I want a 696 but I'm scared of the price tag

[herm]

sss = single side swingarm on the rear tire.

[MadDuck]

Good points about not financing toys and only buying what you can afford.  I do need to think about my budget before I make my decision.  Putting affordability aside though does the 696 have something that makes it worth the $2k+ more than the ninja 650?

I don't want to come off as being mean but from the tone of the above responce and the first post I'd say if you have to ask those questions then don't get the Ducati. Period.

The value of the Ducati is far more intrinsic to their owners and fans than anything else. There are many more capable bikes at lower costs to be had. Those bikes just don't make the same sound or evoke the responces of bystanders like the Ducati does. Is the difference worth it? Only in your mind.

[Raux]

going back to the original post. i think education is what you are looking for.
Why is a Ducati worth the money? It's an italian work of art with a a heritage all it's own
What makes it different and what makes you different when you own one? Engine design is unique, handling is superior, and you fell different riding one, don't know why really but you just do.

If you don't want to invest in a work of art for it being a Ducati and are just buying a bike. get the less expensive bike. if you feel that this is an investment that everytime you ride it, it will make you quiver and smile... buy the Ducati.

My thought is you won't be disappointed in the Ducati despite the additional cost.

[VeryMetal]

Hi Veda,

Many people have already nailed it on the head but I'd like to go forth and give my 2 cents anyway.

DON'T BUY NEW! Sorry dealers, but unless you have the immediate cash to part with and plenty more, it's a mistake. I'm talking from experience.

Buy the bike that does it for you. No matter how practical minded you are the bike you own has a significant amount of influence on how much you enjoy it/ ride it. You're taking a risk being on a bike, enjoy it, love the experience.

Also, lets face it, Ducati services for the older (supposedly more expensive to maintain models) mostly consist of 'check this' 'check that' type work that you can easily do yourself. When it comes down to the serious mechanical procedures, they're few and far between and a lot of times not as difficult as the you'd think (belt change for example). For more complex stuff you can take the bike in for that only and do the rest of the maintenance yourself. Buy a used 620, 700, 750 from somewhere around 02, buy a manual and have a poke around with your new ducati, it'll bring you closer to the bike and you'll be less afraid of something going wrong. Any 'serious' problems would have already shown up on a bike with a few miles. Just make sure you test ride it, and make sure you get as much paperwork with the bike as you can. Easy

Also, regarding dropping it, the only serious damage that is going to occur is going to be at higher speed and if you're a sensible rider you're at very low risk. I've dropped mine off the stand being an idiot and I didn't damage anything. You might bend a brake lever but then that's just an excuse to upgrade.

Those are my thoughts anyway. Good luck, hope you choose a Ducati, you won't be disappointed.

[NekkedChic]

Everyone has had very good, arguably reasonable good replies on here, so what I have to say is just plain simple. 

I rode my Ninjette nearly 4000 miles-still have a lot to gain from that bike, but made the leap, since the cash was in hand (and I agree about NOT financing toys and only rarely finance any vehicles/cars, short term).....and i bought the 2009 696 in pearl white.  OMG, not a single buyer's remorse here at ALL. I luv this bike to stitches. I am a very petite rider, barely 5'3", 29 inch inseam and maybe 100 pounds wet and this bike fits me to a T-but NOT levers-in fact, not sure where designers heads were on that one-even for good sized man, stock levers are one HELLUVA reach-But great excuse to get my Pazzo shorties YEAH!!!   
Anyhoo....I JUST sold Ninjette Saturday and, tho I will miss it and luv that bike, my Duc Beastie Boy FAR EXCEEDS !! And on interstates and in keeping up with hub either on his Triumph Bonneville or Speed Triple, I am actually a THREAT to him now-but comfie/smooth NICE ride all around! 

I seriously considered the bigger Ninjas also-but LUV that I am ONE OF A KIND on the roads on my Duc NAKED bike also. 

Best of luck to you and OH, also agree about buying USED....honestly think I have also bought my last new CAR in my lifetime...rather let someone else take the rippin and save MY pennies for same machinery.

Keep us posted on ur final decision either way tho!

[MOUSEMAN]

it is a bit of an addiction.

WOW!! That is an understatement. The first time I heard a Duc fire up I was hooked. Now, every time I fire up one of my Ducs it is like the first tme. I love the sound, the feel, the smell!!   Yup Addict!   V Twin Duc at 10,000 RPM you got to feel it!

[Smokescreen]

Veda,
Is the 696 the only monster you like the look of?  You've not said anything about and other Monsters as yet. 

If the 696 fits yuou well, likely the 695, the 620, and the 600 would too, not to mention the 750, the 900, and the S2R800.  I'm told the wet clutch ones are easier to ride, and if you are considering an aircooled Duc, I hope speed isn't too important to you.  But you will find that the bike, and the parts are in general, more exotic, and the stimulation more aural.  Pretty much from idle to redline, the Duc will keep you interested. 

I would not, personally, advise you to buy a new Monster, or any other bike for that matter.  I just bought myself an S2R1000 to go with my wife's M900 Monster.  The M900 is her first bike, and she will likely never be willing to rid herself of it.

Best of luck whatever you choose.
W

[Desmo Demon]

But I'm having such a hard time swallowing the price tag.  It's almost $3k more than the ninja 650. 

Bikes are not necessary vehicles and are generally "pleasure" vehicles, so.......buy what you want and don't worry about the pricetag unless you simply cannot afford it. I had a difficult time spending over $11k for my 748 when it was new, but I wanted it. I could have easily bought more bike by getting an R1 or CBR or GSXR back then, but I didn't *want* those bikes.....I wanted the 748.

I'd love to have a Bimota DB-5R or DB-7, but they really aren't anywhere near my price range.....at least until I pay off the house, but even then, I won't be able to "justify" one.

If yoiu want the 696 and can afford it, buy it. If you want something else that is a little cheaper, buy that. It's simply your decision.

[r_ciao]

Ask yourself if this is an emotional or practical decision.  For my four wheel transport, I have a Honda.  For my bike, I wanted something that I'm emotionally attached to.  When I look at my bike, she (Bella) says ride me.  My Honda (no pet name) doesn't do the same.  I bought into the culture, the mystique, the uniqueness, and the Italian heritage.  If I wanted something practical, boring, and something simply regarded as just a bike, I would have bought a SV650.  BORING!

Get what moves you and what you would be proud to own.  Kind of fun saying, "I have a Ducati."

[zedsaid]

<snip> Kind of fun saying, "I have a Ducati."

you know it.

[zLoki]

I don't want to come off as being mean but from the tone of the above responce and the first post I'd say if you have to ask those questions then don't get the Ducati. Period.

The value of the Ducati is far more intrinsic to their owners and fans than anything else. There are many more capable bikes at lower costs to be had. Those bikes just don't make the same sound or evoke the responces of bystanders like the Ducati does. Is the difference worth it? Only in your mind.

+1 on this.  A 696 Dark is my first bike and I did not want to spend the money (nor the money I will spend) on a Ducati but I NEEDED to spend it.  The bike speaks to you in a similar but less intense way that a car speaks to you.  But if you question the price at this point, first, congrats for being fiscally responsible and using your head and second, move on to something much cheaper.  It's easy to get a great bike at 4 - 6k and use the extra 3 - 4 to buy cool stuff.  A Japanese bike will run nearly maint free, sometimes faster, easier to ride and trouble free.  A Ducati is no more a reasonable purchase than a Ferrari is, it's a passion and an obsession under taken by those of us that are NOT fiscally responsible.
[moto]

[matmcd78]

Having not rode in several years and not owned a bike in many years, I got the itch. My father-in-law has many wonderful bikes..Triupmhs, MotoGuzzis, BMWs and an '01 Monster. I took all for test drives. In that order. I got off the Monster and immediately went inside and called the local dealer. I am by no means a rich man, but a Monster is worth getting a part time job. And as a bonus you get to ride your Monster more.

[Veda]

Thanks everyone for all the responses.  I appreciate your honesty and non-BS attitude here.  On most motorcycle boards I've visited I would have gotten some garbage responses of "how dare you question our favorite brand, everyone knows it is .00252 seconds faster in the quarter mile" etc.

I suppose I'm probably looking at the monster for the wrong reasons.  From what I'm gathering here most people buy Ducati's for the brand recognition, the name, how they look or how they sound.  My buying criteria is a little different and I wasn't turned onto the monster for any of those reasons but simply because it is physically the smallest bike in its power class.  The used 620 or sr2 is a good suggestion but I'm trying to find something lighter. 

Ah well, I'm not looking to make a decision this year anyway.  I will keep my eye out for used 696's over the winter and who knows what will happen in the spring.

[herm]

how light / small are you looking for?
the 620 is a pretty nimble little bike...

[Veda]

Ideal world, under 350 lbs and 31" or lower seat. 

I know that doesn't leave me with much :/