800/696?

[NAKID]

Ducati site says 77hp, unless I'm reading wrong, for the S2R 800.

You're right though. The 696 apparently has the best hp to liter ratio of all the air cooled Ducs (judging from the brief research I just did).

Still don't like it. 

To the OP:

Have your girl sit on both to find out what she's comfortable with ergonomically. I sat on the 696 and was .... uncomfortable .... due to being pushed into the tank (I'm a chick btw).

You know what, you're right. I was thinking what my S2R800 made at the wheel after some mods....

[giordy]

She wouldn't mind the seat/tank setup on the 696 then. It only crushes yer nuts if you got 'em.

I got them but they never got crushed yet; I keep reading about this problem but I don't get it.

[Alexandre]

S2R 800 on 100% looks alone... and you should be able to get one cheaper too and put the difference toward mods etc...

[somegirl]

'08 696 with Termis and a DP ECU.
vs
MY'07 S2R800 with Termis, DP ECU and DP no cat straight through exhaust manifolds.

Nice write-up!

My GF is extremely happy with her 696. It gets a hell of a lot more attention than my bike when they are both parked side by side as well*.




* yes, this pisses me off just a little.   

Sorry, but girls' bikes will always get more attention.

[duclvr]

Nice write-up!

+1 Many reasons described are why I love my 696.

[Slag]

I vote 696. My wife loves hers, and it really is a fun bike. I have the nut crush issue, and would switch to the comfort seat if it were my bike.

I also feel that the argument that the 696 does not look like a monster is quite played out. It is the new monster, and it is a very popular. I like it much better than the old model.  If you don't like it, that is fine. But it IS the monster.

[peanut_man]

Nice write-up!

Sorry, but girls' bikes will always get more attention.

Lets get that right, is it the girl or the bike    Personally it would be the combo that makes it really interesting...

[wreckedem]

thanks for all the great replies. like i said the 800 is a new 06 model. no miles. they shipped the wrong bike at some point from florida. still waiting on a price for it.
any more opinions are very welcome [moto]

[Popeye the Sailor]

My only other opinion is that your name sounds like "rectum", so whenever I see it, I think of well....

[Oldfisti]

My only other opinion is that your name sounds like "rectum", so whenever I see it, I think of well....

   ?

[wreckedem]

My only other opinion is that your name sounds like "rectum", so whenever I see it, I think of well....

lol well i was gas hole but everyone made fun of me so now im laughing hardest

[wreckedem]

well the dealer made the choice for me.
he wants $8000 for the 800.
hell its a 3 year old bike.
too big of a hit to get it.
thanks for all the info

[peanut_man]

Handling -> The 696 is a shorter wheelbase. It feels a lot quicker to turn and nimbler through the turns. Almost too nimble IMO (maybe it's the slightly skinnier rear tyre or something). I think this is once again down to personal preference. Neither bike has anything serious in the way of adjustable suspension like the bigger monsters.

Actually the 696 has longer wheelbase than the S2R 800:

2007 MS2R 800
Wheelbase     1440 mm / 56.7 in

2008 M696
Wheelbase     1450 mm / 57.1 in

And yeah, I also thought it's a little too nimble.  Maybe I'm just not used to the 160-series rear tires.  All my previous bikes has 180-series.

[zedsaid]

My only other opinion is that your name sounds like "rectum", so whenever I see it, I think of well....

Rectum? Nearly killed 'em!

[Raux]

Actually the 696 has longer wheelbase than the S2R 800:

2007 MS2R 800
Wheelbase     1440 mm / 56.7 in

2008 M696
Wheelbase     1450 mm / 57.1 in

And yeah, I also thought it's a little too nimble.  Maybe I'm just not used to the 160-series rear tires.  All my previous bikes has 180-series.

Peanut_man. i think that is the solution for the turn in issue you have with the 696. the new larger 5-spokes available should be awesome too.