How to know if you are sitting too low.. or high??

[kendallb]

I cant seem to find an answer to this on the web(maybe there isnt one, just preference)

But is there a standard on rear/overall height for ex.. if tip toe when sitting - to high, flat foot when sitting-- too low?

or is this just a matter of preferance.

There reason i ask is that i suspect my m620 to be too low(im 5'11 170lb), but i dont know if this normal, or if theres a set of rules I can abide by to test this.

Thanks for your respnse 

[Fergus]

I think it's a preference. Also @ 5'11", with a 620, I love it that I can flat foot it when stopped.

[stopintime]

The Owner's Manual has a drawing with lots of measurements for you to check 

If you don't have it, download from Ducati.com > dealers and services > maintenance

[live2ride]

i'm 5'7" with a short inseam but i can still flat foot.  i sense my suspension has sagged quite a bit over the years...

[kendallb]

Thanks for the input.

Guess its ok to flat foot when stopped. Or maybe my suspension is sagging.. after more than 10 years.

Looking at the manual right now.

[Slide Panda]

As noted, the manual will tell you the expected dimensions. The 620 came with a lower seat. If you want a taller saddle, any of the bigger than 6XXcc monsters from 2001 on could be donors. Once in a while a shorter rider with a larger engine monster will be looking to trade their seat for a 620 or 695 seat.

At 170+ gear you probably need mildly stiffer springs as well. They are sprung for a rider around the 150 pound mark (roughly) so will sag more with a heavier rider.

[S21FOLGORE]

ex.. if tip toe when sitting - to high, flat foot when sitting-- too low?

You can not judge if your rear ride height is too high or too low by how your feet touch the ground.
Whether you can put your feet completely flat or only able to tip toe, it is a matter of

1) seat height vs rider's inseam length
2) rear shock spring rate and / or preload vs rider's weight
3) seat shape vs rider's leg / body shape

For example, you stated you're 5'11, 170 lb. Assuming that your M620 is totally stock (factory set up  ride height ) and suspension components are all in good working order, the bike has the right rear ride height for *most * everyone( what the engineers think as "average" rider.) You may be able to flat feet, however, I may only be able to tip toe (5'6, 130 lb with full gear) on exactly the same bike (that has "right" ride height.)

All these factory setting, ride height, spring rate / preload, etc may not be quite right if you are out of that range of "average",though. (obviously I am out of that range, at under 130 lb.)

Or maybe my suspension is sagging.. after more than 10 years.

*IF* your rear suspension is really sagging and in fact the rear ride height is too low (for you),  you may be able to tell by how the bike behaves in mid-corner toward exit. What will happen is ...

1) it will reduce swing arm angle (AKA swing arm droop angle) = not enough anti-squat effect = too much weight transfer

2)as a result, front forks tend to top out, thus, front end feels unstable, flighty at exiting corner (especially on rough pavement)

3)In general, the bike tends to run wide under power when coming out the corner (understeer)

The opposite case ? (rear ride height too high)

1)too steep swing arm angle = too much anti-squat effect = not enough weight transfer

2)as a result, poor traction under power.

3)more importantly, it makes the bike more prone to sideway slide (rear wheel stepping outside. Combined with too much rebound damping in the rear shock, it is almost guaranteed to cause lowside.)

It is important to have *right* ride height, as Monster's cornering is more "rear wheel (rear tire traction) dependent.