696 BASHING THREAD / POLL

[PizzaMonster]

I'm just curious as to why there is some much venom in the postings regarding this bike.

My attitude is "Live and let live".  If someone likes the 696 then fine.  Good for them. 

Where I begin to spew venom is when I hear that the Monster I know and love is on the endangered species list.  Practically every bike I have owned has gone out of production within a year of me buying it.  Maybe I'm just too old to understand but I still like the idea of a basic bike that appeals to my visceral side.  I don't care for fancy electronics and digital toys...ABS brakes or interchangeable tank panels.  I just want a bike that appeals to my emotions.  The "old" Monster does and the new one doesn't.   In three or five years when I want to trade my bike I don't think it will be for a 696 or any of its variants.  I will be looking for something like my S2R. 

The way things are going it probably won't be anything in the Ducati lineup and that really sucks for me. 

[the ron]

My attitude is "Live and let live".  If someone likes the 696 then fine.  Good for them. 

Where I begin to spew venom is when I hear that the Monster I know and love is on the endangered species list.  Practically every bike I have owned has gone out of production within a year of me buying it.  Maybe I'm just too old to understand but I still like the idea of a basic bike that appeals to my visceral side.  I don't care for fancy electronics and digital toys...ABS brakes or interchangeable tank panels.  I just want a bike that appeals to my emotions.  The "old" Monster does and the new one doesn't.   In three or five years when I want to trade my bike I don't think it will be for a 696 or any of its variants.  I will be looking for something like my S2R. 

The way things are going it probably won't be anything in the Ducati lineup and that really sucks for me. 

well said, that is pretty much how i feel.  :ohow much do i owe you , my group of therapists would charge me a ton for that kind of moment of clarity. 

the ron

[ArguZ]

Yes, this is exactly like I feel.
I dont know if Ducati cares if I like their bikes in the future.
I did so far and I shelled out some good money.
But probably I will grow old very fast and want a Multistrada or something GSish then 
GS is one of those bikes the press is full of nice words for...Especially here in Krautland.
Maybe because the rest of BWM is fugly too...who knows.
Magazines here didn't like the 620/695 that much...always compared it to the cheaper, more reliable,easy to handle SV650s and crap like that.
The 696 gets a lot better reviews..but its function over form..very German, thank you.
I fear the 696 WILL be a success
You know why ? We got our old Monsters anway .
And new people want new toys.
And its not a bad bike , of course not, its a real Ducati.
nuf said [moto]

[PizzaMonster]

well said, that is pretty much how i feel.  :ohow much do i owe you , my group of therapists would charge me a ton for that kind of moment of clarity. 

the ron

The really funny thing is that I wrote that "bit of clarity" last night after downing a couple of bottles of Pinot Grigio with dinner, testing a few various martinis recipes and then finishing off the night with 3 Irish coffees  !!          

So much for clarity   

[707soldier]

this is news to me  , there's a real Ducati and a fake Ducati..
Are they made in China? give me a break  . Now I heard everything 

[Bill in OKC]

This is the 696 bashing thread,  not the bash people who bash the 696 thread LOL.

[707soldier]

This is the 696 bashing thread,  not the bash people who bash the 696 thread LOL.

sorry, got to totally disagree with you on this,
but I understand people have their own opinions (however misguided they are) 

[Popeye the Sailor]

sorry, got to totally disagree with you on this,
but I understand people have their own opinions (however misguided they are) 

Why do you care what other people think of your bike?

[PizzaMonster]

Why do you care what other people think of your bike?

Maybe b/c he's just a poser?     

I'm starting to think that 707 is only here to act as the ron's alter-ego   

[gearhead]

I dont know if Ducati cares if I like their bikes in the future.

You may be right but what is clear to most of us is that change is good in most things in life. There are still a minority that only prefer things never change but this is unrealistic. You guys can keep your old bikes and restore others and put them on a pedastile or what ever you want but for many many others change or progression is good and stagnation is bad.

[707soldier]

Why do you care what other people think of your bike?

why not 

[707soldier]

Maybe b/c he's just a poser?     

I'm starting to think that 707 is only here to act as the ron's alter-ego   

theRon  is my alter ego 

[Popeye the Sailor]

why not 

Because one is a really nice way to go through like and the other isn't?

[Bad Kitty]

guess how i voted? I am a man before a motorcyclist

the ron

Amen to that!

Hey, I tried to get a guy to photograph me on the new Monster - he just tuned red and asked me to leave, but go back after hours?  Weird.  I mean, is it considered socially irresponsible to sit naked on a bike in a dealership?  I had little choice since I can't buy one yet.  Some people are so sensitive.

[zvezdah1]

First all monsters ever built are BUTT UGLY, look in the dictionary for definition of ugly you'll find a pic of a monster, so saying the 696 is ugly is really accurate in comparison to other monsters, now other bikes like the brutale...............that's another story!

BTW> I've had a couple monsters over the years and enjoyed them immensely, and love the new 696, a very capable bike for what it's designed for.

The other thing I've got to wonder, who gives a rat's a** what others opinions are of the 696, if you like it that's all that really matters in the scheme of things. Unless the detractors are making part of the monthly payment for you, no room for their opinions!

Chris