in praise of the monster tank shape for hard riding

[Statler]

with just an extra step up on the rearsets, I can now wedge my knee easily into the little tiny lip of the tank.  It needs some stompgrip or equivilent right at the crease, both below it a bit and above it a bit, but it's perfect now with just a little flex of my calf...really wedged in.   I can hang off and wave my arms around.  On a rearstand I can hang off and grab a beer off the ground...no hands on bars.

This is something I can't do on an 1098 or 848 as my legs are pretty short and my knee is soooo far below anywhere I can wedge in.   I'd need rearsets soooo high to fit right.   So my upper leg is pressed against the tank, but not locked in between tank and peg.  I could point my toe and the legs are still too short.   I need lower tank or higher pegs.

I'm glad I took the time to move my pegs again.   I decided to play around after a couple days on a zx6r on the track.

Lots of saying how the monster tank isn't right for hanging off at the track...by me in the past too... but on my bike, for my body shape, with the other parts of the bike adjusted to make it work (rearsets and clipons) it's now great for me.

The rounded top isn't as great for getting the outside arm draped across versus the flat top of the sbks...but we can't have it all.



I can't ever sell it now...it's taken too long to make it perfect for me.   The thought of doing that all over for another bike is daunting.   Boy does it change riding when the bike is set up for you personally though.

<ramble over...just had fun ride into office today and feeling enthusiastic about the monster>

[bryant8]

Good to hear that you've got the S4RS modified just right for you.

I'm still in the process of getting my 848 setup for me. I'm a short guy (5'8" and I tiptoe the 848) and I need some higher rearsets in order to lock my knee into the tank. I can't wait to get the bike completely sorted out.

My M620 fit me great. I miss that little bike

[GLantern]

Glad its all setup must be a great feeling!

Good to hear that you've got the S4RS modified just right for you.

I'm still in the process of getting my 848 setup for me. I'm a short guy (5'8" and I tiptoe the 848) and I need some higher rearsets in order to lock my knee into the tank. I can't wait to get the bike completely sorted out.

My M620 fit me great. I miss that little bike

What rearsets are you looking at?  I could use slightly higher ones on my 1098 to bring my knees up a bit more.

[silentbob]

I'm a short guy (5'8" and I tiptoe the 848) and I need some higher rearsets in order to lock my knee into the tank.

I could use slightly higher ones on my 1098 to bring my knees up a bit more.

I have Sato rear sets on mine and it completely transformed the ergos of the bike for the better.  Try Dan Kyle he has he best pricing and stocks replacement parts.

[Scottish]

I would like some aftermarket rear sets..... my rear suspension is my primary concern though and the first thing I will look at upgrading. The tank though..... no complaints here, I actually am quite fond of the shape and how it feels. 

[bryant8]

WDB, +1 the monster's tank felt great to dig a knee into. 

sb, thanks for the info on the Sato's

[silentbob]

WDB, +1 the monster's tank felt great to dig a knee into. 

sb, thanks for the info on the Sato's

You can also get a Sato ride height adjuster for the 848/1098 that will bring the back end down to a normal height.  One thing Ducati wanted to achieve on the 848 was to not only drop the actual weight but the perceived weight as well.  So, what they did was to install a fixed ride height adjuster that is much taller than the stock position on the 1098.  This gave a steeper rake and made the bike "feel" lighter.  Coupled with a skinnier rear wheel and no steering damper, the stock 848 is more flickable than the 1098.

[AndrewNS]

I've really never had a problem with the shape of the sides on track, but my soft parts tend to meet the tanks hard parts a bit more often than I'd like....do the rearsets fix this as well?

[Statler]

I've really never had a problem with the shape of the sides on track, but my soft parts tend to meet the tanks hard parts a bit more often than I'd like....do the rearsets fix this as well?

I don't think the rearsets made a difference there.   I either sit further back in the seat or just don't have the balls to ride in a manner where it's a problem.   

<...get it...that's both a riding style joke and a physical size joke at the end there...>

[Scottish]

I don't think the rearsets made a difference there.   I either sit further back in the seat or just don't have the balls to ride in a manner where it's a problem.   

<...get it...that's both a riding style joke and a physical size joke at the end there...>

 

[bryant8]

I've really never had a problem with the shape of the sides on track, but my soft parts tend to meet the tanks hard parts a bit more often than I'd like....do the rearsets fix this as well?

I think they might help.  If the rearsets increase your ability to grip the tank with your knees/thighs you shouldn't slide up and ride the tank as much.