Ducati Monster Forum

  Hey all,

  My wife currently rides an S2R800 which she owned had since the first ones hit the streets.  She is looking to upgrade as her bike is at the point where the mileage makes them relatively worthless in a market with lots of low mileage garage queens around.  When the 696 first came out I rode her S2R down for a test ride of the new bike and was very impressed:  It felt better in almost every was than the 800!  However, my ride was short and it's easy to be blinded by new bike syndrome [thumbsup]
  So has anyone else made this move?  Any regrets?  Let us know. We would love to hear it.

I would think that would be a pretty lateral move.

Terrible move.  I don't understand why she would want to upgrade just because the value of the bike is relatively low.  This is the time to cherish the bike and use it up. 

Also, I think she will be downgrading in the engine department.   

Power numbers for the 800 and 696 are pretty close. So there's no real change there. 696 brakes are better, and there's the possibility of ABS now. But the suspension is on par... so at least on paper it's not much of an upgrade.

You say the 696 felt better than the 800 - care to illuminate us? I haven't been on a 696 yet... I was slotted for a 696 demo when an 848 came free.. terrible shame I had to swap.

  I left out a little more info that will help explain the move.

  The S2R had to be lowered via new rear link and dropping the forks as she is little.  Surprisingly, the handling wasn't affected too much, however ground clearance was.  After dragging the cat converter in corners, it finally got severely damaged and was replaced with a Quat-D mid-pipe.  That too was damaged later as she is a fairly aggressive rider .  The 696 has the higher exhaust routing and at stock height would not have to be lowered because she can get decent footing on it in the showroom.

  As for the concern over moving downwards in the engine department:

  From time to time I claim the little S2R monster to head out for a little twisty road fun.  In a large group of guys who were all talking smack over breakfast the little Monster was only second to the 996 of a buddy of mine who races at the end of the road.  Is it good for big wheelies like my Superduke?  No  Can it be made to haul?  Yes.  She does just fine on it as well and has no desire for more power, and even manges to outride most of the people that we ride with.  Combine this with my short-time-in-the-saddle-seat-of-the-pants impression of the 696, and it feels slighty more powerful (likely due to lower weight and lower gearing).  She could get the 1100, but wouldn't necessarily need the power, plus like most bikes:  it's too damed high for her!

  And yep, we'll admit that the mileage thing is self justificaiton for new bike fever.  Can you blame her?  If I let it justify it for her - she has to let it work for me too - no? ;D

  But again, has anyone had long term experience with both?

Makes sense to me.  You will take a beating selling the S2R800 and buying a 696 from the dealer, but you have legit reasons.  Let's see some pics of her on her new bike in the near future. 

I like the look of the s2r over the 696 Iam sorry  its just my 2 cents. I would put boom tubs and a dp ecu or fatduc

  How 'bout the old bike for now?

(http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m44/HighSide_2006/Rt10.jpg)

WOW, she is really cute!

Sorry, just had to be a smart a55 this evening.  If that is a current pic, that S2R is in fabulous shape.

The bike looks like it has been lowered quite a bit and she is still not flat footed.  It looks like she is on her toes. 

You mentioned the cat. converter (udder) and a Quat D midpipe was damaged since the bike was lowered and she is an agressive rider.  Perhaps a custom made midpipe would solve the cornering clearence issue.   

There's a short rider FAQ which might help prevent some of the clearance issues you mentioned, both on the old bike or on the new bike:

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1853.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1853.0)

Good luck.

  We looked at doing the custom mid-pipe thing when we bought the Quat-D.  There really only is a 1/2 " to be gained and I worry that I would be too close to the oil pan.

  If we end up keeping the S2R we will likely raise it up another 1/2" which would frankly make a world of difference.  But again, now that she has that new bike fever....

On the chance you might be getting rid of the S2r, would you be trading it in, or selling?

 [bacon]

Selling privately.  The dealer did offer to let me put it on his floor to sell commission free ......if I buy the 696 of course.....

A corbin seat bought me a good inch. You may want to look into that.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2012/2491283010_11d5ae7812_b.jpg)

There's also a lower seat for 696/1100 if that's what you're getting.

http://www.ducati.com/accessories/touring/m696_1100_lower_seat/166/index.do?urlBack=%2Fvi%2Faccessory.do%3FkeyWord%3D%26pageNumber%3D9%26idBikeFamily%3D22%26idModelBike%3D%26idModelYear%3D0%26idCategory%3D0%26nameOrder%3Dasc%26sortOrder%3Dname (http://www.ducati.com/accessories/touring/m696_1100_lower_seat/166/index.do?urlBack=%2Fvi%2Faccessory.do%3FkeyWord%3D%26pageNumber%3D9%26idBikeFamily%3D22%26idModelBike%3D%26idModelYear%3D0%26idCategory%3D0%26nameOrder%3Dasc%26sortOrder%3Dname)

What about throwing on a set of adj. suspenders and then getting it set for her weight?  Such as fork and shock for an s4r?  Would be a direct bolt on for the fork, minor mods for the shock.  BTW, I have the same exact color combo s2r as your missus...it's what the cool kids ride. [cheeky]

IMHO i prefer the old body of the monster,timeless. [thumbsup]

+1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
Keep it

yeah, I'd jump on the suspension/seat/midpipes bandwagon, too.

but that's not really on topic  :)

My 2cents, if she feels it's time for a new bike, it's time for a new bike. Regardless of all the adjustments, modifications, tweaks, etc her current S2R will always be the same old bike with more $ thrown at it. Assuming she likes the 696, and if fits her (or can be made to do so with relative ease) get it. It'll make her happy. That's the most important thing.

Incidentally, I rode a friend's totally stock 696 last summer and was thoroughly impressed with it. Lots of manageable power, handling felt very balanced and neutral, good brakes. Didn't like the forward pitched seat but that's an easy fix. Aesthetics aside (I happen to like the 696 styling, though I do prefer the older Monster style) I thought the 696 was a much better out-of-the-box package than the S2R800 I demo-ed a couple of years ago.

Good luck.
 :)

I could not disagree more.   After doing a brake upgrade (320mm rotors, radial masters, 4 pot calipers), Full termi kit, and suspension upgrade which was then sorted for my weight, I have a completely "new" bike that out-handles, out-brakes and out-accelerates what it was previously.  The transformation was nothing sort of miraculous.

and how much would that cost, what kind of warranty would you have on it, and what would be the resale on the bike or god forbid the insurance payout.

the stock 696 outhandles the stock s2r800. <== that's a period

mods are half the fun of it!

Sorry, I didn't mean for my post to be taken quite so literally.

I'm sure your well sorted out S2R is a much better performing bike than it was originally. However, it's still basically the same bike it was when new, with a significant amount of money and effort put into it. Nice to hear you're happy with your bike with the current upgrades, but the real issue here is the OP's wife is considering a new purchase because she's tired of her current high-mileage bike (to read between the lines). That's really all that matters.
 :)

No no  [bang] it's what WE think that matters! WE are the old school enthusiast who has decided that the 696 is not worthy of US  [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]
Seriously though - I agree almost a hundred percent.
I love my modded S2R 800, but I think a stock 696 is a better bike than a stock S2R 800 - at least for normal sized riders.

I have no doubt that Mrs OP will be very happy with it [thumbsup]

It cost me less than a new bike, don't need a warranty as I did the work myself: so I think i did it right  [cheeky], don't give a damn about the resale value, as i'm keeping 'er.

BUT, FWIW, to each their own, and if the missus wants a new bike, she's getting a new bike.  The new one is going to end up modded anyway.

Besides...who does things to their bike with resale value in mind?  I'm pretty sure most people mod them so they r the way they want them.

i wasn't talking specifically about you. but the general rider.

I think the 696 would be a down-grade.  Why not just take the 800 to an exhaust shop and have them fab you up a system that affords more ground clearance with your lowered set-up?  The 800 has a lot of miles, but that most likely means that it has already shown you all of its "bugs".  Thread after thread of the new 696/1100 models having problems with electronics, tank mounting problems, weird exhaust valve (I meant "flapper") issues, etc... would deter me from getting one over keeping a bike I know to be tried and true.  (and then there's the ugly factor)  To each their own.  Just my $0.02.  Keep her happy.

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=27988.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=27988.0)

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=25371.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=25371.0)

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=32734.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=32734.0)

<homework done... go paint your tank skins again>  

What?!?  Are you sure?  But you did notice that the headlight..........  I S N ' T    R O U N D  ?  ?  !  !  !  

You cant espouse such outrageous heresy without encountering the collective wrath of the Roundheads....
[roll] I think the problems are not unique to 696 and need to be kept in perspective.  Exhaust valve issues?  Go do your homework... lol.  

Although..... stopintime is about to be lined up, have his sword broken and the buttons and epaulets ceremonially ripped off his tunic for this disloyal outburst against  the Roundhead cause...
 [laugh]

I still prefer the look of the previous Monsters, especially when modified. That's not going to change.
It's just that when I see what can be done, the 696/1100 are closing the gap.

Another M1100 specific thing is it's power delivery - very impressive mid range.

I'm probably not getting one though. The bars are way too close for me. Same issues with the StreetFighter.
Next bike for me will be either a SBK, MultiStrada or even a SC Paul Smart - if not an S4RS.


"Roundheads"   [laugh] [laugh]  I'm in trouble when Mark finishes his OrangeKist/Monster headlight :D

Yeah, me too.  I want to see that OrangeKist/Monster headlight on a M1100 or 696.  If it looks as good on a new Monster as it does in his OrangeKist concept picture then my last hurdle will have been cleared and I'm set to buy.

hey, the missus wants a 696...let her have her 696...
me, let me keep my m620d, modded to my liking, upgrading little by little and enjoying every moment i wrench on it...
thing is, wife wants new watch....get it??????

The round headlight is an easy mod. The new Monster has far more issues to overcome. You can't un-mod ugly.  :D

 [bang] i give up.

Roundheads 1  -  New Style 0

 :D

I know where you are sleeping in June  [evil]

Oooops  :o

  O.K., so what I am hearing is don't buy the 696 because of the looks.....more specifically it doesn't have the round headlight?

  Has anyone here actually owned or at least ridden both (beside the one responder who said that they had) that has insight in to the +/- of owning each? 

Seriously there is a major contingent here that has nothing good to say about the new body style. I say get what you like you're the one who lives with it. Personally though I'd go with the 1100s. Adjustable suspension and I think the SSS on the new ones are sweet!.

That's correct  ;D ;D ;D [laugh]

No, seriously - if you like the 696 it's not going to disappoint you - it's a Ducati [moto]

That's gospel, right there!

I've had the 696 and the s2r1000, so not really a direct comparison. But what I can say is that the 696 was an excellent bike in most ways. Very manageable, smooth power delivery, brakes were excellent, steering was quick and true. I didn't care for the (essentially nonadjustable) suspension, but even that didn't bother me til I got a 996 with full Ohlins and realized how important suspension was  :D
If you buy the 696, I seriously doubt that you'd be disappointed.
Now, i switched to the S2R because of looks and suspension, and the character of the DS engine was a pleasant bonus. But I still think my 696 was an excellent machine. I did have some electrical issues with it, but those were solved by changing the wiring harness, and would have been prevented by a recall Duc has since done where they routed some wires a little further from the vertical cylinder.