4000k and a new opinion on the 696

[Raux]

I recently have found a new perspective on the 696 and items needing changing.

Two days ago i put on Pazzo shorty levers and think this is the most important modification to do first on the bike.
A have always advocated the touring seat for it's not ball-crushing angle, but I think I had that wrong for two reasons.
First, I was sitting wrong. not wrong, but wrong for the seat. if you sit with your butt back on the curve of the seat like a cruiser and not up front like a dirt bike... it works. and works well. I'm 5'10" and now my knees fit even better into the tank and i'm nowhere near crushing anything, even under hard braking.
Second, the Pazzos, or any adjustable lever, make the clutch pull a breeze. I wonder why Ducati cut cost on that measure if they made a bike that is meant to be usable by smaller stature riders with equally smaller hands. The clutch pull with the pazzos on 2 is .. just wow.

so, for anyone just getting a 696 or even those who are still crushing berries and complaining about the clutchpull. get some adjustable levers asap. find a good 'back' riding position and enjoy some nice ergos.

Raux.

[Binary]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts... I'm leaning towards the ASV Levers myself.

[duclvr]

I totally agree with this. I run the pazzos and the stock seat.

[Dannyboy]

I keep hearing about the nut crushing but I've never had a problem while actually riding.  That turn into a problem when I'm trying to get my bike over the lip into the garage.  As for the adjustable levers, that was the first change I made and it makes a world of difference but the best change was the addition of CRG Hindsights.

[sroberts152]

I have been debating the shortie levers for a while.  This may put me over.

Did you do them yourself or have them done?   I haven't messed with levers on any modern bikes and I'm remembering the hassle of dealing with cables. 

[BomberHead]

i prefer stiff strong levers. i like the feeling you get when you realize that youve built up those forearm muscles enough to where the stiffness doesnt matter anymore.


(the truth is, i have no money) 

[Takster]

I have been debating the shortie levers for a while.  This may put me over.

Did you do them yourself or have them done?   I haven't messed with levers on any modern bikes and I'm remembering the hassle of dealing with cables. 

Takes 5 minutes... no cables.  don't lose the little nubby thing from the original lever.  I think it was my first or second mod.  Made a huge difference, as I have small hands.

as far as the nut-crushing, it's only an issue for me in stop and go traffic when I have to put my feet down constantly.  The lowest part of the seat is the nut-crusher part, and that's where I have to be to get feet on the ground.

~T

[sroberts152]

I guess I have a good weekend project. 

[Takster]

I guess I have a good weekend project. 

Honestly, it's more of a between breakfast and heading to work project.   quite literally took me 5 mins.

[sroberts152]

Edit: I guess I have something to do between Pats Run and the Sharks game on Saturday - including buying them.

[redial]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts... I'm leaning towards the ASV Levers myself.

i am also leaning toward ASV, for their good looks and warrantee.


To the OP. what are your thoughts on the shorty levers? nevermind adjustable levers, of course i know thats a must, im more interested in the shorty version versus the full length.

if looks were no issue i think id go shorty on the brake, and full on the clutch. Im just nervous that something will jump out in front of me, and ill mash on the clutch out of pure instinct, and not get all of it, etc.

I notice that reacting to changing conditions im always very deliberate with the brake finger, but in panic i just mash on or off the clutch. maybe i should get a few years under my belt before going to the shorties (they look good) [shrug]

[Goat_Herder]

Second, the Pazzos, or any adjustable lever, make the clutch pull a breeze. I wonder why Ducati cut cost on that measure if they made a bike that is meant to be usable by smaller stature riders with equally smaller hands. The clutch pull with the pazzos on 2 is .. just wow.

+1 on the Pazzos.  Just want to comment on how big of a different it made for me (M620).  At 5'7", the pull on the clutch was stiff and long for me.  Pazzos at 2 setting is just perfect. 

I know this thread is 696 specific but I can't help it.   

[Triple J]

i am also leaning toward ASV, for their good looks and warrantee.


To the OP. what are your thoughts on the shorty levers? nevermind adjustable levers, of course i know thats a must, im more interested in the shorty version versus the full length.

if looks were no issue i think id go shorty on the brake, and full on the clutch. Im just nervous that something will jump out in front of me, and ill mash on the clutch out of pure instinct, and not get all of it, etc.

I notice that reacting to changing conditions im always very deliberate with the brake finger, but in panic i just mash on or off the clutch. maybe i should get a few years under my belt before going to the shorties (they look good) [shrug]

I have shorty levers on both of my bikes. They take about 2 minutes to get used to. I'd get them and not worry about it...you'll be fine.

[Spidey]

First, I was sitting wrong. not wrong, but wrong for the seat. if you sit with your butt back on the curve of the seat like a cruiser and not up front like a dirt bike... it works. and works well. I'm 5'10" and now my knees fit even better into the tank and i'm nowhere near crushing anything, even under hard braking.

What you've described might be a good riding position for the seat and for comfort, but it's not ideal for aggressive riding.  You want to get your weight forward and over the tank, particularly with the monster weight distribution and ergos. 

Mebbe when you're riding aggressively you can get forward and not have to worry about discomfort because you're hanging off? And then you can sit back when cruising.  That'd be a good compromise.  But you don't want to be sitting back when you're ripping.

[redial]

I have shorty levers on both of my bikes. They take about 2 minutes to get used to. I'd get them and not worry about it...you'll be fine.

hey thanks for the FHE. the shorties are what i want deep down inside

now only question left: black or gold?


p.s. your "monstrada" is definitely orgasmic. I loooove those bikes.