About to get a dark 696, what to change first?

[sfarchie]

And how is that exactly? 

Note what he said, "The irony of me saying this is a killer..." It speaks volumes

[Holden]

reflectors, stickers on frame, sticker on tank, rear fender/plate holder crap.....in that order.

Don't forget the shell sticker. And there's one somewhere on the left side of the frame under the seat (I think) that says something like "HELMET LOCK UNDER SEAT!"

I think I'm obsessive-compulsive about stickers...

edit: forgot the marchesini wheel stickers!

edit 2: forgot the swingarm sticker!!

[peanut_man]

It's here!   




Will get some better pics later.

[sfarchie]

Congrats! Now go put some miles on it, but don't drop it! Just in case we swap tank covers. 

[peanut_man]

2 more:

[peanut_man]

Ok, so here we go...  So far:

1)  Black out heat shields
2)  14T Sprocket conversion

Thank god this bike has a retaining ring for the sprocket.  2 years ago when did the 15T - 14T conversion of the Multistrada, it took my buddy and I about 30 min to get the stupidly tight sprocket bolt out.  This time it took me about 40 min for the entire operation.  Sweet...











Test ride reveals that the lower gearing improves the ride a lot.  But it's still a tad high.  This means I'll still go for the 46T rear sprocket.  But most likely I'll be doing that after I'm done w/ the run in period.  Grrr...  can't wait!

[mrplease]

looks really nice! i agree with some of the other posters though. i wouldn't put to much into it since you REALLY want to upgrade to the 1100 eventually. i put a sh*t load of mods on my 696 only because i am happy with it and i don't plan on getting the 1100.

anyway my favorite mod by far has been the 5-spoke wheels with a 5.5" rear so i can run a 180 tire.

i think some good cheap mods are powdercoating the headlight surround & rearsets. getting a cw tail chop & powder coating them. also my michelin pilot power tires were a great upgrade from the stock tires. much sticker and the bike felt so much more planted. i also think adjustable levers are a must. check out the asv levers i installed on my bike. i really like the unlimited adjustment they have vs. the 6 that the crg & pazzos have. the quality is top notch as well. not to mention if they break (even in a crash) they will replace them.

oh and kind of pricey, but the rizoma bar end reverse retro mirrors were a GREAT mod!!!

[peanut_man]

looks really nice! i agree with some of the other posters though. i wouldn't put to much into it since you REALLY want to upgrade to the 1100 eventually. i put a sh*t load of mods on my 696 only because i am happy with it and i don't plan on getting the 1100.

anyway my favorite mod by far has been the 5-spoke wheels with a 5.5" rear so i can run a 180 tire.

i think some good cheap mods are powdercoating the headlight surround & rearsets. getting a cw tail chop & powder coating them. also my michelin pilot power tires were a great upgrade from the stock tires. much sticker and the bike felt so much more planted. i also think adjustable levers are a must. check out the asv levers i installed on my bike. i really like the unlimited adjustment they have vs. the 6 that the crg & pazzos have. the quality is top notch as well. not to mention if they break (even in a crash) they will replace them.

oh and kind of pricey, but the rizoma bar end reverse retro mirrors were a GREAT mod!!!

Most of my mods will go on the 1100 too, I think.  So just have to swap out parts when I sell the 696.  Your bike is awesome.  I'm loving my 696 even more everyday. 

[mrplease]

yeah thanks man! i love my 696 too. its an awsome bike. i just honestly don't see why everyone feels the need to upgrade. the 696 has more power than i'll ever need. i don't really see how one can use all the power of an 1100 unless they are bringing it to the track weekend. maybe when i was 18 i would have felt the need for an 1100 but at 30 years old with a kid the 696 is all i'll ever need...

[peanut_man]

yeah thanks man! i love my 696 too. its an awsome bike. i just honestly don't see why everyone feels the need to upgrade. the 696 has more power than i'll ever need. i don't really see how one can use all the power of an 1100 unless they are bringing it to the track weekend. maybe when i was 18 i would have felt the need for an 1100 but at 30 years old with a kid the 696 is all i'll ever need...

Maybe stupid, but the biggest 2 reasons I wanted 1100 are:  180 series tires, and SSS.   To me, SSS screams Duc.  I know old version of monster will get me SSS also, but I'm in love w/ the new style.  I actually like the 696 engine better than the 1100.  I had a Multistrada 1000 before, so I sorta know how 1100 should feel like.   Now, yes the 180 tires are achievable via wheel kit, but that's $1300.  The price difference between 696 and 1100 is $3000.  Weighting the options, and the SSS, that's why I wanted the 1100.   But it's purely personal taste of course.  If I can get SSS on 696 at a reasonable price (highly unlikely) then I'll keep the 696.   One thing I know I will miss on the 696 would be the seat height.  It's just perfect w/ the touring seat.  Not too low, not too high, perfect.

  oh well.  In the mean time, I'll enjoy this thing as much as I can.

[mrplease]

i do love the seat height of the 696 as i feel more comfortable on it than i do on the 1100. and i agree the 180 is, to me, VERY important! but the thing i don't like about the 1100 is the actual rims. i really don't like the style or the color of them. so if i was to get the 1100 i would still have to get new rims. black and preferably a traditional 5-spoke style. but hey thats me...

[peanut_man]

Ok, red wheel stripes are on:





I got the thinner 5mm width.  Looks good, I like it.

[duccarlos]

First thing I would change is the seat.

[peanut_man]

First thing I would change is the seat.

Mine came with comfort / touring seat. 

[duccarlos]

So you can ride it for a whole 20 minutes?!