only run about $350.00 if you don't need springs it's much less.

^^ You are spot on with what I intend to do. I just want them revalved and sprung for teh weight of my and my Monster. I'm pretty sure (but not 100%) that my monster weighs less than a 1098. I mainly just want them done by a pro. I have gone through forks before, but mostly on dirtbikes. I'm too poor to do things twice. So I want it done right the first time.

Give Dave a call, Dave & his crew are great & knows what to do to the Ducati showa's. http://www.feelthetrack.com/ (http://www.feelthetrack.com/)  Your 110% correct about doing things right the 1st time I've spent a lot of money on suspension doing it twice. The 848/1098 forks are actually lighter then stock POS forks. I went a step further and bought Galfer wave rotors witch have the correct off set (no shims needed behind rotors) and the rotors weigh a full pound less then the Brembos so I lost 2lbs of un-spung weight & with all the other small weight saving mods the 696 now weighs 380lbs with a full tank of gas. With the forks & the light weight of the bike it corners like a well sorted race bike. It's a blast to ride. At first I kept the exact stock geometry and loved it. But ended up tweaking the stock geometry raising the ride height by about 15mm & increased the trail from 87mm to 93mm the ride height was for a little more peg clearance and the increased trail seems to sharpen the handling a bit.

even better, they are already the right size...dont need to change the triples