Hi, just wanted to update everyone with my personal opinion on my Monster 696 thus far.

As I mentioned earlier, I’m relatively a new rider therefore I don’t have much of an experience to write a review but give you a take from a newbie’s perspective.

My previous bike was a Yamaha Thunder Cat YZF-600R so the Ducati is a world of a difference. A difference for the better.

Ergonomics on the bike is excellent. The seat position and steering is very comfortable except the fact that I feel my balls crushing into the tank. Not sure if I should have my knees clamping onto the tank. The controls are placed perfectly and the seat height is perfect for shorter individual like myself. I’m 5’ 5” and I can flat foot the bike.

The side mirrors really do allow you to see what’s behind you as you have crazy New York drivers trying to overtake you. The digital tach is very sweet and the visibility is excellent.

The best feature of the bike has to be the clutch. This is my first Ducati but the clutch is so smooth and easy for new riders. I have the stock mufflers and they sound terrific. Braking is extremely strong and very responsive just like the throttle.

I haven’t been able to put enough miles on the bike to pass the break in as my job is absorbing all my time but hopefully this weekend I will hit the Long Island beaches and north shore roads.

Next purchases:
Fender Eliminator Kit â€" I love the 696 design but need to get rid of the stock plate holder.
Frame Slider â€" Any recommendations? I’m still new to riding and don’t want to drop the bike accidentally.
Chain Lock or Disc Lock â€" Any recommendations?

Future Purchases:
Termi Pipes
Carbon Fiber parts to compliment the Dark 696 that I have.

Get on those termis...With the dark, you need the CF exhaust, I got the CF heat shields too, looks/sounds great!

http://flickr.com/photos/27424259@N06/

nkryptit, that looks sick! Congrats!

If you don't mind, how much did the CF exhaust and CF heat shields cost? I remember my dealer saying $1,600.

I think the Exhaust was like 1300 and the heat shields were about 200.

"The seat position and steering is very comfortable except the fact that I feel my balls crushing into the tank"
There's nothing wrong with that, love this new feature 

Binary-

I will quote what my dealer said when I asked him about the disc locks. "One day, you'll forget its on, and that would be a short and expensive ride."

Sounded like something I am capable of, so I skipped it.

Happy accessory hunting! If you get the excess plastic in the rear eliminated, please do post graphic details of how you got it done!

Baski

Quote from: baski696 on June 18, 2008, 12:58:55 PM
I will quote what my dealer said when I asked him about the disc locks. "One day, you'll forget its on, and that would be a short and expensive ride."

When I do use a disc lock, I hang the lock case from the throttle so that I can't miss it.  I don't usually use it most of the time though.

if you get the nyc fuggabout it disc lock from kyrptonite it comes with a orange tether that you put from teh lock to the handlebars so taht when you get on the bike you will immediately see the orange tether, simpel thing but i works great, make sure you get htat orange tether no matter what.

if you go with a chain lock get the longest bulldog or kyrptonite chain and lock you can get i have the nyc fuggetabout it 5ft chain and disc lock that is keyed the same as the disck lock i bought months earlier, now that i have a garage i use neither but if i nee dthem i have them.

Quote from: baski696 on June 18, 2008, 12:58:55 PM
I will quote what my dealer said when I asked him about the disc locks. "One day, you'll forget its on, and that would be a short and expensive ride."

Damn, that's a good point. Lugging a chain around might be a problem but I will look into the orange tether. Thanks for the tips! 

nkryptit, i hate you

sorry, still waiting for red
did you get it from lifecycle?