IMO the new M line-up belongs on the show "SuperBikes". It's lost its soul.
GIVE IT SOME SOUL!!!
It shouldn't surprise me to learn of all the anti M696 sentiment out there. I routinely said "I will never own a Monster. It's just not for me." And something about the 2009s really grew on me. The shape of the tank. The stylishly located pipes. The semi aggressive seating position. I just love it.
And since this long term Monster disliker likes the new Monster, it only makes sense that the long term Monster likers don't care for it.