4000k and a new opinion on the 696

[Raux]

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.

actually if you read total control it talks about NOT climbing on the tank for cornering. the back seat with leaned forward positioning is more in line with what Lee Parks advocates IMO.

[redial]

actually if you read total control it talks about NOT climbing on the tank for cornering. the back seat with leaned forward positioning is more in line with what Lee Parks advocates IMO.

after riding a few miles and checking out both positions, the seat is lowest in the front and sitting in the back
feels like im losing leverage due to being higher in the seat.

so park my butt in the front, im not climbing on the tank but hovering with all my weight on the seat of my pants and the balls of my feet (and a little knees), its what works for me  ymmv

[semyhr]

It's uncomfortable in city riding when you have to accelerate and stop very often, because when you stop, you are sliding forward and into the tank, so you have to keep all your weight on the hands. This is the problem I find with the seat, if you are riding on the highway it's not a problem really unless you are breaking heavily all of them time and holding all of the weight with your hands not to get smacked into the tank.

ps. one more thing to avoid that is to have the weight on your feet, like not sitting with all of your weight on the seat, but that is difficult because of the short distance to footpegs and the angle how legs are bent.

[Rameses]

4,000,000 has to be record mileage on a 696.

[danaid]

 Raux,  I was wanting to get the pazzos shortie levers mainly because I have large hands, and when I pull in the clutch (two finger style), I usually smash my ring finger. Does the pazzo short lever leave extra room near the ring finger? or am I screwed and need to try a new clutching technique.

[ArguZ]

Please look at the ABM synto.
They don't clamp your fingers like Pazzos do on the smallest setting
Besides they look 10 times more elegant. 

[DucatiTorrey]

i agree with Raux, i've been using these riding positions since day one.

[swampduc]

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.

+1. This is why I didn't stay with the stock seat- you really need to be forward to get the best handling out of your Monster, esp. in the twisties.
As far as the levers, I use 2 fingers on both clutch and brakes, so the stock levers worked fine - the inside portion of the levers was closest to the grip. The adjustable levers do improve things a little, though.
Is it the length of the pull on the stock levers that people are having trouble with, or the heaviness of the pull? I never found the clutch effort to be a problem - the M696 does have a wet clutch and prob the easiest effort of any Duc I've ever ridden.

[Takster]

Is it the length of the pull on the stock levers that people are having trouble with, or the heaviness of the pull?

For me it was that the point of engagement was too far out.  With my small hands, I was barely getting fingertips on the clutch lever when the clutch was disengaged (fully out) which made me have to move my entire arm to get there.  For reference, I've got my long-armed Pazzos on the '1' setting, and it's almost perfect.  I've heard some others complain that the slip-zone was too short, but I haven't had any real issues with it.  The pull isn't that bad for me either... especially now that it's closer to the grip at full-out.

[Raux]

4,000,000 has to be record mileage on a 696.

it's 4000 k as in kilometers... 

[Raux]

Raux,  I was wanting to get the pazzos shortie levers mainly because I have large hands, and when I pull in the clutch (two finger style), I usually smash my ring finger. Does the pazzo short lever leave extra room near the ring finger? or am I screwed and need to try a new clutching technique.

yeah there is good room i think for a bigger hand. i use two finger braking most of the time. three finger clutch.

[sfarchie]

I still think and have been saying all along the 2 mods needed for the 696 are the DP touring seat and adjustable levers. The latter solved my stalling when I struggled with the long reach to engage. I absolutely hated that and the pitch of the seat, so I did both mods within a month of owning the bike.

[Raux]

that being said, i am making my judgements about the seating position using the touring seat (the first mod i did on the bike). i will switch to the stock seat for a weekend ride soon to give my comparisons.

[z0mb1e_DUC]

Personally, I've got really long fingers.  My only issue is more with the engagement zone of the clutch.  Brakes are great.  The clutch is all really front loaded as far as engagement goes, which is really only an issue with launching. I haven't put alot of miles on yet, so still adjusting to it.  I actually like it for shifting at speed. 

[DucatiSTi]

Just my 2 cents...

I find that the stock levers are fine - I like the Pazzo levers but I don't really need the adjustment

I have the DP touring seat and find it super comfy

But what I find interesting about nesting your butt in the curve of either the stock or DP seat is that the stock mirrors show what's behind you

When I am sitting closer to the tank, I get a great view of my wrists

I am probably the only one on this forum who actually likes the stock mirrors (as opposed to aftermarket bar ends)

BucciMonster