Ducati Monster Forum

Hey Everyone,

I have been seriously considering buying either a Duc 696 or 796. I have researched this site and others and have found no direct answers for a few questions I have regarding both bikes.

First, reliability. I ride fairly often (20K+ per year) and tend to travel via motorcycle. I don't necessarily rely on the bike for primary transportation, but I generally use my bike for commuting along with riding for fun so reliability is a concern. Has anyone here experienced or heard about any major issues concerning reliability with these two bikes or Ducs in general?

Second, maintenance. I understand the scheduled maintenance and it doesn't seem too terribly bad. I have always done all of my own mechanical work. How feasible is it to do the belt changes/valve checks? How much do these maintenance points typically cost for a self-maintained Duc? Any other particulars I should be worried about here?

Last, parts availability. For the scheduled maintenance (belts, shims, etc.), are these parts easily found? For parts in general, is anything hard to get if I happen to need something out of the blue?

I am asking because I have heard a lot of rumors about Ducati reliability and availability of parts. Again, I have tried to research these questions but have found nothing particularly direct pertaining to these bikes. I enjoy working on a bike (except for flat tires/wheels) so maintenance tends go very well with me. These bikes' engines seem unique but really very simply designed. So, anything that could possibly bite me in the ass with a purchase?

I appreciate any honest answers.

Thanks guys.

Well, between the 2, I went for the 796. I sat on both and rode the 1100. The 796 suited my size (6'1") and I like the SSSA. I have done 2300km so far in a couple of months and I use it for commuting and some weekend fun, so similar use I think. I don't "have to" ride far to get to work, but the trip is normally extended for pleasure reasons. From a new owner point of view, I am very happy with my choice. It has enough "personality" without being obnoxious out of the box and sounds pretty good even with the standard cans. I regard myself as a newbee, even though this is my 4th bike after short stints with some Honda roadies and a Yamaha dirt bike.

From a reliability perspective, I'm sure others here have that experience to pass on. My theory is reliability is directly related to servicing / care. Hope my monster proves me right!

In the mean time, I'm a pig in mud. [beer]
 [wine]

I agree, and I maintain my bike well so I don't think I would have too many issues. I also think I will end up with the 796 as its power, weight and height seem like the perfect match for me.

Out of curiosity, what MPG does the 796 get?

I get around 200km out of a tank, when I fill up, about 10l. So in my language, 5l/100 = 47mpg. Not the most economical motor getting around, and the tank is a touch on the small side, but I am not complaining. I have just returned to the 15t front sprocket too, and I'm not as offended with the gearing as remember I was when it was new. The motor really changes with a few km's done, much smoother  and "happier" donk now. Even the clutch has bedded in allowing much smoother take off's too.

I think the ABS version has a slightly smaller tank.

reliability. the 696 I have is great. maintenance easy. i had a friend (shop owner) show me hot to do the valves the first time and belts the same. easy. and will be doing it myself next time.
I commute 88 km a day on autobahn at triple digits speeds at times. the bike has been great.

13.5L ABS
15.0L non ABS

Mine is ABS, in fact in Australia, you can't get it without now.

I looked at both and with my entire life on a dirt bike and limited street bike experience, I went with the 796. I find it a really easy bike to ride and the torque is very manageable.  Of all the bikes I've ridden, the 796 is the easiest, IMO. For not much extra cash it didn't make sense for me to buy the 696 and outgrow it in a season, and give up the SSSA, ABS and the resale on it.  So far I haven't had any maintenance issues in 5000km and have been really happy with it.  I do occasionally think I'll finish this season and next, and then upgrade to the 1100 Evo.  

If you're competent on a bike, get the 796 for sure so you don't have to spend a bunch of cash upgrading the 696 to perform like the 796, and still have the SSSA.

Sorry if Im not answering your question more thoroughly, but my 09 696 has 33k on it. 15k a year for 2years, and then 3k from 2011 - now. (been extremely busy)

No problems besides a swollen, leaking tank that got replaced for free, even though my bike just had broken out of warranty. No oil leaks. Service results indicate the valves needed less and less adjustment over time. Also, there was a time when I rode in extremely hot weather. The clutch fluid expansion caused the clutch to not completely engage leading to a fried clutch. Other than that, the bike has been utterly reliable.

Maintenance parts are a whole lot easier to get quickly than non-consumable parts. I replaced some clutch pack springs which took 6 weeks to get from Italy. I didnt have to get the springs, but I did so just for my piece of mind. My tank took a few weeks to arrive. The clutch discs were in stock.. belts and shims were always on hand for the techs.
Anyways, my $0.01

Thanks for the input guys. I am most likely going to pick up a 796. The only thing I don't like about the 796 is the red frame only option. I also considered the 1100 but I feel like it would be too much bike for the street for me personally and I like something I can flick around in the turns.

While you may not want the extra expense of the 1100, nor need the extra oomph, it is just as flickable as the 796. They are the same wheelbase and weight. Plus, the 1100 has the adjustable suspension, making it possibly *more* flickable.

;D

Better ride one before you consider it an "upgrade". Sure..., it has more punch..., but it also vibrates more because those pistons make bigger bangs. I doubt you'll be going any faster on an EVO. 8)

That's no SBK suspension on that thing. ;) Of course, DP offers an $1,800- Ohlins shock to help it along.  ;D My $600- 796 Ohlins balances out the 796 Marzocchi fork nicely. Even Donnie Unger concurs.  ;) Would dearly like the setup Raux has now, but not the coin to do that upgrade for a 10% - 15% improvement. Years ago I'd have done that swap in a heartbeat!

Yeah, I don't doubt that it corners at least as well as the other Monsters. The thing is, if I have that much power I tend to want to use it and I think that leads to trouble for me on the street. I am a smaller guy anyways (155 lbs) so I think the 796 would be about right. The 1100 is a beautiful machine though...

[thumbsup]

And besides..., a smaller engine ridden well is less handful and more jollies!  ;) Suggest you fit a 14T front sprocket though unless you're riding the Autostrada!

I went round and round with the same decision.  The single sided swing arm and an extra 100 cc's was worth the extra grand for me..... well since I got a left over 2011 796 it was actually the same price as a '12 696.... The red frame isn't so bad. Wasn't a deal breaker for me.  The 1100 is about $1700 more than the 796 and for me I didn't think I needed that much bike, I didn't want to pay a higher insurance premium (gotta love NJ) and personally I wasn't a fan of the 1100 low mount cans as I love the sssa.

Are you using rider insurance in NJ?  if you're not, switch... consistently the cheapest insurance you can get for your bike and the cc diff doesnt affect it as much as other companies.

Truthfully, vibration just hasn't been an issue in my 1100 experience. Sure, the mirrors vibrate just enough at speed to make vehicle I.D. difficult. But no problems through the hand grips or foot pegs or the nether regions.


And no SBK price either.  ;D

Throttle control.

You and I are the same size and I was a bit overwhelmed by the 1100's power at first. But it's something that you grow into and soon seems normal.

So... Zen and the art of throttle control. ;D

There is a certain satisfaction in wringing-out a smaller engine, so I'll grant you that. And  [thumbsup] on the 14T sprocket. It's the way the bike should have been delivered from the dealer. 4000 RPM @ 70 MPH = just about perfect in my book.

another thing to look at is the 160 vs 180 rear.

the 160 is a dream on turn in, i've heard the 180 is a bit more push needed.

several have done the change on the 696 so could give you impressions on both.

No issue, at least on a 796. Turn-in is very light and precise and neutral. Glad to have the 180, given the additional torque. Also stable and no hint of twitch with my Ohlins, so I presume Ducati set the bike up accordingly. If I had a tuned 696 like yours, I'd stay with a 160 as well, but on Rossos of course!  ;)

Mirrors vibrate? You make my point.  8) Bigger pistons make bigger bangs.  :) Over 900 cc I'd probably switch to 4V which are much smoother. Be happy with your big block Chebby.  ;) Not unusual for most Americans to equate a bigger number with "better".  ;D

BTW, it's a bit hard to "wring out" a 796 in VA. Vs your 1100, you do need to be in the correct gear more often in the tight stuff, but so far never lacked for power in passing zones. A stock 696 is a bit anemic vs my old 600 SL however and nowhere near as smooth.

well the 696 has a different front tire as well, the 696 uses a 120/60 instead of 120/70 in the front

i personally like how my 796 rides, i love the powerband i havent ridden a 696 to compare but im happy with the 796, if you have a lot of urban riding, the 696 is a good choice, but if you like to get on the freeway and do long stretches too, the 796 is a good option

To me, it sounds more like a built-up small block. Music to my ears.  [thumbsup] [Dolph]

commuter days= 50-52mpg for me.

of course, I'm sure those numbers will drop once I buy those termis  :D

ive averaged 46mpg on mine, but i have seen 50

Thanks for all the input everyone.

So no serious reliability problems? It seems like in most cases you get out what you put into any machine.

I have pretty much decided on the 796. The only dislike I have is the red frame but overall I think the 796 looks better than the 696 and the 696 would be a little short for me anyways. I would love to try out the 1100 though...

BTW, you haven't said where you are, or if you did, I missed it, but... Last Thursday I ordered a spare windshield for my bikini fairing from my dealer. They are VERY efficient. He was putting in his weekly parts order to Bologna. Yesterday it arrived at the dealer and today I have the windshield and some other stuff he had in stock via UPS.

So..., the answer is..., how good is your dealer? Mine's a large one but only stocks what turns. DNA stocks next to nothing, but this DHL thing seems to work well, at least in Virginia. Of course, if the factory is out of stock, that could delay things.

I don't blame my dealer for not warehousing more because Virginia has weird personal property tax laws and anything lying around on December 31st in the parts department gets taxed.

[
Well, okay... Just for the fun of it...

Since thoughts of the 1100 are still dancing through your head, here's a quote from Kevin Ash, from ashonbikes.com:

On the 1100 EVO, and it's engine in particular:

 quote]It’s important though to ride it appropriately. Riders who treat it like a sports bike engine will think it’s not bad, although it starts to feel flat as it approaches its 8,500rpm rev limit, and it does go faster when you do this. But you fare much better if you stop trying too hard, drop the rev zone you’re using to anything from 4,500 to 7,000rpm, and here the motor is supreme... the best engine in motorcycling just got better. Well, maybe after the Diavel it’s the second best, but it’s still a seductive mix of aluminium and steel.[/quote]

Many may disagree, but calling the 1100 EVO engine the best in motorcycling is a bold statement.  :D

Here's the link: http://www.ashonbikes.com/content/ducati-monster-1100-evo-review (http://www.ashonbikes.com/content/ducati-monster-1100-evo-review)