Ducati 696 test ride.

OrangeEnvy · 06-02-2008, 07:02 PM

I had a chance to ride the new Monster 696 a couple weeks ago and just finished putting together a few words about it.

Feel free to check it out here.

Fun bike! More power than the 695 and lighter. A few little things that I didn't like (the seat/seating position mostly).... my lower body was asleep in no time from being pushed into the tank. But if I could get that sorted it'd be up there on my list of mid-sized naked bikes.

a1fa · 06-02-2008, 07:12 PM

I just saw a white one. I lusted over it. Eventually I walked away in tears ;) One day... One day!

vbl · 06-02-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeEnvy

I had a chance to ride the new Monster 696 a couple weeks ago and just finished putting together a few words about it.

Feel free to check it out here.

Fun bike! More power than the 695 and lighter. A few little things that I didn't like (the seat/seating position mostly).... my lower body was asleep in no time from being pushed into the tank. But if I could get that sorted it'd be up there on my list of mid-sized naked bikes.

I felt the same. Neat bike, but the absolutely awkward seating position had me crossing it off of my list.

El Guero · 06-02-2008, 08:48 PM

I had a short demo ride on one at a local Ducati event a couple weeks ago. I liked it, for the most part. The seating position was a little odd, but I liked it as a compromise between a sport bike and a standard. That being said, I really liked how it handled, I just felt kind of natural on it. It felt good and zippy for a town bike, but compared to all the other Ducs I rode that day it just felt like it gave up around 85mph. This probably isn't a very big deal in the real world, but it did feel like of weird that day

The one I rode had Termis on it too and it sounded sweeeeeet

OrangeEnvy · 06-03-2008, 08:00 AM

I agree with the feel of the bike... It feels like it fits. I honestly had near as much fun on this one as I did on the Hypermotard 1100S.

My lower body was just falling asleep. I didn't get to try the model with the touring seat - maybe that might be a little better. I'm sure the seat might be fine for some but I'd want something with a little less slope perhaps, to keep me from riding the tank.

85 mph is near 140 km/hr - I had it up to about 165 km/hr and it was still pulling decently. That speed can get you into a lot of trouble with the red and blue here in Canada - particularly in Ontario. 50 over the limit can get you a $10,000 fine.

So give me acceleration and real world performance over top end and I'm happy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Guero

I had a short demo ride on one at a local Ducati event a couple weeks ago. I liked it, for the most part. The seating position was a little odd, but I liked it as a compromise between a sport bike and a standard. That being said, I really liked how it handled, I just felt kind of natural on it. It felt good and zippy for a town bike, but compared to all the other Ducs I rode that day it just felt like it gave up around 85mph. This probably isn't a very big deal in the real world, but it did feel like of weird that day

The one I rode had Termis on it too and it sounded sweeeeeet

Bulldogs2k · 06-03-2008, 09:12 AM

I want one but i'm waiting out till all major kinks are worked out. At the monster forum, a member has one that is stalling, and that is with the termi kit and ecu.

El Guero · 06-03-2008, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeEnvy

I agree with the feel of the bike... It feels like it fits. I honestly had near as much fun on this one as I did on the Hypermotard 1100S.

That is what I was thinking too, it reminded me a lot of my ride on the Hypermotard. However, the Hypermotard is still far superior in my opinion, just due to the increased power and better seating position.

And with the real world performance, I agree with you 100%. This demo day was at a race track though, so for some reason real-world performance seemed like kind of a quibble

(even though I didn't get to ride it on the track

)

What I really wish I could do now is ride a Monster 696 and an SV650 back to back... I know the Monster wins on sex appeal, but I have to wonder how far apart they are in actual feel and performance (I have not ridden the SV650).

vntgmx · 06-03-2008, 05:43 PM

I had a chance to demo a 696 with Termis today and it fit me like a glove.Super nice light nimble bike with a nice peppy torquey motor.The clutch pull was like butter and the gearbox worked great.I'd give it a big thumbs up.
I was also able to take out a Hyper-S and a SR4 as well for comparisions sake.While they were nice they just had a much more racier rough edge to them compared to the 696.They also were Termi equipped.Both had nice torquey engines and lots of juice but the suspension was much more race oriented and stiff which I'm sure is great for really hanging it out but not so comfy for choppy shitty urban streets.
All in all the 696 was my fav and if the numbers would work I'd bag one in a heartbeat.The sales folks were surprised that it was my fav as I'm sure they were expecting me to fall in love with the Hyper with my heavy dirt riding background and it's riding position favoring that.Don't get me wrong the Hyper could be a lot of fun but I just didn't get on it and say "yeah" this fits as I did with the 696.
The SR4 had a nice riding position but it's just a little too rough around the edges for me and that clutch pull whoa!

I think Ducati has a winner on their hands with the 696.

06-02-2008, 07:02 PM	#1
OrangeEnvy ^OP Vicarious Adventurer Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Halifax NS - Canada Oddometer: 202	Ducati 696 test ride. I had a chance to ride the new Monster 696 a couple weeks ago and just finished putting together a few words about it. Feel free to check it out here. Fun bike! More power than the 695 and lighter. A few little things that I didn't like (the seat/seating position mostly).... my lower body was asleep in no time from being pushed into the tank. But if I could get that sorted it'd be up there on my list of mid-sized naked bikes. __________________ "Canadian Motorcycle Rider"

06-02-2008, 07:12 PM	#2
a1fa Riding Nomad™ Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Arkansas Oddometer: 12,717	I just saw a white one. I lusted over it. Eventually I walked away in tears ;) One day... One day! __________________ Learn to ride. Ride to learn. FS: 1993 Suzuki DR350S (wide ratio 6 speed - street legal kickstart)

06-02-2008, 08:48 PM	#4
El Guero V4 Whore Joined: May 2007 Location: Iowa City, IA Oddometer: 9,549	I had a short demo ride on one at a local Ducati event a couple weeks ago. I liked it, for the most part. The seating position was a little odd, but I liked it as a compromise between a sport bike and a standard. That being said, I really liked how it handled, I just felt kind of natural on it. It felt good and zippy for a town bike, but compared to all the other Ducs I rode that day it just felt like it gave up around 85mph. This probably isn't a very big deal in the real world, but it did feel like of weird that day The one I rode had Termis on it too and it sounded sweeeeeet __________________

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06-03-2008, 09:12 AM	#6
Bulldogs2k Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2007 Oddometer: 294	I want one but i'm waiting out till all major kinks are worked out. At the monster forum, a member has one that is stalling, and that is with the termi kit and ecu.

06-03-2008, 05:43 PM	#8
vntgmx Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2007 Location: South Jersey Oddometer: 185	I had a chance to demo a 696 with Termis today and it fit me like a glove.Super nice light nimble bike with a nice peppy torquey motor.The clutch pull was like butter and the gearbox worked great.I'd give it a big thumbs up. I was also able to take out a Hyper-S and a SR4 as well for comparisions sake.While they were nice they just had a much more racier rough edge to them compared to the 696.They also were Termi equipped.Both had nice torquey engines and lots of juice but the suspension was much more race oriented and stiff which I'm sure is great for really hanging it out but not so comfy for choppy shitty urban streets. All in all the 696 was my fav and if the numbers would work I'd bag one in a heartbeat.The sales folks were surprised that it was my fav as I'm sure they were expecting me to fall in love with the Hyper with my heavy dirt riding background and it's riding position favoring that.Don't get me wrong the Hyper could be a lot of fun but I just didn't get on it and say "yeah" this fits as I did with the 696. The SR4 had a nice riding position but it's just a little too rough around the edges for me and that clutch pull whoa! I think Ducati has a winner on their hands with the 696.