My bike think she´s a Harley 

A little leak from that allen bolt on top, with only 1700kms (more than 1000miles)

Quote from: Bill in OKC on September 07, 2008, 08:11:33 AM
No problems with the brakes - but as you say - same as the current Monsters.

I bring it up because the 848/1098 is Ducati's current superbike.  This is the first Monster that does not have an ounce of superbike in it.  With gen 3, the racing heritage trail has been lost
That is a major change in philosophy for a company like Ducati and a bike like the Monster.

Not so fast there my fellow Ducati lover. 

If it were built in China like everything else in the world, I'd agree and would not have purchased one.  Fact is it's built by Ducati at the Ducati plant by Ducati employees.  Who by the way have been building OTHER Ducati bikes for YEARS.  Since the Monsters are not really for the racing circuit, the 'racing heritage' argument doesnt hold water.  These are naked/street fighter bikes.  That is why Ducati makes Superbikes AND Monsters.  One to win the races and one to pay to build the bike to win the races. 

The heritage comes from the COMPANY not the bike.   It's like having one sister and five brothers.  Does that fact that she's got boobies mean she doesn't have the 'heritage' to belong to the family?

Love my 696.

Love the high megaphone exhausts.
Love the unique headlight... previous iterations of the monster line had a "stock" headlight that basically could have come off any motorcycle ever built.
Love the aluminum subframe. Gives the bike a sportier look in my opinion.
LOVE LOVE the brakes. 

Don't love - the seat. Nutcrusher galore. Will be the fist "mod" I do. Probably a Corbin.

Sidenote: Has anybody noticed that the main detractors are 695 owners? Do we detect a note of jealousy/buyer's remorse here? "Damn if I just waited another year!" type situation?

Anyway, it is all about what you like. You dont have to like my 696. I don't like the Japanese bikes at all. But that doesn't mean that the Hayabusa sucks, it is after all the most powerful bike available right? The Ninja is supposedly the most affordable and reliable bike there is. Still don't like it. I like my Duc. And when the time comes I will get another Duc. No doubt about it. NOW GO RIDE BEFORE WINTER HITS!!!