So i got 696 last friday. So far only 400 miles on it. Awesome bike. Sound with termi is to die for.
Stalled it bunch of times. A bit embarrasing but no biggie. And the seat, or maybe i just dont know how to sit on it, hurts my .... well lets just say it hurts. I heard there was a better seat out there.
Anyway, after riding it for just couple days i realised Lotus gotta find a new job now.
The Kwaka in the pic is not mine. But that was the first bike i ever tried.

Try the DP Touring seat, many have reported that it helps the man-bits on the 696.

+1 on the dp seat!

Um more pix of lotus plz thx

The seat helps.  They can be had for $186.  (Go back to the dealer and tell them this is what you're willing to pay.  That should be around their cost.)

I got all the accessories at the time of purchase.   

The touring seat mos def helps.  It has less of a slope and more padding.  My first few rides were on the stock seat, then switched, and yes, the family jewels are comforted now while riding. 

I never tried the stock seat, but I have the DP gel seat and it's excellent. The other thing, which will come with experience, is to grip the tank with your knees and use your core muscles to hold you up. Less weight on the hands, and the jewels will be safer.
And don't sell the Lotus- I wouldn't dream of selling my S2000 and it's almost as impractical (though not nearly as light  )

Quote from: DucSteve on November 12, 2008, 03:08:51 PM
Um more pix of lotus plz thx

And if you do in fact pilot a Yak-52, post some pics of that as well 

We likes us some pics around here don't we?

Quote from: superjohn on November 12, 2008, 04:45:37 PM
And if you do in fact pilot a Yak-52, post some pics of that as well 

We likes us some pics around here don't we?

We fly out of LDJ (Linden, NJ) First two pics are of my instructors Yak. This is the one i learned flying with. We do most of aerobatics a bit north of Oldbridge. Or above south beach 3sm south.
The third pic is when i bought my own Yak52 n Randall, NY    Couldnt keep it for too long because had to sell to invest in my business. Turned out to be a brilliant idea. But i still fly my instructors Yak. No pun intended, but no car or bike even come close to the fun of an aerobatics. 7Gs, baby. Blackouts and stuff....   and with two chutes - safer.

That's badass. Lotus, Yak, and a Duc. Very cool!! 

Okay, you had your 696 since last Friday and you already have 400 miles? I have a lot of catching up to do!

Here's another seat option that should be available soon. I was thinking about the Touring seat, too. But now I want to see how this one feels before I make a decision. I have another problem with the stock seat. The padding isn't enough to keep my flat arse from getting sore after riding.

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=14489.0

Another seat option

Quote from: msincredible on November 13, 2008, 07:22:22 AM
Another seat option

I had a reputable auto-upholstry shop outside of Boston do that for me.  Huge difference.  They also did it while I killed an hour at Dunkin' Donuts, and for $150 if I recall.

Just learned the hard way to not forget about taking off the lock off the brake disc before moving the bike. Now i need new front wheel faring. CarbonFiber replacement comes to mind, but i will try to avoid this slippery slope after wasting over 20k on CF parts for lotus...

Quote from: msincredible on November 13, 2008, 07:22:22 AM
Another seat option

That's a nice option, but I'd probably jack it up. I would be better off sewing the gel pads inside my riding pants, so I'll look really cool when I get off my bike. 

Yak52, sorry about your mishap. That sucks!

Quote from: yak52pilot on November 13, 2008, 01:39:55 PM
Just learned the hard way to not forget about taking off the lock off the brake disc before moving the bike. Now i need new front wheel faring. CarbonFiber replacement comes to mind, but i will try to avoid this slippery slope after wasting over 20k on CF parts for lotus...

Ooops, sorry to hear that.

When I used a disc lock regularly, I would hang the lock case from the throttle, to remind me not to do that.