696 elbow mirrors are very poorly-designed!

[mstevens]

There I was, riding along on the 696 I picked up yesterday, when I decided to inspect my elbows as I've been used to doing on my 620. I looked in the mirrors and was disappointed to note that I could barely even see my elbows and instead had to be satisfied with a view of the traffic behind and beside me.

This is un-Monster-like! Both my 620 stock mirrors and the DP Touring Mirrors I got are perfect at doing what a Monster mirror is apparently designed to do - provide a lovely view of the elbows - without distracting the rider with traffic or other extraneous information.

The experience was frightening, both because I couldn't really be sure if my elbows were really still there and because I kept seeing cars, trucks, and other stuff behind me that's never been there before.

What do other 696 and 1100 owners think? Should we start a petition to bring back our elbow mirrors, or is it time for a class-action suit?

[El Matador]

There I was, riding along on the 696 I picked up yesterday, when I decided to inspect my elbows as I've been used to doing on my 620. I looked in the mirrors and was disappointed to note that I could barely even see my elbows and instead had to be satisfied with a view of the traffic behind and beside me.

This is un-Monster-like! Both my 620 stock mirrors and the DP Touring Mirrors I got are perfect at doing what a Monster mirror is apparently designed to do - provide a lovely view of the elbows - without distracting the rider with traffic or other extraneous information.

The experience was frightening, both because I couldn't really be sure if my elbows were really still there and because I kept seeing cars, trucks, and other stuff behind me that's never been there before.

What do other 696 and 1100 owners think? Should we start a petition to bring back our elbow mirrors, or is it time for a class-action suit?

Heresy! Mirrors that actually work? on a duc? say it ain't so!

[RC Fan]

Get yourself a set of CRG Hindsight LS bar end mirrors.  They are really good, and make a huge difference.  The CRGs made riding the bike much easier, as do my Pazzo levers.

[Raux]

couple of things i've done. one.. move them forward a bit. then i use the left to view more of the lane outside my left elbow and use the right to see more behind me. rare someone comes on my right rear since no one passes on the right in europe.

[JasonV]

Agreed with RC Fan, just did it myself, same set-up.  Totally easy do it yourself mod.

[mstevens]

Actually, my point is that the stock mirrors work perfectly for me. No need in my case to move them around or to add bar-end mirrors.

[RC Fan]

Actually, my point is that the stock mirrors work perfectly for me. No need in my case to move them around or to add bar-end mirrors.

Now that I re-read your post I see that.  I have read so many posts about people who didn't like the stock mirrors, that I guess I really wasn't paying attention.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Have you considered putting elbowpads under your jacket? This might solve the problem of lack of elbow awareness, as they would make them stick out into the mirrors field of view.

[DarkStaR]

You have them adjusted incorrectly then.   

[DoWorkSon]

I saw my elbows just fine... All elbow, no traffic

[roy-nexus-6]

The experience was frightening, both because I couldn't really be sure if my elbows were really still there

Look down at your forearms - while they remain horizontal, your elbows are still there. 

[DoubleEagle]

You could get a Parrot and train it to sit on your shoulder ............or like I have had to do for all the years I have owned my Ducatis.

Since I'm 6'4" I just raise my Elbow a bit and look under my Arm pit. Then I can see behind me . Even the Rizoma Radials on the S4Rs don't extend far enough for me to not see my Shoulders at a glance.

It's easy, just 1 second before you are going to sneak a peak, raise that Elbow to horizonal then peak under your Armpit and there you will see the road behind you.

Dolph     

[Popeye the Sailor]

I love how half the people responding do not get the humour in the original post.

[amcloud]

Actually, my point is that the stock mirrors work perfectly for me. No need in my case to move them around or to add bar-end mirrors.

except they look like mickey mouse ears.

[mstevens]

except they look like mickey mouse ears.

Hmm. The original Monster mirrors certainly looked like Mickey Mouse ears, but the ones that came on my '05 620 certainly did not. At least they gave me a great view of my elbows.

Your .sig line says you had a 696 and now have an 1100. Do you honestly think the mirrors look at all like Mickey Mouse ears? Really?!

Maybe my problem was that when the Mickey Mouse Club was being broadcast I was too young for acid. That's the only way I can imagine equating those mirrors and those ears.