Need some buying advice...

[Amlethae]

So in the future (near future, I hope) I'm going to get a new bike.  Right now I'm on a lovingly modified 696.  It's got about 2100 miles on it and it's my only bike (and my first bike ever).  My wife wants a bike and I feel like I'm about ready for an upgrade.  She says she'd be very happy to have my current bike if I decided to upgrade.  Soooooo I'm thinking of upgrading.  I know the Monster 1100 is a nice upgrade, but I feel like it'd be too much the same -- but I may be wrong about that.  I love the Streetfighter but I know that's a bit too much power for me (I'm happy never having done a wheelie, and certainly don't want to do one by accident!).  Does anyone have any advice on a good next bike for me?  Looking for more power but not toooo much more power.

[Triple J]

Hyper 1100 if you want to stay Ducati, and don't want another Monster.  You could also do the new Hyper 796, which will have more power than your M696...but not a ton more. The 1100 will have better suspension though.

...or you could get a 'Busa. 

[RC Fan]

I am going to assume you are still wanting a sportbike, just one with more zip.  Assuming you are considering other brands, how about a Street Triple, a GSX-R750 or a 2010 Z1000?  I have a 696 and would love to upgrade to any of aforementioned, particularly the last two.

[tristantumble]

What about a sport classic? More power, but it won't rip your face off, and a slightly different feel then the monster... I think it would be a good step up.

[M900]

I just bought a new 08 Hyper from a 96 Monster and I think it's a great alternative to the Monster.  Much smoother than my 96 in terms of power delivery, and uch more torque in the first 3 gears, also has a more "sporty" stance, without being bent over.

[Amlethae]

Thanks for the help everyone!

I'd like to stick to the sport bike look/feel.  Kinda rules out the Hyper sadly.  I do however strangely find myself attracted to the new Multi -- though, with looks like those, I might as well go with a BMW.

My wife would be absolutely thrilled if I got the Sport Classic -- she loves that bike a lot.  She wants the touring version, I would have liked the one with the clip ons but it looks like that's not an option anymore.  My main concern with this one is it's practicality as a daily driver.  I ride my 696 pretty much any day I have to go into work (Commuting from Brooklyn to Manhattan) and I'd like to continue doing that. 

Keep the suggestions coming cause I'd love to hear about something I haven't come across or really considered before!

[Slide Panda]

A hyper 796 is the same engine as in a 696, so unless they twiddle it at the factory, it'll put down the same power.

And for reference the 1100 mill engines have plenty of oomph for a power wheelies, so it's quite possible with those bikes too.

Question: Has your wife ridden before?
If not, I suggest you keep the 696 is yours for now and ride the living snot out of it, while getting a ninja 250 or 500 for her.

2100 miles really isn't that much, and there's still a lot of potential for you to learn and to be extracted from that bike, I'd wager.  In 3 months I pounded out near 4000 on a 620 - then transitioned to a 900. Though 900s aren't the most powerful beats by a long shot, the bump up in power and torque made an immediate impression. Also, going from an ATPC clutch to the non slipper dry caused me near to poop myself on one botched down shift. The ATPC would have slipped and it'd have been fine. The dry, combined with my misdeed caused the rear wheel to hop coming into a fast turn... yeah not fun.

[Roy]

Wait another year and see if the Streetfighter 848 comes out...

[Bladecutter]

Wait another year and see if the Streetfighter 848 comes out...

And that right there is the best possible bike to wait for, but if it doesn't happen, buy a used 848 and enjoy the heck out of it.

BC.

[M900]

there'd be plenty of leftover sportclassic biposto in the dealers -- there's a reason why they discontinued the line, and you benefit from the fact that other than the plastics, the parts are interchangeable so you won't have too much of a problem if the engine needs fixing.

If that's what you want, you should go ahead and get it -- when you think about it, if you really want a practical commute, you'd get a civic or a ruckus or something.  Get the bike you want and get used to the aggressive riding stance --  plenty of people do it.

Thanks for the help everyone!

I'd like to stick to the sport bike look/feel.  Kinda rules out the Hyper sadly.  I do however strangely find myself attracted to the new Multi -- though, with looks like those, I might as well go with a BMW.

My wife would be absolutely thrilled if I got the Sport Classic -- she loves that bike a lot.  She wants the touring version, I would have liked the one with the clip ons but it looks like that's not an option anymore.  My main concern with this one is it's practicality as a daily driver.  I ride my 696 pretty much any day I have to go into work (Commuting from Brooklyn to Manhattan) and I'd like to continue doing that. 

Keep the suggestions coming cause I'd love to hear about something I haven't come across or really considered before!

[idsteve]

You could buy this: 
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2722/4110755250_761724fdee_o.jpg

[DucSeason]

Not a Duc, but have you considered the Triiumph Street Triple or Daytona 675?

[1KDS]

A hyper 796 is the same engine as in a 696, so unless they twiddle it at the factory, it'll put down the same power.
...snip

It's a new motor, not the 696
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/newsandupdates/122_0909_2010_ducati_hypermotard_796/index.html

[Slide Panda]

It's a new motor, not the 696
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/newsandupdates/122_0909_2010_ducati_hypermotard_796/index.html

Ah, initial reports had it as the same size. So it get's a 100cc bump - should make for a respectable power bump w/o going insane

[1KDS]

Ah, initial reports had it as the same size. So it get's a 100cc bump - should make for a respectable power bump w/o going insane

Not as much as you would hope, only like a one horse bump and up like 6-8ft lbs