About to get a dark 696, what to change first?

[peanut_man]

Ok, so I'm about to finalized a purchase of a used 2009 Monster 696 (with only 300 miles on the ODO!). I think I got a pretty good deal, also comes with Termis (a must!) and a touring seat (not really need, but a nice addition). Only thing is it's the dark version. I would have preferred red or white, but heck, can't have everything.

Thinking of first round of low-cost mods, until i save a bit more toy money:

1) 14t front sprocket for sure.
2) Pazzo adjustable levers (need advice, are 2 shorties ok? Or I should go regular length?)
3) Black out various small pieces

What else would provide me good return for $? Other mods I want includes:

4) 46t rear sprocket (how big a diff would that make? Would it be too low?)
5) repaint the covers to get the pearl white color I really want.
6) Upgrade wheels w/ 180-series rear (expensive)
7) Rizoma bar / grips / ends
reverse retro barend mirrors, those looks gorgeous


Any other recommendations for biggest bang for the buck mods that I haven't thought of? I'm looking to have this 696 hold me over for a year or two until I can afford the 1100s. So dont' want to go overboard w/ the mods.

Thanks!

[Holden]

Cheapest mods are yanking off the ooglay plastic stuff. Turn signal extenders, charcoal canister, engine shroud (preference), reflectors, stickers, windscreen (preference)... then again, this is coming from someone who also threw away his heat shields, mud guard and sprocket cover! I must have saved 5 lbs.

Tail chop!

Mirrors are a must. I have the reverse retros, but CRG makes some good'ns too.

Take a gander at some of the other dark monsters here... mix and match.

Whatever you end up doing, have fun with it!

[Spicoli]

I would say save your money and buy the bike you want.  You'll loose a good amount by buying a bike and riding it for a year.  Hold out and buy the 1100s or get the 1100. 

If you want a bike for the next year or 2, buy older (like 2003 or older) monster.  You won't loose much that way.

[Raux]

if you got a good deal you wont be disappointed for the time being.

for the black out version. there are vinyl wraps for the forks, etc. but to go with the pearl white paint jobs you might spend a bit too much.

another option is to buy this one, get the pearl white 1100 when you do, keep both and swap panels for fun.

but mods,
least expensive
paint or powdercoat, heatsheilds, headlight frame and exhaust hangers.
wheel stripes.
short tail - i prefer the R&G racing, but other like the Competition Werkes which is a bit cheaper (get it powdercoated with above if you go with CW)
I just ordered (AGAIN, long story) Pazzo shortys. i find i dont use all my fingers for even panic stops. and for shifting the clutch action is light enough for 2 finger clutching

most expensive
WHEELS, love the 5-spoke with 180, but in reality i dont think needed. there isn't enough power or weight for the larger wheel. it's all aesthestic.
Bars, etc. i may have to go this route too unless i figure out why my right hand is going numb.
Mirrors, i purchased some bar ends, (still haven't got them on) but the stock have to be really worked for adequate rear viewing. the right is my rear,
             the left is my left lane view... so i'm blind on the right blind spot. but on the autobahn no biggy. in the city... an issue.
rearsets

[peanut_man]

I would say save your money and buy the bike you want.  You'll loose a good amount by buying a bike and riding it for a year.  Hold out and buy the 1100s or get the 1100. 

If you want a bike for the next year or 2, buy older (like 2003 or older) monster.  You won't loose much that way.

Off subject of what I'm asking for help on, but advice noted.  This is the reason I got a used bike and not a new one.  It just luck that I got one that's so new.  And I really really dig the new looks of the Monster, so given the chance, I had to jump on this deal rather than getting an older Monster.  Out of the 3 bikes I have own, I actually made a bit of $ on 2 of them after owning each for about 1 yr.  The only one I didn't was a Honda CBR600RR that I bought new.  I'm fairly certain that I will only loose a few hundreds on this bike at most, next year. 

Back on subject...  Tail chop.  I'm actually OK w/ the current tail.  So maybe I can save that for later.   If I got 14t front and 46t rear, do I need a new chain?

[Raux]

Off subject of what I'm asking for help on, but advice noted.  This is the reason I got a used bike and not a new one.  It just luck that I got one that's so new.  And I really really dig the new looks of the Monster, so given the chance, I had to jump on this deal rather than getting an older Monster.  Out of the 3 bikes I have own, I actually made a bit of $ on 2 of them after owning each for about 1 yr.  The only one I didn't was a Honda CBR600RR that I bought new.  I'm fairly certain that I will only loose a few hundreds on this bike at most, next year. 

Back on subject...  Tail chop.  I'm actually OK w/ the current tail.  So maybe I can save that for later.   If I got 14t front and 46t rear, do I need a new chain?

the tail chop... hmmm the stock is LOOOOOONG but i've been think about going back to it myself for a summer tour i wanna take for the protection value.

the pazzos are gonna set you back about 180 the tail chop is not much more.

your going one down in the front AND up in the rear? wow, stump pulling are ya? i know one down you don't need a new chain. but i would assume going up any in the back would require a new chain.

[peanut_man]

the tail chop... hmmm the stock is LOOOOOONG but i've been think about going back to it myself for a summer tour i wanna take for the protection value.

the pazzos are gonna set you back about 180 the tail chop is not much more.

your going one down in the front AND up in the rear? wow, stump pulling are ya? i know one down you don't need a new chain. but i would assume going up any in the back would require a new chain.

Haha...  I know that my last Multistrada is so much nicer w/ only the 14t up front.  Some other people in this forum did -1 / +1 combo and said they were very happy with it.  And the 696 seems to rev easier than the bigger enging bro's anyway.  I'm just thinking if I don't need a new set of chain, I may do it too.  But if I will, then I'll put it off for now.

While similar price, I'd go for mods that improves the ride qualities first before going for the looks (unless it REALLY bothering me).  Pazzo's are desirable because of their adjustability.   Tail is purely for looks.  (Of course I'm sure you go 10mph faster w/ that weight saving.   )

[Raux]

Haha...  I know that my last Multistrada is so much nicer w/ only the 14t up front.  Some other people in this forum did -1 / +1 combo and said they were very happy with it.  And the 696 seems to rev easier than the bigger enging bro's anyway.  I'm just thinking if I don't need a new set of chain, I may do it too.  But if I will, then I'll put it off for now.

While similar price, I'd go for mods that improves the ride qualities first before going for the looks (unless it REALLY bothering me).  Pazzo's are desirable because of their adjustability.   Tail is purely for looks.  (Of course I'm sure you go 10mph faster w/ that weight saving.   )

aerodynamics baby  [moto]   right ... on a naked

as far as weight... i've dropped the stock cans for light CF shorty cans and lost the tail, plus i eat less... i can do 150MPH now with a 14t sprocket!

[z0mb1e_DUC]

...with a tail wind
.....downhill

 [moto]

[peanut_man]

aerodynamics baby  [moto]   right ... on a naked

as far as weight... i've dropped the stock cans for light CF shorty cans and lost the tail, plus i eat less... i can do 150MPH now with a 14t sprocket!

I assume you mean 14t sprocket AT THE REAR WHEEL, right?   

[Raux]

well i figure the 696 HAS to outdue the 620

seriously though. hit 190kph at about 8200 rpm. still had more to give

[Danmack_98]

Definitely look into the touring seat!  Much more comfortable on the arse and helps keep the twig and berries from crushing against the tank!

[swampduc]

Congrats, sounds like a nice find.
You say you didn't want a dark - post up in the parts for sale section and see if anyone wants to trade skins. Red, for instance, would look cool with a black frame, and vice versa, so maybe someone will switch a red with you. Cheap mod, you say? That would be free.

[peanut_man]

Congrats, sounds like a nice find.
You say you didn't want a dark - post up in the parts for sale section and see if anyone wants to trade skins. Red, for instance, would look cool with a black frame, and vice versa, so maybe someone will switch a red with you. Cheap mod, you say? That would be free.

I'm going to keep it dark for two weeks and see if it grows on me or not.  If not I'll definitely post! 

BTW, wheel rim stripes, for black bike would red be suitable?  I know for white 696, white stripes looks really good. 

About the seat, this bike will come w/ the touring / comfort seat so that is taken care of!  As well as Termi's / ecu already installed.  I'll be one happy camper once the bike is delivered. 

[Raux]

I'm going to keep it dark for two weeks and see if it grows on me or not.  If not I'll definitely post! 

BTW, wheel rim stripes, for black bike would red be suitable?  I know for white 696, white stripes looks really good. 

About the seat, this bike will come w/ the touring / comfort seat so that is taken care of!  As well as Termi's / ecu already installed.  I'll be one happy camper once the bike is delivered. 

there are 3 options for rim stripes for the dark IMO
Red, Black (reflective-silver or gold) and white.