Ducati Monster Forum

Introductions => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: Geekistan on October 21, 2008, 10:11:51 PM

Title: Newbie Rider
Post by: Geekistan on October 21, 2008, 10:11:51 PM
Hello everyone,

I just bought my very first 696, come to think of it...my first bike ever since my wipe out since I was 16 yrs old! Hopefully, when the bike is delivered to me in 3 weeks time I'll be able to get back on that saddle and go through my first baby steps again.

I'd like to ask a few questions in due time since I'm probably the shortest rider available on this forum (place your bets!). Looking forward to the spirited replies I'll be getting from fellow bikers...

Cheers from sunny Kuwait!  [beer]
Title: Re: Newbie Rider
Post by: herm on October 21, 2008, 10:40:39 PM
welcome to the board!

consider taking an MSF course if you havent already, and enjoy the bike.
Title: Re: Newbie Rider
Post by: somegirl on October 21, 2008, 11:21:22 PM
Welcome and congrats on the new bike! [thumbsup]

Do you have training courses available (similar to the US MSF courses)?

And I might take you up on that bet...we've got some very short ladies here.  They make me feel tall and most people consider me short. ;)
Title: Re: Newbie Rider
Post by: Geekistan on October 21, 2008, 11:33:26 PM
Quote from: msincredible on October 21, 2008, 11:21:22 PM
Welcome and congrats on the new bike! [thumbsup]

Do you have training courses available (similar to the US MSF courses)?

And I might take you up on that bet...we've got some very short ladies here.  They make me feel tall and most people consider me short. ;)

Thanks!  ;D

Yep we do have courses here including a pretty strict trial for the license. The Ducati dealership here provides the courses free-of-charge (about a week or so depending on skill level) whenever someone purchases a bike.

I'm sure there are short ladies around here and hats off to them! I've yet to meet a man my height though.  ;)



Title: Re: Newbie Rider
Post by: jdubbs32584 on October 22, 2008, 05:49:12 AM
Quote from: Geekistan on October 21, 2008, 11:33:26 PM
Thanks!  ;D

Yep we do have courses here including a pretty strict trial for the license. The Ducati dealership here provides the courses free-of-charge (about a week or so depending on skill level) whenever someone purchases a bike.

I'm sure there are short ladies around here and hats off to them! I've yet to meet a man my height though.  ;)





Welcome!! Definitely take all the classes you can. Its awesome that Ducati provides those for you for free! Take advantage of that!

If you have any questions with regards to being short and riding a Monster, like MsInc said, there's several of us vertically challenged ladies around that can help.

First thing I did was get a shorter seat and have the bike's suspension set for me. It made a huge difference!
Title: Re: Newbie Rider
Post by: Got Duc on October 22, 2008, 07:26:19 AM
Welcome and congrats on the new bike!
Title: Re: Newbie Rider
Post by: Geekistan on October 22, 2008, 08:55:52 AM
Quote from: JBubble on October 22, 2008, 05:49:12 AM
Welcome!! Definitely take all the classes you can. Its awesome that Ducati provides those for you for free! Take advantage of that!

If you have any questions with regards to being short and riding a Monster, like MsInc said, there's several of us vertically challenged ladies around that can help.

First thing I did was get a shorter seat and have the bike's suspension set for me. It made a huge difference!

The Ducati mechanic said he can only drop it a maximum of 1 inch on the suspensions so as not to affect the cornering. As for the seat, I'm still looking for a comfy short seat instead of shaving the existing one ( I'm a neat freak :P ) and will wear 'elevated' boots for the purpose. Hope it all goes good though..haven't been on a bike since forever!

I'd appreciate it if y'all can drop me some links...been googling and eyeballing most of the forum here for tips all day long!
Title: Re: Newbie Rider
Post by: jdubbs32584 on October 22, 2008, 09:03:30 AM
Quote from: Geekistan on October 22, 2008, 08:55:52 AM
The Ducati mechanic said he can only drop it a maximum of 1 inch on the suspensions so as not to affect the cornering. As for the seat, I'm still looking for a comfy short seat instead of shaving the existing one ( I'm a neat freak :P ) and will wear 'elevated' boots for the purpose. Hope it all goes good though..haven't been on a bike since forever!

I'd appreciate it if y'all can drop me some links...been googling and eyeballing most of the forum here for tips all day long!


Here's the FAQs on short riders: http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1853.0

Here's the Ducati seat that I purchased. I don't think they've come out with it for a 696 yet: http://www.ducati.com/shop/product.jsp?catid=cat970159&prodid=prod800173

That 1 inch helped me out a lot, especially combined with a shaved seat. I'm only 5'2" and I ride around on my tip toes. Have they touched the suspension at all since you bought the bike? They really should adjust it for your weight and such.
Title: Re: Newbie Rider
Post by: Geekistan on October 22, 2008, 09:31:01 AM
Quote from: JBubble on October 22, 2008, 09:03:30 AM
Here's the FAQs on short riders: http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1853.0

Here's the Ducati seat that I purchased. I don't think they've come out with it for a 696 yet: http://www.ducati.com/shop/product.jsp?catid=cat970159&prodid=prod800173

That 1 inch helped me out a lot, especially combined with a shaved seat. I'm only 5'2" and I ride around on my tip toes. Have they touched the suspension at all since you bought the bike? They really should adjust it for your weight and such.

Thanks! Well the bike has to be shipped over from the factory, so it'll be here in 3 weeks or so. As for the adjustments it'll be done here and for the time being I'm doing a bit of shopping for it including some riding gear. So I guess I got some time until I find the stuff I need and have them shipped over too.

On a standard 696 I can touch the ground with my toes, so I suppose that extra 1 inch would help I'm sure. First I'll try it with the standard seat, if I need it lower then I'll have to change it. Worth a try :)
Title: Re: Newbie Rider
Post by: stopintime on October 22, 2008, 09:48:32 AM
My bet is on 5'3"  [moto]

Welcome and good luck with the whole process.
Title: Re: Newbie Rider
Post by: Geekistan on October 22, 2008, 10:28:59 AM
Quote from: stopintime on October 22, 2008, 09:48:32 AM
My bet is on 5'3"  [moto]

Welcome and good luck with the whole process.

Well....I'll keep it a mystery until the day I get my bike then will tell how tall I am.  [evil]

Maybe should open some sort of "Guess My Height" competition on here or something  ;D

Thanks, I need the luck! :)