800/696?

[wreckedem]

if you had a choicewould you get a new 800 or a 696. both bikes are new.

[jdubbs32584]

if you had a choicewould you get a new 800 or a 696. both bikes are new.

In my opinion the ergonomics of each bike are completely different. The 696 stock seems to push people against the tank more aggressively than the older bikes.

Also, the 800 is not made anymore. The last model year was 2007.

The S2R 800 has slightly more power, weighs slightly more too. The bikes handle differently too I believe.

How much experience does the rider have? How comfortable is the rider around bikes? Which look does the rider like better?



ETA: Forgot to give you my opinion on which to choose. If it were me (comfortable, relatively experienced on a moto), I would choose the 800. But thats cause I don't like the look of the new monsters.

[NUDO]

both are very nice bikes.

I am a little bias but I would go with the 800. With a couple tweeks the 800 is a awesome engine.

[teddy037.2]

If it were me (comfortable, relatively experienced on a moto), I would choose the 800. But thats cause I don't like the look of the new monsters.

+1 

[wreckedem]

she's semi new. taken the msf course and had a honda 400/4 ss. both bikes are new the 800 is a new bike that hasnt been sold. im guessing it will be alittle cheaper.
thanks for the replys. keep them coming

[Popeye the Sailor]

She wouldn't mind the seat/tank setup on the 696 then. It only crushes yer nuts if you got 'em.

[NAKID]

The S2R 800 has slightly more power, weighs slightly more too. The bikes handle differently too I believe.

Nope, the 696 has almost 79 hp (78. and the 800 made 73...

[jdubbs32584]

Nope, the 696 has almost 79 hp (78. and the 800 made 73...

Ducati site says 77hp, unless I'm reading wrong, for the S2R 800.

You're right though. The 696 apparently has the best hp to liter ratio of all the air cooled Ducs (judging from the brief research I just did).

Still don't like it. 

To the OP:

Have your girl sit on both to find out what she's comfortable with ergonomically. I sat on the 696 and was .... uncomfortable .... due to being pushed into the tank (I'm a chick btw).

[babronc302]

I had the same decision to make about three month ago. After riding both on some quite substantial test rides I chose the 696. To me, the 696 feels more nimble and once you figure out how to place yourself on the seat, it can be pretty comfortable too. The riding position on the 696 is more upright than the 800 and to me it feels about right. I'm about 5'11" and the reach on the 696 is just where I like it where as the 800 was a little more stretched out. I think the OTD price on the '07 800 was about 8600 and I picked up a used 696 (73 miles) for just a little more. Every time I ride my 696, I know that it was the right choice. Ride them both and see which one delivers more smiles per mile...

[killerniceguy]

both are very nice bikes.

I am a little bias but I would go with the 800. With a couple tweeks the 800 is a awesome engine.

Tell me more about these "tweeks" you refer to?  I have a S2R800 and would like to make it just a little bit meaner.

KNG

[red baron]

I've ridden both and the 696 mops the floor with the 800.

In every aspect.

[kopfjäger]

Only one of them really looks like a Monster. 

[sfarchie]

The 696 seat problem can be resolved with the touring seat. For a mere $220 gals and guys will both be relieved of any intimacy with the tank.

[craigo]

I've ridden both and the 696 mops the floor with the 800.

In every aspect.

I've got *both* of these sitting in my garage and I respectfully disagree with the "mops the floor" comment.

My GF owns the 696 and I've got the 07 S2R, (good problem to have ). My experience from riding both is detailed below


'08 696 with Termis and a DP ECU.
vs
MY'07 S2R800 with Termis, DP ECU and DP no cat straight through exhaust manifolds.


Brakes -> My Duc Mechanic told me the 696 has the same front Brembos as the Hypermotard and the 848. Not sure if that is true, but the 696 brakes are phenomenally powerful. Not that the S2R800 brakes are bad, but there is a big difference. Everytime I get on the 696 the first two or three corners I almost get thrown over the bars.

Riding Position -> My GF picked the 696 as she is 5'4. The old shape monsters were just a little too tall for her out of the box (without lowering kits and stuff). The 696 appears to be the perfect height. The reach on the 696 is also ideal for her.  On the other hand, I'm 6'3. When I'm riding the 696 it feels like I am on a clown bike, there are arms and legs hanging off everywhere. If I put the balls of my feet on the pegs my feet almost touch the exhaust. Everytime I sit on the 696 with the Std seat I have to consciously remember to adjust my tackle or risk copping it in the nuts from the tank (this is loads better with the DP Comfort seat as someone else mentioned). The new monster shape is definitely more friendly for shorter folks.

Power delivery -> Both bike absolutely crack from ~5 grand till they hit the rev limiter. The 696 feels like it revs up quicker, but the s2r *feels* like it has more usable torque. If you weigh under 70Kgs then the 696 may have more usable power, but hauling around my 100KG carcass I reckon *my* S2R has a smidgeon more grunt than my GF's 696. We have had many animated arguments discussions on this, so one day we'll be off to get 'em both Dynoed and settle it once and for all (If my bike loses, I'm buying a streetfighter or something. Can't have the missus having a more powerful bike)

Handling -> The 696 is a shorter wheelbase. It feels a lot quicker to turn and nimbler through the turns. Almost too nimble IMO (maybe it's the slightly skinnier rear tyre or something). I think this is once again down to personal preference. Neither bike has anything serious in the way of adjustable suspension like the bigger monsters.

At the end of the day, I'd recommend riding both and working out if either one feels uncomfortable for whatever reason. After that, make a decision based on what you like the look of and what feels the most fun. I reckon you a clutching at straws trying to pick a clear winner based on any of the performance metrics of either bike.

My GF is extremely happy with her 696. It gets a hell of a lot more attention than my bike when they are both parked side by side as well*.




* yes, this pisses me off just a little.   



 

 

[Holden]

I've often read that people have trouble with the seat/tank/crotch area on the 696. I'm a guy and have no trouble at allâ€"in fact, there's probably enough room for a toddler to sit between me and the tank (no pædophile innuendo!). Coccyx right up against the cowl cover.

Maybe height has something to do with it? I'm 187 cm, so almost as tall as craigo... but I weigh 37 kg less. And my elbows are rarely open more than 100°, so maybe people are trying to sit too upright? It must have been designed for a more aggressive stance: as the shoulders go down, the butt will scoot back.

So there you have it. The 696 has a SBK seat/tank with apehangers and highway pegs standard. So it's a tourer with a bad seat, or it's a café racer with no clip-ons and rearsets. But either way it's confused.

How sporty is the girl in question? If panniers make her , she should be able to live with the 696's confusedness.