She's here, she's here, she's finally here!!!

[MidnightRambler]

So a full month after purchase I finally took delivery of my 2009 696 late last night  .  As soon as I'm done with my coffee I'm headed downstairs to do a full detail on her before I go get her dirty on the road    Excuse all the grins but that's just my natural state at the moment.  

[red baron]

Owwww my eyes. 


Please remove the reflectors.

Congrats, and welcome.

[MidnightRambler]

Haha yeah those are only staying on until after I get the safety inspection done 

[justinrhenry]

nice bike.  keep the reflectors.   

[krolik]

Reflectors?!?

I though that was the safety display for the flux capacitors?

[GK]

Reflectors?!?

I though that was the safety display for the flux capacitors?

Flux capacitor...fluxing! LOL!

Congrats, enjoy the bike. 

GK

[J5]

your fork is on fire

please rectify

[MidnightRambler]

Just went on my first ride, about an hour.  Bike is a totally different animal than what I'm used to (last bike was a Honda Shadow).  In particular, when braking, I'm used to having forward controls that you can push off of to slow your body's forward momentum.  I'm Having to get used to hugging the tank with my knees to achieve the same effect.  Also very different turning on a shorter wheelbase.  Besides having to take it slow while I'm adjusting I absolutely love the way the bike handles and the throttle response is amazing.   

One question I do have is are there any aftermarket grips that are bigger in diameter than the stock ones?

*edit* I'm sure there are larger grips, what I meant to ask was are there any you folks would recommend  

[SpikeC]

 I'm enjoying the Spider Peak grips.

[stopintime]

Grip Puppies 

Foam tube that goes outside the stock grips.
Cut off 1/4 inch length, because they will otherwise move/'expand' outwards and slow/stop the throttle return.
Use Grip Glue to hold securly in place.

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

[Curmudgeon]

 I'm Having to get used to hugging the tank with my knees to achieve the same effect.

Get some of these. They work. http://www.monsterparts.com/p/621500SS/TechSpec+Gripster+Sport+Pads+Monster+696+796+1100-1100EVO.html

[memper]

Get some of these. They work. http://www.monsterparts.com/p/621500SS/TechSpec+Gripster+Sport+Pads+Monster+696+796+1100-1100EVO.html

Agreed. But my cheap ass just went to a skate shop and bought a sheet of grip tape. Cut the pieces so they look "nice". Works really well and only costs $5.

[MidnightRambler]

Yeah I'm definitely going to have to pick up some tank grips.  Just went for another ride and I'm thinking they'll help with my hands too.  The reason I was asking about larger grips is my hands were really hurting after about an hour.  Paying attention to my riding just now I noticed I was constantly putting a lot of weight on my hands whenever I slowed down and since I'm on hills around here it happens a lot.  Hopefully redistributing that to the knees should help.  Gotta say as someone who is very experienced riding cruisers I am really enjoying going through the learning process again, forgot how much fun it was to get better each ride 

[Curmudgeon]

Those pads really do grip well. I broke my shoulder bigtime 4 years ago and under 40 MPH these are essential. And yes, grabbing the tank will reduce the weight on your hands. It's not grip tape. They're patterned and have a little give.