Thanks Ducati Monster Forum!

[mrpetebojangles]

Finished my MSF course over the weekend, got my license Monday morning and then I picked up my new M696 immediately after. Thanks all who provided input on the bike. I LOVE IT! I'm 6'7'' and I was really worried that I would feel cramped on it, uncomfortable, whatever, but not at all yet. I've ridden 3-5 hours the past couple days and the only part of me that is sore is my right hand. I loveeee the bike though. It's so confidence inspiring, and does exactly what I want it to without surprise. This is my very first bike and I already feel so comfortable on it. I've taken it so far on the freeway and up some mountain roads in my area. I wasn't planning on starting such driving right away and my original plan was to take it slow on some suburban roads for a month or so, but within literally an hour of being on it, I felt ready to hid the road. My first stop light I stalled about 5 times coming out of first, but the engine seems to be warming up a bit and I haven't really stalled it much sense. But the bike is a true joy to ride. It seems to really be eager to go fast and it purrs when I allow it too.

My only complaint is the throttle feels a bit too small for my hands, my fingers feel overly long around it and therefor my fingers get a bit sore as does my palm. I'm trying not to death grip it, when I release some of my grip I notice that the hand pain goes down. Also, everyone thinks I should chop the tail. Is that a fairly easy thing to do? Anyways, here are some pics

[akmnstr]

Congratulations on passing the class and the new bike.  Your sore hand is natural.  I had a death grip on the handle bars when I started riding again after a 30 year brake.  If you get one of these




it should fix the problem.  When you feel more relaxed the throttle rocker will still be helpful, as it makes long rides more comfortable.  Here is there web site.  http://throttlerocker.com/

I'm not connected to the company in any way but have been using the rocker for about 10 years and think there great.  I recommend taking them off for the twisties and track days.   

[2-Skinny]

I'm 6'3 and sitting on an '09 696 crushed my balls and the peg position felt awkward to me... did they change the seat to a less-ball-crushing design?

[RBX QB]

Careful with a Throttle Rocker as a new rider... they can "get in the way" and surprise you from time to time. I have them on both my bikes.

Another idea would be something like Grip Puppies (http://www.casporttouring.com/cst/motorcycles/GRIPPUP.html is one supplier)... a little extra padding on the grip, that also makes a larger diameter, so your hand doesn't constrict as much.

Both are budget friendly options... and removable.

Ride safe.

[stopintime]

(as mentioned, but I'll post anyway)

This can be a cheap and effective fix. I recommend using grip glue or they will slide a little bit after a while.

http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CST&Product_Code=GPSMALL&Category_Code=GRIPPUP

http://www.casporttouring.com/cst/motorcycle/16900.html

[ducatiz]

I'm 6'3 and sitting on an '09 696 crushed my balls and the peg position felt awkward to me... did they change the seat to a less-ball-crushing design?

tape them to your stomach.  always worked for me.

[Slide Panda]

tape them to your stomach.  always worked for me.

I think there's a Silence of the Lambs joke in here some place...

[ducatiz]

I think there's a Silence of the Lambs joke in here some place...

i like fava beans

[thought]

I'm 6'3 and sitting on an '09 696 crushed my balls and the peg position felt awkward to me... did they change the seat to a less-ball-crushing design?

2011 696's have the 796 riser and seat so it's a lot more comfortable now.

[Hellraising-vtec]

congrats. hope yoiu enjoy it 

[mrpetebojangles]

Yea, really loving the bike though. My shoei helmet dampens so much of the beautiful engine noise which is probably a good thing. Not too many problems with my balls. Just have to adjust my seating position a bit. But I feel fine on the bike, I really do. I'm sure I look huge on the bike though, but it feels great. Really love the responsiveness of the bike and how eager it seems to always be willing to go a bit faster. Just don't go above 6000 RPM for the first 1k miles or so? Anything else to be weary of? Also, the dealership wants me to bring the bike back in for its first maintenance at 700 miles. Is this standard ducati protocol? Any idea on what something like that runs? As the bikes gets worn in a bit, what kinds of things will respond better? I'm interested in the ducati art monster shells, and really really really like the old school ducati logo on the black shell. Any experience with these things? Thanks for all the input as always. LOVE THE BIKE!

[tlh235]

Being a new rider myself, and having just bought the 2011 Ducati Monster 696(white)....i have one little bit of info for the "stalling" issue that you might find to plague you with this bike.  Change the 15T front to a 14T front sprocket....ever since i've done this, i haven't stalled the bike once at a stop sign or light.  it also helps with the sluggish feel of 1st and 2nd gear at lower speeds.  It will make you want to shift out of 1st and 2nd a little quicker than before, but the positives far outway the negatives.  I bought a new sprocket for like 30 bucks and my dealership installed it and charged me $96 that was with pickup and delivery of the bike also.  Just my beginner 2 cents...not worth that much, it has just been a great mod for me so far.

[Two dogs]

Conrats on your new Monster
Hay if you have big hands and the grips feel too small an easy fix is a set of " Grip puppies"
they are a high density foam rubber that slip over the top of the original grips increasing their
circumference , added benefit is deadening vibration. Slip on reasonably easily with a bit of soapy water
and an air compressor  They last about a year to two until the foam starts to compress.
Goggle them and buy a spare set .
Cheap and easy , I have been using them for years and swear by them.

[justinrhenry]

congrats.  a word of caution on the tail chop.  without a tail you WILL get water/mud/watever on your backside.  of course depending on how you use your bike that might not matter to you, but if you ride on wet roads or in the rain you'll wish you had a tail. 

[LA]

Hell no.  Don't chop it, ride it.

And on the death grip, I was just thinking this morning as I made my 20mi. ride to work how gently I hold the grips.  I remembered the golf adage, hold em like you're holding tubes of tooth paste.  Obviously sometimes conditions require a different approach.  I talking normal even somewhat spirited riding.

LA