Ducati Monster Forum

The 14T front sprocket was just a bad idea so I ended up reinstalling the OEM sprocket (15T). A couple of issues: First is the diameter of the 14T sprocket which was too small thus putting a lot of downward pressure on the chain guide therefore wearing it out prematurely. Secondly, this may just be a personal preference, but I kinda like the OEM tall first and second gears around town.
(http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee478/superduc/DucMod1.jpg) 

Why were the mirrors bad?

I've been waiting to hear someone say this. I think this bike's throttle response is plenty fast enough already.

Here's two good mods for you, SD;
Remove those ugly frame stickers.
Replace those blingy Termi stickers with Rollin Stones lips stickers  [thumbsup]

They are well made (billet aluminum) and look pretty slick but as far as functionality is concerned not so much. Regardless how much I have tried to adjust them, the views are very limited so I end up turning my head anyway. I bought them via Ebay, direct link below.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Billet-CNC-Mirrors-Tomok-Ducati-695-696-796-MONSTER-Black-/250938490288?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3a6d197db0 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Billet-CNC-Mirrors-Tomok-Ducati-695-696-796-MONSTER-Black-/250938490288?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3a6d197db0)

Agree with you about those ugly frame stickers but not sure about Mr. Stones Lip stickers  ;D

another good mod. remove those reflectors from the front forks  [thumbsdown]

You must have a remarkable 696 there if yours is happy around town at 3,500 RPM. The one I rode fell on it's face under 4,000 and IMO was massively overgeared. Methinks you are lugging yours bigtime.

Personally no issues running a 14T on my 796 which is a lot healthier than a 696, and my reason, among others for buying it.

So..., you are saying that your bike now pulls redline in 6th with a 15T? ???

If you aren't living in CA, maybe get rid of that evaps canister?

Curmudgeon, Honestly, I am much happier with the 15T, especially for my rides around town. She does not feel like she's lugging at all so perhaps it's her racing exhaust and ECU kit that helps. 

Oh, I thought it may have been a vibration issue. You should be turning your head with any mirrors. Maybe they could be a good thing as they are forcing you to shoulder check. The more you move on a bike the more visible you become as well.

Anything is possible, but I doubt it. There is a reason Ducati equip the bike with a 15T and offer a 14T as an "accessory". Back to my question, your bike pulls redline in 6th with a 15T? Generally, except for 4-valve bikes, Ducatis are happiest between 5,000 and 9,000 and smoothest too. It's your bike of course.

i like my 14t because im not really concerned with top speed, as i rarely go 100+ but having that extra get-up down low and it gets up to 80 pretty quickly

although it could go either way on the argument, the 796 is different from the 696, so maybe the swingarm angle is slightly different, but i was thinking about replacing the rear sprocket and going back to the 15t on the front

The gearing on the 696 is different than the 796 and 1100. I believe 796 and 1100 have much taller gearing than 696. I use 6th gear on my 696 quite often but I am told that some 796 and 1100 riders never use their 6th gear.

Yes, besides the extra torque and BHP, (8 ft. lbs & 7 BHP, but feels like more), your 796 is a lot different; big bike frame, SSS, wider rear wheel, etc.

For what it's worth, I've dropped a tooth up front on every Ducati I've owned except the '81 900SS and 851, neither of which seemed to need it. 100+ is pretty pointless around here as well. As it is, I'm 10 - 30 MPH over the limit all too frequently, today (when it was 65 F) included.  ;)

If you change the rear and revert to the 15T, you'll probably need a longer chain too, which is the reason Ducati sell so many 14T fronts.

According to the website, you are correct about that; internal gearing identical, 45T vs 39T in the rear. Regardless, the stock 696 demo I rode felt massively overgeared, the forks worked, the rear didn't, otherwise nice. I ordered a 796 with 14T and an Ohlins for the back and a Rizoma bar.

With the 15t front on a stock 796, you need to be going a minimum of 80mph (4000 rpm) on flat ground to even shift to 6th gear. Really need to ride the clutch pulling out too. I am in the mountains of East Tennessee for what it's worth

Curious as to the Steering damper as a 'Good" mod.. I hit canyons pretty regular AND ride my Mosnter to work everyday but have yet to even think of a steering damper.....


Must admit I have one on my 996SPS but never thought of installing one on my S2R!K...

Likewise, nary a twitch, including leaned over and hitting abrupt, large, double bridge transitions at a good clip. The bike is totally composed. I'm not tracking the bike, so no idea whether it might be useful at triple digits. Gives no indication of slappers though.

I'm also curious about the damper.. brand? feel?
Also, even if you do live in Cali (like i do) dump that canister...

IMO a damper is a MUST [thumbsup]
A huge difference

What has an '06 S4R to do with a 696?! ???

my M1100 gets a little head-shake under hard acceleration in the lower gears. like the 796 guy posted earlier, i can't really use 6th gear until i hit 80mph.

i like CRG lanesplit mirrors. they take a bit of getting used to in terms of depth perception, but they almost completely eliminate blind spots. also the touring seat is an excellent mod - my nuts no longer make intimate contact with the gas tank under braking, plus i can stand sitting on the bike for more than 2 hours. ditto the rear luggage bag, although i wish it was large enough to hold my XL helmet.

Ohlins damper and mounting kit from Kyle. I am a big "sissy" so I don't ride without a steering damper, especially on the track. Learned that very expensive lesson many moons ago!
http://www.shop.kyleusa.com/product.sc;jsessionid=1C85FD47968A6C02DE77E26698A25C62.qscstrfrnt01?productId=237&categoryId=113 (http://www.shop.kyleusa.com/product.sc;jsessionid=1C85FD47968A6C02DE77E26698A25C62.qscstrfrnt01?productId=237&categoryId=113)

Getting rid of that ugly canister is next on the chopping block.

Here are a couple of recent ones.

I just happen to have an extra radiator cooling fan from my previous bike laying around so I figured what the heck. The fan is connected directly to the battery operated with a toggle switch.
(http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee478/superduc/DSC00084.jpg)

And of course, a must have billet oil filter from PC Racing Flo $90 from Amazon.
(http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee478/superduc/DSC00086.jpg)

I guess I was left out of the memo loop because the title says good mods and bad, not specifically just 696 mods.  Dampers for all.  :P

..You might wanna have that looked at

Radiator fan on an air-cooled Duc?

 [roll]

I think i'm missing something

It's a simple 10-minute mod that is purely cosmetic! I was actually thinking about installing an H Competition oil cooler but changed my mind. The fan does work and produce a good amount air flow, but I am not sure if it is sufficient enough to actually cool down the engine temp.

So this is just a cannister type filter? Is it a reusable filter media? If so, how do you go about cleaning it?

Product Features, copied and pasted from Amazon. It is actually now on sale for $76.82 plus shipping. I put it on last week so don't know, first hand, how well it will work, but from what i can tell, it is very well made. 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003175JMI/ref=oh_o02_s00_i00_details (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003175JMI/ref=oh_o02_s00_i00_details)

- The most technically advanced oil filters you can buy
- The filter element is made from medical grade, type 304 stainless steel micronic filter cloth to provide unmatched protection against oil contamination and resultant engine damage
- Super strength nickel-plated neodymium rare earth magnet is installed in the top of the element for magnetic pre-filtering of the oil
- A sophisticated bypass is engineered for proper differential pressures and consistent operation, delivering a greater percentage of filtered oil while being very easy to clean
- The twist lock design assures positive filter element placement and allows for easy disassembly, inspection and cleaning

HAA [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

And that's a nice filter but i wouldn't pay that much for a oil filter.

Not really. I paid twice that much for a crack-whore before!

Me either... Plus those filters usually filter worse than the cheapest paper filters.

Reverse the fan - your bike will go faster  [cheeky]

^ Why didnt i think of that!? I'm going to strap all my house fans to my bike!

You guys made it sound like you have never heard of using cooling fans for air-cooled engine before. Do me a favor and put Google to good use, then come back here to post your findings. In fact, google "Harley engine cooling fan"!

Also, this may not look good to all of you, but it does look fine to me.
(http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee478/superduc/DSC00002.jpg)

I'm sorry that I made fun of your fan.

If it was positioned in front of the cylinder, preferably directly by the vertical, then maybe it would do some good - that's what I'm thinking. Then again - anything helps if it's really hot [thumbsup]

You would want the fan on the oil cooler.  BMW does that, or at least used to on the police version RTs

I agree that it should be in front of the oil cooler.

First he'd have to put an oil cooler on his bike.

Hard to tell for sure, but it looks to me like the front wheel's going to hit that fan on a big bump.

I hope not. I got about 3.5" of clearance. Here's a right angle pic.
(http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee478/superduc/DSC00021.jpg)

WHOA!! Hold the phone, you don't have a oil cooler!?

It's a 696.

Stock it has neither an oil cooler nor a fan. 

I can see the value in adding one of those items.

he knows what he has, no need to bash it for not doing anything.

not that there is any reason to add one, but your cases are set up to accept lines for an oil cooler, it wouldn't be hard to put one on at your next oil change.

cooling shouldn't really be an issue on a 696 though, I wish I could run my s2r without a cooler...

Captain Bloody, Thank you sir for your kind words! The fan is purely cosmetic and since she hasn't even passed 5 bars yet, putting on an cooler may be over-killed.

Harley... That explains why I thought it it was odd...