What should I buy, a 696 or a 848?

[Raux]

PS
You could wait and get the Streetfighter [the NEW Monster imo].

IMO the 696/1100 are the true successors to the original monster. the Streetfighter takes over the 4V Monsters (or 2nd gen monsters).

ie aircooled = monster
watercooled = Streetfighter

the watercooled monsters started as something people were doing in their shops i think Lyle Lovett did the first one. it was never the original intention of Ducati.

[NorDog]

IMO the 696/1100 are the true successors to the original monster. the Streetfighter takes over the 4V Monsters (or 2nd gen monsters).

ie aircooled = monster
watercooled = Streetfighter

Yeah, I agree with that.  My S4RS is my first Ducati; an impulse buy after a test ride that I have NEVER regretted!  And though I've long wanted a Ducati, I really knew nothing of the product line outside a few models.  In fact, I went in to ride the 1098, but it was recommended I ride the S4RS.  I said, "No, never heard of it.  Now, where's the 1098.  Rode both, bought the Monster.

Anyway, after I became obsessed with all things Ducati because I finally owned one, I found, imo, that the aircooled Monsters were a better platform aesthetically for modifying.  They produced cleaner lines and were obviously easier to strip down to the bare essentials.  I like that.

But I also like the horsepower of my bike.   [moto]

[Raux]

definitley no denying the HP benefit of the 4v watercooled. but that sort of was the first streetfighter. the original stripped down superbikes. the Monster originally was never conceived as such. it was more a naked SS. lightweight, simple, clean. the addition of all the plumbing, the trick SSS and other components made it more a barenaked SBK.

honestly the move of building the SF put things back in order at Ducati for me.

now all they need to do is have the SS built off the new monster platform and we have completeness.

sorry for the threadjack.

buy the 1100S Monster  [moto] you will be happy about choice in the long run.

[squidwood]

you have a standard bike and you are wondering if you should buy a racebike? Ask yourself what usage you want out of it.
IMO you don't need a race-bike if you are riding on the slab with the odd track day.
Be realistic.

[sbrguy]

you have a standard bike and you are wondering if you should buy a racebike? Ask yourself what usage you want out of it.
IMO you don't need a race-bike if you are riding on the slab with the odd track day.
Be realistic.

but you have to remember most people buy the 1098 or 848 for one simple reason.. they look really cool.

all those bikes like the cbr, gxr, r6, r1, zx, etc sell like crazy and they are all pretty much geared toward the same thing as the ducati superbikes which is track riding, with the position, etc.  most peopl that buy those bikes never go on the track and maybe some go to the occasional track day with even fewer being hardcore track racers and trackday freaks.

[Raux]

I'm coming from a monster 620.  What I liked about it was how easy it was to handle at low speeds.  I don't know if the 848 will be like that, given the aggressive position.  But in the turns, the 848 will be so much more fun. Is the 696 a bit more aggressive than the old design?

My next bike will be used on highway more. but a lot of city riding too.

Also I heard the 848 requires a lot less servicing, like it goes longer without valve adjustments.

Any insight to help me decide?

SOOOOOO which one did you buy?