I Am going to get a 696 soon. I like All three colors, but i am set on either black or white. I like them both the same.

i wanted black, but were sold out...
put a deposit on a white one today (stoked!), so easy to change colors though..

GL

Pearl white brings out the lines of the bike better IMO

My order of color preference
White - Hot
Red - Sexy
Black - Dull, just too much blackness, can't see the lines

Dude... no matter the color... you are in for some fun! the black seems to loose the definition in the lines. I would go white. have fun! stay safe!