Hi Everyone,

I would like to start off by saying you all have a pretty good site here and I look forward to learning more about my duc.

My name is Drew and I purchased my 2012 Ducati Monster 696 used back in the first week of January.  It had less than 500 miles on it.  Someone's loss is now my gain.  Prior to this I owned a HD 2008 1200 Sportster/Nightster.  I enjoyed that bike but realized early on it had it's limitations.  Limitations like very limited lean angle and brakes that weren't strong enough in my opinion.  Beyond that I had a blast riding it.  So, one day in December I happened to go into a dealership and was browsing around in the parts section just to see what was out there.  As I was leaving I happened to stop and look at a Yamaha that reminded of one I had looked at many years ago.  That was when the salesman swooped in.  He tried to get me to leave on that bike but I told him I was only looking.  We got to talking and he suggested I look at the Suzuki's they had in stock.  Sat on that and told him I liked it but I didn't like how my short legs didn't reach the ground the way I wanted them to.  We talked a bit more and I mentioned something about a naked bike and that is when his eyes lit up and told me about the Ducati Monster.  He showed me their line and it was like love at first sight.  I didn't want to pay all the extra fees that they wanted to add on for a new bike and so he showed my a White 696 that was used and had around 450 miles.  I told the salesguy I wanted to go home and do a little research on it and think it over.  He "reluctantly" let me leave .  I checked out the reviews and I saw all the positive things people were saying and got more interested.  I then looked up more dealerships in the area and went to the one in Newport Beach.  They allowed test rides where the initial dealership did not.  I got my test ride and came away very impressed.  I was stuck on the fence, keep my current HD, by the new Duc (I prefer to buy new, don't like buying other peoples problems if you know what I mean) or buy the used Duc (and buy the other persons possible problems).  It took me a couple weeks to finally make a decision.  I called up the initial dealer and asked if they still had the used Monster.  Surprisingly they did, I guess this was a sign it was meant to be.  I went down there and talked myself into getting the used Duc.  Let me tell you it was like pulling teeth.  A lot of going back and forth but in the end I think both parties got enough of what they wanted.  I used to piss and moan about how much HD parts and accessories cost, boy was the joke on me when I realized that it is much more expensive having a Duc. 

Already installed the Termignoni Slip-on with ECU and filter and did the Evotech tail tidy.  Did both myself and feel very happy with the feat.  I was able to utilize the resources on the DMF and Youtube to accomplish it.  I pulled the silencers out of the pipes this past weekend to see what it would sound like and all I can say is OMG!    They are freaking awesome sounding!  I think I will have to go with the DB Killer mod tho, that I also found in a thread on this site, because I think they are a bit louder than I am comfortable with.

Now here I am 6 months later and 3000 smiling miles.

Hoping to learn much from you all.

Keep the rubber side down. 
-drew

Welcome! 

696 ABS or not? Consider a 14T front sprocket. Then you might even see 6th gear in CA. 

Pix or it didn't happen. 

Yes, indeed; rubber side down!

Hey Curmudgeon,

Thanks.
It is ABS.  Definitely considering the 14T sprocket, but thinking I will get the Rizoma bars first tho.

And not to disappoint  here is the pic as requested.  Not the best quality pic, but it's a pic nonetheless.



-drew