Anyone less than impressed with their 696, or is it just me?

[Goat_Herder]

Sorry the bike didn't turn out to be exactly what you expected.  If performance (power) was what you were looking for, perhaps you did make an mistake in picking the 696.  it might be that the 696 is not just the wrong bike, but the wrong TYPE of bike for you.  Not to mention the little accident you had right off the bat (bend rim) and the consequent trouble/expnese you now need to go thru to fix it. That initial bad experience can kill any good feeling that you otherwise might have.

I think you are at loss here...  Your best bet might to find a used rim to replace your bend rim; hold on to it and properly break in the bike.  Perhaps one day you will learn to appreciate the bike for what it's intended to do.  Or perhaps you will find greener pasture with a different bike/brand.

[RC Fan]

Sorry the bike didn't turn out to be exactly what you expected.  If performance (power) was what you were looking for, perhaps you did make an mistake in picking the 696.  it might be that the 696 is not just the wrong bike, but the wrong TYPE of bike for you.  Not to mention the little accident you had right off the bat (bend rim) and the consequent trouble/expnese you now need to go thru to fix it. That initial bad experience can kill any good feeling that you otherwise might have.

I think you are at loss here...  Your best bet might to find a used rim to replace your bend rim; hold on to it and properly break in the bike.  Perhaps one day you will learn to appreciate the bike for what it's intended to do.  And perhaps you will find greener pasture with a different bike/brand.

You make some good points, and yes, it was my mistake.  Next time I will take what the salesman says with a grain of salt.  Next time I will take a test ride first!

[Triple J]

There are a lot of things about the bike that have combined to make me dislike it.  I was promised a lot, and have found myself disappointed in the quality and performance of the bike, as well as the cost of stock replacement parts.   $1500 for a rim is crazy.

Agreed that $1,500 is crazy...but someone here offered you a used one for $100 (if it fits). What's the problem?   Even if it's the wrong color, you're only out $200 after powdercoating it.

For comparison, what's an OEM rim for a CBR1000RR run?

I'm not sure what you were promised, but I can guarantee that after 38 miles you still don't know the bike's capabilities.  Stock replacement parts are always expensive...that's why we all buy aftermarket. Ducati is a motorcycle manufacturer, not a parts supplier.

Anyway, I don't care if you don't like the bike. It just seems weird that you could have made that decision after a mere 38 miles. Shit...that's a ride to and from the dealer for me.

[RC Fan]

Agreed that $1,500 is crazy...but someone here offered you a used one for $100 (if it fits). What's the problem?   Even if it's the wrong color, you're only out $200 after powdercoating it.

For comparison, what's an OEM rim for a CBR1000RR run?

I'm not sure what you were promised, but I can guarantee that after 38 miles you still don't know the bike's capabilities.  Stock replacement parts are always expensive...that's why we all buy aftermarket. Ducati is a motorcycle manufacturer, not a parts supplier.

Anyway, I don't care if you don't like the bike. It just seems weird that you could have made that decision after a mere 38 miles. Shit...that's a ride to and from the dealer for me.

The stock rim was already ordered, so while it has not been delivered, I assume I am on the hook for that already.  Again, my mistake.  I do appreciate that someone here offered to hook me up with a rim for a great price.  Again, lesson learned.

I am not sure what the CBR1000RR rim would be, but I looked up a CBR600RR rim and it was around $500 US.

As far as performance, I expected more performance than my previous bike offered.  Again, this is my mistake expecting an air-cooled twin to compete with a liquid-cooled inline 4.

I certainly understand that I have judged the bike rather quickly and perhaps unfairly.  I do appreciate the advice that everyone on this thread has offered.

[junior varsity]

Get it up and running and take it on a nice long ride on some scenic twisty roads. Monsters aren't that fun on the highway. No naked bike is.  (Took me 2800 mi to fully understand this) The air cooled motor has a great torquey feeling, but you'll need to get past the first service to have any fun.

[Goat_Herder]

Get it up and running and take it on a nice long ride on some scenic twisty roads. Monsters aren't that fun on the highway. No naked bike is.  (Took me 2800 mi to fully understand this) The air cooled motor has a great torquey feeling, but you'll need to get past the first service to have any fun.

Agree with Ato Memphis.  Break in the bike and enjoy the bike on some scenic twisty roads.  You might find a different kind of enjoyment out of riding.  Sorry we have been a bit harsh on you.  Just trying to get you to see the flip side of the coin. 

[RC Fan]

  Sorry we have been a bit harsh on you.  Just trying to get you to see the flip side of the coin. 

Oh, I don't think anyone has been harsh.  I certainly didn't expect everyone to agree with me.  There is no substitute for the experience on this board, so I am happy for the advice.

[GLantern]

The stock rim was already ordered, so while it has not been delivered, I assume I am on the hook for that already.  Again, my mistake.  I do appreciate that someone here offered to hook me up with a rim for a great price.  Again, lesson learned.

Did you already pay for the part? You can always return something if it is unused you might hit with a restocking fee though.  And if it has been ordered but not delivered yet there is always the possibility the order has not even been shipped yet.  Call them and try to cancel the order it can't hurt!

[RC Fan]

Did you already pay for the part? You can always return something if it is unused you might hit with a restocking fee though.  And if it has been ordered but not delivered yet there is always the possibility the order has not even been shipped yet.  Call them and try to cancel the order it can't hurt!

No, I haven't paid yet.  The rim is expected to arrive anytime now, if it is not there already.

[Bladecutter]

No, I haven't paid yet.  The rim is expected to arrive anytime now, if it is not there already.

Here's what I recommend that you consider trying:

First off, call up the dealer, and find out if you can back out of the purchase of the wheel.
Heck, since you haven't even paid for it as of yet (no deposit or anything), you might not need to do anything other than simply not pick it up.

Second, you can pick up a wheel from a 695 or a 620, as they are exactly the same as the one your 696 came with.
The part number for the wheel is slightly different, but all the other parts, the wheel bearings, the axle tube, spacers, etc, are the same, so it will bolt up perfectly.
You can pull up the images of both the 695 and the 696 in two different windows from the Ducati website and compare them visually, if you need to.

After you get the bike back on the road, and I recommend doing it considerably cheaper, I recommend riding it for a lot longer than 61 kms before judging that the bike is better/worse than your last bike. What you did was perform a lateral move from one bike to another. You didn't upgrade (performance wise, that is) in any actual way going from your Bandit to the Ducati. The inline 4 engine makes the bulk of its power in the higher rpm range, while the 696 is more in the mid to high range, plus the power-pulses from the two engines are entirely different.

The 696 is anything but anemic (like what some people are trying to declare) at highway speeds.
Pick a speed below 120 mph, and it will cruise at that speed all day long, if you so desire.
Well, at least until the tank runs out of fuel, that is.

Ducati's are a bit more money than their direct competition, I understand that.
You most definitely could have bought something entirely different than the 696 for the money you spent on it.

I say that you are just suffering not only from buyers remorse, but also from messing up your bike from an accident on the first ride, and getting sticker shock from the cost of the replacement part you need. I'm curious if you even revved the bike past the 5500 to 6000 rpm limit that the owners manual recommends for the first 1k kms. If you are sticking to the rpm limits of the owner's manual, then you haven't even tapped into the fun part of the power band on the bike as of yet.

So fix your bike, finish breaking it in, and then decide if you like it or not.
Trying to make a decision like this after only putting 61 kms and then having the bike sit while you wait for replacement parts isn't fair to you, or the bike.

BC.

[junior varsity]

its not "anemic" on the highway. its uncomfortable. 2800 mi over the span of a week on I-40/Rt. 66 agrees.

[booger]

RC Fan-
I'm sorry you have such remorse over that bike. Not only did you pay dealer price for the bike, but after a few kms you now must pay dealer price for a new rim. However a little perspective I think is what you need here more than anything.

Number one it's quite likely you desperately need riding lessons. I hit potholes all the time in DC; the streets here look like they've been carpetbombed by B-52s. Never have I had your problem and I've had to hit some pretty nasty ones. Ya gotta know how to hit 'em, better yet avoid them, and I don't quite think you do. It comes from learning how to ride a motorcycle. Number two you seem to be of the non-Ducatisti mindset, therefore you bought the wrong bike; furthermore you are whining about it on the wrong forum, which I find mildly irritating. You really are acting like a baby. Number three you have been presented with viable options that you have refused, options that would have saved you big money yet it seems you choose to pay this big money just so you can claim griping rights. Now, you will either 1) live with your purchase 2) sell the bike at a loss after you replace the rim for $1500CDN. Ouch! You will not get what you paid for the bike as it's now used, especially if you own up to hitting a pothole and causing damage. So you're in a bit of a pickle and understandably upset. Apparently, all the research you said you performed before purchasing the bike of your nightmares was what they call in the scientific profession 'inadequate'.

If you were to simply act like an adult and attempt to understand first what you are condemning, you would be a lot better off. Good luck to you. Hundreds or even thousands of satisfied Ducati Monster 696 owners out there in the world would take issue with your complaints. Suzuki wheels crack and bend too.

[junior varsity]

be nice

[Howie]

Your rear wheel should be between $1,200 and 1,300, not $1,500.  Look it up here:
http://www.store.commoto.com/parts-ordering.php
Base Part #50221301AB  REAR RIM 696 MR/09 (Active)  $1,232.99    Oops, your from Canada, nevermind.
The wheel for your Duc also comes with the bearings which, on most other bikes would be an additional expense for both parts and labor.  Still more expensive than most bikes, but less.

Since your Monster is about the same horsepower and notably lighter than your Bandit I'm at a loss where the performance problem is unless your bike either has a running problem or you need more time getting used to it.  Gearing is high, maybe when the dealer puts the new wheel on you should consider two teeth up on the rear sprocket or one down on the front.  

[RC Fan]

Your rear wheel should be between $1,200 and 1,300, not $1,500.  Look it up here:
http://www.store.commoto.com/parts-ordering.php
Base Part #50221301AB  REAR RIM 696 MR/09 (Active)  $1,232.99    Oops, your from Canada, nevermind.
The wheel for your Duc also comes with the bearings which, on most other bikes would be an additional expense for both parts and labor.  Still more expensive than most bikes, but less.

Since your Monster is about the same horsepower and notably lighter than your Bandit I'm at a loss where the performance problem is unless your bike either has a running problem or you need more time getting used to it.  Gearing is high, maybe when the dealer puts the new wheel on you should consider two teeth up on the rear sprocket or one down on the front.  

It is the front rim, and I am in Canada, so we need to add the exchange (I do assume the rear rim is more though).