Long distance comfort for taller rider

[mrpetebojangles]

Howdy all,

Just had my first 5+ hr trip with a group of buds, one on an 85 BMW k100? and another on a V-Star. We had an amazing trip, sincerely one of the most enjoyable days of my life, going around a perfect 73 degreed Lake Tahoe. Started at 9:30, went through Carson City, went to S. Lake Tahoe and then around the circumference of the lake, and ended the trip at around 4pm back in Reno. The trip was great, but being 6'7'' on a stock 09 696 my legs (knees) wanted to die. Before this trip I've used the bike to commute nearly daily to work (30 min ride) and around the city at the most riding for a few hours. But man, did my legs feel it yesterday, still I managed to have a grin from ear to ear.

My question is two parts. Is the Monster not really ergonomically designed for trips of this length? I bought it to ride around the city mainly, but after tasting my first bit of long trips with friends, I think I'm hooked! Regardless of height, is the bike not suited for this type of travel?

What kind of mods can I try out that will make a difference? I've heard of things like bar risers, rear sets, and more comfortable seats, but at the end of the day is the difference great or slight?

I understand that this bike is not made for someone of my height, or bikes in general for that matter, and I'm not complaining, but what can I do to make the bike more enjoyable?

Would a hyper-motard or SF be a better fit for me? Being a newer rider I think this bikes are a bit more than what I need, but I'm thinking of selling my Monster eventually and gettn something with more room between the seat and pegs for my longer legs. I love Ducati and I want to stick with the brand.

Thanks

[Howie]

Sargent seat might help since it is a little higher.  If you need a little more room still, try adjustable rear sets.

[Curmudgeon]

Sargent seat might help since it is a little higher.  If you need a little more room still, try adjustable rear sets.

And if you want to pay a bit extra, Sargent can add 1/2"+ to that. Speak to Troy.

Also consider a Rizoma bar which has some extra height and a more comfortable wrist angle. I believe this is the one for a 696 but call first. Then have your dealer fit it with you on the bike to be certain where the holes go for the controls.  http://www.motovationusa.com/mvstore/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=563 If you get silver, it'll look stock, only nicer!

Were those guys holding you up? Faster is more comfortable on a Monster. 

[thought]

I would say that btwn the SF, HYM, and the monster, the monster would probably be the most comfortable for longer distances out of all of them.  You're going to get more legroom on the SF but you'll pay for it in more stress on your lower back due to the more aggressive seating position.  My legs are more comfortable on my SF, but my lower back gets a lot more strain when compared to longer trips on my 796.  And you're going to get a lot of windblast at highway speeds on the HYM... most motards just dont do that well on the highway.

I say look into the rearsets to widen up the triangle, get the m1100 rear clevis if you havent already to fit the height a bit better to you, and pull the forks through the triple to match the height change in the rear.  And when you're ready for a bigger bike and touring is still something you're really looking for, I say try out the MTS1200... with your height it should be no prob for you and it can take care of all of your needs.

Though, in the end, it just might be more efficient in the end to just get a 2nd bike.  A used v-strom 650 isnt too much, insures pretty cheap, is a twin, and can be your longer distance bike.

[muskrat]

I have both the sargent seat and adjustable rear sets.  I also ride a harley so I understand your wanting comfort.  For me the two mods did it best but as stated earlier, you're looking at a grand and at that you can almost pick up an SV. 
Seriously though the seat does wonders, start there.

[d3vi@nt]

I'm in the same boat as you -not as tall, but I feel cramped on my Monster. Like you, I'd like to stay on a Duc. I'm convinced the ST2/3/4 is the answer. The older models are almost the same size (front to back) as my Monster, have a few more inches of seat height, better range due to the bigger tank, plus adjustable suspension. Bags and fairing/windscreen make it perfect for longer trips.

Just my 2 cents... 

[Curmudgeon]

Just my 2 cents... 

"Horses for courses" surely. My son is 6' 3 1/2" and 245 lbs.; in other words BIG. Currently he has an '02 ST4s. That's full Ohlins. It's a great bike but it's a truck compared to my 796 configured the was it is in my signature line. On a good day I can push HIM on a tight back road. ALL bikes are compromises. The new Monsters are nimble, stable and flickable. An ST is less so.

Sooo..., you have to decide on your mission. Then you can make your compromises. My son is only good for ~ 100 miles on mine before he gets antsy, but he'll tell you flat, my bike is one of the best-handling he's ever ridden.

We've BOTH been through a ton of bikes. Because he broke both wrists racing bicycles as a teen, even with a 1" riser, he's still a bit uncomfortable on the ST4s. Otherwise he likes it a lot. He may try a modded R1200GS next though because it doesn't have that wrist issue and he's already been through an R1200RT. He tried my old K100RS 16/ABS before he sold it for me and found it too aggressive as well. (That had a dedicated do-anything Ohlins and tuned forks and was chipped.) I had just gotten too old and feeble to deal with the height and 550 lbs although it was super-nimble once moving.

All compromises...

BTW, I would LOVE an M796ST which only weighed 15 - 20 lbs more, but Ducati doesn't make one..., and if they DID, they wouldn't be able to give them away any more than they could the ST's. It would be SOOO much better than an F800ST though and a lot less $$$ too!

[Chucko9-696]

Trade the Monster for a Multistrada

[mrpetebojangles]

Were those guys holding you up? Faster is more comfortable on a Monster. 

Haha they were! My buddy that had the v-star, he rode my bike and now he wants a monster. He said it was a dream come true. Me riding his v-star, I kept trying to my feet beneath me, but on his cruiser it felt so weird having my feet out in front. I've always though the monster felt more comfortable at speed, but whenever I led the pack on those amazing curvy roads I had to always check my mirrors to make sure they werent too far behind.

With all the recommendations thus far, I think my first upgrade will be a higher Sargent seat and then perhaps down the road some rear sets. Are bar risers more for eleviating stress on my wrist, or would it also be beneficial for my legs? When I first started riding my wrists were sore, but after relaxing my grip I don't really have that problem anymore.

As always I really appreciate how immensely helpful all of you are. Definitely one of the best online forums I've had the joy of belonging to!

[Curmudgeon]

Haha they were! My buddy that had the v-star, he rode my bike and now he wants a monster. He said it was a dream come true. Me riding his v-star, I kept trying to my feet beneath me, but on his cruiser it felt so weird having my feet out in front. I've always though the monster felt more comfortable at speed, but whenever I led the pack on those amazing curvy roads I had to always check my mirrors to make sure they werent too far behind.

With all the recommendations thus far, I think my first upgrade will be a higher Sargent seat and then perhaps down the road some rear sets. Are bar risers more for eleviating stress on my wrist, or would it also be beneficial for my legs? When I first started riding my wrists were sore, but after relaxing my grip I don't really have that problem anymore.

I knew it!  (The early K100RS is a relative dog too compared to my later 16-valve.)

BTW, not only is the Sargent more comfortable (after you get a few miles on it), they are flatter and wider at the rear. You'll see. I doubt you'll send it back, but you CAN if you hate it.

The Rizoma bar has more sweep. That makes for a more natural wrist angle. Any rise will take more weight OFF your wrists but the riding position is still aggressive, just less so. Maybe you'll see one in the shop on someone's bike. Most who have them like them. I could still use 10mm more rise but can't figure out a simple, clean way to do that. On a 796 I already have a lot more rise than you do on a 696 unless Ducati "upgraded" the later 696's. Compare in the shop if they have a 796.

Your local shop doesn't sound all that swift but should you ride to CA one day, several shops there have the expertise to raise your whole bike to 796/1100 Evo spec without screwing up the geometry. That's ~ 20mm I believe.

Good Luck!

[Ak1nza]

I'm not as tall as you at 6'1 but my legs do feel a little cramped on my S2R.  After a long ride I do feel it in my knees the same way you do.  I feel I only need a little adjustment in the foot pegs to get comfortable though, so I just ordered these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DUCATI-ADJUSTABLE-FOOTPEG-FOOTREST-REARSET-KIT-MONSTER-/230603878851?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35b10ff1c3&vxp=mtr

The 30MM will allow for up to about 1.2inches of additional downward location on the pegs or 1.2inches of backward location.  I don't get all leaned over as I'm riding on the street so I think this will be fine.  I'll probably have it slightly lower and back which would mean less than an inch lower than stock.  This plus a slight adjustment in the shift/brake lever should hopefully get me to where I need to be.

Perhaps once you get the Sargent seat and you don't want to splurge on the rearsets you can try these too.  I'll def post up once I get these on and tried out.  There was a post on these before and they do what they advertise is what it basically reads. 

[mrpetebojangles]

I noticed that the Sargent seat is only .4 " higher than the stock seat. Does it make that big of a difference?

[Curmudgeon]

I noticed that the Sargent seat is only .4 " higher than the stock seat. Does it make that big of a difference?

It's not just the height. It's flatter, gives more support and you can sit farther back. As I mentioned above, call and ask for Troy and while you're at it, ask him whether he can increase the height of it a bit more without messing up the shape where it fits the faux tank..., since you're the "jolly green giant". 

In the case of the knee angle, opening that up doesn't always help a bunch. I learned that with a custom Sargent I had made for my Triumph. My large son has no issue with my 796 footpeg / control layout, only that the seat is a bit small for him..., but I figure you're the lanky type.  Right?  Costs you little to try since you can always send it back.

[mrpetebojangles]

And whats your commission on this sale curm? Haha, just kidding, I have a feeling I'm going to really like this seat. I think I've already asked about this, but with the seat being higher and flatter, do you feel like you have less of a central grip on the bike that the original bike provides? Do you feel slightly less attached to the bike?

Also, I went to my local dealership to inquire about rearsets, and they said that they won't necessarily provide more comfort to my ride, but will just put me in a different riding position with my legs being more rear and slightly lowered. Ak1nza, let me know how that affects your ride please. I'd be interested in hearing if you have less leg fatigue on longer distance rides. And what's the general consensus on the Ducati Comfort (Touring) seat. I realize height isn't much, but it's taller than the Sargent seat and my dealership said they could get it for me for ~$240 which seems to be a fairly good deal, and also a fair amount less expensive than Sargent. I'm not asking for argument's sake, as you haven't led me astray before, but just for another option to compare. 

Yea, I'm pretty tall though.. mainly due to my heels :|

Just kidding again.  Yea, I wouldn't mind being about 3'' shorter haha

[Curmudgeon]

Less attached? No, it's the same width at the front; you just won't tend to crush your "jewels" as much. 

The other poster rides an S2R. The new bikes are different. What works for him may or may not apply. If your weight transfer is more forward from having rearsets, that's NOT a plus IMO. If your knee isn't blowing out now, leave it alone.

While the DP comfort seat might be better than the stock seat, it still isn't flatter and is made from the same foam as the stocker. The Sargent has two kinds of high-tech foam, a different seat base, a different sort of covering, and in the case of a 696, since you don't have a flapper valve, you get that nifty storage canister too.

Don't expect the Sargent to be "the second coming", but after your 2nd long ride, you'll maybe wonder why you don't hurt? 

Commission? Troy sent me a baseball cap once. 

True. Shorter can sometimes be good. You don't fit in a race car.