Lowering a 695

[twick]

Does anyone have any experiance with lowering a 695 Monster? I'm trying to get my wife on one, but it needs to be lowered about 1-2 inches for her. I know that it will screw up the handeling and clearance, but she doesn't ride that hard anyway. Any help would be apreciated.

Thanks,
Terry

[hundo24]

Ducati makes a kit that will lower it about 2" , check your local Duc dealer. My wife wants one also and she is olny 5'1 , and the dealers say it really doesn't effect the handling ?

[IndustrialGrrrl]

I've lowered my monster 620 almost 2 inches. I'm 5' ziltch.
I have shaved my seat as well as lowered the bike. I can now get the balls of both feet or toes down, depending on which boots I wear. (I'm now ready to raise the bike up a bit.)

Before lowering the bike I suggest shaving the seat. Get a stock seat from a dark model which has a lower seat height, and shave the seat, a local auto upholsterer should be able to do it for you rather inexpensively.


If this is not low enough, then get an adjustable ride height rod. Can buy this aftermarket or your dealer should be able to find one for you. To lower the bike, the stock unadjustable ride height rod will be swapped for the adjustable one and lowered. You can lower the bike about 1.5". The front end will then be lowered to match the rear. After this is done, DON'T FORGET TO SHORTEN THE SIDE STAND. Many forget about this. My dealer cut and re-welded mine when they lowered my bike for me. The bike's handling should be fine as long as the front and rear match. The only issue is ground clearance, riding a lowered bike means you have to pay extra attention to pot holes and speed bumps!! I actually had a friend weld a mini skid-plate on my lower header, and I've been known to give spark shows now and then. I plan to have custom headers made to increase ground clearance (if I can get my bike working that is.... ecu problems right now )

I also suggest having frame sliders installed, doesn't hurt then if the bike is dropped at a sudden stop.

Best of luck.
Michelle

[Monstaman]

Heya Michelle

Looking at your bike it visually does not look lowered to much and looks aesthetically balanced.

Luv the look of it eh with the mask, it's on my screensaver

[IndustrialGrrrl]

thanks monsta

[CrimsonCloak]

Eastern Cycle makes an adjustable ride height link for the 695 that works pretty well for $109.95. I have them in stock if you need one. Since the rod is adjustable you can decide how far to lower the bike. If you lower the bike the maximum amount you'll want to shorten or modify the kickstand so your bike won't fall over.

[Monstaman]

Heya Twick, how did you get on?, job done?...good results, let us know dude.