Getting new 1100S -- Need Suggestions for Mods!

[Amlethae]

Hi everyone,

So I've had my 696 for 2 years now, and recently I demo-ed an 1100S and fell in love.  My wife -- who is awesome for this reason: -- is telling me to go ahead and get it.  Money is not (completely) an object, and for the moment the 696 will be the wife's until she learns to ride and is ready to get something she actually wants.

So I'm gonna bite the bullet and make it happen.  But I'm looking for opinions on mods to do right off the bat:

1) Slip on Carbon Termi's with ECU and intake -- did this on the 696 and loved it.  The wife doesn't like the looks of the full race, any reason I should fight for that instead?
2) DP Slipper Clutch -- I'm used to the wet clutch on the 696 and don't want to get myself into trouble.  Thoughts?
3) ABS -- my feeling is that since it's not an "upgrade later" option, I should go ahead and do it now since it's safer and I often ride in the rain and in the crazy traffic that is New York City & Brooklyn.  Anyone want to argue me out of it and save some money?
4) Steering Damper -- Dealer says the DP damper is no good, they're going to look into an Ohlins one but they're not sure if they make it.  Any thoughts?
5) Clutch Slave -- Dealer showed me a nice black billet one that reduces clutch lever pressure by 25% but I can't remember the brand.  Should make sitting in traffic easier on the hand.
6) Some cosmetics -- Black billet reservoirs, DP low seat cause I'm short, Rizoma rear-sets [been coveting these for a long time and since I'm spending the money....], CRG lane splitters, etc.

So start the $0.02 everyone!  Comment on what I'm thinking already and if you have other suggestions, go for it!  Like I said, for the moment money's not the concern.  

Thanks!
 

[Raux]

1. you can get the 696 midpipe and the Duc.EE from Motocreations to get rid of the flapper valve so no need to get the full termi setup.

2. EVR slipper?

3. ABS, yes.

4. Bitubo from Bellisimoto

5. was the clutch pull too much when you rode it?

6. If you're still too short when you get the DP low seat, you can buy the 696 rear shock clevis and pull the forks through a bit to get the height down to the 696 level.

[He Man]

Theres a few people on this boat...but, share the 696, and save the money on an 1100S (they arent exactly cheap) and get a slightly used SBK.

The 696 and m1100 are so similar, its like having 2 of the same bike really. Power yes, suspension, you can upgrade the 696.

now if ur set on the 1100

1) Get what your eye and wallet likes.
2) The 695 "slipper" isnt a real slipper, and when you ride a real ball and ramp slipper over the APTC you can feel a big difference in how it engages. That being said. I think its a waste in NYC. I rode my friends 749 with a slipper  for a week, you lose out on engine braking, and the clutch wears much faster. the Ducabike slipper is well priced and solidly built.
3)You dont need ABS, but its a nice luxary. Theres THOUSANDS of bikers riding the streets of NYC without em. Your better of learning honing your braking skills. Riding in the rain is doable without, and is safer, but it doesnt rain that much in NYC anyway, i commute in storming rain where you can barely have 30 feet visual. Just need to be confident in your skills. But it sure is a nice luxury!
4) I ordered a Bitbuo from Bellissimoto, waiting for it to get here anxiously. I think they have one for the 1100 for $400ish
5)It doenst reduce it by 25% for everyone. I think it makes it smoother, but easier? not really. some people think it does. There are small bore and big bore versions and it changes where it engages., and quite frankly if it aint broke dont fix.
6) learn to live with it. Im short too.


I really do like the 1100S though! I wish i had the dough to trade my bike up for it!

[Amlethae]

2) The 695 "slipper" isnt a real slipper, and when you ride a real ball and ramp slipper over the APTC you can feel a big difference in how it engages. That being said. I think its a waste in NYC. I rode my friends 749 with a slipper  for a week, you lose out on engine braking, and the clutch wears much faster. the Ducabike slipper is well priced and solidly built.

I'm a little unclear on what you're saying here.  At Corsa on Saturday I was talking to the parts guy and he said unless I spend $2k+ on an STM slipper I won't see much of a difference over the DP Slipper for the 1100s.  Is there a different one you're suggesting?  The Ducabike splipper is even cheaper than the DP one, should I look that route?  Also maybe I can hold off and get a slipper later, seems relatively easy to do... I've done a lot of work on cars and the 696 myself.

Thanks for the input!

[DucNaked]

I agree with He man, I don't think the slipper will do what u want it to. It's not going to act or feel like the 696. My friend just put one his s4r and said he wouldn't do it again. That being said if you've got money to burn go for it.  I also agree with him on the slave if it ain't broke don't fix it. You'll amaze your wife with your freakishly strong left hand.
 What I would do is have the suspension set up properly by someone like ducvet.

[Amlethae]

I agree with He man, I don't think the slipper will do what u want it to. It's not going to act or feel like the 696. My friend just put one his s4r and said he wouldn't do it again. That being said if you've got money to burn go for it.  I also agree with him on the slave if it ain't broke don't fix it. You'll amaze your wife with your freakishly strong left hand.
 What I would do is have the suspension set up properly by someone like ducvet.

When I demo-ed the 1100S (stock) I managed to stall it out while down shifting and using engine braking when coming to a stop.  I'm kinda fearful of stalling it out going into a turn I've down shifted for... BUT if it isn't ultimately going to make that much of a difference then yeah I'll likely forget about it.  The shop guys told me it's going to take a while for the shocks to settle in -- 1k miles or so -- so to hold off on getting them adjusted till then.  I also weigh only about 130lbs, so the shocks are definitely going to need some adjustment hehe.

As far as the slave goes, if it's easy to do myself later then I'll hold off on getting it done.  I'm looking at getting them to install all the more pita mods cause they'll give me free labor with the sale.  But honestly I do love doing work myself, just don't want to do something that could be a danger if I don't get it right the first time.

[He Man]

The lower end Ducabike one is pretty simple in design. i think it was 5 or 6 bearing ramps.
the stock 749R slipper is just a 3 ramp non bearing type.
and the DP one is similar to the low end Ducabike unit.

If the 1100S comes with a slipper, its probably the same type as the 749R.

Now whats the difference between a $2k STM slipper and a $500 Ducabike? not sure, i know the higher end one slippers have 48T baskets and plates isntead of 12.

but in the end, if you dont ride hard or bang down gears, you shouldnt need a slipper, though on the performance mod section, its number 3 on my list, and i have one sitting on my shelf.

I dont know what youre thinking about how a slipper works, but if your going into a turn, the ONLY WAY youd stall the bike out is if your engine siezed, theres a big ass rod preventing your wheel from physically turning, or you lost fuel/air/spark.  or of course your not going fast enough, or if your in the city, you just need to work that clutch

[sbrguy]

i would suggest get abs, why? because overall its probaby safer in wet weather and emergency situations.

unless you are truly an "expert" and truly great at braking and can do it instantly without thinking everytime in any conditions then you don't need abs, but my opinion is that most people, including myself, are not going to outperform ABS technology even in dry conditions.  sorry but i personally have a hard time believeing that "everyone" that says "practice until you are good" are really that good at emergency braking, maybe some are but the question is really "how good are you?, and is it worth the extra 1100$ or so for the option if it saves you 50 feet of braking?".

the other stuff is mostly all bling, taht won't have as much of a direct impact on rider safety as abs may.  sure a slipper clutch may save you or a steering damper may also in some situations but if choosing btwn all three i would say abs first, steering damper second and slipper 3rd, everything else you mentinoed though really nice is not "as necessary" as much as the other three things.

but hey i could be wrong, good luck.

[The Bearded Duc]

Completely DARK!! 
 

[Raux]

My first Ducati didn't have the slipper, but the 696 does. has it saved a little wheel hopping on downshifting, yes. could i have done it better and avoiding the hop by matching revs, yes. does one NEED a slipper on the street, no. not IMO. on the track when you are pushing it and want to get that last bit of speed on the straight away before that corner... sure.

ABS, definitely is a street gift of the gods. i wish i had it. wet roads, tractorss throwing dirt from the side roads, etc.

130lbs? the common saying is the bikes are set up for 160lb riders. so, some springs are in your future.
oh, and when you want to get rid of that stock ohlins spring on the rear... let me know

[Amlethae]

Wow, lots to think about guys, thanks!

So I'm now leaning more against the slipper clutch.  I've been driving manual for a long time, and the bike now for 2 years as I said, and I have never downshifted without using the clutch - and never had a problem of any kind downshifting except for stalling the 1100s (which I honestly don't quite know what I did to cause that).  The 1100 clutch does grab a lot better than the (or *my* at least) 696 but I'm sure I can just get used to it.

I think the ABS and steering damper are musts.  And I'll likely do the clutch slave cause while I like hanving strong hands, I've got enough to be pissed about while sitting in traffic waiting for people to learn how to merge. 

As far as "DARK!!" goes.... Oh yes, without question!  I'm going to get the white model with the black trellis, then swap over my matte black tank panels from the 696 over to it -- the wife wants white on the 696 anyway.  And I'll be going for a black & gold color scheme with the beating red heart of the clutch.  And now that I'm saving the $1,100 on the slipper clutch, I can put that towards the overpriced but beautiful rizoma rear sets I've been coveting for a while.

Thanks again all and keep it coming if you have any other thoughts!

[Raux]

about that rear spring

[Amlethae]

about that rear spring

Oh right hehe.  When the wife starts riding the 696 exclusively and not riding 2-up with me then I'll change the spring and we'll talk 

[DucNaked]

Make sure u pick up a rearstand. I wish I got one when I first picked the bike up. A 14 tooth front sprocket wouldn't hurt either.
  Congrats on your bike. I love my S

[bigjilm]

Is a steering damper really necessary?  I haven't felt even the slightest shake in my 1100, though maybe I'm not riding it as hard as others?

As for a slipper clutch, I love the sound of the engine braking on my Monster - wouldn't be the same without it!

My two cents, CDN...