New Duc rider needs help accessorizing

[Xanthoria]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to riding (1 month) and got a '07 Monster 695. Here it is... photo heavy post I'm afraid:





Naturally I love the bike, and want to do some simple mods and play around with it to make it "mine" but being such a pathetic n00b I barely know the names of the parts I want to change so bear with me...

First up in a windscreen of some kind. Worth adding a small one? I don't want a massive one, just something to deflect a bit of wind on the freeway (lying on the tank has other advantages but really...)  Also I feel that having something to... tidy up the front? Like this fairing... maybe? Do I need to get that - or this - and then add maybe a Zero Gravity SR series windscreen to it? And how easy is it to paint the chrome around the headlight black? And come to think of it the bracket that holds the exhaust on is silvery - how hard to paint that? And what about the pipe that goes to the exhaust - it's that dull metallic tan... can that be made black?



Then I noticed that the reservoirs are matte black, but the paint is peeling off the top. Repaint or buy new covers (and if the latter where do I get matte black?) Also the clutch lever bites right at the end of my fingertips, which is tough for me (small girl hands)  Someone told me to get Pazzo adjustable levers. Good brand? Any other options? Do I want long or short? And handlebar risers.... I was told this might be a good option as I am having to reach for the bars a bit. Thoughts?



Next up is rearsets. My riding friend says I should get some. Well... why? And what kind?



I have frame sliders - I think I'll get front axle sliders too. And I saw a thread about removing the stickers from the frame to under the seat. Any other mods or additions I can do fairly easily to play around here? And I want to add some reflective striping to the wheels - good idea? Do they come out pretty neatly? Is this a good kind? (I don't want a contrasty color.... but maybe red? My jacket has a little red on it.)



I got a Sena headset mount for my helmet (Shoei GT Air) from a friend that I've installed, just need the receiver, and a back protector that goes in my jacket. Goretex gloves, leather pants that I hate (Bilt - but free)... anything else?

thanks!

[Skybarney]

Don't feel bad about the pics, we like pics. 

When you ask these questions you should start with the following:

Year
Model
BUDGET!

There are a ton of wonderful things you can do with that bike.  It all comes down to what you are willing to spend.  A good place to start is with the sponsor sites.  I spent hours combing catalogs.  It helped me get a good feel for what was available and at what prices.

Congrats on the new ride!

[SpikeC]

 Welcome to the forum! My suggestion would be to wait a while on the farkleing(moto term for accessorizing) and just ride the bike and live with it for a while. As you ride a bit more the ergonomic thing will become more apparent to you. What may seem uncomfortable at first May not seem so after you adapt to the bike.
 As far as some of the cosmetic things go, a black magic marker will make the reservoir caps look a lot better. There are so many options available there that you should not rush into a decision.
 I would also wait on the rearsets, if the pegs that you have are comfortable then that is a lot of money for cosmetics.
 Look at a lot of bikes before you let someone tell you what you "need".

[Xanthoria]

Don't feel bad about the pics, we like pics. 

When you ask these questions you should start with the following:

Year
Model
BUDGET!

Congrats on the new ride!

Thanks! it's an '07 695, and the budget I guess depends on the part - like the rearsets: I don't see the need so $300 there is a bit  but I can see spending that on a windscreen if it stops me feeling like I'm about to be blown off on the freeway at 95 mph _{(not that I'd ever do that, you understand...)} 

[Xanthoria]

Welcome to the forum! My suggestion would be to wait a while on the farkleing(moto term for accessorizing) and just ride the bike and live with it for a while. As you ride a bit more the ergonomic thing will become more apparent to you. What may seem uncomfortable at first May not seem so after you adapt to the bike.
 As far as some of the cosmetic things go, a black magic marker will make the reservoir caps look a lot better.
 I would also wait on the rearsets, if the pegs that you have are comfortable then that is a lot of money for cosmetics.

Aww, such sensible advice... I was hoping to throw down some cash on my new baby! 

[stopintime]

To hell with sensible advice   We need to get you hooked on mods.

First screen, yes. Second screen won't fit. Or a used stock screen, but then you need rubber ends on the turn signal bolts. Those rubber ends are cheap from your dealer.

New reservoir caps will look much better.

Adjustable levers will improve your reach. Pazzo, CRG and many others. Some sponsors have cheaper ones as well. In the meantime you can adjust the clutch lever a little, by turning the small screw (close to the inside end of the lever) a little outwards - not so much that the clutch won't fully disengage though.

Rizoma has your 22 mm bars in a version with more sweep back. That'll help against your long reach.

Rearsets... yes, if you need them, but for grip you can get just the pegs.

Rim tape/wheel tape... they are really difficult to get right. Expect to spend hours on your knees. The easiest to apply are the ones that are pre-curved and comes in pieces of four sections pr wheel.


Take your time to research each mod and lokk into different options  

[Skybarney]

^^Good Advice!  Monster Parts has a wheel tape kit that is inexpensive and comes with a guide that slides along the wheel.  Looks to to be the easiest to apply so far.

have fun with your new toy.

[d3vi@nt]

Hows does the bike run and ride? Mine (same bike as yours) ran very lean and very hot on warmer days. I added a FatDuc O2 manipulator to richen the fuel/air. I'd also add an oil cooler if I weren't selling mine.

Agree with stopintime on the rim decals; curved is best. The straight strips don't come out as well. Go reflective for some extra visibility. Also makes it a lot easier to have the wheels off when applying.

And I'd replace those reservoir caps asap. 

As other have said, check out the board sponsors to feed your addiction.

[ChrisK]

If you don't plan on having passengers (which you shouldn't in your first few months of riding) you could get a matte black rear cowl to cover the passenger seat. I think it makes these bikes look better, and the matte black ones pop up pretty frequently on ebay.

[Speeddog]

Click on the "Local Club Boards" over on the left side menu.
You'll see the Ducati MOB, they're the Bay Area group.
Someone there may have an OEM fairing you can borrow to see how you like it.

[1.21GW]

My suggestion would be to wait a while on the farkleing(moto term for accessorizing) and just ride the bike and live with it for a while. As you ride a bit more the ergonomic thing will become more apparent to you. What may seem uncomfortable at first May not seem so after you adapt to the bike.
 As far as some of the cosmetic things go, a black magic marker will make the reservoir caps look a lot better. There are so many options available there that you should not rush into a decision.
 I would also wait on the rearsets, if the pegs that you have are comfortable then that is a lot of money for cosmetics.
 Look at a lot of bikes before you let someone tell you what you "need".

+1

If you must mod immediately, I would recommend doing cosmetic ones rather than performance/ergonomic ones---save those for after you have logged some time on the bike and then you have a baseline for exactly what you think you'd like.

For cosmetic stuff, just look at a lot of bikes and you'll have more ideas than you can afford.  Start here:

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=205.0
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=20478.0

[DucDucGoos]

For rearsets- the Ducabike ones are affordable.
http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/PRVM01/Controls-Foot/PRVM01.html

Levers- would be a good idea to do. I have small girly hands as well lol.. but it makes a difference being able to have adjustable ones. The sad part about the levers is everyone that makes them (within the US) has poor anodizing, and will quickly fade, unless you get a silver one, or opt for more expensive ones like Rizoma or Ducabike. (I strongly stand behind their products, as I have had so many various brands on my bikes over the last 3 1/2 years and it sits in the sun all day and I see what fades and what lasts. My Rizoma parts look brand new still!!!) The Pazzo are just a copy of the CRG. The construction of them I'm unsure of the quality.

*Like Lars had said, the Rizoma bars will also help make a difference with the way they are swept back. I have had those on all of my bikes and it helps. Also another thing, if you have shorter arms/ reach you may want to look into bar risers. I did them on my bikes and it helps alot

The pieces you are wanting to paint are not that hard to do. I just had my exhaust hanger powdercoated. I honestly can't remember if you can powdercoat the ring or if the material was too soft. Anyone else know about that?

Wheel stripes are a nice color addition. My 620 was all blacked/ carbon'd out and I personally loved that look. But I also love the way an all black bike looks with red or gold accents! It really pops! I do know the wheel stripes are a bit tricky to put on. So if you have a good steady hand, shouldn't be a problem
The reservoir caps you can get replacements of.

[Blackout]

Personally I think the bike looks better without a bikini fairing (and they don't make any damn difference anyway).
I would not waste money on axle sliders or rear sets either. Bike looks pretty damn good just the way it is.
Maybe spend a few hundred on suspension upgrades.

[Skybarney]

Rizoma Rizoma Rizoma.  Can't go wrong.   

Duckabike?  The rear sets were "flexy" when I tried them out on a bike.  The Rizomas feel beefy and have zero flex when jumping on the pegs.

[DucDucGoos]

Rizoma Rizoma Rizoma.  Can't go wrong.   

Duckabike?  The rear sets were "flexy" when I tried them out on a bike.  The Rizomas feel beefy and have zero flex when jumping on the pegs.

The Rizoma is amazing! Definitely get what you pay for!!