A few riding questions and one that isn't...

[Xerxes1769]

So I was riding along (pretty quickly) where the H1 West/Farrington Hwy merge (...it's a long slow curve) and I "felt" like the rear tire was sliding, now mind you I wasn't loosing control I just didn't much like that feeling (...I was leaning more than I have before), now is that normal or  was I close to eating the proverbial "it"....Second question today was my first time riding through pretty heavy rain (it started raining right when I got to Waianae) all of the sudden the road was pretty much flooded, like 2-3 inches of water on the right lane and the left lane was not much better (stupid Waianae non-draining drains) now I rode for about 4-5 miles and decided to stop til the rain subsidded a little since I didn't know whether hydroplanning was going to be an issue (...riding at 35ish MPH), hadn't figured out how to wipe water of the visor and was overall not feeling so pleasant seeing as how I was soaked and all the cars that were going east bound were splashing the bejeessus out of me...so basically I'm asking for advice on riding in the rain...third question downshifting while riding, I haven't quite figured out how to do this smoothly (like when traffic gets a little heavier and all of the sudden 4th gear is too high and I want to go to 3rd), since the times I done it before the bike gets a little "choppy"...and my final question do you guys know who this is...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories_Motorcycle-Parts-Accessories__Ducati-Monster-Carbon-fiber-tail-kit_W0QQitemZ330242159107QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQadnZMotorcycleQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQddiZ2811QQadiZ2863QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item330242159107&

he also had an ad on craigslist but he never responded

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/mcy/692587195.html

also was wondering if it would fit my bike since he says it didn't his (I was under the impression that all monster frames where the same)

Thanks...

P.S. It's not that I'm THAT retarded it's just that I been riding for a little over a month...

[teddy037.2]

rear slide- was it dusty? IIRC there's construction in that area, yeah? did you roll on the throttle while leaning over?  the few times I've gotten my rear a little loose (no snarky comments, ben!) it was VERY obvious. and one time ended up high-siding me 

riding in the rain- don't.  pulling over and waiting it out for a bit is probably the safest thing you can do (if you have the time to). I don't trust the cagers here that much, if at all. proper rain gear will make it more bearable if you do get caught out. otherwise, do everything you would do (basic technique-wise) slower and smoother than normal.

downshifts- your bike has the  APTC "slipper" clutch, so downshifts are pretty cake. you can blip the throttle to help match your revs, but I find it's not always necessary when commuter-type riding.

clutch in--> blip throttle while downshifting --> clutch out

schofield? nope, don't know him. it won't fit your bike, either. it'll fit mac's bike, I'm pretty sure that fender only fits the old frame monsters.

[DRKWNG]

In an attempt to set an all time record for how quickly one of our threads can get off topic...

the few times I've gotten my rear a little loose (no snarky comments, ben!) it was VERY obvious.

Snarky hell!!  That shit's exciting!   

[/threadjack]
Nothing retarded about asking that sort of question Mike.  That is the beauty of this place, lots of people here with answers and suggestions to whatever ails you.  Some of those answers and suggestions are even helpful too! 

[Xerxes1769]

Thanks guys...nahh the road wasn't dusty or anything (..that I can recall), but I'll make sure to pay more attention from now on.   On the rain tip I was coming back from HLC and the rain came out of nowhere so I didn't really have much of a choice but when the going got tough I pulled over and waited in a gas station  , and on the downshifting I'm going to keep at it because I still can't seem to get the hang of it.  Good thing you told me about the tail kit because I was going to buy it...Ohh and definately let me know when/if you guys are riding this weekend....and again thanks!

P.S. would anyone here happen to know how much the 600 mile service runs about, the bike just hit 520m so I was going to see about taking it in this weekend...

[DRKWNG]

I can't remember exactly how much it cost on mine, but somewhere in the neighborhood of $250-$300 seems about right for Hawaii.  Talk to Will (lurkingforyou) on here as he is the one that will most likely be working on your bike when you take it in.  And one thing, they get kind of busy down there, so it is always a good idea to make an appointment ahead of time.

[MadDuck]

As far as the rear of the bike getting loose you might have hit the painted lane dividers. Speed doesn't necessarily cause the rear end to kick out but excess lean could. Check the outer edges of your tires, especially the rear. Is there a section of unworn tire out by the edge of the tire? How wide is it if there is a strip at all. No strip, you could be out at the limit of adhesion for your tire. More than a quarter inch wide? Probably not lean angle and more like crap in the road. All of this assuming that your tire is sliding. Usually that's pretty obvious because there is an immediate pucker factor effect. It's also possible that what you are feeling is the rear suspension being too soft and with the speed and lean going on the g forces load the rear end even more. Any irregularity on the road will cause the rear to bob around a bit.

Rain. Everyone gets caught. Keep a sharp eye peeled for stupid drivers. Most driver's IQ drops big time as soon as  there is even a little water on the road. Painted surfaces on the road are a big enemy as are steel plates and manhole covers. Get on one of those when they're wet and you'll experience that pucker factor I was talking about.  There used to be a steel grate surface bridge in Wahiawa going over part of Lake Wilson. That thing was always a trip and when it was wet you found religion in the first ten feet.

[DRKWNG]

Yea, I can attest to the fact that a rear suspension that is set too soft can be a touch unsettling.  I need to stiffen up the preload on mine a bit as it has felt a bit squidgly a few times...  But on the flip side, that sure wakes a person up in the morning WAY better than a shot of espresso ever could!   

[Xerxes1769]

I need to stiffen up the preload on mine a bit as it has felt a bit squidgly a few times...

I know on your bike the suspension is adjustable but I don't believe mine is....is it? and would the M.O.M. tell me how to do this or would I need to scavange the 'net to figure this out...

[DRKWNG]

Mine is adjustable to the extent that I can increase/decrease spring preload on the rear shock, but that is about it.  You have to step up to the 1Ks to get the adjustable front end. 

I am pretty sure your bike has the same shock as mine, so you should be able to alter the preload.

[MadDuck]

Preload is only one small factor here. It should be checked for a proper sag and that's just about it. You might tighten it up a bit but that may not help if what you have is a damping problem.  In fact, if you tighten it up too much you could degrade the handling rather than help it. You might be able to find used adjustable Showas or Sachs, for a reasonable price, that came off the 1000. So far I don't think there's too much difference between those and the Ohlins I put on mine as far as handling goes.

[DRKWNG]

So far I don't think there's too much difference between those and the Ohlins I put on mine as far as handling goes.

On the rear that is.  The Ohlins are supposed to be much nicer feeling on the front.  But what do I know, I am starting to like my Daytona better than my monster... 

[MadDuck]

Well, Duh?  The Monster isn't nearly the hot rod the 675 is. Look what I had to do to the 900. It still lacks in acceleration by comparison. Great fun in every other aspect. That is why the 999 is so appealing, if it weren't so appalling.

[DRKWNG]

Yea...  I am actually toying with the idea of letting the monster go again...

[teddy037.2]

the OEM sachs rear shock should be adjustable for preload and rebound...