2012 M659 (696) Tail tidy or Chop

[gradg]

Guys,

I've recently purchased a 2012 Monster 659.

I'm not all that comfortable taking to a brand new frame with a hacksaw and I'm wondering if people can tell me what my best option is for getting rid of that fender. I've had a look at a lot of the commonly mentioned ones after searching but struggle to track down photos of installs which haven't been cut.

Are there any repercussions of cutting the frame?

I'd just like to be pointed in the direction of a kit that fits the best, and opinions on which look better.

I can't seem to find one image of the DP tidy unit fitted. It's too expensive to begin with, but for interests sake i'd like to see it on a bike. You'd think Ducati could release a photo?

Any help appreciated.

[wannabfast]

its just a bolt on deal

[Dirty Duc]

The "chop" refers to the old monsters.  The new ones (09 and newer with the separate seat subframe do not get chopped with a hacksaw.  If you don't like the way the seat/subframe looks, make a new subframe and bolt it on.  The old one comes off.

[ungeheuer]

The "chop" refers to the old monsters.  The new ones (09 and newer with the separate seat subframe do not get chopped with a hacksaw.

^^ This.

I have the DP short tail on my '09 M1100 (same rear end as your M659), very happy with the quality of it and if I ever want to revert back to stock its entirely reversible.  Swap out the stock parts and in with the new (or vice versa).

I can't seem to find one image of the DP tidy unit fitted. It's too expensive to begin with, but for interests sake i'd like to see it on a bike.

More DP Tail tidy pics:

[gradg]

Thanks guys,

bit the bullet and went with the DP tail. Looks tidy and it was in stock so it'll be getting done over the weekend!

Glad it's all reversible, not that I'll ever go back, but may come in handy when selling.

[ungeheuer]

No worries gradg 

And welcome to the DMF too mate 

659?  I'm guessing you're in Oz too then?

[gradg]

No worries gradg 

And welcome to the DMF too mate 

659?  I'm guessing you're in Oz too then?

You did guess right, yes haha. And thanks!

It really does look so much better without all that junk on the back!

[wannabfast]

well some people like a little junk in the trunk

[gradg]

So i fitted the tail tidy yesterday afternoon. The instructions are horrid to put it nicely and I am not all that impressed with the way the signal lights fit against the unit. It's minimal, but still, with those brackets that they give you, the push out and the lights don't sit flush with the plastic, it's not very well designed there, in my mind.

That being said, the tail does look a lot better as a whole, now waiting for them to scrap rego labels here finally.

[dukeofbne]

I absolutely agree. I fitted the DP Tail Tidy to my '14 659 recently and the instructions were just awful. Black and white print out where the images that are referenced by the unclear non-descriptive text were too impossibly dark to see anything. They were useless, i ended up just winging it and figured it out on my own.

Mine also had two huge prongs sticking out the bottom beneath the plate, as if it was for a Euro style plate. I asked if I received the wrong country model but the shop said that's just how they came. Had to chop them off with a hacksaw.
Like this:

The signal lights (if you're an Aussie then it's 'indicators' right? ) would simply not attach properly with the pieces provided. I don't know how you managed it but for mine there was no way to tighten them enough so that they would stay still and upright. It was as if the actual plastic wasn't thick enough to achieve a tight grip. In the end I made myself a duplicate set of the little plastic spacers they give you for mounting the signals and used both to get the tightness required so that they stay in place. Which then killed the flush look.

Overall, it was a pain in the ass and generally disappointing/irritating considering the premium price point for an original Ducati part, but the end result does look great. Got myself an integrated tail light eventually and it looks even better without those signal lights on Now hopefully I don't get pulled up for it. haha

[klone]

Which integrated tail light is that? Did you have any problems installing it with the DP tail? Looks great, I have the same tail, but did not know which integrated light would work.

[dukeofbne]

Thanks! I'm really happy with it.

It's the Motodynamic 2009-2014 Ducati Monster 696/796/1100 LED Tail Lights with Sequential LED Signals in Clear Lens
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/271525804949?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

The DP Tail Tidy is actually designed to take the original Ducati tail and signal lights, so any replacement tail light for your bike should fit. I was running my original Ducati tail light with the DP Tail Tidy up until the time I got the MD Integrated Tail Light.

Install was quick and super easy, just plug and play. The only tiny annoyance was that the Sub-harness (OEM connectors conversion for plug and play) was a little bigger than I expected so it took a little fiddling to get it into a position where it didn't enter the range of the small storage compartment below the seat. One of the reasons I went with the DP Tail Tidy in the first place was the fact that it still had that compartment. I keep a disc brake lock in there.

Finally, although they're super cool and safer due to increased visibility, I turned off the sequential signals and stop flash so it'd draw less police attention.