Picked up the 696 yesterday (Updated)!

[Dareduc]

hmmm.  i wonder if a pair of s*r rearsets would bolt on to a 696?  i would like to see the bike without the crazy passenger peg brackets

+1... didn't like the looks of the 696 at first sight. But after seeing it in person and sitting on it... fell in love with it. Can't wait to see when then mod-ing gets into full swing on these bad boys... ( nix passenger peg, do some with those cans, swing arm, and the ususal mods (pressure plate, cover... etc)... the question is... do i wait and see if they throw the single sided swing arm on the bigger mode before i buy onel?

[silentbob]

hmmm.  i wonder if a pair of s*r rearsets would bolt on to a 696?  i would like to see the bike without the crazy passenger peg brackets

Nope.  SSS vs DSS.

[silentbob]

I rode the 696 with Termis today.  I had quite a bit more low end than I expected.  I really like the ergos.  It is like a smaller Hypermotard.  It felt great throwing it around some tight turns.  Much less flighty feeling than the older Monster.  The clutch pull was non-existent but the engagement was too far out.  Definitely needs adjustable levers.  I would take one over a M600, M620, M750, M800, M900 (excluding the S), M1000, or S2R800.

[Some Dude]

Nope.  SSS vs DSS.

Here is a set of s*r rearsets on a dss

http://ducatimonsterworldwide.org/index.php?topic=488.0

[Dave R]

that looks more like a dss on an S2R800

[turnera]

Would appreciate additional observations on the handling of the new 696 from Silent Bob, or anyone else. Though I thoroughly enjoy my 2006 S2R1000, I'll bet I'm not the only rider to notice that the existing Monster chasis gets easily unsettled when leaned over and exiting a corner that has less than perfect pavement. I occasionally suck more of my seat material up than I care to when the head of the bike wants to wobble or gets unsteady! And yes, that's even with me "getting ahead" of the bike with my head forward and to the inside of the turn.

[Snips]

I've got 580 miles on mine so far, and it's felt great in the twisties, real test will come after the first service this week and I can begin to open it   up properly 

However, on the freeway, I did get wobble a couple of times when I was doing a last-minute lifesaver combined with rolling-on quickly to overtake (at breaking-in revs). That could have been bad riding on my part, but it did this twice, so I'll need to experiment with riding position etc.

[silentbob]

Would appreciate additional observations on the handling of the new 696 from Silent Bob, or anyone else. Though I thoroughly enjoy my 2006 S2R1000, I'll bet I'm not the only rider to notice that the existing Monster chasis gets easily unsettled when leaned over and exiting a corner that has less than perfect pavement. I occasionally suck more of my seat material up than I care to when the head of the bike wants to wobble or gets unsteady! And yes, that's even with me "getting ahead" of the bike with my head forward and to the inside of the turn.

I only did a short stint on the bike but it felt much more composed than any other Monster below the 4V bikes and maybe the S2R1K.  The natural riding position made it much easier to stay ahead of the bike even compared to the S*R series.  However, it does make you catch more wind than an S*R series bike.

[Bo]

Hello Steve - First, let me congratulate you on your new Monster.  Looks very nice, especially in white.  I've got a question for you.  I live just down the road from you in Elkton.  I'm new to the area (Seattle transplant), and was hoping you could tell me where you bought the bike.  I'm in the market for a white one as well, and would appreciate any feedback you can offer on the dealership, or other Ducati dealers in the area.

Thanks very much.  Have fun with the new bike...

Regards,

Bo

[Big Troubled Bear]

Congrats on a sweet looking ride

[ducturd]

SteveH,

How is seating position on your 696? I test rode one on Saturday. Awesome bike. One problem I had was the angle of the seat wedged me against the tank. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't ideal. I can't imagine Ducati designed the bike to be like this. What's your experience so far?

Owen

[SteveH]

SteveH,

How is seating position on your 696? I test rode one on Saturday. Awesome bike. One problem I had was the angle of the seat wedged me against the tank. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't ideal. I can't imagine Ducati designed the bike to be like this. What's your experience so far?

Owen

Owen,
  Ya - I have found the same problem.  I have 201mi on the bike, and to be honest the seating angle makes it rather uncomfortable to say the least.  My shoulders are sore from pushing against the bars all the time so that I don't rub up against the tank. The seat has like a stretch cover over the actual foam...So when you are off the bike the seat looks flat.  I am hoping that the foam underneath it will form better - but if not I'll be taking the seat cover off and modding the seat accordingly.  Its that bad.  So far, that is my only gripe about the bike's ergos.  One thing that I do like, is that my knees tuck in perfectly right between the bottom of the tank and the top of the frame.