M696 versus HY796

[legalninja]

I almost bought the M696 Saturday afternoon, but am hesitating until I learn more about the HY796.  Why the HY796?  Well, the first Ducati I rode was the HY1100 back in the summer and by the end of my 3 mile demo ride, I felt about as comfortable with the braking/handling as I did with my current motorcycle and I think the HY796 will be even better since the power won't be so overwhelming to me.  Second, the HY796 has more power and a newer/better(?) engine design than the M696 which should mean I won't outgrow it quickly. 

HOWEVER, one of the biggest reasons I've gravitated towards the Monster line since that test ride is that the upright seating position of my current SuMo (Yamaha WR250x) is horrible at highway speeds due to wind buffeting affecting handling and leaves knots in my upper back on rides longer than 30 minutes.  I still recall, however, how comfortable I was on the HY1100 due to the ability to lever the bike around as a result of the SuMo style motorcycle and also how comfortable I was on the M696 due to the low weight and from being positioned closer to the Cg/roll-center.

This is a difficult decision to say the least and I'm flat-out paralyzed by the two choices.  Any insight into the two bikes?

[Scottish]

Test ride the hell outta both of them... and suffer your dilliema in happiness. Serious though, the 796 is the same motor, just a couple more cc's. No redesign, I think it's mostly gonna be a matter of which one you prefer sitting on.

Is the little hyper in showrooms yet?

[RC Fan]

I'm not sure either bike will solve your wind blast/wind buffeting issue on the highway.  (I get a fair amount of wind blast on my 696).  If possible take both for a decent run on the highway.

As far as power, I believe the 796 has one more hp than the 696.  I would recommend the 1100 in either bike.

[Raux]

also another difference is the fuel tank size. the HM is a smaller tank. the HM will have a bit more tq.
i sat on the HM1100 when i was deciding about the M696. felt like sitting on a plank and the wife hated how she felt on the back. made my choice easy.

[CannedIce]

also another difference is the fuel tank size. the HM is a smaller tank.

Have you seen the Calfornia Cycleworks Hypermotard 6.4 gallon tank? It will fit the 796! Here is more info: http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/docs/184/uncategorized/hypermotard-64-gallon-tank.html 

[sally101]

Have you seen the Calfornia Cycleworks Hypermotard 6.4 gallon tank? It will fit the 796! Here is more info: http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/docs/184/uncategorized/hypermotard-64-gallon-tank.html 

ewww fancy... You guys planning to make an MTS1200 super long range tank?

[CannedIce]

ewww fancy... You guys planning to make an MTS1200 super long range tank?

Currently, we are working on getting tanks done for the Monsters. We are however collecting names for our MTS interest list and I will add you to it. Also go here: http://www.multistrada.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19396&highlight=cycleworks

[z0mb1e_DUC]

Currently, we are working on getting tanks done for the Monsters. We are however collecting names for our MTS interest list and I will add you to it. Also go here: http://www.multistrada.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19396&highlight=cycleworks

Monsters?  As in m696/m1100??

[CannedIce]

Monsters?  As in m696/m1100??

My apologies to legalninja for thread jacking. It was not my intention and any further inquires about tanks should be routed to orders@ca-cycleworks.com or you can PM me

To answer the above question, we are testing the tank for carbureted models at the moment and will be done with tank for fuel injected models by the end of next year. If you would like to be added to our interest list please contact us at the above mentioned e-mail.

Thanks,
Candice

[breakdown]

I'm kind of in the same situation as you are.  I currently have a Hyper 1100S.  I'm trading it in for a Monster 1100s.  I like my Hyper but it's a very narrowly focused bike.  It's great around town and on tight, twisty roads but that is it.  It is terrible on the highway or anything where you have to travel over 100 km/h for any length of time.  The wind blast is too tiring.  The Hyper is also a bit too tall for me.  The Monster 1100s, which I've demoed quite a bit, is a perfect bike for me.

[M900]

I have a 96 Monster 900 and an 08 HM.  As far as wind blast goes, the way the headlight is shaped in the HM actually helps direct some of the wind and combined with the ass-scooting ability of the seat, I find the HM a bit easier on highway speeds.  I do think the old, classic Monsters look classy and pregnant dogin and kickass all at the same time (whereas the HM just looks kickass and pregnant dogin).  As far as utility goes, I thought both bikes are fairly similar.

[NWapex]

Anyone had a chance to ride the HM796 yet?  I would like to hear the comparisons to the M696, if you have ridden both.  According to Ducati, the HM796 appears to have about 10% more torque. 

[CINDESMO]

I have ridden about 300 miles on the M696 and 100 miles on the HYM796.  Both bikes are awesome and it's hard to say how you could go wrong with either choice. 

The M696 is probably the most user friendly Ducati I have ridden.  Unlike older Monsters, it has a great turning radius and a headlight that actually lights up the road ahead.  I found the riding postion to be really comfortable.  It has plenty of power and it is easy to find yourself going well over the speed limit.  It was easy to keep up with other riders in the twisties.  I never did figure out the gas mileage, but it must have been around 50mpg - I just gassed up when my friends' superbikes needed gas.  The Monster is amazingly light and nimble.  The mini windscreen does a great job of blocking the wind.

The HYM796 is incredibly fun.  I bought mine to compliment my M900S.  The response of the 796 motor is NOT similar to the 696 in that it begs you to yank on the throttle.  In this way, I would say it is more like the 900cc bikes.  The Hyper weighs more than the M696 but it sure doesn't feel like it.  On the highway it feels totally planted because it has the 180 rear tire.  It takes on a lot more wind because in stock form there is no windscreen and you are sitting upright.  I added the Ducati Performance windscreen immediately!  Big difference but still more windy than the Monster.  On the flip side, because you sit higher and are upright, you can see and be seen better in traffic.  Due to crappy winter weather I have not ridden the Hyper very far or on any interesting roads and I don't know the gas mileage yet.  Obviously, it has a smaller tank and higher seat height, which could be negatives.

Definitely recommend riding both bikes if you can.  Whichever bike you pick, you will have fun! 

Cindy S.
Ducati Seattle
BTW, I am 5' tall

[Dave R]

here she is

[legalninja]

I recently had my own "come to Jesus" talk with myself over the two bikes and eliminated the HM796 even though it has the better engine and SM-style handling superiority.  Why?  First, I have an SM now and can't tolerate riding more than 20-30 minutes at a time due to the strain the riding position puts on my upper back; when I get into the twisties, it's second to none in terms of riding fun, but they're over an hour of highway droning away from my house.  Second, this will be my first Ducati, so I'm going to start with one that has broad appeal so I can sell it in 2yrs or so when I grow tired of it as is my pattern of motorcycle ownership for the last decade or give it to my wife (she rides occasionally).  The things I can't settle on are color (black vs. white) and exhaust (Arrow vs. Termignoni); the black is very understated and devoid of pretension, but the white is more visible which is a concern when commuting to my office at 6am; I've had Arrow and Akrapovic pipes on my Triumphs and other bikes and loved the sound and build quality, but Termi seems to be standard for Ducs.  As an aside, I plan to get the DP ECU even though it's 4x more expensive than a PowerCommander due mostly to the raised rev limiter and "designed for" aspect of the DP ECU.  

My dealer is closed until next Tuesday, though, so I can't pull the trigger on the bike.  Does anyone know what, if any, the next round of Ducati incentives will entail?