696 suspension geometry change

[darthmoto]

The more and more I ride my bike, the more I feel its just not balanced right. The rear sag is correct, and Im a 160lbs rider. I feel the front is way too light, especially accelerating out of corners. I always have to tuck and pull myself forward on the bars. Way forward. What would be the best approach to biasing the weight forward more? I was thinking of lowering the triples 5mm front and raising the rear a tad. Could this be too drastic a change?  I thought about getting SM bars, but Im pretty happy with the reach to my bars.

What are my options besides buying an 848? 

[Raux]

stop in time did some great mods to his bike although it was a 695, but it's a good starting point. also ducati indianapolis (go to their tech article section) is working on some mods for a 696 of one of the guys here.

i would research both of them to give you some ideas.

what damper setting are you using on the rear. it kind sounds like that may be set too soft. there's not a lot of tq on the 696 so you can't be lifting the front, more likely your rear is too soft and being squashed down too quickly.

[stopintime]

(my Monster is a S2R 800, thank you very much )



696 has a progressive rear spring. Those are nice and comfortable, but not aimed at aggressive riding. A linear spring combined with any adjustments you can do to the stock shock will set you up for far better cornering. If you have full control over what this is about, do it yourself - otherwise let a competent suspension shop do it for you.

Compared with the previous Monster generation, the 696/1100 are much more willing to turn and I think they have more forward weight as well. You can raise the rear and lower the front, but I don't know if that is what you need. Rear suspension first - experience - wait for good fork upgrade options - experience - then, maybe, work on the geometry.

I have to make breakfast now - WSBK is on EuroSport  Ask again/more later!

[Raux]

(my Monster is a S2R 800, thank you very much )

you say tomato i say tomato. wait... that doesn't translate well to written form.

still an old style monster... but i'll give you the motor's cc's

[stopintime]

still an old style the übercool monster... but and i'll give you the motor's cc's

and single swing and shot gun exhaust and dual peg assemblies and higher seat and suspension in both fork legs...

Do you have those features? 

 

[Raux]

and single swing and shot gun exhaust and dual peg assemblies and higher seat and suspension in both fork legs...

Do you have those features?  

 

ooo he's getting riled up

i know you have a cool bike. and sorry i should have said i 'think' it's a 695.

[stopintime]

 

[darthmoto]

Rear suspension first - experience - wait for good fork upgrade options - experience - then, maybe, work on the geometry.

That sounds like a good approach. Thanks.

[Raux]

That sounds like a good approach. Thanks.

so what damper setting are you running? there are 16 clicks. stock of course is middle.

[darthmoto]

The screw on my shock doesnt click for some reason.  I was playing with it today and found the screw to be about 2/3rds to max.. I turned it to max and coming out of corners was awesome... felt planted...but only on smooth pavement. I think the damping was perfect at about 7/8, but maybe I need a stiffer spring? Anyways, thanks for the tip. Completely forgot that the rear was adjustable. Funny thing was that it made the fork feel softer. But I think Im happy once I get the rear sorted.

[Raux]

The screw on my shock doesnt click for some reason.  I was playing with it today and found the screw to be about 2/3rds to max.. I turned it to max and coming out of corners was awesome... felt planted...but only on smooth pavement. I think the damping was perfect at about 7/8, but maybe I need a stiffer spring? Anyways, thanks for the tip. Completely forgot that the rear was adjustable. Funny thing was that it made the fork feel softer. But I think Im happy once I get the rear sorted.

use a very very light touch on the screw and you'll feel the clicks. it's not a CLICK CLICK more a tick tick

[MOUSEMAN]

+1 on ditching the progressive springs. Made mine a joy to ride going to linear.

[Raux]

getting rid of the progressive spring? the springs are linear i thought just the geometry gives it progression.

what spring are you using? how much? what color?

[ducpainter]

getting rid of the progressive spring? the springs are linear i thought just the geometry gives it progression.

what spring are you using? how much? what color?

Monster springs are progressive...at least the rear anyway.

The fronts might be too.

[He Man]

The rear spring on my S2R1000 is Linear. the 696 looks to be progressive though.