New to this board. Been riding since 1986 - motorcycle instructor up until 2004 with the Alberta Safety Council. Currently own a '99VFR800 modified with some Ducati parts.
Wife has always liked the Monster - checked out an older 600 and it fits her quite well. Noticed that the 620, 800 and 900 all have the same seat height - hoping to get some feedback on which one to buy and whether they can be lowered around 1.5" as she has a short inseam. Had a 1984 VF500C Magna, then a 2007 Honda CBR125 after not riding for 10 yrs, currently back on a 2007 Suzuki GS500F. Riding experience not an issue.
Lowerability or low seat height and manageable weight more important than power.
[coffee]
the 620 is a great bike. lighter than the 800 and 900 too.
Welcome to the DMF! :)
There is a lowering link option for the 620 (not sure about the 800 or 900) and the easiest thing for the seat is to shave it. If you put in a lowering link you may have to mod the sidestand.
I started a Short Rider FAQ (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1853.0). Your wife might also want to check out our Women's Forum (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?board=25.0).
Good luck and please keep us updated. [thumbsup]
Goose,
I am 5.2 and ride a 696. The bike is a dream for me. Power is smooth and plentiful since adding the Termi Exhaust with new ECU. I highly recommend the 696, for new or experienced rider.
I'm aspirationally 5'0" --- that is, only when I hold my breath and pray --- and I bought a Monster 620. I took it into a shop, had a lowering link installed, dropped the forks about 1-1.5", and had padding taken out of the seat. I was still a little precarious, so I went to a cobbler and got a 3/4-inch-or-so platform added to my boots. Now it's perfectly comfortable.
The stock seat on the new 696 is higher than on the old 620/695s. Although it has an adjustable link (unlike the prior models) I'm not sure I could have gotten it down as low as I got mine.
I did not have to modify the side-stand: it sits pretty upright, but I've had no trouble.
Kept the GS500F for another season. Did see quite a few 620's for sale last year though.
Maybe 2011 will be the charm :)
there are aftermarket sidestands that are shorter. like i had picked up a cycle cat that i thought was going to be longer.. but ended up being 1/3" inch shorter so i couldn't use it.
My 5' 2" wife thinks her 696 fits her better than my old 620 did.
For either old or new Monsters you can get a lower seat or, of course, shave the standard one. Lowering links are easy to find. On a 620, at least, I wouldn't be too worried about the side stand. My bike always seemed as if it were on the verge of toppling over so I doubt a small amount of lowering is likely make it too upright on the stand.
My wife is 5'2" @ 110lbs+/- and she feels very comfortable on her '03 monster with the seat shaved
Quote from: Raux on January 12, 2011, 09:07:13 PM
there are aftermarket sidestands that are shorter. like i had picked up a cycle cat that i thought was going to be longer.. but ended up being 1/3" inch shorter so i couldn't use it.
The steel of the stock one isn't hard to weld. Folks have had a section chopped out of the stock one and welded it. The Cyclecat ones are out there, but out of production for a number of years.