Monster 696 stiffer springs?

[Mozella]

I know the best answer to improved suspension for the Monster 696 is to spend thousands on replacing the entire rear shock/spring assembly and replacing the front forks.  I'm not going to do that, so don't suggest it.

I ride my bike for fun, fast enough to thrill me but not nearly as fast as those half my age.  I don't take it to the track.  I use it strictly twisty road riding for fun and pleasure.

I weigh 127 kg, so even though I'm within the specifications for the bike, the standard spring rates are too low because I'm significantly heavier than the "standard Ducati rider".  The bike is not as bad as I feared, especially after adjusting the preload on the shock spring.  However, I was able to find the specs on the standard rear spring and replace it with a 20% stiffer spring while retaining the standard shock.  Not ideal, but a significant improvement and the cost was less than 30 British pounds.

Now I want to replace the front fork springs with stiffer units and perhaps use a little heavier viscosity oil.  As far as I can tell, nobody sells a stiffer fork spring kit for my 2009 Monster 696.  Surely with so many bikes using Showa forks, there must be a spring of the correct free length and diameter, but 20% stiffer than standard; even if it has to come from some other maker's parts bin.  I'm looking for a "drop in" replacement.

Or, if anyone can give me the free length, diameter, and spring rate of the standard 696 fork spring, I can have a pair of them wound with a rate 20% higher.

Suggestions on where to buy springs or where to get the standard spring specifications?

[The Bearded Duc]

There have been quite a bit of talks about this subject, try doing a search.

IIRC, there aren't any spring kits available for the 696. Also, my understanding is that there is only one spring in the forks. I'm sure someone else will chime in here soon, but I think your only option for upgrading the springs is to upgrade the forks.

[Mozella]

Of course I did a search; hours of searching actually.  Yes, there has been quite a bit of discussion about this subject and not a single answer, as far as I can see. 

And yes, the 696 does indeed have one spring. One spring in each fork tube that is, for a total of two; three if you count the rear shock spring.  Nothing unusual there.

Perhaps what you're confused about is that there is only one damper in the front forks.

Thanks for your reply.

Anyone out there have any information on fork springs for the 696?

[Raux]

the left and right fork springs are different sizes on the 696 IIRC. and there is only one damper
I have heard that there is a company who put together a kit for the 696.

the new rear spring can be had for a hundred

it really doesn't take thousands to do an upgrade for the 696, just some good ebay buys.

[asherrick]

it really doesn't take thousands to do an upgrade for the 696, just some good ebay buys.

Yeah, from what I've seen it looks like a 1098/1198 fork swap can be done for less than $1,000.  That may be in my future unless I upgrade to an 1100.  

[Mozella]

I put out several Email inquires to likely sources for Monster 696 fork springs.  I was delighted to see that most companies replied immediately.  Unfortunately, most of them had zero data on the standard springs and didn't offer any sort of reasonably priced upgrade path for the 696.

However; Wilber, the German suspension company, had just what I'm looking for.  They informed me that the standard Showa springs have a progressive rate of between 5.6 N/mm 8.8 N/mm.  Wilber's progressive springs have a rate of between 8 N/mm and 10N/mm.  Unfortunately, none of this information was extractable from their web site, which I had studied in some detail a couple of weeks ago.  I previously gave up on Wilber because I thought their spring was simply an identical replacement for the OEM spring.  Actually, it's stiffer and less progressive than standard; about 43% stiffer to start with and 14% stiffer at the end.

Today I ordered Wilber spring, part # 600-0371-00 for 99 Euro plus shipping from Germany to Italy.  I have some hope that this is exactly what is needed for the heavier rider, like me, looking to make a significant improvement to the suspension without spending more than a few bucks. 

I have already installed the stiffer (by about 20%) rear spring and a bit of testing indicates that it will be a nice improvement.  I purchased it from D-Faulkner in the UK.  It's a real bargain (the catalog listing didn't say MOTORCYCLE which is the only category more damaging to your wallet than BOAT), it came from England wrapped and packaged like it was a valuable Ming vase, and they even powder coated it a custom color for a few bucks extra.  Quick service too.

Let's hope the stiffer fork springs balance the bike out and that winter doesn't linger longer than normal.  Now I have to decide if I should purchase a few special tools required to overhaul the forks or to hire it out to a shop. 

I'll report back when I have a chance to test the new fork springs.

[Mozella]

The spring change was a piece of cake.  I used a pair of small ratchet binder straps to compress the fork assembly so I didn't need any other special tools.  And, using straps made it a safe, one-man job.

The stiffer fork springs along with the stiffer rear spring (both with the standard dampers) makes all the difference in the world.

The bike feels great and I really enjoy riding it now because it doesn't wallow around and dive so much under heavy braking.  I'm significantly heavier than the rider the Ducati designers have in mind when they design their motorcycles, so heavier springs are a logical change for me.

I suppose better dampers would be nice, but I don't want to spend that much money.  I can tell you that the spring change alone is certainly worth doing and the cost for most folks should be around two hundred bucks.

[DucatiTorrey]

what about rear springs? i hear its possible, just not good for the shock?

[Mozella]

what about rear springs? i hear its possible, just not good for the shock?

Re-read my first post.  I mentioned that the first suspension mod I did was replace the rear spring while retaining the standard shock.  It's easy and cheap; my spring cost less than 30 British pounds and I even got it custom powder coated to match the color of my bike.

Simply changing to the correct spring rate in the rear made a big difference.  True, the standard shock is not very sophisticated, but I already own it and I don't intend to spend a lot of money replacing it.  By the way, putting on the correct rear spring is not somehow "bad" (as you put it) for the shock, it's simply less than optimum if you're looking for MotoGP style suspension.  Yes we all want MotoGP performance, but most of us are unwilling to pay for it.

I just had my 696 out yesterday afternoon for a couple of hours of spirited riding on the fantastic roads we have here in Italy.  I wanted to take advantage of the unusually warm winter weather to get a better feel for my budget suspension changes.  The more I ride, the better I like it.  The bike has a much better overall feel. 

After changing the springs,  the feedback I get about the condition of the pavement and the available traction seems much more direct.  Cornering on those damp spots, especially in the dark shadows where the road is cold and has been previously treated for snow and ice and where it looks particularly greasy, is always something of an adventure. 

I'm an old man and you're not likely to see me "backing it in" like Nicky Hayden, but I do at least enjoy better communication between me, the bike, and the pavement.  The vague feeling  the front end used to have is gone and the mushy feeling the rear had when the bike was loaded up in a corner filled with undulations is also gone.  I'm happy.   

Right now I'm in the process of changing springs on my new (to me) Suzuki V-Strom while retaining the standard dampers.