Hello all,
Excited to be a part of the Monster community.
Quick Intro: I have been Rider for a while, I had a strange beginning where I only rode on the streets for a month (back in 1994) and started attending track days and eventually did 7 seasons of CCS and WERA (Mid Atlantic)..
I gave up racing in 2000 and off and on had several street bikes but didn't really enjoy street riding (but it was better than having NO seat time)
Now, 3 kids and 15 years later, I finally sold my last mistake (1199 Panigale) and bought an 09 Monster 696 to ride to work and do as many track days my pocket will allow.
Back to the Tech question:
I picked up a 2009 696 with 4500 miles. It comes with Termi Slipons, ECU and high flow filter combo (not pictured, still in box)
Otherwise, bone stock
Long story short, as many of you are well aware, the stock Monster's riding position, handlebars and feel isn't anything like a sport bike.
I am posting this here so the veterans can point me in the right direction on How to make my Monster feel like a Sport bike. (seating position and handle bars related)
I don't do long rides on the bike, and will just be commuting 10 miles to work. Other than that, I want to prep the bike for track days.
I am looking for guidance regarding:
- Stiffening front forks (springs, emulators or just heavier oil? )
- Removing handle bars and adding clip-ons (should I use raised clip-ons, is there a happy medium that would emulate semi-sport bike position)
- Rear sets (I am leaning towards wood craft rear sets.. any other recommendations that are better? )
- Gearing… is 14T the way to go?
- Any other changes you recommend to make the 696 a better track day bike?
I am sure I will have more question and I am looking forward to searching the archives and to learning all there is to learn about the Monster
Thank you in advance
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1720/25376512453_e2abf70542_o.jpg)
Welcome [thumbsup]
Fork: heavier oil and linear springs might help, but it's still budget damping. Quite a few custom options and then there's plug & play cartridge kits. Andreani from MotoWheels... http://motowheels.com/c-255560-parts-suspension-chassis-suspension.html (http://motowheels.com/c-255560-parts-suspension-chassis-suspension.html)
Shock: another budget item with a progressive spring. Öhlins maybe... http://motowheels.com/c-255560-parts-suspension-chassis-suspension.html (http://motowheels.com/c-255560-parts-suspension-chassis-suspension.html)
Woodcraft rearsets are VERY high compared to stock. Stock are very low though, so if you're not tall you may like them. Ducabike and Rizoma could be a more comfortable, but still track worthy option. http://motowheels.com/c-181217-parts-hand-foot-controls-foot-controls.html (http://motowheels.com/c-181217-parts-hand-foot-controls-foot-controls.html) or http://www.monsterparts.com/c/Controls-Foot/Controls-Foot.html (http://www.monsterparts.com/c/Controls-Foot/Controls-Foot.html)
Even the tallest riser clip ons will be 3-4 inches lower than stock bars. Again Woodcraft. http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/12-0150/Bars-Mirrors/12-0150.html (http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/12-0150/Bars-Mirrors/12-0150.html)
Seat is ok and I think you should do the rearsets and clip ons first, then decide if you need to customize the seat - maybe higher and with less forward slope...
Gearing changes will depend on the chosen track and your pace. For the street most riders like 14 front and maybe even one or two up rear.
Quote from: stopintime on March 23, 2016, 05:54:47 AM
Welcome [thumbsup]
Fork: heavier oil and linear springs might help, but it's still budget damping. Quite a few custom options and then there's plug & play cartridge kits. Andreani from MotoWheels... http://motowheels.com/c-255560-parts-suspension-chassis-suspension.html (http://motowheels.com/c-255560-parts-suspension-chassis-suspension.html)
Shock: another budget item with a progressive spring. Öhlins maybe... http://motowheels.com/c-255560-parts-suspension-chassis-suspension.html (http://motowheels.com/c-255560-parts-suspension-chassis-suspension.html)
Woodcraft rearsets are VERY high compared to stock. Stock are very low though, so if you're not tall you may like them. Ducabike and Rizoma could be a more comfortable, but still track worthy option. http://motowheels.com/c-181217-parts-hand-foot-controls-foot-controls.html (http://motowheels.com/c-181217-parts-hand-foot-controls-foot-controls.html) or http://www.monsterparts.com/c/Controls-Foot/Controls-Foot.html (http://www.monsterparts.com/c/Controls-Foot/Controls-Foot.html)
Even the tallest riser clip ons will be 3-4 inches lower than stock bars. Again Woodcraft. http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/12-0150/Bars-Mirrors/12-0150.html (http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/12-0150/Bars-Mirrors/12-0150.html)
Seat is ok and I think you should do the rearsets and clip ons first, then decide if you need to customize the seat - maybe higher and with less forward slope...
Gearing changes will depend on the chosen track and your pace. For the street most riders like 14 front and maybe even one or two up rear.
Thank you so much for the detailed response.. and the Links..wow
much appreicated
Spending other people's money is easy ;D
It's not impossible to have fun on a stock Monster, but suspension and some geometry mods are often 'worth it'.
For the effects of rider geometry changes http://cycle-ergo.com/ (http://cycle-ergo.com/)
Trade it in for an 848-899. ;)
do a thorough search on clipons for the Monster before investing. There are headlight clearance issues unless you are prepared to have them swept back at a very steep angle.
Quote from: cyberswine on March 23, 2016, 11:55:06 PM
do a thorough search on clipons for the Monster before investing. There are headlight clearance issues unless you are prepared to have them swept back at a very steep angle.
These will be handy for headlight clearance:
http://www.desmoworld.com/shop/ducati-monster/m696-m796-m1100/elektrik/scheinwerfer/desmoworld-m696-796-1100-1100evo-headlight-relocator.html (http://www.desmoworld.com/shop/ducati-monster/m696-m796-m1100/elektrik/scheinwerfer/desmoworld-m696-796-1100-1100evo-headlight-relocator.html)
These are required for spacing the reservoirs when using clip ons:
http://www.monsterparts.com/p/ADAP/Clip-On+Reservoir+Spacer+Kit.html (http://www.monsterparts.com/p/ADAP/Clip-On+Reservoir+Spacer+Kit.html)
Quote from: kopfjäger on March 23, 2016, 01:48:03 PM
Trade it in for an 848-899. ;)
Good advice :)
I sold my 1199 because it was ridiculous amount of "bike" for the street.. I am sure the 848/899/959 is a MUCH better bike for both street and track days, and there is surely one in my future, just not right now..
money is tight, wife and I hoping to celebrate our 20th anniv in Misano this september, so 848/899/959 will have to wait another year or two
Look at SpeedyMotos offerings for clip-ons. They have some nice stuff and the 'tall-boy' models offer a good bit of rise if needed.
There's already been a decent shock recco - But, you might look at Penske as well. Might not be worth it on cost compared to the Ohlins (didn't read the Ohlins specs) - but Penske does offer a range of models, and they will custom assemble the shock per your/your tuners specs. I've got an 8987 (HS/LS Compression & rebound) on my track bike and the hind sticks like glue... unless someone dumps their whole oil sump on the track