Upgrade to something bigger?

[golgofett]

I have a 696 that I love to ride now.  It is my first bike and I am pretty comfortable riding it finally.   I was debating upgrading to a M1100 to get some more power, and I like the look a little better.  I already have done some mods to the bike but have held off on getting an exhaust because I didn't want to invest more money if I was going to jump on an 1100. 

Do you guys think I would be better off adding the Termingoni exhuast and 14t sprocket over upgrading to a new bike.   I would probably pick up a touring seat to to keep my boys of the tankWhat does the race ecu do in addition to remapping and raising the redline?  I was thinking insurance would go up with a bigger bike too, so maybe I should just stick with the 696. 

[mmakay]

If the 696 is your first bike, and you are just getting comfortable riding it, there is no way you need to buy a bigger bike.  You still haven't come close to learning the capabilities of the bike you already have!

Yes, change the gearing.  Best money you can spend.  Depending on your weight, a re-spring may be a good idea, too.  If you buy exhaust, you do it for the sound, not the power.  It's a lousy HP/$$ investment.

[swampduc]

+1 The bike's way more capable than you are, and will be for a long time. My 696 is definitely more capable than me 
I do love the sound of my Termi's, and the hp improvement is significant though not massive. The 14t sprocket, however, is dirt cheap and has a huge effect on the way the bike rides.

[RBX QB]

Ditto. Bragging rights for an 1100 would be fun, but I know my S2R800 is still more capable than I am.

But... 

Do what makes you happy.

[Danmack_98]

Keep 696 and upgrade it.  Especially since it is your first bike, take time to learn it better.  Don't be in too much of a hurry to upgrade in size.  Take a few years to enjoy the power of it and then move on from there.  If you get in the habit of buying a bigger bike because you want more power every year, it'll take about five years before you max out your power.  Give it time.

[golgofett]

Cool thanks for the replies.  I still know I have a lot to learn.  I think I was getting caught up in people saying that I should have started bigger to begin with. 

[stopintime]

I think you should recognize that in fact you started big, even if there is something even faster out there.
Your bike is light, very powerful and handles great. The 1100 will get you faster from turn to turn, but you yourself is probably the limitation on how fast/safe you get through the corners. That's where the fun learning process is going on.
It took me 5 - 8 k miles to be able to tell when it was me or the bike which was limiting the turning performance. Not until then was I able to determine if I needed upgrades - my conclusion is that I absolutely need suspension upgrade, maybe better brakes, but NOT more power.
I'm a heavy rider, on a heavier bike than yours, your brakes are superior, you have more power and a lighter bike.
You'll be fine on yours, IMO, and after a while you'll know if you need upgrades or if you just want them because of mind games.

[sfarchie]

I agree with everyone's comments on keeping the 696. Another question you asked is about the insurance. I do believe anything above the 500cc - 1000cc range goes up.

[sbrguy]

the good thing is if you upgrade the bike to the m1100 then someone else out there will get a sweet deal on a slightly used 696, so its spreading the love of ducatis even more.

i say upgrade, not because it would be a smart thing for YOU financially or in riding ability, but upgrade so that SOMEONE else gets a good deal on a 696.  We need more used 696 out there so that people can get those bikes cheaper than new but almost new.

i'm only halfway joking in this thread, because more used bikes out there means better deals for the rest of us maybe lookign to upgrade our bikes, for you the 696 you may move on, for someone else the 696 will be a huge upgrade from what they are riding.

[Popeye the Sailor]

the good thing is if you upgrade the bike to the m1100 then someone else out there will get a sweet deal on a slightly used 696, so its spreading the love of ducatis even more.

i say upgrade, not because it would be a smart thing for YOU financially or in riding ability, but upgrade so that SOMEONE else gets a good deal on a 696.  We need more used 696 out there so that people can get those bikes cheaper than new but almost new.

i'm only halfway joking in this thread, because more used bikes out there means better deals for the rest of us maybe lookign to upgrade our bikes, for you the 696 you may move on, for someone else the 696 will be a huge upgrade from what they are riding.

Please buy a D16 so there will me more used ones available. Thanks.

[be350ka]

I too am a new rider on the 696 and HAD similar questions as you.  Every magazine you pick up blasts you with the latest and greatest all the while telling you that you NEED this new bike.  I keep telling myself that my 696 doesn't have to be my last bike, but it sure is a nice bike to continue learning on.  

I have been keeping it fresh by adding some new goodies every now and again.  First was the carbon Termis.  Next the Oil cooler, tail chop, and some bar end mirrors/grips.   When the weather gets better I intend on riding pretty much every chance I get and maybe one day I will be ready to step it up to the next level.  

Oh, and when I was looking at bike insurance the 696 was 29 dollars a month where the S2R 1000 was 36 dollars a month.

[breakdown]

In my opinion, don't bother with the exhaust or anything expensive.  Pick up a 14t sprocket and a different seat and ride the crap out of the bike for one more year then upgrade.  I don't think there's much point in dumping a bunch of money into the 696, you'll want to upgrade sooner or later.  The 1100cc motor is absolutely amazing too.

[stopintime]

Please buy a D16 so there will me more used ones available. Thanks.

Why would you want to buy a totalled D16 with a bloodstained history? 

[El Matador]

Why would you want to buy a totalled D16 with a bloodstained history? 

did the people from the club up there total their d16?

I have a 696 that I love to ride now.  It is my first bike and I am pretty comfortable riding it finally.   I was debating upgrading to a M1100 to get some more power, and I like the look a little better.  I already have done some mods to the bike but have held off on getting an exhaust because I didn't want to invest more money if I was going to jump on an 1100. 

Do you guys think I would be better off adding the Termingoni exhuast and 14t sprocket over upgrading to a new bike.   I would probably pick up a touring seat to to keep my boys of the tankWhat does the race ecu do in addition to remapping and raising the redline?  I was thinking insurance would go up with a bigger bike too, so maybe I should just stick with the 696. 

How many miles do you have on your 696?

[scduc]

Just for topics sake, see how many on the board actually "downgraded" to a 696. Not that it is a downgrade, but many riders have gone to a lower displacement bike and have more fun really riding it. You have to remember the bigger the bike, your skills must be honed to perfection in order to get the most out of it. Its way more fun pushing a bike to its limits and still be in the safety zone.