The bike from the factory is basically at it's lowest setting (give or take a few millimeters). If you're having trouble planting your feet, there's not much you can do with the bike from the factory. Your only other option is to replace the suspension linkage with one that is adjustable, and yes they do make them. It'll set ya back around $75 and it's a relatively easy install, granted you have a rear stand to set the bike on. It will allow you to lower your bike up to 1.25".

If you're only looking for a .25" to .50" drop, you won't run into any problems in terms of drive ability, but anything more than .50" you may want to balance out the rear by also lowering your front forks a bit (otherwise you'll severely effect the bikes handling / suspension characteristics). Another drawback with the lowering linkage, I have seen first hand, is if you lower the bike any more than .75" and you have a rear hugger (CF or other), it WILL rub under full articulation conditions. Without a hugger, there's no problems...

 

Thanks for the tips DG!

I am a bit worried about lowing the back and NOT the front. I'm sure that when I buy a bike I will have to take it to a shop to have the suspension tweaked for my height/weight, etc. You mention adjustable suspension linkage, you have a link for a site that sells this piece?

 

Easiest and cheapest solution is to get some boots with a thicker pair of soles. When I first got my MV (much higher than the 1098) I couldn't even get tippy toes (5'6")since it was so tall. I had the front and rear lowered but what helps most was getting a pair of Spidi's with thinker soles.

Lowering the bike will changes the dynamics. Too low and it won't handle well. It's a tough compromise between a good steering feedback vs. the confidence of getting your foot down.

If you're fighting for evern 1/10 of an inch, you could replace the 190/55 with a 190/50.

 

I cant for the love of me remember the company's name (same place where I purchased the adjustable linkage on my g/f's Monster), but they're located in PA (not like that's going to help you much). You can however call Cliffs Ducati in Danbury, CT (203) 798-2779 and ask for Francis in the parts dept. Last I was there, they had one brand new linkage left up on the wall for the 1098. You can probably order it straight from them, or if anything, they can provide you with the manufacturers name and number so you call them up directly.

Another alternative, albeit there's a local machine shop in your area, is to cut your OEM linkage down and tap / retread it so you can use it at a lower height. The fee for such a service (cut, tap & tread) shoudn't cost you more than $50, so if for whatever reason you can't get a hold of a lowering linkage, you can always have yours tweaked to perform like one.

 

The bike is setup for a heavier rider so if you're a lightweight, setting the correct spring preload (sag) front and rear will drop the ride height without sacrificing handling dynamics - improve it actually. Good luck, I'm sure you'll get it figured out!

 

Shoot...I WISH I was a lightweight. At 220# (decreasing slightly over time), I figured the bike was pretty much going to load as much as it would with me on it. I actually went to the shop today to sit on this bike with my Sidi riding boots on, to give it a real good feel. I'd say that I'm probably looking for another half inch, but of course I didn't measure it either.

 

Hey, the dealership installed a shorter linking rod( 1/2 inch shorter), from Eastern Ducati and lowered the front end as much. I'm 5' 7" and it made a world of difference. I also adjusted/decreased the preload by another 1/2 inch. Now I can flat foot the bike, both sides. The bike's Handling on the road has been great. In fact, if you read the article from MOTORCYCLIST where Doug Polen criticques the 1098. He recommended lowering the ride height in the back and decreasing the preload in the back. The set up works great for me.

 

Hey, the dealership installed a shorter linking rod( 1/2 inch shorter), from Eastern Ducati and lowered the front end as much. I'm 5' 7" and it made a world of difference. I also adjusted/decreased the preload by another 1/2 inch. Now I can flat foot the bike, both sides. The bike's Handling on the road has been great. In fact, if you read the article from MOTORCYCLIST where Doug Polen criticques the 1098. He recommended lowering the ride height in the back and decreasing the preload in the back. The set up works great for me.

I guess this means I would need to learn how to do this then. I wish I felt better about my bike mechanic skills. :-/

 

I would love to get this right too. I had the mechanic adjust the preload and said that the back end was as low as it can be. I noticed virtually no difference. At 5' 6" I really need to deal with this issue properly. I really believe that I have not set this bike up the best for me. I love this bike but my body position is not as comfortable and safe as I would like it. I'm going to copy these suggestions and have my dealer address this.

Thanks for the imput out there. If there is anything else out there that you can suggest for the "really not very auto mechanically inclined", I'm all ears.

cheers

 

:stickpoke Ask Dani Pedrosa how he manages.

Having Duck's disease is an advantage until you have to touch the ground I guess.

Maybe a nice set of platform boots (coloured coordinated of course) :stickpoke :naughty:

Ed - Ducks disease - ass too close to the ground.:laughing:

 

The article is in the May 2007 MOTORCYCLIST magazine, great article!! You can look up eastern ducati on the web, they make lowering links for most of the Ducati line. I did the preload adjustments myself, as with my previous 2 bikes. If you've never adjusted preload on the rear shock, it's a BITCH!! It's the hardest suspension adjustment to make, everything else(compression,rebound,etc..) is easy. You can always find a suspension specialist in your local area to help. It's well worth the money to have it adjusted properly to your height and wieght, so the bike performs well and that you're confident on it. The more confident you're on it, the better you drive. Make the proper adjustments.

 

Hi there peter:
I'm 5'6 & I needed that short linkage, too!!!!
When I look up eastern ducati......it comes up as eastern cycle ducati.
Is this the one?!?
Do they have a web site that they put this short linkage for sale???
Any pics?
How much shorter are these when compared to the oem unit???

 

Vertically challenged

My problem is even more severe, when it comes to being vertically challenged

I am 5'2 (1.58m) 130lbs. I dropped the bike height by 2". This was the max they could go to, according to Duc specs.It doesnt solve the problem completely, but at least I can balance the bike on my toes.

Bought a pair of Harley riding boots with a thicker sole as well

You definatly need to drop the front end as well, otherwise the bike would be unballanced going into fast corners and you will loose front end grip.

The ride is quite comfortable even though most of the supension has been taken up with the drop in height. The way mine was setup, also reduced alot of the weight of my wrists.

Accordig to the dealer, there is specs from Duc on the exact setup and adjustment for specific height variations.Front and back end.

 

Hi Duke Q:
How did u manage to drop the ride height by 2"?!?

 

The linking rod is exactly 1/2 inch shorter compared to the stock one. The tech at the ducati dealer told me the ride height was subsequently lowered 12 mm= 1/2inch. And they put the clamps on the front forks the same amount lower. Yes, it is eastern cycle ducati. Call them directly and ask about it. I'm 190-lbs and 5'7''. I also decreased the preload on the shock by 5 turns ( each turn=1.5mm), total of 7.5 mm decreased preload. Total ride height adjustment is: 12mm+7.5mm= almost a full inch. With my RED WING ropers I can pretty much flat foot the thing. If you're 5'7'', you should be able to do the same thing. Good Luck @ the adjustments.

 

Thx Peter !!!!!

 

Holy CRAP

After reading this post I'm thinking I should adjust my 1098 the other way. I'm 6'3" and 220 lbs. I'm comfortable as heck on the bike and it performs GREAT but adjusting it to my heigh/weight sounds smart. NO???

 

Obviously spending to much time with your feet on the ground, If your riding height does not matter. Why not deal with it. Whats wrong at lights only putting one foot down. Doesnt matter bout ride height then,

 

I'm no suspension expert but I'm thinking yes. On the MV, I'm trying to get overall ride height as high as I can because it makes the bike more flickable into turns. I think a higher center of gravity will make left to right transitions faster, while lower cg equals more stabilty....but again, I'm no expert.

After reading this post I'm thinking I should adjust my 1098 the other way. I'm 6'3" and 220 lbs. I'm comfortable as heck on the bike and it performs GREAT but adjusting it to my heigh/weight sounds smart. NO???

 

I'll have the suspension set up on my first track day on the bike, I think just by setting the sag it would be sufficient enough to make the bike comfortable when at a stop. If not then I will look into getting the adjustable link and lowering the front. I'm also 5'7". Lots of good info here... Thanks guys.

 

Can't touch the ground on your bike??????? Then order some of theses.................

New from Ducati.........................Feet extenders .....................

 

if all I had to do was stop at stoplights then even a 900mm seat is no problem for me (I'm 5'8") - a monster BMW R1200GS Adventure - just hop off and get one foot solidly down.

However, riding in Seoul requires ALL bikers to be able to maneuver like scooters in certain situations if you want to be able to get through traffic jams and lane split, or easily park on sidewalks. Hence, I'm very interested in a 2" drop on the 1098. I suppose I can ask the dealer but I'd like to read about how it was done, if someone could post it up.

I don't want to be stuck in traffic jams like a car, as the Harley riders do - much of the point of being on a bike is to become free from the tyranny of cages and make the roads truly open, even if it's packed with cars.