Hi from Raleigh NC

[Nash04]

Am looking at buying a 2011 Monster 696 soon and wanted to introduce myself.

Been riding bikes since I was a kid which was a long.....time ago.  My first road bike was Yamaha RD-400 (what a bike) then I had other Japanese bikes and my last one was a 06 Concourse which was real nice but a tad too heavy for me.

A friend of mine is looking at buying a 696 so this got me interested and realize their resell value are much better that Japanese bikes.  One thing that I'll need to do; purchase a riser kit since due to my age and poor back so I can ride more upright so be ready to answer some questions that have already been ask ( if you don't mind) have read many post concerning this issue.

Again Hello 

[herm]

welcome. i wouldn't base my purchase decision on resale value, but thats just me. as for riding position......have you looked at the Hyper motard? or the Multistrada?

best of luck in your hunt for a bike!

[Nash04]

Thanks for the info and I did look at those models but they are way over my budget.

Nowadays with the economy going south, I need to look at resale value just in case I do need to sell it asap.

I know there are other bikes that are more in an upright position but the 696 is sweet looking and has enough power to satisfy my needs 

[Curmudgeon]

Welcome!

How tall and how antique are you?  (Takes one to know one!)

This is ~ $400 plus labor and has everything you need probably. http://www.ducati.com/accessories/chassis_and_brake_systems/complete_aluminium_handlebar_kit_with_throttle__brake_and_clutch_cables_/215/index.do?urlBack=%2Faccessories%2Fsearch%2Findex.do%3FkeyWord%3D%26pageNumber%3D4%26idBikeFamily%3D22%26idModelBike%3D%26idModelYear%3D0%26idCategory%3D0%26nameOrder%3Dasc%26sortOrder%3Dname

You may need to do something with the seat as well. I'd recommend this. http://www.sargentcycle.com/ducws6961000.htm

I opted for a 796 because you get so much more bike for relatively little cash..., but I realize that might be over budget.

Good Luck!

[Nash04]

LOL!  That would not look good on the monster, am 5'9" and half a century, back was injured while I was young doing crazy stunts and am now paying for it.  Thinking about getting the LSL Handlebar Riser Kits Through Spiegler if they make one for it.  Have read many post and it seems like there's allot of riser/bars to chose from.  Now just waiting for the weather to get better and go pick up the bike.

Thanks for the info

[Curmudgeon]

We have similar MO's then.  AND..., 66 going on 106! (High mileage )

On the link I posted above, that's a complete DP kit which is "only" for 696 and guaranteed to work and 100% "sanitary". Anything else you do may well require the same line and cable swaps and could easily cost more and be "fiddly".

[Nash04]

Planning on buying this bike once the paperwork is done and the weather is better;

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=61222.0

[Curmudgeon]

Looks nice and already has a 14T but may need a belt change in the summer. How is Ducati Raleigh? I'm between Richmond and Charlottesville and my nearest good dealer is in Winchester, ~ 140 miles NW.

We had no snow last night but wind chill is 20 F (-7 C) at the moment and I hear you!

[Nash04]

Why would I need a belt change, the bike only has 500 miles unless it's due to not being ridding.

Yeah!  It's cold here also and was icy this morning, can't wait for the weather to get better.

There's a new dealer at 9004 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh.  Pretty nice place and Larry knows his bike.  They just open a couple of months ago, they're having a grand opening in March, can't recall the weekend.

[Curmudgeon]

Belts are 15,000 miles or two years from in-service date. You might get a season out of them but I would not press my luck too far. Be aware!

Glad to hear your new dealer has a lot of Ducati experience. Hopefully good with a computer too! Ducatis are a far cry from a UJM. ;

[Nash04]

Ouch that sucks, hopefully they're not that hard to replace.

Thanks for the info.

They're suppose to have their new web site online sometime soon.

[Curmudgeon]

Let the dealer do it. On my old Pantah it was fairly easy as everything was exposed. Not sure HOW much cr*p you'd need to remove on these new ones but that upper cover might be tricky to fish out.

Of course, you CAN do it yourself. Not fun if you get the tension wrong or the belt off one tooth...

On a service with a valve adjustment it's always good to check everything, including the adjuster bearings. At 500 miles, should be no issue for another 7,000 miles.

Keep air in the tires and hope they last that long. I have my fingers crossed at 4,000 miles with service due in July. The service light on yours will come on at 600 and the dealer needs to reset it. That service light can't be cancelled UNTIL it comes on.

[Slide Panda]

Welcome - I pass through your area now and again on the way to my Folks house. Totally drive by, but the area seems nice.

And once you get the bike, and want to tweak, plenty of advice to be had here.

[Nash04]

If anybody hears of a 696 for sale in this area, let me know.  Have a friend who's looking for one but has no luck in this area.  Most of them are in the North East and she doesn't want to drive that far.  She's able to afford around $6500.00

Thanks 

[Slide Panda]

Well, I'm up in DC - so probably beyond the distance she's looking to cover. But there's usually some for sale around here..