Am I missing something obvious?

[Raux]

honestly, the frame sliders for a new rider is the best and only NEEDED mod IMO.

after that its all about personal taste

[DarkMonster620]

<snip> I'm now trying to decide whether or not to do actual mods such as mirrors, integrated tail light, fender eliminator, exhaust, rearsets, etc. I'm also taking a look at this Keith Code movie - A Twist of the Wrist II. Anything I can do hold me over until I'm more ready to ride.

At any rate, I'm exceedingly happy thus far. Cheers to all of you!

+1 on Raux . . .

any other modification or "bling" part, wait until you and the new mistress are one with each other . .  don't want to break $130.00 worth of mirrors, do you? Don't want to break a $XXX.00 different handlebar?

Changing handlebars to clip ons is something like "changing" to a different bike, replacing your OEM rearsets for different ones is the same, being there done that, they are not "night and day" changes, but, you will feel the difference . . . Being there, done that!!!!

Now, wait for the weather to warm up, get your endorsement and MSF course under your belly, sign up for the next level and then for the next level[wished we had something like that here in Panama] and ride and ride, after a few months when you are no longer thinking on what to do in what order that it comes by itself, then and only then, maybe replace  your tail light for an integrated one as long as is DOT compliant in FL . . . after that, the more you and the bike become one, makes changes...

Just sayin' . . . be  and safely

[Curmudgeon]

Ducati actually makes pretty decent bikes. People here are always in a big hurry to spend YOUR $$$. 

Suggest that you fit a 14T front sprocket on yours ASAP as this will make the bike much easier for a new rider to manage at low speeds, and generally much more peppy overall. Worry about other upgrades after you've decided what you like and possibly what you don't.

Don't scrap the mirrors and bikini fairing before you learn how well they are designed. The fairing works and both fairing and mirrors are extremely aerodynamically quiet. There are better mirrors out there I'll acknowledge, BUT you'll pay for them with turbulence!

Take it slow and safe, and ride with some experienced non-crazies until you learn some roadcraft.

[wrl]

Ducati actually makes pretty decent bikes. People here are always in a big hurry to spend YOUR $$$.  

...Worry about other upgrades after you've decided what you like and possibly what you don't.

Agreed on both points!

Evidence presented, frame/front/rear sliders seemed like an obvious trigger pull. The rest I mentioned would likely be after the 7500 mile service, which I'm trying to time in conjunction with (prior to) warranty expiration in May--I've got a lot of riding to do between now and then, especially if I'm to be prepared for the 300 mile ride to the Ducati guys at Melillimoto in Ocala. That should give me some time to get acquainted and determine a few basic preferences. I tend to research the hell out of anything upon which I spend >$50, so that should give me sufficient lead time (arriving at the answer to 'which sliders' took me three days of reading; gloves and helmet took a week each). Plus most of the mods I'm currently considering would be with function in mind rather than simply aesthetic.

• Mirrors - After sitting on the bike *cough*and a quick unlicensed ride around the parking lot*cough*, I might find them to be less than ergonomic in the future.
• Integrated tail light - To replace the annoying busted rear turn signal, plus some of them seem to add visibility functions (stop alert, blinking) to keep me safer.
• Fender eliminator - Not sure about 'wearing the road' since I'll be commuting during hurricane season, but this seems like a popular change, especially since I might already be tinkering with the blinkers. Also, there are multiple kit options to consider (evotech, ducatimonstertailchop.com).
• Exhaust - Love the bike, the stock exhaust less so. I've read posts purporting weight loss and increased/smoother performance, but there seem to be numerous options/paths to follow.
• Seat - There seems to be potential for the boys to get crushed with the stock seat.
• Rearsets - They felt a bit slippery initially.
• G2 Throttle Tamer/Cam - ?? #1.
• 14t sprocket - ?? #2. The jury seems to be out on this. Frequently recommended, but others (Raux) have listed cons worth considering. I'll give it time to see how I feel about the stock gearing.

Rest assured, I'm going to get to know the bike first. These are just those that I've noticed off the bat and might provide increased function. Handlebars, levers, determining whether or not I actually like carbon fiber, and whether or not I actually want to customize every little bit of the bike vs. preserving the stock form while tastefully modifying, etc can wait.

[Raux]

In the states the 14t isn't really and issue unless you are constantly on 85mph highway

[wrl]

I'll see how it is out of curiosity and to establish a baseline, but plan to have it figured out by the time I go in for service in late April so they can drop it in if I've decided on it. Afterall, commuters don't need to hit 200+ kph, right?

[Curmudgeon]

Glad Raux beat me too it! Fit the 14T ASAP and thank me later. My 796 is my 8th Ducati and only two cried for a 14T in the States. I've ridden a stock 2011 696 and even the Evo benefits. And..., you'll even have a useable 6th gear!

The mirrors can be adjusted to a degree, both at the mounts and in the housings. They are not perfect and could be longer..., which creates other issues in traffic. What they ARE is QUIET. My other "naked" sounds like a hurricane at 70 MPH by comparison. This is no joke, and I wear a Schuberth.

On a bike you will always be invisible. Hard to believe but true. The stock turn signals are easy to kick, but visible. Check Florida law too. They may need to be so many inches apart.

With miles, the stock cans are not that quiet compared to other stock bikes. People turn their heads well before I pass. You'll have to see if you want to go deaf. I have tinnitus anyway. Wear ear plugs. Seriously. The weight difference I doubt you could even feel. A Termi kit will run better certainly and is plug-and-play for the most part. I don't need one but I also have a lot more motor than you do. So does Raux.

You are 300 miles from a qualified dealer? Depends on how clever you are whether you want to screw around with the tune. Raux can assist if you do. I just want to richen my idle mixture but haven't gotten around to it because my Ducati dealer/ Dynojet expert is 140 miles from here.

Consider a Sargent saddle if your nuts are getting crushed and also Tech Spec pads to get you off the tank in traffic. There are pix of mine on this site.

[justinrhenry]

Im curious. If it doesnt matter what bike you start on.. so long as you "control yourself" why does the msf and other such organizations start riders on 125 ann 250's?

1.  The MSF classes are required to use bikes with 500cc or less. 
2.  125 and 250cc bikes are cheaper.

[wrl]

You are 300 miles from a qualified dealer? Depends on how clever you are whether you want to screw around with the tune. Raux can assist if you do. I just want to richen my idle mixture but haven't gotten around to it because my Ducati dealer/ Dynojet expert is 140 miles from here.

I'm all for learning to work on the bike, but I'd like to first establish a baseline. Having glanced through the manual, a few things occur to me. The first owner had D&D Cycles (where he purchased it) perform the 600-mile maintenance and two oil changes. He said they were friendly and did a good job (?), but were extremely slow and took six hours for the 600-mile while he waited, despite having made a prior appointment. Those records are on their way to me from D&D. The nearest dealers are:

• D&D Cycles (Pensacola, 101 miles, standard sales/service)
• Florida Motorsports (Talahassee, 111 miles, standard sales/service)
• Orange Park Powersports (Jacksonville, 276 miles, standard sales/service)
• Melillimoto* (Ocala, 298 miles)

*Authorized D16RR Sales & Service Center, Master Tech Service

The idea I have in my head is that I'd like for the bike to sparkle like new, inside and out, before I start tinkering on my own. The original owner had the basic maintenance done, but let the bike get a bit dingy around the edges the past 2 years (e.g., grimy engine, some rusted bolts, oxidization on the discs and other areas that look like they want to rust). I'm thinking of calling up Melillimoto and scheduling them to run through it with a fine tooth comb at 7.5K miles in late April--it's currently at 5850 + the 300 it would take to get there.

Looking at the service schedule, I'd like for them to perform all of the 7.5K schedule, the 24 months schedule, and give it a thorough cleaning. This would cover every scheduled item in the manual except for changing the front fork oil (36 months)--so why not, let's have them do that, too. I know it seems like overkill, and correct me if I've got the wrong idea, but I'd like the peace of mind since the warranty would end days after this major service. I imagine I'd need new tires by then since it's still running the original set, and they might as well do the 14t sprocket while we're going nuts.

This idea would give me about 1.3K miles under my belt to get familiar enough to make the trip after the next 6-10 weeks, a nice day at a full-on Ducati dealership, a super-clean bike with a fresh bill of health upon which I could begin learning to tinker, an upgrade or two, a 300-mile ride home, and a blistering hole in the wallet.

I'd make every effort to develop comfort doing all of my own work from there forward. The more local dealerships could be called upon if I get in over my head. I just want a fresh start--or am I overhyping the Ocala dealer?

On a bike you will always be invisible. Hard to believe but true. The stock turn signals are easy to kick, but visible. Check Florida law too. They may need to be so many inches apart.

Checked--no such law.

[polivo]

1.  The MSF classes are required to use bikes with 500cc or less. 
2.  125 and 250cc bikes are cheaper.

1. Who do you think requires the msf to use 250s and or 125's for the brc curriculum?
2. do you really think that its simply based on price?  If there were cheap 500 's to be had, would they be used by an credible organiztion?

[Curmudgeon]

I'm anal myself, so not over the top as far as I'm concerned. I see Ocala is exclusive, but do they specialize in detailing bikes too? You may be disappointed if you expect them to clean up every bolt. The rotors will probably take care of themselves.

If you have Diablos on there now and find you like them, then replace with Diablo II's when you do the 7,500. I like mine a lot!

To do that service they will need to take a lot of the bike apart, so you'll get your wish there. Makes it easy enough to look over everything and it's a lot of work.

Better make the appointment now. They may book fast. Make sure you get 7,500 on there first so that they can turn off the service warning light. The Ducati hand tester is required for that on a Siemens bike.

[wrl]

I'm anal myself, so not over the top as far as I'm concerned. I see Ocala is exclusive, but do they specialize in detailing bikes too? You may be disappointed if you expect them to clean up every bolt. The rotors will probably take care of themselves.

If you have Diablos on there now and find you like them, then replace with Diablo II's when you do the 7,500. I like mine a lot!

To do that service they will need to take a lot of the bike apart, so you'll get your wish there. Makes it easy enough to look over everything and it's a lot of work.

Better make the appointment now. They may book fast. Make sure you get 7,500 on there first so that they can turn off the service warning light. The Ducati hand tester is required for that on a Siemens bike.

Cool, so I'm not loony-tunes for wanting it to be so-fresh-and-so-clean-clean. Maybe I can find a detailer before/after I head down there. And I'll call them up tomorrow.

Cheers!

[Curmudgeon]

You might be loony..., but you're in good company.

Bike dealers are not usually open on Monday, especially GW's birthday.

As you're a newbie, better fit the sliders ASAP and the 14T too since no very special tools are needed on a DSS 696. Just adjust the chain carefully per the instructions on the sticker on the swing arm..., or in the manual otherwise.

[Kev M]

WRL - congrats and I know you're excited.

One word of advice from a BTDT point of view.

SLOW YOUR ROLL on the accessories.

I know it's fun and nice to want all that stuff.

But ride it, get to know the bike for a few months before you buy all that stuff.

You MIGHT spend thousands on that stuff, and decide you want something else, and lose all that money as it adds nothing to the resale.

You MIGHT find that you really didn't need/want all or some of that stuff.

Best Harley dealer I ever met was an honest to goodness rider. Back in the 90s, I remember he'd refuse to sell a bike to someone without a license. And when he did sell he'd always discourage them (YES DISCOURAGE THEM) from wasting too much money of accessories. He said, he'd be happy to sell them whatever they want, but he didn't want them to waste money on a bunch of stuff they might decide to hang on the garage wall later because they didn't want/need it. He'd tell them to ride the bike for a few months and THEN come back and spend more if they wanted to.

[Privateer]

the only accessory you should be worried about buying right now is gasoline.