Warning this will upset 696 owners

[The Don]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKVEzLJroLA&feature=channel

[OstOgBajer]

That's fine by me. I love my 696 even with its flaws. Funny how they didn't talk about performance much... just how smooth the engines were. And I personally find the ergonomics of the 696 to be perfect and I'm a tall guy.

I was iffy about the Gladius, but in the video it looks a lot nicer... reminds me of the Brutale. I don't like how they covered half of the tube-frame with a plastic looking... frame fairing? I don't even know what to call it, but I guess that's what you get for a budget bike.

[danaid]

 What I got out of the video was the 696 as the real winner because it's more of a performance bike and the author loved it. But of course the focus of the story was about budget, entry level bikes and the pricey 696 always seems to loose out in its own category. I bought my 696 knowing its only an entry, baby bike( I won't call it a girl bike) and I'm OK with that. Now when the shootouts with the 1100S come out, we will then see what the new Monster is made of. 

[ROBsS4R]

I didn't know bikes were gender specific. [moto]

[duclvr]

Didn't upset me. I thought he liked the 696.

[BomberHead]

Didn't upset me. I thought he liked the 696.

[herm]

I didn't know bikes were gender specific. [moto]

oh yeh,....remember, the 620 is a chick bike too



































j/k

[DucatiTorrey]

yeah, just a different bike from the others, and with the levers and things like that, upgrade! that's what we all love to do anyways right? work on our bikes! make them our own!

[Privateer]

yeah, just a different bike from the others, and with the levers and things like that, upgrade! that's what we all love to do anyways right? work on our bikes! make them our own!

that's one option.  But if Ducati wants more conquest sales, they need to start including little things on their entry bikes that the Big Four do on their entry bikes.  Just blowing it off onto the aftermarket isn't fair to the buyer.  Dealers need to be able to say "yeah, our bike has all that stuff too.  AND it's a ducati." 


Andy

[DoubleEagle]

I didn't know bikes were gender specific. [moto]

   I thought all Ducatis were Stallions !    Some just more so than others.     Dolph     

[ROBsS4R]

   I thought all Ducatis were Stallions !    Some just more so than others.     Dolph     

It doesn't sound to good when I say I ride my Stallion to work everyday 

[ArguZ]

Have been to a MC fair in Copenhagen yesterday and tried all those in the test.
Come on...is he serious ?
The competitors are cheaper, yes, and you see it, you feel it and you just know it.
Here it comes ... first time...
I start to like the 696 
Compared to the competition in the low price segment (under 10.000) its definitely the best buy.
Heritage, looks, style, parts used and performance are minimum 20% better than the japs can offer
And what is wrong with the ergonomics again ? The Kawa feels like a kid bike...
Anyway...my favorite of the show was the Street Triple R...If they only could deliver 

[Statler]

Why does anyone ever need outside validation for something as subjective as a motorcycle?

[JetTest]

Does not upset me. Didn't buy mine because of what someone else thinks. Had great experience with the 620 and the 696 is many times better, IMHO. One thing I don't get; I keep hearing that the reach to the levers is too far. My hands are not big, only wear a medium sized glove, but my first two fingers hook perfectly over the levers at the first knuckle, and two will apply way more that enough force, could easily lock the front wheel if I wanted. If it had adjustable levers mine would be set just about where they are now.

[NWapex]

One thing I don't get; I keep hearing that the reach to the levers is too far. My hands are not big, only wear a medium sized glove, but my first two fingers hook perfectly over the levers at the first knuckle.

+1  I will still likely get the levers for the bling factor, but not a necessity for my med. hand size as well. 

Every time I see my motorcycle in the garage it makes me want to ride and when I do, the smile factor is huge - that's all I need know.