Poll
Question:
New 696 owners: would you have purchased a 695 or some other Monster if the 696 was not available?
Option 1: Yes - But instead I bought the new hotness
Option 2: No - I did not care for the clean, understated beauty that was the classic Monster
Option 3: b00bies
The 696 hata's thread got me to thinking - it was apparent to me that with the redesign that Ducati was reaching out to people outside their core ridership. Otherwise, I think they would have made the new Monster more Monster-y. I am curious to see how many coverts we have among us. Discuss. Er, vote.
All to hard to figure out
So I went with Boobies! [cheeky]
Boobies yeah!!!!!!!!!! [thumbsup]
Love it or hate it, I refuse to decide. I will make my mind up when my S2R dies and I am forced to buy another. In Ducati's defense, sooner or later you have to throw something out to attract a new crowd. Now let's just wait and see if they slap something nasty underneath. 130+hp might be a mind changing event for a lot of people. I will say that after seeing a Dark in the shop with the Termi's, the pics don't do the thing justice. Oh yea, I went with Boobies!
Well I don't have one yet, but I hope to sometime soon...
I like the location of the pipes/exhaust, I've never been a fan of the low-down ones at all.
I think that I would likely have to do too much to one of the other Monsters to make it look really the way I'd like it. But with the 696 all I'd really need to do(other than carbon replacements) to make it ideal for me would be to eliminate the huge license plate holder. As far as looks go I mean.
To me it feels like the 695 is leaning just a TINY bit towards a "standard" bike where the 696 is a little bit more sleek, something that I'd be looking for.
Boobies is the only answer for this subject.
Quote from: Lars D on July 04, 2008, 03:51:40 AM
Boobies is the only answer for this subject.
yes, boobies [thumbsup]
the ron [evil]
i also voted for the boobies.
I agree with psycledelic in the fact that eventually companies want to, and have to, try something new... Look at the new WRX STI or EVOLUTION X, I know, I know these are cars, but two highly praised sport cars. The new models don't look nearly as good as the older ones do, and the makers new that... they are just trying to appeal to a different crowd. Sorry to bring cars into this, its my first love. Oh yeah, I voted for boobies.
i guess you could say i am one of the new crowd. because i have never been interested in ducati until the release of the 696. i love my 696 with all my cycle loving heart and i don't see what the big deal is. its a good bike for the $. end.
And I guess I am on the polar opposite side of the spectrum. So much so that I sold my S2R and am replacing it with a Sport1000. Don't get me wrong, I love the look of the classic monsters (seems a little strange calling the S?R's classic) but I like the more retro bikes better. Hopefully I will have another monster in my stable some day, but that will depend on what direction the line takes.
And for the record, boobies won me over.
I am a convert! Used to own a Honda RR. I am in my mid 20's and wanted something more versatile. Picked up my white 696 a couple days ago and can't stay off the thing. Ducati got my attention:)
The 696 is not for Monster lovers. It's for some other group of riders. Nice jap bike...but not a Monster.
(sorry for this post...I just got back from a serious night of drinking and my real opinion just kinda snuck out before I could catch it [cheeky] )
Quote from: munrokicker on July 05, 2008, 05:23:02 PM
I am a convert! Used to own a Honda RR. I am in my mid 20's and wanted something more versatile. Picked up my white 696 a couple days ago and can't stay off the thing. Ducati got my attention:)
i was the same way in my mid twenties. i liked the more trendy machines. i never would have wanted a machine with mickey mouse mirrors and a single round headlight back in my earlier days. as i grew older i began to dislike that cheesy race replica style. its so shallow to me. so, as a true monster lover i am devestated at the design direction. instead of appealing to monster types it will now appeal to crotch rocket types. which is fine. i only wish they would call it something else. it is not a monster. maybe you are not old enough to remember when coke changed their formula to compete with pepsi. it was one of the biggest corporate blunders in history. this to me is on the same page moto wise.
and i am glad you like your machine, everyone should like their ride. I would maybe even settle for the monster II and the monster Classic series, but to look forward to a future where this is the only outlet for monster owners is sad.
the ron [evil]
theRon, here ya go ;D ;D ;D ;D Sorry, Ducati no longer caters to you.
They won't make any money if they do [evil] [evil] [evil]
http://www.ducati.com/en/bikes/my2008/ModelPage.jhtml?family=Monster&model=M696-08
Quote from: 707soldier on July 05, 2008, 10:37:11 PM
theRon, here ya go ;D ;D ;D ;D Sorry, Ducati no longer caters to you.
They won't make any money if they do [evil] [evil] [evil]
http://www.ducati.com/en/bikes/my2008/ModelPage.jhtml?family=Monster&model=M696-08
im not looking to be catered to, i just cant understand why 696 lovers cant understand where i am coming from. you cant honestly look at the new machine and say it doesn't look like all of the other italian nakeds. and that is the core of my argument. which you make very interesting by the way [coffee]
the ron [evil]
Quote from: the ron on July 05, 2008, 10:48:58 PM
im not looking to be catered to, i just cant understand why 696 lovers cant understand where i am coming from. you cant honestly look at the new machine and say it doesn't look like all of the other italian nakeds. and that is the core of my argument. which you make very interesting by the way [coffee]
the ron [evil]
so...... you dont like boobies?.....
Quote from: BomberHead on July 05, 2008, 10:52:35 PM
so...... you dont like boobies?.....
don't like them........ love them. [cheeky]
the ron [evil]
Quote from: the ron on July 05, 2008, 11:00:06 PM
don't like them........ love them. [cheeky]
the ron [evil]
Good job.
( o )( o )
It could be about any topic...if boobies are a choice I'm pickin' them.
I'll take ass over boobies ;D
for what it's worth, i had been planning to buy the 695. really, i've been wanting it since it was a 620, but was waiting for this summer, as my car is now paid off.
kind of went back and forth at first on one or two of the changes, but the ones i liked greatly outnumbered the ones i questioned. plus, the numbers. once i actually saw it, no longer had any questions on the looks. some of the things that looked awkward early on, seemed to fit nicely.
and it is sweet.
Well, i'm more of a leg man...
and i've always liked the "idea" of ducati... but they never really spoke to me until i saw the 696. It's only after i'd decided that i was going to get one, that i even started liking the others... to me the 696 looks like it belongs in the monster family... so i don't get what the ron means when he says it doesn't look like a monster. All they did was accentuate a few things... and loose the cyclops eye which is one of the things i didn't dig... it was very 80's (like the lights on my z-car, which i do love)
Like i said elsewhere, the 695 and the 696 look like sisters... one is doable, the other is f'n, smokin', give your left nut to be with, HOT!!!
yeah...if you think the 696 looks good you also like Paris Hilton , right ? [puke]
Quote from: zedsaid on July 07, 2008, 05:30:39 PM
so i don't get what the ron means when he says it doesn't look like a monster. All they did was accentuate a few things... and loose the cyclops eye which is one of the things i didn't dig... it was very 80's (like the lights on my z-car, which i do love)
what he means is it doesn't look like a Monster. The look of a Monster is a beautiful and timeless look. The new Monster just doesn't do justice to the classic Monster looks.
I hate the cheap looking cast aluminum subframe and "punched in the face" headlight.
I've heard over and over again how the pictures don't do the new Monster justice. They are right, the new Monster is uglier in person.
Quote from: zedsaid on July 07, 2008, 05:30:39 PM
Like i said elsewhere, the 695 and the 696 look like sisters... one is doable, the other is f'n, smokin', give your left nut to be with, HOT!!!
Yea, the 695 being smokin hot, while the 696 is a dumb, air-headed, fake tanned, anorexic, pop-culture princess wearing big stupid sunglasses. Here it is in pictures:
The 695 (and all the other good looking Monsters)
(http://images.motorcyclistonline.com/features/gina-slouch-lg.jpg)
The 696
(http://www.makemeheal.com/news/images/paris-hilton-no-breast-implants.jpg)
Maybe if the chick on the bike was in a bikini...
But seriously, i've seen Paris in person, and she's beautiful. Not as pretty as Nichole Ritchie, but beautiful nonetheless. Nothing plastic about her but her credit card.
And the 696 looks a lot "like" a monster.
Quote from: il d00d on July 03, 2008, 08:52:32 PM
The 696 hata's thread got me to thinking - it was apparent to me that with the redesign that Ducati was reaching out to people outside their core ridership. Otherwise, I think they would have made the new Monster more Monster-y. I am curious to see how many coverts we have among us. Discuss. Er, vote.
One could argue that Ducati incorporated many of the changes that hardcore fans have been doing for years.
- pipes under the seat.
- darkened engine casing
- minimalist cockpit: low profile reservoirs, lower-key speedo/odometer.
- lowered headlight
- tail chop
- the list goes on....
I was just about the say the same thing.
All you old style monster-lovers, look at the mods you guys are doing (some not all), add some manufacturing clean styling and you have the 696 WITH more power, lighter weight and easier to trick out.
At first i thought plastic covers! Then i see people talking about swapping kits with others, carbon kits, i'm sure there will be some sweet aftermarket kits soon enough. Don't forget what DP will do!
Plus on the performance side... wait til the 1098 engined Monster comes out. You guys will be screaming to get one.
The subframe... who's to say there won't be a CF sub to come out or maybe even a old-style frame option. No more frame cutting to get your own style. Just swap it out.
This bike is begging to be customized, and given the way it's designed, you can do some pretty amazing and unique stuff.
OH, and it's a beautiful bike. Handles better than the original. Has more power than my 99 M900. AND, this is only a 696...
You wait.. you'll convert soon enough, or at least grow to appreciate what Ducati has accomplished with this bike.
Quote from: Raux on July 17, 2008, 05:56:57 PM
You wait.. you'll convert soon enough, or at least grow to appreciate what Ducati has accomplished with this bike.
Nicely said [thumbsup]
Quote from: zedsaid on July 17, 2008, 04:01:25 PM
Maybe if the chick on the bike was in a bikini...
Getting a girl out of full leathers after a hot sweaty ride through twisties would be so much more fun than getting a girl out of a bikini [evil] [evil]
Quote from: Raux on July 17, 2008, 05:56:57 PM
I was just about the say the same thing.
All you old style monster-lovers, look at the mods you guys are doing (some not all), add some manufacturing clean styling and you have the 696 WITH more power, lighter weight and easier to trick out.
At first i thought plastic covers! Then i see people talking about swapping kits with others, carbon kits, i'm sure there will be some sweet aftermarket kits soon enough. Don't forget what DP will do!
You wait.. you'll convert soon enough, or at least grow to appreciate what Ducati has accomplished with this bike.
2001: REAL monsters are air cooled! Look at that ugly radiator on the S4! And what is with the ST4 frame? Ducati has sold their soul on this one - gone for the quick dollar and made an ugly, ugly bike. I for one will never buy one - no 'true' ducatista would. It looks like an ugly toy!
If Ducati has any sense at all, they'll realize that the M900 is a classic that should NOT be tampered with. Ever. Water cooled monsters? Pah!
Quote from: roy-nexus-6 on July 18, 2008, 03:44:28 AM
2001: REAL monsters are air cooled! Look at that ugly radiator on the S4! And what is with the ST4 frame? Ducati has sold their soul on this one - gone for the quick dollar and made an ugly, ugly bike. I for one will never buy one - no 'true' ducatista would. It looks like an ugly toy!
If Ducati has any sense at all, they'll realize that the M900 is a classic that should NOT be tampered with. Ever. Water cooled monsters? Pah!
So....I have a fake monster?
Who decides what's a fake monster? You can poke holes in any argument.
Quote from: someguy on July 18, 2008, 06:32:01 PM
So....I have a fake monster?
Who decides what's a fake monster? You can poke holes in any argument.
No. Your monster is no more 'fake' than the 696 is.
I used irony to illustrate this point: the same people who have problems with the 696 often ride water cooled monsters... which, when they were first released, were criticized for being un-monsterlike.
I myself ride an S4 - the undisputed ugly duckling of the bunch. [thumbsup]
boobies on any ducati! [thumbsup]