Forks
It seems like the 848/1098/1198 forks are the most economical way to upgrade the front end. How much longer are the forks than the stock Showas? I want to make sure that I can retain the stock ride height.

Rear
Does the Ohlins shock raise the ride height? Is the spring stiffer than stock? I want to make sure that I can get it soft enough for a 120 lb rider.

Can't help you with the forks but how bad are your stockers? I see from your signature that you have an 1198, so I presume you're not trying to set up your little bike as a track bike but are trying to make your street bike more compliant?

Before I ordered my 796, I rode a 2011 696 demo. The stock Marzocchis were actually pretty fair, but it was obvious the Sachs in the rear wasn't doing much. So I fitted an Ohlins DU-737 prior to delivery. It was ordered and built for my 175 lbs.

Is your dealer Ohlins certified? If so, have them order one for your weight and have the bike set up accordingly, preload, ride height, damping, etc. If your forks are then close, possibly the tech can tune them to match the rear end with oil level, preload, etc.

This shock is ~ $615 http://www.ohlins.com/Our-products/Motorcycle/Products/Sport/DU-737/ It works! The DP Ohlins has more adjustability but not $1,200 more adjustment. 

Both ends of my 796 are very settled, very well controllled, and fairly comfy. Even the dealer/tech was impressed. After setting the sag/preload, he thrashed the bike on the worst road he could find. Ultimately he backed off the rebound (which also controls the compression on this model) one click and it was spot on. Some here know him well. http://www.ducpond.com/aboutus.asp

Good luck with this! For 30+ years I weighed only 130, so I DO understand as I'm also 5' 8 1/2"

Pretty long
i raised the bike an inch via 1100 clevis
matched the front and still have an inch of tube plus the adjusters above a flat aftermarket top triple

Quote from: asherrick on August 18, 2011, 04:36:25 PM
Forks
It seems like the 848/1098/1198 forks are the most economical way to upgrade the front end. How much longer are the forks than the stock Showas? I want to make sure that I can retain the stock ride height.

Rear
Does the Ohlins shock raise the ride height? Is the spring stiffer than stock? I want to make sure that I can get it soft enough for a 120 lb rider.

I did the fork mod and maintained the exact stock ride height. Also Ohlins will ship the shock with the correct spring for your weight try Dan Kyle racing He is an Ohlins guru. If you want some info. pics on how I maintained the stock geometry/ride height email me lminghi@gmail.com  The fork mod is the best thing that you can do to the 696.

Quote from: Raux on August 18, 2011, 11:10:48 PM
i raised the bike an inch via 1100 clevis

I know you can raise the ride height with the clevis, but must you use it? I want to retain the stock ride height.

Quote from: Raux on August 18, 2011, 11:10:48 PM
Pretty long...matched the front and still have an inch of tube plus the adjusters above a flat aftermarket top triple

Quote from: Link on August 20, 2011, 08:04:57 AM
I did the fork mod and maintained the exact stock ride height.

My M696 has been lowered (forks slid up, rear shock adjusted to maintain geometry) since I've handed it down to my wife. I'd like to upgrade the suspension while maintaining the ride height. From what Raux said I'm thinking that it's not possible with the SBK Showa forks. Note that I do have the Rizoma risers and conical bars which are a bit higher than stock, giving the forks more clearance (granted, that clearance has already been eaten up by the stock forks when the bike was lowered.

I'm wondering if my only real option is that $1,200 retrofit kit.

I'm sure you could keep the height the same but you may need riser to clear the taller forks
or go wjth clip on of 3+ to get back to stock bar height and not worry about the fork above the triple