Question for M696 and M1100 owners

[slower than...]

Love my Sport Classic but it is a torture rack to ride, and it is a monoposto.  Looking for a second bike for short (60-90 minute) rides with a passenger.  I already know the new Monsters are more comfortable than my SC, but I seem to consistently hear that they are not comfortable for two-up riding.  I know there are other choices, although my need for a maximum 30" seat height limits me to Monsters if I want to stay with Ducati.

So I just want honest opinions if these new Monsters (696/1100/or even the new 796) will be good for two-up rides in the 60-90 minute range.

Thanks for your feedback.

[Povidius]

Wish I could offer something constructive, but I've never had a passenger on my 696.  I've had a heavy (80 pound) backpack on the other day and it felt fine.

I'm sure someone with better experience will come along shortly.

[DucNaked]

 Did 150+ miles on my 1100 with the wife last weekend. Had a blast, the bike handled well and still pulled hard threw the rpm range. My wife is about 6' tall and had no complaints, but did tell me she thought the stock seat was more comfortable than the new dp low seat I just put on. Hope that helps.

[booger]

I've heard complaints that the previous gen Monsters were not 2-up bikes. I've had a girl on the back once or twice and I know I didn't appreciate it. Part of the reason I took the passenger pegs off. Upset the handling too much, and being responsible for someone else's safety is not where I want to be. If you want a good passenger bike a GT1000 would be good or a Triumph Scrambler or 1969-70 CB750. I cannot imagine anyone having a good time riding 90 minutes on the back of a Monster.

[Veloce-Fino]

Only had a passenger on my 696 once, honestly it is not a great two person bike. Sure you can ride with 2 but for a regular commute with a passenger I would look elsewhere.

But if you have your heart set on a 4 valve monster go for the 796, or if your broke a used 696. 

[r_ciao]

i have a M696 and take my 100 lb. 5'2" daughter on rides.  she has no complaints, but i tend to ride much more conservatively with her.  accelerating from stop takes a little more effort, but once we get rolling and hit 4000 rpms it gets fun.  once she learned to keep her bum on the upper/back portion of the seat, everything was fine.  at first when abruptly stopping, she'd slide forward and squished me into the tank.

in sum, doable, but definitely not as much spirited riding going on.  it'll be a different type of ride: slower, less aggressive.  hope that helps.

[Raux]

we did a 2-up ride from germany to italy and back last summer.
two complaints
-luggage, she had to carry a backpack down, bad move.
-grab handles or some sort of back rest or stop. the rear of the monster seat is the end of the bike. there's little comfort or security for the passenger as to falling off the back.

-next ride will include a givi hard bag in the back with a back rest and luggage space.

we have the comfort seat and it was worth it.
we would do it again though, with that one mod.

[redial]

my girlfriend starts to get pissed off after about 20 min on the back of my 2002 m750 

[causeofkaos]

Did a 2up ride with wife on the 1100 went well. it would have sucked on the 696. after going with clip-ons on the 1100 there is no way i would 2up for ride that long.

[MonsterTom]

I haven't yet ridden my wife around on the 1100 for an extended time.  On the short rides we took she tended to slowly slide into me squishing me into the tank.  I have the stock seat.  I imagine there are much better two up bikes out there, possibly even the Hyper?

On another note, I sold my '07 SC1000 because the angle of the clip-ons were killing my wrists.  The M1100 is much, much more comfortable to ride long distances, IMO.

[mstevens]

The 696 is noticeably more comfortable than my 620 was, even with "City" bars on the 620. Even so, one of the reasons I've ordered a Multistrada 1200S is that I'm getting too old and inflexible (especially in the neck) for the riding position of a Monster. For me, a 60-90 minute ride even without a passenger is seriously pushing my pain limits.

I can't comment about passengers on a 696 since my wife refuses to ride on the back and I have no interest in riding on the back of hers.

[Raux]

Did a 2up ride with wife on the 1100 went well. it would have sucked on the 696. after going with clip-ons on the 1100 there is no way i would 2up for ride that long.

why do you say that?
power? we went up and down both sides of the Alps... not a problem.

[muskrat]

buy a cruiser like I did for when the wife and I ride two up.  Or the new Multi is tempting if budget is no concern.  I tried the two passenger mode on my old S2R and HATED it......the bike is not made for that IMO

[Chucko9-696]

I have the GF on the back almost every weekend no problems and she is 5'9". Both city trafic and on the high way.