Ducati Monster Forum

HI all ducatisti....
greetings galore!!!
i am Shashank......call me shank. melting in this hot sun of qatar i am  about to get my very first 600 cc bike. my research has ultimately boiled down to 2........ street triple or the ducati 696. my basic purpose would be urban and occasional track. have been on both bikes. love both. (....just cant make a choice). since this is a ducati forum, i am ready to hear all crap about the street triple. so anyone? pls talk me out. tech details will be appreciated. i am basically looking for comparison in ride quality, handling, engine heat issues( since 696 is air cooled), oil consumption issues(read striple has some), ride on bumpy roads, cost of accessories.......
looking forward for a positive and honest response.
cheers

Looks aside...  I dont like the 696 because when I sat on it, my boys were smashed up against the tank cause the seat sloped downward.  That was enough to convince me to spend the extra money on an s2r

my $0.02

So you want positive response ?
Cool !
Get a 695 and be sure to have a classic, great looking, mod happy bike
If you CAN get a Street Triple I would def. prefer that over the 696.
So it comes down to Class, Hooliganism or Metrosexuality  [cheeky]

I´m also with that doubt...
But I don t understand why Ducati/Monster boys are so against to "changes"...
I think that finally Ducati refresh his monster... I hope that the others will follow.

That´s is called Evolution...  [thumbsup]

regards,
fLAVIO

hi guys,
never really did expect that from the ducati site.
but like flunx said it......evolution will take time to settle in.
personally, i did like the front, engine, tank, wheels being my fav.......but was a tad disappointed on the OEM exhaust cans and the sloping seat. i just need some more info on the engine heat (being air cooled). does it really burn ur thighs on a hot sunny day??

QUTAR!!!!! I can tell you this. whatever you get... don't get Black. it will burn every time you hope on... that being said. I would go with a white 696 or white triple. I think the 696 tank will conduct less heat because it is plastic. (sorry if I am incorrect on this ) I sat on one and liked the riding position, and it seems a little more solid then the previous generation ( as far as likely hood to breakdown) but i don't know how mod friendly the 696 is going to be

The Street Triple would be my choice of the two.  See if you can snag test rides on each one to be sure.  The triples here are all sold before our dealer even gets them so it might be hard to buy one unless you get in line.

street triple, 696 is hane-   [puke]

the ron [evil]

Test ride both and see for yourself what you like. I did and bought the 696.
No regrets, loving every minute of it. Good Luck with you search.

It would be a tough choice, i'd have a foot in either camp.
They are both mod friendly with a good list of factory add-on bits.
As for being air cooled and burning you well that's tough. I have never found mine runs hotter than 113c
And I never felt any heat rising, being naked it just escapes without issue.

What I like about mine is that riding it is easy, I never feel like I have to keep it wound up to have fun.
I can be going slow-ish in top gear and not have to come down to third to get going.
Effort is minimal to make you  ;D haven't ridden a ST as yet so I can't give you in put on that.
But everything I have read says it's a wheelie machine at heart.

Good luck choosing, but I know I'd still choose a Ducati. Once you have one you can never have another again (brand)

cheers
Matty...

Wow, you never give up do you? 

I'd say buy the 696 just to piss "the guy" off.   [roll]

There was a good amount of + & - feedback in this thread.  I own one and like it a lot.  I commited to it before the 696 was available and didn't get a chance to ride the monster either.  Good luck with your search, either way you'll have a good time riding. [thumbsup]
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=4448.0

I'm with 'the ron' here..... Street Triple

Not sure if it would influence your decision...but check the insurance rates.  I checked the rates between the monster and the street triple...and the triumph was 4 times the price to insure.

-Craig

I never thought i would hear myself say this. Ever! I mean i LOVE Ducati. I've always recommended the brand to new riders.

696.... St 3?

Hands down! GET THE TRIPLE.

Funny you mention that...  When I added my Street Triple, I had just the one car and with the multi car discount included, my 6mo premium went up by just $18.  It didn't seem right but I asked her to repeat herself, and I didn't push it any further than that.  I think most ins companies go mainly off of CCs, and there isn't enough of a history on either bike to give it a negative rating. 

I don't have either of the bikes you are looking at, but I do have an S2R800 and an '08 D675SE, the latter of which sharing the same basic engine as the ST.  I would have to say that the S2R has much fewer heat related problems than the triple does, and the under seat mid pipe routing of the Daytona gets down right nasty hot on your legs if you get stuck in moderate traffic. The ST has the same mid pipe routing as the Daytona, so I would expect that to carry over.  All things being said and done, the S2R makes a much better commuter bike, but the Daytona is much more fun to ride.

Instead of evolution I would call it Mutation  [evil]

I'd go with the triple.  Looks great and has what, about 50% more HP?

The biggest problem you will have is finding a Street triple in the US, they have not imported many here.

Better option is to pick up a used Speed Triple for the same money and have a real hooligan bike.   [drink]

I

Is this your first bike, or your first 600cc bike??  The Triumph is really not suitable for a first bike.  It's very fast, very powerful, and could kill a new rider very easily.  Some would say the Duc isn't a great first bike either, but that depends a lot on the rider's maturity and self-control.

Wow, no one has mentioned the performance difference between these two bikes! The ST will run circles around the 696.

If you have any riding experience at all, go with the ST or an S4R, if you can afford it.

I disagree with this statement, any bike can get you into trouble if you ride stupid.

hi guys,
The rear shock travel on 696 is 148mm. if we reduce it to 130, will the seat slope reduce?

Yes.  My thoughts exactly.   [thumbsup]

hey soldier,
so could you tell me what were the shortcomings on teh ST3 that made u buy the 696.
appreciate.

on the other side....
in a Triumph froum...

http://www.triumphrat.net/street-triple-forum/86735-street-triple-vs-ducati-monster-696-a.html

regards, fLAVIO