First ducati dilema: the old or the new?

[riplikash]

So I'm a long time lurker. After years of oogling and dreaming of a Ducati from my 50cc & 250cc bikes while working through school, the end is in sight, and my wonderful wife has finally put her foot down and declared that it time and she will settle for nothing less than a monster as a second vehicle for commuting (riiight...commuting).

And then ducati went and CHANGED everything with the 696.  Don't get me wrong, the 696 is a darn attractive bike. But in my eyes nothing can hold a handle to the s2r/s4r and the old 620.

After test riding the 696 it's all I ever hoped for from a riding perspective, but...it falls short of it's predicessors in my eyes. But (and this is just going by the dealer) the 696 sure sounds like it trumps the old 620's and s2r's (which would be my first choice) in every way. At least according to the dealer it runs better, rides better, and is cheaper to work on.

Older bikes are obviously much cheaper too.

No real opportunity to test ride older bikes (the SLC dealer doesn't allow that), so I'm hoping to get some oppinions of the old vs the new: the 620 vs the s2r vs the 696.  Is the 696 really so much more advanced that it is worth giving up on the look I love?

If it is all the dealer would claim: more reliable, cheaper to maintain, more fuel efficient, better handling, etc. well, It is still a beautiful bike (and the color options are pretty cool). But if it is just an incremental improvement...well those older s2r's with the offset stripes sure sing to me.

Thoughts?

/* update */
Well I really appreciate all the feedback. More than anything I think it has given me the confidence to go with what I know I really want.

[numbskull]

 

[DCXCV]

An '07-'08 s2r or 695 has the same maintanance schedule and can be had for less.  From what I've seen posted here the actual service costs are the same.  You know you want the older style.  Just get one. 

[GregP]

Just my opnion, had a 620 and the suspension was complete crap.  Spent a lot of money getting a real suspension set up on the bike and it was still just OK as far as aggressive canyon/track riding goes.  The 695/6 come with similarly pitiful components from what I can gather.  

Now if this is just a Starbucks tire kicker any of them will do.  They look great and make all the right noises.  If you intend to ride the bike with some purpose, find a used 900/1000 with fully adjustable suspension.

It's a great time to buy a used bike from a private party.  You are the boss on this deal!!

[hunduc]

just some very biased thoughts from a very happy s2r1k owner: 696 being more reliable - i would be surprised, it is a brand new model, so i think you would have more problems with it than with a longer history one. cheaper to maintain - i am not convinced about this, see the later model schedules (from 08). more fuel efficient - 696cc vs 1000cc, sure... but you have 80hp vs 90hp as well. better handling - no experience with a 696, but the s2r is smooth like butter.

and the s2r is a real italian beauty, the 696 looks like it wants to be japanese with those bug eyes and subframe...   

 

[Jester]

I'd go old Monster for two reasons.  They look better and there are tons of aftermarket parts already available for modding!   

[Africaboy]

I ran into a dude the other day, and he was telling me all the new style monsters are no longer hand built like the old one's. I got an '07 and am going to hang onto it for as long as I can.
My 0.02c

Plus the new ones is FUGLY.

[stopintime]

The 696 is a good bike. IIRC power is delivered at higher rpm's, which is not what Ducati is about.
If you are going by the dealer priorities, bla bla, you really shouldn't buy a Ducati at all - there are bikes out there that beat our bikes at almost everything. Thing is, they ARE not Ducati, they scream instead of ROAR and they usually look uninteresting.

+1 on getting a S2R 1000. It will keep you smiling for years. (Get one with the exhaust mod included, if it runs smoothly)

[Slide Panda]

Another thing to consider, and what struck me first when I hopped on 696 - that tank.  It struck me right in the gubbins... A number of folks with the new monsters have encountered the same 'comfort' issue and end up buying taller seats just to sit on it w/o getting a shot every time you stop..

I don't buy the line about maintenance.  AFAIK, the valve check intervals haven't changed in a couple years.  Yes, if you go back further the interval goes down to 6k miles between checks.  But, if you get an older bike, your out of pocket savings will probably be greater than the cost differential for the 1 or 2 more valve checks you'll have to do in the next few years. 

The comment about the suspension's a good one.  ALL the base level Monsters 620/695/696 etc are pretty spare when it comes to the factory suspension.  An older model, that's up the food chain a bit will see some improved suspension components.

One thing in the 696 favor is those Radial calipers up front. Previously, those only appeared on the Big Monsters.  They are a welcome change over from the 2 piston 300mm rotor set up seen on the 620, 695 and S2R800

Another is the body set up - though it makes working on the bike harder - it's a lot less susceptible to damage from a tip over and if it is damaged it's modular nature makes it a lot less of a hassle to put right again

[M900]

You buy motorcycles because it "moves" you -- and I'm not talking about dragging your carcass from point A to point B.  A big part of that is the aesthetics of the bike.  If you like the way the old style looks (which I do -- proud '96 M900 owner here) go get it.  The money you save will buy you a lot of maintenance.

Also, you didn't really expect the dealer to sell you a used bike (he prob doesn't have) did'ja?

[WhiteStripe]

S2R1000

[Speedbag]

Old.

Next question. 

[yotogi]

Between a 696 and an S2R1K... uh...

The 1000DS engine (and 1100DS) are amazing powerplants. Get you an S2R and start spending money on gas, tires and mods.

[red baron]

The 696 is a far cry from the 620.

Better brakes, better suspension, and you can swap out the color easily. Needless to say the 696 powerplant was very adept at keeping me entertained.

[ute]

if fake air scoops and a Aprillia headlight turn your crank get the new fake Monster

i say get a real  Monster ...S2R or S4R