Moving from S2R800 to 696?

[stopintime]

There's also a lower seat for 696/1100 if that's what you're getting.

http://www.ducati.com/accessories/touring/m696_1100_lower_seat/166/index.do?urlBack=%2Fvi%2Faccessory.do%3FkeyWord%3D%26pageNumber%3D9%26idBikeFamily%3D22%26idModelBike%3D%26idModelYear%3D0%26idCategory%3D0%26nameOrder%3Dasc%26sortOrder%3Dname

[rockaduc]

What about throwing on a set of adj. suspenders and then getting it set for her weight?  Such as fork and shock for an s4r?  Would be a direct bolt on for the fork, minor mods for the shock.  BTW, I have the same exact color combo s2r as your missus...it's what the cool kids ride.

[duc996]

IMHO i prefer the old body of the monster,timeless.

[1KDS]

IMHO i prefer the old body of the monster,timeless.

+1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
Keep it

[teddy037.2]

yeah, I'd jump on the suspension/seat/midpipes bandwagon, too.

but that's not really on topic 

[Markus]

My 2cents, if she feels it's time for a new bike, it's time for a new bike. Regardless of all the adjustments, modifications, tweaks, etc her current S2R will always be the same old bike with more $ thrown at it. Assuming she likes the 696, and if fits her (or can be made to do so with relative ease) get it. It'll make her happy. That's the most important thing.

Incidentally, I rode a friend's totally stock 696 last summer and was thoroughly impressed with it. Lots of manageable power, handling felt very balanced and neutral, good brakes. Didn't like the forward pitched seat but that's an easy fix. Aesthetics aside (I happen to like the 696 styling, though I do prefer the older Monster style) I thought the 696 was a much better out-of-the-box package than the S2R800 I demo-ed a couple of years ago.

Good luck.
 

[rockaduc]

My 2cents, if she feels it's time for a new bike, it's time for a new bike. Regardless of all the adjustments, modifications, tweaks, etc her current S2R will always be the same old bike with more $ thrown at it. Assuming she likes the 696, and if fits her (or can be made to do so with relative ease) get it. It'll make her happy. That's the most important thing.

I could not disagree more.   After doing a brake upgrade (320mm rotors, radial masters, 4 pot calipers), Full termi kit, and suspension upgrade which was then sorted for my weight, I have a completely "new" bike that out-handles, out-brakes and out-accelerates what it was previously.  The transformation was nothing sort of miraculous.

[Raux]

I could not disagree more.   After doing a brake upgrade (320mm rotors, radial masters, 4 pot calipers), Full termi kit, and suspension upgrade which was then sorted for my weight, I have a completely "new" bike that out-handles, out-brakes and out-accelerates what it was previously.  The transformation was nothing sort of miraculous.

and how much would that cost, what kind of warranty would you have on it, and what would be the resale on the bike or god forbid the insurance payout.

the stock 696 outhandles the stock s2r800. <== that's a period

[teddy037.2]

and how much would that cost, what kind of warranty would you have on it, and what would be the resale on the bike or god forbid the insurance payout.

the stock 696 outhandles the stock s2r800. <== that's a period

mods are half the fun of it!

[Markus]

I could not disagree more.   After doing a brake upgrade (320mm rotors, radial masters, 4 pot calipers), Full termi kit, and suspension upgrade which was then sorted for my weight, I have a completely "new" bike that out-handles, out-brakes and out-accelerates what it was previously.  The transformation was nothing sort of miraculous.

Sorry, I didn't mean for my post to be taken quite so literally.

I'm sure your well sorted out S2R is a much better performing bike than it was originally. However, it's still basically the same bike it was when new, with a significant amount of money and effort put into it. Nice to hear you're happy with your bike with the current upgrades, but the real issue here is the OP's wife is considering a new purchase because she's tired of her current high-mileage bike (to read between the lines). That's really all that matters.
 

[stopintime]

Sorry, I didn't mean for my post to be taken quite so literally.

I'm sure your well sorted out S2R is a much better performing bike than it was originally. However, it's still basically the same bike it was when new, with a significant amount of money and effort put into it. Nice to hear you're happy with your bike with the current upgrades, but the real issue here is the OP's wife is considering a new purchase because she's tired of her current high-mileage bike (to read between the lines). That's really all that matters.
 

No no  it's what WE think that matters! WE are the old school enthusiast who has decided that the 696 is not worthy of US 
Seriously though - I agree almost a hundred percent.
I love my modded S2R 800, but I think a stock 696 is a better bike than a stock S2R 800 - at least for normal sized riders.

I have no doubt that Mrs OP will be very happy with it

[rockaduc]

and how much would that cost, what kind of warranty would you have on it, and what would be the resale on the bike or god forbid the insurance payout.

the stock 696 outhandles the stock s2r800. <== that's a period

It cost me less than a new bike, don't need a warranty as I did the work myself: so I think i did it right  , don't give a damn about the resale value, as i'm keeping 'er.

BUT, FWIW, to each their own, and if the missus wants a new bike, she's getting a new bike.  The new one is going to end up modded anyway.

Besides...who does things to their bike with resale value in mind?  I'm pretty sure most people mod them so they r the way they want them.

[Raux]

It cost me less than a new bike, don't need a warranty as I did the work myself: so I think i did it right  , don't give a damn about the resale value, as i'm keeping 'er.

BUT, FWIW, to each their own, and if the missus wants a new bike, she's getting a new bike.  The new one is going to end up modded anyway.

Besides...who does things to their bike with resale value in mind?  I'm pretty sure most people mod them so they r the way they want them.

i wasn't talking specifically about you. but the general rider.

[rule62]

I think the 696 would be a down-grade.  Why not just take the 800 to an exhaust shop and have them fab you up a system that affords more ground clearance with your lowered set-up?  The 800 has a lot of miles, but that most likely means that it has already shown you all of its "bugs".  Thread after thread of the new 696/1100 models having problems with electronics, tank mounting problems, weird exhaust valve (I meant "flapper") issues, etc... would deter me from getting one over keeping a bike I know to be tried and true.  (and then there's the ugly factor)  To each their own.  Just my $0.02.  Keep her happy.

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=27988.0

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=25371.0

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=32734.0

<homework done... go paint your tank skins again>  

[ungeheuer]

Hey all,  My wife currently rides an S2R800 ...... the 696 ........ felt better in almost every was than the 800! ....very impressed....

What?!?  Are you sure?  But you did notice that the headlight..........  I S N ' T    R O U N D  ?  ?  !  !  !  

You cant espouse such outrageous heresy without encountering the collective wrath of the Roundheads....

..... old body of the monster,timeless.

+1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
Keep it.

I think the 696 would be a down-grade.   Thread after thread of the new 696/1100 models having problems with electronics, tank mounting problems, weird exhaust valve issues, etc.  (and then there's the ugly factor) ...

I think the problems are not unique to 696 and need to be kept in perspective.  Exhaust valve issues?  Go do your homework... lol.  

Although..... stopintime is about to be lined up, have his sword broken and the buttons and epaulets ceremonially ripped off his tunic for this disloyal outburst against  the Roundhead cause...

I love my modded S2R 800, but I think a stock 696 is a better bike than a stock S2R 800