Introduction....

[MAZ]

Just wanted to post a brief intro - female rider.  I just got my Monster 696 on Friday and put about 350+ miles on it Sat. and Sun.  I feel so comfortable on this bike and out of the 4 bikes I have had, this is #1 without a doubt.  Below is a picture of me on the bike.

[jdubbs32584]

Welcome!!!!

What state are you in? What other bikes have you had?

Your bike looks great btw. 

[MAZ]

Thanks  - the bike had the Termis, filter, ECU upgrade when I bought it (demo model - last 696 the dealer is getting till fall).  I am adding Pazzo levers this week.  I have Speedymoto frame and front axle sliders.  I had the dealership put on different bars - higher and a little more swept back - they added a spacer so the bars would clear the tank and very slightly reduced the steering lock.  The front forks were dropped about an inch and I set the preload to soft.

I live in Iowa and usually ride year round (Gerbings is your friend  ).  This September will mark my two years anniversary of riding.

Order of bikes -

Honda Shadow (put 4,000 miles on it) - if I learned something it is that I am NOT a cruiser gal.
BWM F650GS (put 11,000 miles on it) - too tall and didn't like the handling and high center of gravity.
Buell Blast (put 6,500 miles on it) - really enjoyed flat footing, put aftermarket pipe, rejetted and filter for some power - but quickly outgrew the capabilities of the bike - not too difficult with that bike.  However, that bike gave me a very clear idea of what I wanted in a bike - a naked, light, standard bike that fit me and my riding style with some power dammit!
Monster 696 - whooooo booooyyyyyyyyyyyyy - that is all..... [moto]

[whidbeymonster]

awesome! you two look meant for each other! i had a blast too and the shake made it feel like a lawn mower! love my 695! i added pazzo levers to mine last month, made it much smoother from the stop. i have the frame sliders, after market bars with a spacer and the front end lowered a little too, and it is like a glove now. if i could only afford the high mount exhaust! ha ha! welcome!
tara

[MAZ]

awesome! you two look meant for each other! i had a blast too and the shake made it feel like a lawn mower! love my 695! i added pazzo levers to mine last month, made it much smoother from the stop. i have the frame sliders, after market bars with a spacer and the front end lowered a little too, and it is like a glove now. if i could only afford the high mount exhaust! ha ha! welcome!
tara

Yea that Blast shakes like there is no tomororw  - don't miss that a bit!  Also, the Vance & Hines pipe I put on the Blast was SO LOUD - don't miss that either - the Termis are down right quiet compared to the V&H.  Since I bought the Demo model - it already came with the Termis upgrade and I got a sweet deal so I jumped on it  . 

Sounds like I followed your footsteps on changes to the bike - we must both be short arses 

[jdubbs32584]

Yea that Blast shakes like there is no tomororw  - don't miss that a bit!  Also, the Vance & Hines pipe I put on the Blast was SO LOUD - don't miss that either - the Termis are down right quiet compared to the V&H.  Since I bought the Demo model - it already came with the Termis upgrade and I got a sweet deal so I jumped on it  . 

Sounds like I followed your footsteps on changes to the bike - we must both be short arses 

You'll find that there's a significant number of us that are, how to put it, vertically challenged. I'm 5'2 with my riding boots on and am tip toeing my S2R 800. The monsters are so freaking fun tho!

Welcome to the club!

[Grrrly]

congrats on the new toy   , and welcome!!!!   

[somegirl]

Welcome and congrats on the bike, looking good.

I got to try a rental F650GS in Germany last year, agree on being too high and top-heavy, I still had fun though, especially maxing it out on the Autobahn (not bad for a single cylinder )

Glad the 696 is working out so well for you! [moto]

[mcgalinmd]

I go license test for Harley locations (rider's edge classes) and I watch those buell bikes shake and rattle, always seeming like they are going to stall no matter how much throttle the students seem to give.  Great around town bike, though.  Maybe Ducati would make a small 250???  

Anyway, the ride looks like a bunch of fun - congrats!  

[somegirl]

Maybe Ducati would make a small 250???  

It's a shame the M400 isn't available in the US.

[whidbeymonster]

maz-
if you don't mind me asking what kind of pants are you wearing? i am having an awful time finding pants being short and i like those. cause i am too old to wear any of that icon kitty crap. and i don't want stars and glitter on my butt.
tara

[MAZ]

Well the best fitting mesh pants I ever tried on are made by Olympia (I have the Olympia mesh jacket on in the photo)  and about the last six inches of the pants are made to be cut off so you can fit them to different inseam sizes.  Really top quality and very reasonably priced.  I have not bought their mesh pants yet because hubby gave me the pair I am wearing in the photo.  I will buy the Olympia ones once these crap out.   I wore a size 10 pants in the Olympia brand and I normally wear size 16 jeans - go figure.  Olympia sizes are very generous.

The ones I have on in the photo are pants hubby bought and they didn't fit him.  They are mesh pants made by Fieldsheer - mens sized 34 - they are a tad long and cannot be easily cut to fit - I have a 28.5 inch inseam.  I highly suggest the Olympia brand!

  on the Icon Kitty comment - I can't wear their stuff either - hell I couldn't wear their stuff when I was age 12 

[whidbeymonster]

sweet will look for the olympia ones, i wear sixteen jeans too and if olympia can magically change a 16 into a 10 i am definately in!!  thanks
tara

[brlchief]

Nice Bike! 
I also have the 696.  Mine is white (as you can see in my signature pic).  I love mine too.  What kind of handlebars did they put on?  Do you know if they had to replace any cables?  They seem to have very little slack.  I don't think I want to replace mine yet, but maybe some day.  I am short also.  Only 5'2".  How do you like the touring seat?  You look so comfy on the bike.
Well, CONGRATULATIONS and enjoy!

Brenda

[TiNi]

hello & welcome MAZ

great picture and an awesome bike