So I started thinkin' about getting a different bike .......

[stopintime]

My comment was about the DTC - which I would have bet hundreds on, doesn't exist. Now I know.

[koko64]

Ah, yes I get it. The Ducati Safety Pack.

[diamonddog-2]

Although it's a old-school 2 valve engine, as koko64 has said, Ducati put some extra effort into making it lighter [by 50 lbs., claimed dry weight, over my 900] for a great power-to-weight ratio.  The Ducati Safety Pack is nice so far. I've turned off the traction control for now as I'm still getting comfortable with the bike. ABS is a bonus for sure.  Single sided swing arm adds to the more modern look/feel of the bike too. For a 2012 bike it has a lot going for it in addition to [in spite of?] that sweeeeeet old 2 valve engine.  All things considered, I think it's a pretty fair value for all that's offered.

I haven't had it out on any longer trips yet so my seat/footpeg comfort level has yet to be determined, but FFS, can't they just put an extra $50 into the seats and make them comfortable?!  Pretty much every bike I've had needed an upgrade for the "tush".

[ungeheuer]

.... but FFS, can't they just put an extra $50 into the seats and make them comfortable?!  Pretty much every bike I've had needed an upgrade for the "tush".

This.

Ducati "touring" seat for M1100/M796/M696 and EVO - if you can still find one is worth every penny.  Ducati p/n 96766909B.

[koko64]

The GLW finds the stock Evo pillion seat and pillion peg position comfortable compared to the Sargent seat and lowered pegs on my M750. I was not expecting that. I find the riders seat fine but may add an Airhawk pad due to our rapidly deteriorating roads. My bum is comfortable but my spine, kidneys and ribs take a lot of shocks from the crap road surface. There have been reports of cars and bikes suffering damaged rims around here.

I found a cheap ($39) Evo seat on eBay, it had torn vinyl, so perfect. Will give it to my upholsterer guy to build a touring/pillion comfort seat. No more cowl removal.

[koko64]

 

This.

Ducati "touring" seat for M1100/M796/M696 and EVO - if you can still find one is worth every penny.  Ducati p/n 96766909B.

[Charlie98]

...but FFS, can't they just put an extra $50 into the seats and make them comfortable?!  Pretty much every bike I've had needed an upgrade for the "tush".

No lie there.  The angle on the seat, let alone it's shape, is all wrong.  It's horrible.  Best I can get is about a 5 hours in the saddle and I'm done.  Granted, the rider position geometry has something to do with it, too... and the fact that I'm 6'2"...

[diamonddog-2]

Yes, the seat angle seems a bit too steep forward for my taste as I find myself "humping my tank" and need to readjust my position. The Sargent seat I found [nearly new and $75!] for the 900 works about as good as I've ever found. Nice storage tube underneath too.  Corbin seats have offered me no better than OEM comfort...... and I have spent a lot [$] on 2 of them for different bikes as well as time in the saddle. Why-O-why if after the first disappointment with Corbin did I try it again!? 

Ducati touring seat? Thanks ungehauer.  I'll keep a lookout for one.  I still haven't spent more than an hour on the bike at any one time yet but I suspect the seat might present a problem.

I'm hopeful that the footrests will be okay and will not require rearsets: my knees have not complained yet.

koko64: glad to hear that it seems you'll be keeping the 1100!     If I found a good local seat upholstery shop that could be trusted to do a quality job I'd give the seat over to them but I've tried 2 places with the OEM 900 seat and neither result was worth a damn.

[koko64]

Yeah keeping the Evo atm but I see a modified 1100 Scrambler at some stage as I age, but not yet. At least the Scrambler has the battery under the seat and the tank is an actual petrol tank held on with a few bolts.
The Evo is much more comfortable than the first gen Monsters (at my age). The Evo feels roomy to me but then I'm 5'8" with short legs. On a bad back day I get hump back and feel the need for more hip tilt from the seat, so I want more seat angle. It's such a personal thing.
The GLW finds the stock seat of the Evo great and yesterday we rode for two hours with no issue in the cold. It's been hitting 0 C deg overnight with very crisp days which would normally deter Mrs Koko but she enjoys the aggressive  engine performance (she has a turbo car). We can do a couple of hours of back roads in the afternoon without aches and pains. My pillion in a million reports that the pillion seat to peg relationship is better than the first gen Monster. Mind you 20-30 years ago we found sports bikes comfy.
The bike handles better with the stock seat verses the low seat I tried. The stock seat puts more rider weight over the front wheel so I went back to it. The difference in handling and front tyre feedback was substantial ime.

[Charlie98]

as I find myself "humping my tank"

That's the exact phrase I use.  "Smashing the plumbing" is another... as the shape of the factory seat seems to funnel you right down in there.

I agree on the Corbin seats... they were all the rage in the '80's and '90's for aftermarket seats, but I 'test sat' a few of them on different bikes and I didn't like the feel of them, so never sprang for one (for my CBR1000F.)

[koko64]

I would agree, Sargent made a much more comfortable seat than Corbin imo.

I'm practising riding the Evo slow. It takes quite an adjustment to cruise around on it that way. 1/4 throttle at 40, 50 and 60 mph using 3rd, 4th and 5th gears, just riding the torque, keeping the noise down and using good throttle control. I would say the PC O2 Optimiser helps smooth things out in that throttle/rev range. So different from the canyon riding..

[Charlie98]

keeping the noise down and using good throttle control.

Well... you're no fun.

[koko64]

It's no mean feat!

[greenmonster]

Lowering footpegs makes wonders for comfort.
Just sayin ( had my first pension payment 3 weeks ago…). 

[koko64]

I hear you brother.