The Official 696 APPRECIATION Thread!!!

[cmorgan47]

i commute.  no problems other than detroit traffic.  the bike is great in traffic--quick and nimble...awesome brakes when you need them--but the people here are nuts.

just dropped it off for first maintenance, about 150

i miss it already

[akmnstr]

Well, I comfirmed it with some friends of mine.  I had them pic between the new BMW GS 800 and the Monster 696 and all 4 liked the Ducati much better.  Looks like my Alaska trip will have to wait a bit longer.  There has to b a way to get both bikes though.....  [moto]

Minor threadjack = What is this about postponing an Alaskan trip   We are planing on packing up and moving the state, so it won't be here
if you put it off.  Come on up while gas is still less than $10.00.  You don't need a BMW to ride up here.  You can do it on your new 696.  threadjack over

[seshboy]

I'm down with my 696.  About 350 miles and having fun    Last night put on some Speedymoto frame sliders and took off the reflectors on the fork.  Used dental floss to shave them off, and then WD40 to remove the goo.

[bulldogs2k]

Minor threadjack = What is this about postponing an Alaskan trip   We are planing on packing up and moving the state, so it won't be here
if you put it off.  Come on up while gas is still less than $10.00.  You don't need a BMW to ride up here.  You can do it on your new 696.  threadjack over

The trip is going to happen!  Not with a monster but with my crf230L  [moto].  I feel like it is my duty to do this cross country trek on my little bike just to shut up all those big bike whores!  Specialy in the ADV rider world.  BTW I'll be starting my trip from VA!  Woot Woot!  and it won't matter if gas is $10 bucks a gal. because my wee lil bike loves to sip on the stuff.  I'll be doing the Trans American Trail before my Alaska trip so I can figure out how to pack the bike without straining her. 


To keep this on subject, I should be getting a 696 dark for christmas!  Can't wait!  I'll wrap her in a bow and act surprised!   

[Foxtrotter]

Just got my red Monster last week and my husband recently asked the dealership if they sell a "Ducati scraper" to get my ass off the seat.    I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new bike!!  Since I am short, we shaved the seat a bit, but it is still very comfortable (plus, I am a lifelong equestrian and judge seat comfort along the lines of "hmmm, unless I feel like my seat bones are cutting their way through flesh and possibly staining the saddle with blood, it's good enough for the ride," which might explain why I generally ride in a bareback pad!).

I really don't think I could have made a better choice as this bike feels like "my bike," not just a bike I bought for myself.  I started riding this spring, did the GZ 250 and MSF and still can't believe how nice it is to ride something that doesn't panic and try to bolt into oncoming traffic when the neighbor leaves his trash cans out.

If this level of fun is characteristic of Ducatis in general, I can see why people are so brand loyal.  I am really impressed and don't care if anyone else likes the bike or not--I have enough love for it to make up the difference!    

[stopintime]

"The Ducati scraper"  has been on the market for many years, but it's not strong enough to get us off our Ducatis.

I think your "my bike" feeling sums it up quite nicely   Welcome to the DMF!

[MAZ]

Probably should have introduced myself in the Intro section - but I figured this would be intro enough.  Just got my red 696 on Friday - put 350+ miles on it this weekend.  I love this bike!  This is my fourth bike (and by far the best!) and fits me and my riding style.  Hubby and I are going to the Black Hills on vacation this September and I can't wait to ride with the Monster.  I had a custom gel seat made (SHOCKtec gel - GREAT stuff), dropped the forks about an inch and set the preload to soft.  I also had the dealership put on a different set of bars - more swept back and they used spacers to get the bars to clear the tank.  I am having Pazzo levers added this week.  I have short arms, short legs and short fingers  .  The Termis complete the bike  .

Attached are some pictures:

http://zs.smugmug.com/photos/334165634_Sa7G9-L.jpg

http://zs.smugmug.com/photos/334782155_5NWZW-L.jpg

[stopintime]

. . . . . . .
dropped the forks about an inch and set the preload to soft.  I also had the dealership put on a different set of bars - more swept back and they used spacers to get the bars to clear the tank.
 . . . . . .

Did you drop the forks (room for that?)(= "higher" front) or did you drop the bike to sit lower on the forks? Did you ride it before and after, if so, can you describe the difference in handling?

Which bars (Rizoma?) for the sweep? "Spacers" - do you mean risers, if so, which and how much higher?

I'm just curious - and welcome here!

[MAZ]

Did you drop the forks (room for that?)(= "higher" front) or did you drop the bike to sit lower on the forks? Did you ride it before and after, if so, can you describe the difference in handling?

Which bars (Rizoma?) for the sweep? "Spacers" - do you mean risers, if so, which and how much higher?

I'm just curious - and welcome here!

The bar is one that my dealer orders from Japan - it called the "Coerce - Naked Bar - Monster Machine Control ".  They said you won't find it on the internet - if you are interested in one you can contact Ducati Omaha.  The dealer put a spacer (not a riser) under the handlebar clamp - that effectively raised the handlebar clamp which raised the bars somewhat.  They very slightly reduced the lock so the bars won't hit on either side.  There are no risers available for the 696 as far as I know.  I didn't measure the before and after but there was a significant difference between the stock handlebar and the Coerce - before, my short arms were at full lock just trying to reach the bars and that was with me fully leaning on the tank - I would have really had to stretch to actually turn the bars from that position - as you can see in the photo I don't have any problems reaching the bars now.  I presented Ducati Omaha with a problem and they started thinking of ways to fix it - they are really great to deal with.



I didn't ride the bike before they dropped the triple clamp however, hubby did ride one that had not been dropped and he didn't notice a difference in handling between that one and my bike.  The bike was dropped to sit lower on the forks - triple clamp dropped (not forks - sorry  ).

[Bad Kitty]

Wow, MAZ!! You look great on that bike and I hope you have many great years of fun and enjoyment on her. 

[MAZ]

Wow, MAZ!! You look great on that bike and I hope you have many great years of fun and enjoyment on her. 

Thank you!  I really LOVE this bike.  [moto]  I can't imagine riding anything other than a Ducati and for now, can't imagine wanting to ride anything other than the 696 - such a fantastic bike.  Makes me smile every time I look at it.

[Bad Kitty]

Wow guys, way to let my thread die!  Kidding! 

I am looking at used 696's lately and have found a couple in balck, but I want white.  I know the colored body pieces swap out, but can't seem to find prices.  Has anybody swapped out their body work yet?  What did it set you back?

[red baron]

Just buy one and have it painted.

[DucinKtown]

Hey BK,

I think the panels on the Gas tank are about 400.00 each side,
There are some sites here that list em,

I have seen some red panels on Ebay, the reserve was like 300.00 each, don't think they sold.

I have the white one love it.

You gonna buy new?
My dealer here, Southwest Motorrad, has a new 696 in white and a used one there to sell, I'm in Kelowna BC, Canada.

Let me know it I can help more,

Good luck, You will love it.

RC

[Spicoli]

Wow guys, way to let my thread die!  Kidding! 

I am looking at used 696's lately and have found a couple in balck, but I want white.  I know the colored body pieces swap out, but can't seem to find prices.  Has anybody swapped out their body work yet?  What did it set you back?

Bad Kitty... you can have those few parts either powder coated or painted at an autobody for cheap.  I don't know prices of autobody, but powder coating would probably run you around $150 - $200 which would include all prep work of removing old paint, etc.  On the 696, body panel color is super easy to change... frame color would require a major disassembly.