696 = "New Coke" Current Monster = "Coke Classic"

[psycledelic]

I just wonder if the Suzukatistas are gonna have this much debate when they finally quit painting the GSXRs blue and white?  I love my S2R, wet clutch, stacked exhaust,  and all.  When I wear it out, I will go get another and pick from what Ducati offers.  As long as it makes enough noise to irritate my neighbors and I can take off the Mickey Mouse mirrors.  I am not to hard to please.

[PizzaMonster]

  When I wear it out, I will go get another and pick from what Ducati some other company offers.  As long as it makes enough noise to irritate my neighbors and I can take off the Mickey Mouse mirrors. 

Yeah......In the end I'll probably adopt a similar attitude.  Funny thing is two years ago when I started thinking seriously about Ducati the Monster was number one in my mind.  I  also loved the look of the SuperSports but they've gone extinct.  Finally, I'd thought that someday when I wanted to be "respectable" an ST of some description might be in my future.  It's gone now too!

Hmmmmm...New Monster style?  Nah...Looks good on paper ....Just doesn't do it for me.....
                   HyperMotard??.....Nope...probably a lot of fun but I'm past that stage in life.....
                   848 or 1098??....Hmmm....Very pretty however no illusions of being a roadracer here....
                   Sport Classic.....Well...If I really wanted an antique I'd just get a Harley.....
               

Jeez.....What's left??      I guess I never really was a Ducati guy after all.     

edit:  Wow!!  I can't believe it took me this long to figure it out!  After reading my own post it became obvious though.  Ducati could care less about my sorry "late middle-aged" demographic.  Hell ...We'll all be too old and crippled to even ride in a few years anyway.   

[psycledelic]

Yeah......In the end I'll probably adopt a similar attitude.  Funny thing is two years ago when I started thinking seriously about Ducati the Monster was number one in my mind.  I  also loved the look of the SuperSports but they've gone extinct.  Finally, I'd thought that someday when I wanted to be "respectable" an ST of some description might be in my future.  It's gone now too!

Hmmmmm...New Monster style?  Nah...Looks good on paper ....Just doesn't do it for me.....
                   HyperMotard??.....Nope...probably a lot of fun but I'm past that stage in life.....
                   848 or 1098??....Hmmm....Very pretty however no illusions of being a roadracer here....
                   Sport Classic.....Well...If I really wanted an antique I'd just get a Harley.....
               

Jeez.....What's left??      I guess I never really was a Ducati guy after all.     

edit:  Wow!!  I can't believe it took me this long to figure it out!  After reading my own post it became obvious though.  Ducati could care less about my sorry "late middle-aged" demographic.  Hell ...We'll all be too old and crippled to even ride in a few years anyway.   

Wow, I sure didn't mean to lead you down that path.  Come on back man.  Have some faith.  My advice is for you to walk into your local shop and hold a 1098 in your arms.  Snuggle with it if neccessary.  Let it be your Yoda and guide you through these troubled times. 

[ArguZ]

As much as I like the 848s look, I don't like the hardness and position.
Seems I am going down touring lane so I will probably check on the ST3 sooner or later.
A Speed Triple looks nice too...and there is the new Benelli 899.
Ahhh...so many bike, to little money  [moto]

[Bill in OKC]

Hmmmmm...New Monster style?  Nah...Looks good on paper ....Just doesn't do it for me.....
                   HyperMotard??.....Nope...probably a lot of fun but I'm past that stage in life.....
                   848 or 1098??....Hmmm....Very pretty however no illusions of being a roadracer here....
                   Sport Classic.....Well...If I really wanted an antique I'd just get a Harley.....

You have just brought up something else that has been bugging me.  This new design signals a major shift (IMHO) in Monster philosophy.  The naked sportbike - a sportbike that has had the bodywork removed.  There really was an illusion of being a roadracer on the street before.   The new-coke monster is not really an 851, 888 or 848 frame.  It is no longer a naked version of Ducati's superbike.

[wbeck257]

The 696's frame is more like the Desmodeci's -- which to me screams that frame is based off the top of the line Ducati superbike.

[M900Sie]

If you go with the idea that the monster was the "illusion of being a roadracer on the street" because of the frame, then that breed of monster died in 02 when all monsters started to be made with ST series frames and the 851/888 framed monsters ceased to exist.

[ArguZ]

Well, point taken.
As I said the frame is not the problem.
Its the fugly collection of plastic crap around it.
It makes it look so childish and not powerful and strong at all.
Been to the dealer again and they put it next to the Brutale 910 and Benelli 899
THATs a big mistake , I tell you.
696 is Kindergarten on wheels.
The $4Rs behind(!) that trio looks like the aunt supervising the wild kids

[Bill in OKC]

If you go with the idea that the monster was the "illusion of being a roadracer on the street" because of the frame, then that breed of monster died in 02 when all monsters started to be made with ST series frames and the 851/888 framed monsters ceased to exist.

I guess "illusion" is the operative word. 

Here is a write up on the ST4 frame:

The frame is basically a Monster trellis, itself derived from the 851/888. A 916-style rear suspension linkage brings up the rear

[Bill in OKC]

The 696's frame is more like the Desmodeci's -- which to me screams that frame is based off the top of the line Ducati superbike.

IMHO the 696 looks more like it is related to the Buell Blast than the Desmosedici - but that is just me.

[MendoDave]

If you go with the idea that the monster was the "illusion of being a roadracer on the street" because of the frame, then that breed of monster died in 02 when all monsters started to be made with ST series frames and the 851/888 framed monsters ceased to exist.

The frame may not be superbike on the 696, But I believe the 696 shares wheels, suspension, Instrument cluster, and other bits off the 848.

[707soldier]

Well, point taken.
As I said the frame is not the problem.
Its the fugly collection of plastic crap around it.
It makes it look so childish and not powerful and strong at all.
Been to the dealer again and they put it next to the Brutale 910 and Benelli 899
THATs a big mistake , I tell you.
696 is Kindergarten on wheels.
The $4Rs behind(!) that trio looks like the aunt supervising the wild kids

 

[Incisor]

I saw the same thing when the new SV650 from Suzuki came out.
The old SV has a cult following (me included) and Hell broke loose.
It's been 4-5 years now and they still talk about it on soem forums.
But Suzuki stick with it and now I think the old one has an outdated, almost ugly, look.
Of course, technology wise, the new SV was better than the old one.
I predict the same will happen with the 696 if the mechanics is as good.
Can't stop progress...

[MendoDave]

Id like to see Honda update the VTR1000.

[Raux]

I think this goes the same route as the early 90's SS and the last SS. A lot of people didn't like it, but it was based on the supermono which was WAY sportier. I think we should trust Ducati on the direction they are taking. The 'old style' bikes seem to be playing out and IMHO good riddance. The SS will HAVE to be replaced soon enough and the new Monster frame/parts is a great place to start. The new Monster is more aggressive and more confortable right out of the box than the original. Add a 1098 motor to the new lighter and better handling Monster and WOAH! Now add supersexy Desmosedici-style body work and you have the new SS.

Give the new Monster 2 years to get to the 1098 motor and then let's relook at what people are saying. In a lot of ways, this new Monster has a lot of features original Monster owners wanted (the high exhausts, short tail  and lower front end).

Plus I love the new narrow waist look of the bike, and enjoy the HELL out of riding it!