696: Beating a dead horse... from another angle.

[il d00d]

The 696 hata's thread got me to thinking - it was apparent to me that with the redesign that Ducati was reaching out to people outside their core ridership.  Otherwise, I think they would have made the new Monster more Monster-y.  I am curious to see how many coverts we have among us.  Discuss.  Er, vote.

[CairnsDuc]

All to hard to figure out
So I went with Boobies! 

[Big Troubled Bear]

Boobies yeah!!!!!!!!!!

[psycledelic]

Love it or hate it, I refuse to decide.   I will make my mind up when my S2R dies and I am forced to buy another.  In Ducati's defense, sooner or later you have to throw something out to attract a new crowd.  Now let's just wait and see if they slap something nasty underneath.  130+hp might be a mind changing event for a lot of people.  I will say that after seeing a Dark in the shop with the Termi's, the pics don't do the thing justice.  Oh yea, I went with Boobies!

[SolidSnake3035]

Well I don't have one yet, but I hope to sometime soon...

I like the location of the pipes/exhaust, I've never been a fan of the low-down ones at all.

I think that I would likely have to do too much to one of the other Monsters to make it look really the way I'd like it.  But with the 696 all I'd really need to do(other than carbon replacements) to make it ideal for me would be to eliminate the huge license plate holder.  As far as looks go I mean.

To me it feels like the 695 is leaning just a TINY bit towards a "standard" bike where the 696 is a little bit more sleek, something that I'd be looking for.

[Lars D]

Boobies  is the only answer for this subject.

[the ron]

Boobies  is the only answer for this subject.

yes, boobies

the ron

[herm]

i also voted for the boobies.

[thejsnide]

I agree with psycledelic in the fact that eventually companies want to, and have to, try something new...  Look at the new WRX STI or EVOLUTION X, I know, I know these are cars, but two highly praised sport cars. The new models don't look nearly as good as the older ones do, and the makers new that... they are just trying to appeal to a different crowd.  Sorry to bring cars into this, its my first love.  Oh yeah, I voted for boobies.

[BomberHead]

i guess you could say i am one of the new crowd. because i have never been interested in ducati until the release of the 696. i love my 696 with all my cycle loving heart and i don't see what the big deal is. its a good bike for the $. end.

[DRKWNG]

And I guess I am on the polar opposite side of the spectrum.  So much so that I sold my S2R and am replacing it with a Sport1000.  Don't get me wrong, I love the look of the classic monsters (seems a little strange calling the S?R's classic) but I like the more retro bikes better.  Hopefully I will have another monster in my stable some day, but that will depend on what direction the line takes. 

And for the record, boobies won me over.

[munrokicker]

I am a convert!  Used to own a Honda RR.  I am in my mid 20's and wanted something more versatile.  Picked up my white 696 a couple days ago and can't stay off the thing.  Ducati got my attention:)

[PizzaMonster]

The 696 is not for Monster lovers.  It's for some other group of riders.  Nice jap bike...but not a Monster.


(sorry for this post...I just got back from a serious night of drinking and my real  opinion just kinda snuck out  before I could catch it      )

[the ron]

I am a convert!  Used to own a Honda RR.  I am in my mid 20's and wanted something more versatile.  Picked up my white 696 a couple days ago and can't stay off the thing.  Ducati got my attention:)

i was the same way in my mid twenties. i liked the more trendy machines. i never would have wanted a machine with mickey mouse mirrors and a single round headlight back in my earlier days.  as i grew older i began to dislike that cheesy race replica  style. its so shallow to me. so,  as a true monster lover i am devestated at the design direction. instead of appealing to monster types it will now appeal to crotch rocket types. which is fine. i only wish they would call it something else. it is not a monster.  maybe you are not old enough to remember when coke changed their formula to compete with pepsi. it was one of the biggest corporate blunders in history. this to me is on the same page moto wise.

and i am glad you like your machine, everyone should like their ride. I would maybe even settle for the monster II and the monster Classic series, but to look forward to a future where this is the only outlet for monster owners is sad.

the ron

[707soldier]

theRon, here ya go  Sorry, Ducati no longer caters to you.
They won't make any money if they do 

http://www.ducati.com/en/bikes/my2008/ModelPage.jhtml?family=Monster&model=M696-08