Ride height adjustment

[Bizzarrini]

Hi Guys!

How can I change the rear ride height on a '94 M900? Should I use one of these?
http://cgi.ebay.de/Heckhoeherlegung-DUCATI-Monster-Heckanhebung-hoeherlegen_W0QQitemZ160255185604QQihZ006QQcategoryZ78471QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Or can I just change the preload on the spring?

Cheers!

[jerryz]

Well worth doing I just added 10mm to the S4 ..result awesome improvement in handling,stability and turn in.but its a 4 hour job on the S4.On my M750 it only takes 20minutes.

[mihama01]

What do you all think about raising the rear with a handle bar riser up front? Thanks.

Thats what I have with mine, I raised the front handlebars before raising the rear.

[IdZer0]

Thats what I have with mine, I raised the front handlebars before raising the rear.

Doesn't one negate the other ? What's the difference in handling in this case?

Reason I ask is that I want to raise the rear to shift a bit weight to the front but also use handlebar riser to bring the handlebar closer to me (I'm a bit short for my height). But I think that if you do this the net result is no change at all.

[teddy037.2]

raising the rear height will affect the bike's geometry.

bar risers will affect the bike's ergonomics for you, the rider.

[mihama01]

Actually raising the bars shifts the weight of the rider backward somewhat so it emphasizes the rear weight bias of the monster. I raised my rear ride height to shift some of that weight back forward. This is my experience not theory.

So changing the handlebars does also affect handling, somewhat.

The net result will be...the center of mass is likely to be higher, your body will be more upright and the rear will be higher.

Also the forks will be more vertical, less Harley and more sportsbike.

So there are changes one does not cancel the other

[LA]

Raised my rear ride height 1" and dropped the front 3/8". It's an absolute must do mod. Handles MUCH better. Finishes the turn better and turns in better. Gives a little better clearance for the exhaust under the bottom of the bike. Doesn't take much of a speed bump to drag at stock height.

You can't drop the front much because of clearance issues at full braking.

It is a pain in the ass to do the rear, however.

LA

[teddy037.2]

So changing the handlebars does also affect handling, somewhat.

I see where you're coming from, but the primary function is ergonomics, which is what I meant to say. it can affect some of the weight bias (from the rider), but there is no change to the bike's geometry.  you will influence handling simply by where you sit in the saddle, like hanging off on the inside of the bike while cornering, for example.

changing from stock to my SM bars got me over the front more, but I didn't notice any sort of increase in turn-in, vs. a monster w/a slightly raised rear height

[IdZer0]

The thing is, I notice a difference in reach and handling (improvement) when I shift my body more forwards (as close to the tank as possible and going closer to the handlebars with my head & torso).

What I'd like to achieve is this same improvement without having to lay so low on the tank. risers would shorten the reach so I don't need to go so close to the tank/handlebars, but it wouldn't really improve the handling, would it? (maybe even make it worse because you won't lean as much forwards as before) The question is; would raising the rear bring you back to situation where you still need to lean _just_ as much as before but with a shorter reach or would it also improve the weight distribution. To put it this way: if you use 1" risers, how much would you have to raise the rear to compensate the weight shift caused by the risers and is that amount (or even a bit more) feasible and advised?

Also: does anyone know the difference in the geometry of a 695 vs S2R as far as weight distribution/reach? I've sat on an S2R (not ridden unfortunately) and it seems to have a better ergonomy although this doesn't really make any sense as the 695 bars are more swept back as those of the S*R. I remember someone saying that the 695's weight distribution is more rear biased than the S*R. Is this correct?

[teddy037.2]

IIRC, the 695 has the same lower seat like the 620.

S2R 800 def. felt higher up... I'm too tired to go look up the spec on the two bikes, so if someone chimes in sooner, then awesome  I'm pretty sure that the rake/trail are identical...