monster for a returning rider

[koko64]

Welcome to the forum!

Looking forward to seeing which bike you choose.

Cheers Duchess.

 

[Buckethead]

Also, at least with the monster, they found that a skilled rider can stop faster with out ABS when braking to the threshold. But for mere mortals ABS will stop faster.

After 25 years of not riding, I'd go for the ABS. Hell, I wish they'd had it as an option on my bike.

Something else to consider, it might be worth your while to look into some rider training. Worst case scenario, you get an insurance discount. And speaking of insurance, it's a good idea to shop around. Some insurance companies consider all Ducatis to be "sport bikes," with commensurate rates. Others classify the Monster as a "standard," which can save you a shit ton.

As for the mileage, it'll depend somewhat on how much you use the throttle in anger. I have a Sport 1000 and I consistently get 40+ mpg mixed city/highway. Personal best of 52 mpg one time when I really needed to stretch a tank.

But as they've all said, welcome! Nice to see a newbie who's done some homework. 

[MadDuck]

1100 Evo.  'Nuff said. ( Except you have to get the Termi's too )

[Duchess]

@Buckethead - thanks !  I'm signed up for the basic rider training mid April - I may learn something, I'll get my endorsement, and I may get a few percent on the insurance.  Talking of insurance, I work via a broker who does the shopping around for me - Tina is pretty good, she saved me a bunch of money on car insurance by NOT going to GEICO.  :-)

[Raux]

I posted on your intro thread as well.

"
All three of the new Monster can be made to the height you need.
For the 796/1100 buy the 696 rear suspension mount clevis for 20 bucks and it lowers the rear about an 1" or more. Then pull the forks through the same on the front.
For the seat, Don't get the low seat. It's wider. The 796 stock seat i've heard is really good. Also sargeant can make a narrow seat for you if you ask for that change.
The 696 may not have the umph you might remember, but it's very nice with the 14t around town. but if you want the single sided swingarm, which most people do, the 796/1100 are the way to go.
And don't let anyone tell you one is better than the other, 696 has plenty of power for the street, and the 1100 just needs judiscious throttle control for normal riding.

the newer bikes have slightly taller bar mounts and you can even get the taller bar kit to raise it more to get you to a very neutral position.
You will need new springs, for that, the 1100 might be better as the 696 forks are kinda wierd. not sure about the 796 if it has the 1100 style or 696 style forks.

"

[Zulu]

I have a 696 and one of the deciding factor was insurance rate. My insurance was almost double for a 796 compared to 696. You definately want to call your insurance company and get rates on diff. monsters.

[dproto09]

I have a 696 and one of the deciding factor was insurance rate. My insurance was almost double for a 796 compared to 696. You definately want to call your insurance company and get rates on diff. monsters.

^^^^^^^ I had the same exact issues. I went with the 696, the 796 they wanted double for the insurance payment.

[Slide Panda]

I have a 696 and one of the deciding factor was insurance rate. My insurance was almost double for a 796 compared to 696. You definately want to call your insurance company and get rates on diff. monsters.

You're also a 20-something dude. Duchess will be in a very different insurance table. She might not take the fiscal reaming for the bigger bike that you do.

[Duchess]

"fiscal reaming" - I certainly don't like the sound of that

[thought]

Most everything has been covered already, but another option for seat lowering is spencers seat mods:

http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php

he can lower and customize the stock seat for you for about $85... prob a better option compared to the pricing of the low seat.

i would say the main reason to go for a 1100 vs a 796 is for the suspension rather than the power.  having a fully adjustable suspension is pretty nice.

[Curmudgeon]

Greetings, "thought"!

Read her intro thread. Lots more background there. http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=55878.0

You can also tell her that your mother drives a 930.  But would you want your mother on an EVO?! 

Besides, paying all the money for a suspension which isn't really that adjustable within her weight limits and one which few rookie dealers will even know how to set up...

The Marzocchis on the 796 aren't that evil. A decent Ohlins and spring, built for her riding and weight costs "only" $625 and Donnie Unger really likes mine. Do the math. 

Weather is getting warm early now. Are you still travelling in the Far East?

Regards!

[Duchess]

Thanks everyone - I guess I'm getting to the point where I have absorbed the literature and now need to get out on the bikes. Unfortunately I have to wait until April 2nd before my big "test ride every bike in the dealership" appointment. But, in addition to the 3 monsters, I'll hope to blag a ride on the Diavel and a Hyper 796...  Prolly worth waiting for.

After the research, I'm kinda leaning to the 1100e, with the reservation that if its too temperamental and prone to unwanted wheelies, I'll smack its nose and put it back in the stable to ride the 796 instead. Prolly won't need to drop down to the 696 .. but the baby is kinda cute ...  

Then I have taken on board a lot of wisdom around how to lower the bike, what alternative seats exist. Also considerations of carbon exhausts, remapped ECU's, 14T and 41T options for the tall gearing, bar end mirrors and sliders ...


You are all so welcoming and willing to share your experience - thank you. I'm sure I have much to learn as the journey unfolds,

Duchess

[Slide Panda]

If you're worried about the seat height the motards are going to be even more worry. They are taller and engine to engine even more wheelie prone.

The diavels interesting. Much more nimble than than big rear would lead you to believe. The select on the fly maps are a neat trick - just watch out of the sport/full power one - that engine has oomph and lets you know it in that mode. If you're expecting it, very manageable. But it'll take off like a bat outa hell in a 2nd gear roll on in the sport mode.

[Duchess]

On the 1100e, I had the thought that if I mostly got it for the better torque and DTC, and then used the DTC primarily to tame the torque down to 796 levels, I may just as well have gotten a 796 in the first place --

But the 1100 evo does come with better forks, too. So get a stock 796, replace the suspension with Ohlins, ... as Curmudgeon suggests....

This way madness lies - I want to ride the bike, not spend my weekends modifying it. I could easily get sucked in to the whole "tweak the Monster" sub culture. (no offense to any tweakers out there :-)  - I love you all !)

I also thought that one of the reasons the 1100e is attractive is "big engine envy" - one of the girls at work just got a HD Softtail with an 103 cu-in engine - that's 1688 cc or more than twice the 796 ... My first car only had a 1300 cc engine, developing 50 bhp ... mind you, her HD weighs in at 760 lbs, so nearly twice as much as the 796 also.... and she admitted there are days she can't maneuver it around her garage.

I just have to get back to my European "light is right" ways and stop getting side tracked. As one of my heroes put it:  "simplify, then add lightness" (Colin Chapman, as I'm sure you know, founder of Lotus Engineering
My mother drove a Super Seven Mk 4 as her daily driver for many years..... )

I guess another of his quotes that is relevant to this discussion is "Make the suspension adjustable, and they will adjust it wrong - look what they can do to a carburetor in just a few moments of stupidity with a screwdriver "

Duchess

[Buckethead]

This way madness lies - I want to ride the bike, not spend my weekends modifying it. I could easily get sucked in to the whole "tweak the Monster" sub culture. (no offense to any tweakers out there :-)  - I love you all !)

She's a witch! Burn her!