lowering the rear suspension on 696ABS

[Nash04]

Hi

Selling the bike  and the future owner is only 5'3" so her toes are basically the only portion touching the ground so I thought that we could lower the rear suspension by half an inch which should give her better footage but am wondering if that would effect the geometry of the bike.  This is on 2011 696ABS.

Thanks

[Howie]

Lower the front by the same and all you loose is ground clearance.  Before that, adjusting rear sag (preload) for her weight might do the trick if she is light or shaving the seat may do the trick. 

Also look here:
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1853.0

[Nash04]

Thanks for the info.  Will suggest to her about a different seat, think they have one that is thinner.  Yeah! she's only 5'3" and weights about 105.

[Curmudgeon]

Thanks for the info.  Will suggest to her about a different seat, think they have one that is thinner.  Yeah! she's only 5'3" and weights about 105.

As Howie said, SAG! With the rear up in the air, the bike doesn't have the expected factory geometry anyway, so dropping the fork may be unnecessary. The sag from the factory is with a light rider and lighter passenger anyway. How much do YOU weigh? 

Girls have longer legs than guys, so maybe she's "5' 6". 

Sargent makes a low seat for 696 which is flatter too. The better grade of foam may help with the reduced padding. On a 696 it comes with a nifty docoments/tools/valuables cannister under the seat since 696 has no flapper valve.

[DarkMonster620]

have the seat shaved and re-upholstered

[Nash04]

Lowered the rear suspension by half an inch and she's now happy.  Can't rest her whole sole but half is good enough.

Thanks for the info.

[Curmudgeon]

Glad to hear it. You lowered it by backing off the preload? That's the geometery the factory intended anyway. Girls have long legs.