(696 owners unite!!)

[junior varsity]

I have two fork-bottom lifting front stands for my bikes, and they "are" useful. I still always wish that i had the under-triple lift stand.  ho hum

[DevildogFF]

Here she is now, sans bikini fairing:



Anyone else unable to garage their Monster? I've gotten to the point where I CONSTANTLY fret that someone will steal my baby. Especially now since I've been a lot of time and money in to it...

Am I alone?

[ChrisH]

Mine was sans garage for like 9 months. I kept it undr a bike cover and hoped for the best. It's all good now, and sleeps in a garage.

[DevildogFF]

Anyone have any good rearset suggestions? I was considering powder coating the stock ones, but I'll buy some if someone has a good suggestion...

[Raux]

I'm running Style & Performance rider and passenger rearsets

the great thing is they are separate like the new 1100 Evo, so you can run different rider rearsets, even woodcraft which don't have passenger options.

[DevildogFF]

I'm running Style & Performance rider and passenger rearsets

the great thing is they are separate like the new 1100 Evo, so you can run different rider rearsets, even woodcraft which don't have passenger options.

These?:

http://www.styleandperformance.it/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=125&category_id=60&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=71&lang=en

If so, how long did it take to get them? I'm guessing the come from Italy?

[Raux]

These?:

http://www.styleandperformance.it/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=125&category_id=60&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=71&lang=en

If so, how long did it take to get them? I'm guessing the come from Italy?

Yes, timeline depends if you order a color in stock. Plus I'm in Germany so my timeline was different.
They can anodize almost any color, just email them.

[DevildogFF]

Sind Sie Deutsch?

Thanks for all of your help. Another question for the forum: Do you guys prefer the look and feel of the Monster to other Ducati motorcycles? Or do you consider them "gateways" to other motorcycles. I really, really like my 696, but I have aspirations of owning an 848 one day (within a year?). Didn't know if I should plan on keeping my Monster or sell it when the time comes. They're dramatically different rides, aren't they?

Anyone been on an 848? I've never ridden one myself. I understand the geometry is very different, but what does it ride like?

[DoWorkSon]

Sind Sie Deutsch?

Thanks for all of your help. Another question for the forum: Do you guys prefer the look and feel of the Monster to other Ducati motorcycles? Or do you consider them "gateways" to other motorcycles. I really, really like my 696, but I have aspirations of owning an 848 one day (within a year?). Didn't know if I should plan on keeping my Monster or sell it when the time comes. They're dramatically different rides, aren't they?

Anyone been on an 848? I've never ridden one myself. I understand the geometry is very different, but what does it ride like?

What do you use your bike for? Weekend riding or commuting? Or both? Do you feel like the monster has the features/performance you need or do you want something more? Do you feel like your skill level is capable of a more powerful bike?

My monster might not have a ton of power, but it's completely unique and is fun as hell taking it up in the hills for a weekend ride, but also has the power/torque range that makes it good for daily riding and around town.

I think most people think that the more power=better bike. Not true. I think a lot of people think person on fast bike=experienced rider. Also not true. Get the bike that fits your style and your riding ability.

Daily, I see a dozen "fast" bikes rolling around town ridden by 19 yearold kids with little riding experience. Consequently, I always see news articles on young kids killed on bikes due to excessive speed. None of these bikes make me turn my head and drool.... But when I see that "different" bike I will stretch my neck to check it out.

I wouldn't give up my 696 for an 848..... But maybe one day I'll hbe both.

[asherrick]

Anyone been on an 848? I've never ridden one myself. I understand the geometry is very different, but what does it ride like?

Monsters and Superbikes are very different rides. As DoWorkSon said, it comes down to your needs and preferences. If you like riding the back roads and twisties, like I do, than you won't do better than a Monster or Hypermotard. SBKs have much better high-speed stability, wind protection, and power but don't change directions instantly like a Monster (less 'flickable'). Also, my SBK hates going slower than 50 mph (and gets crazy-hot in the summer if you're going slow) and is generally uncomfortable to ride compared to the Monster. It's meant for one thing: going really fast, preferably around a track. When I bought my 1198s I kept my 696 because it's a better tool in certain scenarios. Of course, now that I'm used to 170 hp and nearly 100 lb of torque on my 1198s I really want to upgrade the 696 to an 1100.    If you can only have one bike, the Streetfighter strikes an interesting balance between the two, though I would content the Monster is still better at carving up the twisties.

[mattc7]

These?:

http://www.styleandperformance.it/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=125&category_id=60&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=71&lang=en

If so, how long did it take to get them? I'm guessing the come from Italy?

In stock color, to ny took 4 days

[ungeheuer]

Do you guys prefer the look and feel of the Monster to other Ducati motorcycles? Or do you consider them "gateways" to other motorcycles....

You did notice the name of this forum on your way in, right? 

[DevildogFF]

So I rode an 1198 for an entire day, which made me appreciate my Monster all over again. Sure, those superbikes look pretty, but I'll take my Monster any day of the week over it. I can see what their appeal is; they're super fast, super torquey, but I would rather have less and be more comfortable. Plus, I think I'd kill myself on that thing.

Anyway, I'm looking at upgrades and wanted to ask the knowledgeable about my clutch and clutch housing, etc. The 1198 shifted so much easier than my Monster, but I can't tell if it's just smoother in general or if there's something that made it that way. I'll show you a picture here: can you tell if there was a mod done that would have made it smoother? If not, how can I do that?

[junior varsity]

she bone stock it appears.  painted the stock pressure plate and cut the stock cover - no changes on this side.

[DevildogFF]

So what can I do to make my shifting more smooth? I want to change the cover and add a pressure plate, but is there anything I can do to improve the feel?