Picked up the 696 yesterday (Updated)!

[Snips]

Yes. The headlight is 
Somehow i can't see the Monster in Ducati's future being their #1 seller anymore if they go with the 696 layout

As others have noted, if it doesn't sell, this won't be the layout of the Monster's future. If it does, better get used to it 

[SteveH]

Guys,
  Here's a photo of the fairing:



Im sure the brakes are awesome - but I still only have about 20mi on it; so Im trying to get the pads seated.  Just to confirm what others have already said - the gearing on the bike is way tall; and kinda makes slower speeds kinda 'snatchy'.  As I am really trying hard not to lug the engine; but at the same time keep it in the 3000-5500 range, the gearing is a PIA for 'round town.
I did get out into some nice back roads though - and I am VERY impressed as to how this thing handles.  Steering is razor sharp, and the transmission is getting smoother. 

Break-in is a PIA 

-Steve

[aaronb]

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

[Snips]

Just to confirm what others have already said - the gearing on the bike is way tall; and kinda makes slower speeds kinda 'snatchy'.  As I am really trying hard not to lug the engine; but at the same time keep it in the 3000-5500 range, the gearing is a PIA for 'round town.
I did get out into some nice back roads though - and I am VERY impressed as to how this thing handles.  Steering is razor sharp, and the transmission is getting smoother. 

Break-in is a PIA 

-Steve

Thanks for the fairing shot - a long shot for the general impression of a white look would be good

I had exactly your experience, very difficult to ride at in town speeds as it was/is quite snatchy. My theory was that my lower torque 620 had allowed me to develop bad clutch habits at low speed - the extra power of the 696 shows!  I reckon I'm now better (after 500 miles), plus the gearbox is more bedded in.

[the ron]

Guys,
  Here's a photo of the fairing:



-Steve

HEY, how did a shiver end up on this site?    i thought this was the DMF?  Oh wait, my bad, thats a kawasaki versys.

the ron

[Duc L'Smart]

Very nice... Congrats, & Welcome! Love the white

[Popeye the Sailor]

Nice looking bike! Congrats!

[somegirl]

Sweet bike, thanks for sharing! [moto]

[danaid]

HEY, how did a shiver end up on this site?    i thought this was the DMF?  Oh wait, my bad, thats a kawasaki versys.

the ron

Getting old dude, I have the same beautiful bike but in red, I'm the kinda guy that would smash your face in if you said such rude things to me in person, getting old.

[Spider]

nice bike! that fairing is pretty small - but the good news is that a carbon instrument cover (from the DP accessories catalog) will not be hidden by it. These things are going to look great once the mods start happening.

Put some Termi's (without stickers) and they are going to be MEAN.

I don't understand why people get grouchy with the new look - just do what I did and buy an older dss 'classic' no one forces you to ride these things - there isn't Ducati police that say "you must buy the new bike".

congratulations, enjoy the ride, do the first 600 miles as quickly as you can so that the first important service is done.

Have a great ride 

[Howie]

Congrats!!

[lethe]

Is the headlight nice and bright at least?
Based on the negative reactions to the look of it, maybe it'd be fun to put one on my 620 just to piss people off and if it's bright I'd think about it. 

[SteveH]

Is the headlight nice and bright at least?
Based on the negative reactions to the look of it, maybe it'd be fun to put one on my 620 just to piss people off and if it's bright I'd think about it. 

So I got about an hour of night riding on it yesterday - and I am really starting to like the headlight.  The lowbeam
is pretty good - but what is interesting is the high-beam.  It is the lower of the two sections; and not only projects light quite a way away; but it SERIOUSLY lights up the space in front of the bike.  Kinda reminded me of an old piper-cub landing light.....Pretty interesting.   Tonight I will try to get a photo of the beams for ya.

[Got Duc]

Congrats on that sweet bike.

[lethe]

So I got about an hour of night riding on it yesterday - and I am really starting to like the headlight.  The lowbeam
is pretty good - but what is interesting is the high-beam.  It is the lower of the two sections; and not only projects light quite a way away; but it SERIOUSLY lights up the space in front of the bike.  Kinda reminded me of an old piper-cub landing light.....Pretty interesting.   Tonight I will try to get a photo of the beams for ya.

Thanks, I might entertain this blasphemous thought just for the sake of being different. If any of you 696 riders ditch your light for something different, let me know. Depending on the price, your junk can be my treasure.