Moving from S2R800 to 696?

[High_Side]

  Hey all,

  My wife currently rides an S2R800 which she owned had since the first ones hit the streets.  She is looking to upgrade as her bike is at the point where the mileage makes them relatively worthless in a market with lots of low mileage garage queens around.  When the 696 first came out I rode her S2R down for a test ride of the new bike and was very impressed:  It felt better in almost every was than the 800!  However, my ride was short and it's easy to be blinded by new bike syndrome
  So has anyone else made this move?  Any regrets?  Let us know. We would love to hear it.

[Heath]

I would think that would be a pretty lateral move.

[Travman]

Terrible move.  I don't understand why she would want to upgrade just because the value of the bike is relatively low.  This is the time to cherish the bike and use it up. 

Also, I think she will be downgrading in the engine department.   

[Slide Panda]

Power numbers for the 800 and 696 are pretty close. So there's no real change there. 696 brakes are better, and there's the possibility of ABS now. But the suspension is on par... so at least on paper it's not much of an upgrade.

You say the 696 felt better than the 800 - care to illuminate us? I haven't been on a 696 yet... I was slotted for a 696 demo when an 848 came free.. terrible shame I had to swap.

[High_Side]

I would think that would be a pretty lateral move.

Terrible move.  I don't understand why she would want to upgrade just because the value of the bike is relatively low.  This is the time to cherish the bike and use it up.  

Also, I think she will be downgrading in the engine department.  

  I left out a little more info that will help explain the move.

  The S2R had to be lowered via new rear link and dropping the forks as she is little.  Surprisingly, the handling wasn't affected too much, however ground clearance was.  After dragging the cat converter in corners, it finally got severely damaged and was replaced with a Quat-D mid-pipe.  That too was damaged later as she is a fairly aggressive rider .  The 696 has the higher exhaust routing and at stock height would not have to be lowered because she can get decent footing on it in the showroom.

  As for the concern over moving downwards in the engine department:

  From time to time I claim the little S2R monster to head out for a little twisty road fun.  In a large group of guys who were all talking smack over breakfast the little Monster was only second to the 996 of a buddy of mine who races at the end of the road.  Is it good for big wheelies like my Superduke?  No  Can it be made to haul?  Yes.  She does just fine on it as well and has no desire for more power, and even manges to outride most of the people that we ride with.  Combine this with my short-time-in-the-saddle-seat-of-the-pants impression of the 696, and it feels slighty more powerful (likely due to lower weight and lower gearing).  She could get the 1100, but wouldn't necessarily need the power, plus like most bikes:  it's too damed high for her!

  And yep, we'll admit that the mileage thing is self justificaiton for new bike fever.  Can you blame her?  If I let it justify it for her - she has to let it work for me too - no?

  But again, has anyone had long term experience with both?

[Travman]

Makes sense to me.  You will take a beating selling the S2R800 and buying a 696 from the dealer, but you have legit reasons.  Let's see some pics of her on her new bike in the near future. 

[puppy]

I like the look of the s2r over the 696 Iam sorry  its just my 2 cents. I would put boom tubs and a dp ecu or fatduc

[High_Side]

Makes sense to me.  You will take a beating selling the S2R800 and buying a 696 from the dealer, but you have legit reasons.  Let's see some pics of her on her new bike in the near future. 

  How 'bout the old bike for now?

[dennisd]

WOW, she is really cute!

Sorry, just had to be a smart a55 this evening.  If that is a current pic, that S2R is in fabulous shape.

[Travman]

The bike looks like it has been lowered quite a bit and she is still not flat footed.  It looks like she is on her toes. 

You mentioned the cat. converter (udder) and a Quat D midpipe was damaged since the bike was lowered and she is an agressive rider.  Perhaps a custom made midpipe would solve the cornering clearence issue.   

[Popeye the Sailor]

There's a short rider FAQ which might help prevent some of the clearance issues you mentioned, both on the old bike or on the new bike:

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1853.0

Good luck.

[High_Side]

The bike looks like it has been lowered quite a bit and she is still not flat footed.  It looks like she is on her toes. 

You mentioned the cat. converter (udder) and a Quat D midpipe was damaged since the bike was lowered and she is an agressive rider.  Perhaps a custom made midpipe would solve the cornering clearence issue.   

  We looked at doing the custom mid-pipe thing when we bought the Quat-D.  There really only is a 1/2 " to be gained and I worry that I would be too close to the oil pan.

  If we end up keeping the S2R we will likely raise it up another 1/2" which would frankly make a world of difference.  But again, now that she has that new bike fever....

[The Bacon Junkie]

On the chance you might be getting rid of the S2r, would you be trading it in, or selling?

 

[High_Side]

On the chance you might be getting rid of the S2r, would you be trading it in, or selling?

 

Selling privately.  The dealer did offer to let me put it on his floor to sell commission free ......if I buy the 696 of course.....

[ROBsS4R]

A corbin seat bought me a good inch. You may want to look into that.