Ducati Monster Forum

I'm coming from a monster 620.  What I liked about it was how easy it was to handle at low speeds.  I don't know if the 848 will be like that, given the aggressive position.  But in the turns, the 848 will be so much more fun. Is the 696 a bit more aggressive than the old design?

My next bike will be used on highway more. but a lot of city riding too.

Also I heard the 848 requires a lot less servicing, like it goes longer without valve adjustments.

Any insight to help me decide?

Unless you'll be doing track days or lots of high speed riding, you'll have more fun on a 696, especially if you do ANY city riding.

I had a M620 and went to a 848 after I binned the monster. 

The 848 is an amazing bike, but riding in the city and commuting on slab isn't fun.  The 848 shines on the track... no doubt about it

I put 7700 miles on my 848 in just over a year of ownership and I've loved every mile.  (2 trackdays, 2 long weekend spirited rides, and multiple local spirited rides)   [thumbsup]

7500 mile service - all valves were still in spec.  PM me if you want to know what the cost breakdown was

4v services will take a bit longer labor wise than 2v, you have 2x the valves to get checked. 

Oh yeah the spark plugs on the 848 are a center fire types and are not cheap

SBK mods tend to be a bit more expensive - my full Termi exhaust was 3k + dyno time. 

The 848 MPGs i(~37 normal riding) a lot less than my M620 (55+)

It took a bit of adjusting to get used to the ergs of the 848 when compared to the M620. 

I miss my M620, it was just a great overall bike.  It was really an ideal commuter bike for me.  It did well in the twisties and was easy on the wallet.

I'd say for a commuter bike the 696 may be the better bet, unless you are going to trackdays and lots of spirited rides.

For kicks, here's a recent pic I got of the bike for a charity fund raiser  [thumbsup]
(http://willtnt.smugmug.com/photos/449840711_siRES-O.jpg)

The 696 and the 848 have the same service intervals.
If anything the 848 is more expensive to service, seeing how it has twice the amount of valves to adjust.

Is the 848 horrible for city riding?  Hard to handle at low speeds?

I doubt I'll see any track days.

After 14k miles on a 2002 620 I went to the 696 and never looked back. Great bike, even more fun than the 620.

I own a 695 and have ridden both the 848 and 1098. I haven't ridden the 696. The 848 is an amazing bike but if you can only have one bike and are looking for versatility, the 848 won't be the one. It's got an aggressive riding position and is not happy in traffic, especially in hot weather. Gets very hot when sitting at lots of red lights. I personally don't care for the look of the new Monsters, but that's subjective of course. Have you considered a Sport 1000? That's a sweet ride. I'm considering it for my next bike.

I'm sure the 848 works better in town than my 888.  I won't ride the 888 at all in stop and go traffic, since it tends to get hot as low speeds and the riding position is not great for low-speed stuff.  It's wonderful in the hills on twisty roads, though.

I've taken an 848 for a test ride and it has wonderful power, but not a great riding position for low speed stuff.  If anything it's harder on the wrists than my 888 is.

I'm not sure I would say that the 848 is hard to handle at low speeds, but the 696 is much, much easier to deal with at low speeds.

I wouldn't say the 848 is horrible for city riding... but it's like trying to keep a race horse in the gates.

The undertail exhaust does throw a lot of heat to your right leg.

I can't really say it's hard to handle at low speeds, I've just adjusted to it. 

hmm points noted.

I will go tool around on a 848 sometime.  Yeah I know the monster is probably much better for the city.

If I can't back out a 848 on a slight hill, I'll get the monster.

What's your inseam?  I have a 30" inseam and tippytoe on the bike (32.3" seat height). 

It takes a bit more effort to back the bike up on a hill.  Sometimes I just hop off and walk it back

The basic position of the new Monster isn't much different than the classic monsters (I won't call them old).  And like the classics, you can adjust it to fit your needs a good bit and more easily than the SBK.  If you like a bike that is easy to handle a low speeds, then go monster (what about an 1100?) or HyperMotard.

The 848 is great - but doesn't come alive until you're breaking most speed limits.  In a parking lot it gave me the nerevs - it's so ready to fall into a turn that a slow speeds it just feels like it'll fall over at an second.

Also, the 696 and 848 really aren't comparable power wise.  I ride a tuned up 900, which is probably a bit more powerful that the 696, but not that much.  Riding the 848... lots more power - very controlled smooth power, but it just kept giving.  If you're seeking more power, a 696 is up on the 620 by a good bit but not near as much as the 848, a new 1100 would be some place inbetween

City = Monster/Motard
Fast canyons/track = 848

As noted by others - that's 100% upside down.  The service intervals are the same at 7500 mi.  But the SBK has twice the valves, more expensive belts, water cooling systems to service and fairings to get under.  

If you want low maintenance,  a 2v air cooled is the way to go

my jeans say 32L.  i liked flat footing my monster

hmm maybe i'll rent a 848 for a weekend

just a thought. but price point wise, why are you comparing the 696 to the 848? if you are thinking just displacement it's off.

the 848 should really be compared to the 1100S Monster in this comparison. they are the same price.

http://www.ducati.com/en/bikes/my2009/popup_double_comparison.jhtml?first_id=1065&second_id=1075&modelName=M1100S-09&family=&part=comparison&x=45&y=0 (http://www.ducati.com/en/bikes/my2009/popup_double_comparison.jhtml?first_id=1065&second_id=1075&modelName=M1100S-09&family=&part=comparison&x=45&y=0)


i think in this case if you look at specs and think about the ergos. the Monster wins. (other than hp)

Yeah, look at the clutch row  ;)

Ouch!

My dry clutch is on order  [cheeky]

I vote for the Desmosedici. It's an awesome commuter!!

 Wait for the monster 1100. I love my 696, and I mostly use it as a commuter, but I need a little more power for the hills and twisties.

i'm not a big fan of dry clutch.  i can't imagine having everyone keep asking if my bike is broken

true, if you keep the stock cover on it shouldn't be very loud

I'd vote for the Monster 1100 as well.  I used to own an 848 and I now own a Hypermotard 1100S which has the same motor as the new Monster.  It's a fantastic motor for around town and on the highways.

There 848 was terrible around town.  The riding position was too aggressive, it didn't make that much power below 7,000 and the heat from the exhaust was very uncomfortable.  In the back roads, it's a great bike but it still deserves to be on the track.  I think the Monster is just a better all around choice as a street bike.

Personally I think the 848 is horrible for city riding. Well, maybe not horrible, but not all that good. It's hard not to lean on your wrists in stop and go traffic, and the bike throws off a lot of heat in traffic. It also can't carry much...although the Monster is similar in that regard. I commute on mine every so often, but always am thankful when I hop back on the Multi. My old M900 was MUCH better in town.

It's not hard to handle at low speeds, although it isn't as easy as my old Monster, and definitely not as easy as the Multi.

Now...on a nice curvy road, or the track...it friggin' rocks. If my wife would let me I'd turn my 848 into a track only bike, and always ride my Multi otherwise...but she like to ride the 848 now and again, so I have to leave it street legal. The 848 is an awesome bike...but I think a Monster would be better for city riding.

My vote...M1100.  ;D  Suck it up and get a dry clutch nancy boy!!  ;D ;D (I like my wet 848 clutch better...but a clutch isn't a reason to buy or not buy a bike IMO. The M1100 has too many benefits over the M696 to ignore. Dry clutches are still awesome).

Why? Bike not heavy enough as is?  :-*


j/k...I actually like the wet 848 clutch better than the dry one on my MTS, or M900. Mainly because of how smooth it is...butter.  ;D

I used to have a M620, then I went to a 748, and now I'm back on another Monster, this time the 696. So I know where you're coming from. It's true after having ridden a SBK, the power difference is really noticeable. But the SBK was an angry beast, and can't compare to the amount of FUN I get to have on the 696 in a variety of riding situations. It's nice to have the comparison because for the kind of riding I want to do, a SBK will just collect dust unless I'm going to the track. I'd prefer to have a SBK as my secondary form of transport and may end up getting a used 848 in a couple years  ;D ;D

The 696's power is much better than the 620, I believe by 20 hp. I've put 5300 mi on mine since I bought it in July, mostly spirited riding through the twisities and some commuting. The 696's seating position is much more natural with the reach being a little closer and being slightly more upright. This bike is great for commuting and tearing it up on twisties IMO. Like some other some other posts have said, you could also hold out for the 1100 since pricewise its on par with the 848. But you could save yourself an arm and and a leg, get the 696 and then just trick it out  ;D

Definatley test ride both  [thumbsup]

Whenever I tell someone I have a Ducati it goes the same way: "I've always loved those noisy clutches!" they say. And then I have to tell them that mine's not special. :P

(Plus they look infinitely better!)
(https://secure.speedymoto.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/01-0205BLK.jpg)

It's cheaper than buying another Duc  [thumbsup]

848
848
848

BTW, did I mention...
848

[Sorry, but I hate the new Monsters]

PS
You could wait and get the Streetfighter [the NEW Monster imo].

Good thread to read as I am in the process of getting off my 620 and getting onto an 848.
Mostly because the 620 has been on the track 5 times in 3 months with me and it`s time to swap.
I was considering waiting for the new M1100s, I know I could learn to love it especially with the added
touches we on the DML like to do for our bikes.

Right now though the 848 has my attention, I am looking for a pre-loved bike to save a few bucks.
For the limited road riding I have done lately I know I can live with the draw backs of having an SBK only.
Given the major  ;D ;D it will provide for track days.

I intend to put a Monster back in the garage in 12 months or so and it will depend on what I can find on the
pre-loved market again, but most likely an S2R 1000.

The 620 was a great platform to start on, it has lovely manners and generally doesn`t bite unless you really
provoke it. For city commuter riding buying an SBK only would be not such a great idea and if you don`t plan on getting it on the track then there is almost no point.
A Monster commutes better and can also keep up with many SBK`s on most roads and would also be cheaper to run if you are putting greater miles on your bike.

Cheers Matty
looking forward to 848 ;D`s

I've been wanting an 848 too but after reading some of the comments here I'll likely just keep the M900 and the Gixxer 750 as the 750 is pretty civilized in hot weather and traffic. It ain't too shabby out on the open road either.

[bang] [bang] [bang] [bang]

I make ^ this comment in love because Mac and I are riding buddies.  ;)

And by the way, Anne offered to lend me her 848 so we can get a feel for it.   ;D ;D ;D

IMO the 696/1100 are the true successors to the original monster. the Streetfighter takes over the 4V Monsters (or 2nd gen monsters).

ie aircooled = monster
watercooled = Streetfighter

the watercooled monsters started as something people were doing in their shops i think Lyle Lovett did the first one. it was never the original intention of Ducati.

Yeah, I agree with that.  My S4RS is my first Ducati; an impulse buy after a test ride that I have NEVER regretted!  And though I've long wanted a Ducati, I really knew nothing of the product line outside a few models.  In fact, I went in to ride the 1098, but it was recommended I ride the S4RS.  I said, "No, never heard of it.  Now, where's the 1098.  Rode both, bought the Monster.

Anyway, after I became obsessed with all things Ducati because I finally owned one, I found, imo, that the aircooled Monsters were a better platform aesthetically for modifying.  They produced cleaner lines and were obviously easier to strip down to the bare essentials.  I like that.

But I also like the horsepower of my bike.   [moto]

definitley no denying the HP benefit of the 4v watercooled. but that sort of was the first streetfighter. the original stripped down superbikes. the Monster originally was never conceived as such. it was more a naked SS. lightweight, simple, clean. the addition of all the plumbing, the trick SSS and other components made it more a barenaked SBK.

honestly the move of building the SF put things back in order at Ducati for me.

now all they need to do is have the SS built off the new monster platform and we have completeness.

sorry for the threadjack.

buy the 1100S Monster  [moto] you will be happy about choice in the long run.

you have a standard bike and you are wondering if you should buy a racebike? Ask yourself what usage you want out of it.
IMO you don't need a race-bike if you are riding on the slab with the odd track day.
Be realistic.

but you have to remember most people buy the 1098 or 848 for one simple reason.. they look really cool.

all those bikes like the cbr, gxr, r6, r1, zx, etc sell like crazy and they are all pretty much geared toward the same thing as the ducati superbikes which is track riding, with the position, etc.  most peopl that buy those bikes never go on the track and maybe some go to the occasional track day with even fewer being hardcore track racers and trackday freaks.

SOOOOOO which one did you buy?