696 vs 796

[Kev M]

I was gonna say it sounded to me like the OP would prefer the 796 just from a standard ride height/ergos standpoint. But IF $ makes the 696 more attractive it can certainly be made to fit better for not a lot of dosh.

I also want to contradict some of the assumptions/generalizations/opinions made on this thread like:

Considering the relatively heavy fuel consumption of all three bikes that small fuel capacity is very off-putting.

We regularly get 50-56 mpg from ours - meaning we don't fill up till around 150 miles. Certainly by that point I'd be ready for a break anyway, but I can't make it more than 50 without complaining with the stock seat. Somehow Jenn manages 100 at a pop before starting to wiggle a little 

Believe me when I say if you buy the 696 you'll want an 1100 pretty damn quick.

Facts not in evidence. It's likely we'll never even consider a 796 and have absolutely no use for an 1100.

On a 696/796 4,000 RPM is ~ an indicted 80 MPH in 6th which is essentially lugging the engine below that on a stock bike.

Facts not in evidence. Lugging is not strictly based on rpm and gear, it's based on ambient conditions which include temperature, pressure, AND LOAD. What is lugging with a 200 > lbs. rider may not be with a 150 < lbs. rider. Though I think the gearing is a little tall for ME (230 currently but working my way down again lol) Jenn (~130) has absolutely no complaints and doesn't want me to touch the gearing.

How many if you that own a 696 have done any touring in them? I'm not talking 100k mile touring but something significant like 1k miles in days kinda thing.

Because of Jenn's work (and little complications that have arisen since buying the Duc - the first one is named Fiona lol) Jenn doesn't get to ride as often as we'd like. So though most of our riding together are short 50 or 100 mile runs on a weekend when we can find a sitter, she has taken 3 or 4 longer trips - like down part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, or up to MA and back to PA again in a long weekend - or like this past weekend about 800 miles in 3 days (out to Pittsburgh and back). She's got no complaints, but to be honest, that's partially her fitness and small build. She also used to put 1-2k mile weeks on her Sportsters WITH STOCK SEATS     I THINK however now that she's getting old (she IS in her 30s  ) she's warming to the idea of a Sargent seat which I'll have to add to the wish list.

This past weekend:

[DLep]

Kev M,
I don't know how important fuel range is for the OP but for some of us a range of only 240 kms (150 miles) would be a bit short.

For example, our ride today was 275 kms and after filling up before the start we didn't pass close to a petrol station until about the 250 km mark. Most of the ride was on back roads so not much opportunity to use 5th and 6th on the VStrom and it may have been even more of a low gear trip on a Monster. With the Monster's small fuel capacity I would have been worrying about fuel running out.

I haven't ruled out a 696 but if I get one I'll alwahys have to carry a couple of litres of fuel with me, which is not exactly convenient.

It's not just about comfort, personnaly I have less than a two hour duration before my backside gets sore, but I don't have to plan my trips around fuel availability.   

Of course distance between fills may be of no importance to the OP.

[Raux]

if you know that, carry a liter or two in

http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/PN-070-0643/MSR-fuel-bottle-887-ml-30oz

[Kev M]

Kev M,
I don't know how important fuel range is for the OP but for some of us a range of only 240 kms (150 miles) would be a bit short.

For example, our ride today was 275 kms and after filling up before the start we didn't pass close to a petrol station until about the 250 km mark. Most of the ride was on back roads so not much opportunity to use 5th and 6th on the VStrom and it may have been even more of a low gear trip on a Monster. With the Monster's small fuel capacity I would have been worrying about fuel running out.

Location and usage could certainly make this a sticking point - but here on the east coast of the US I can't remember a time where a range of 150 miles would be an issue (hell I can't remember anytime were a range of 100 miles would be an issue).

And honestly, Jenn gets in the upper 50's most of the time - so 150 is being conservative - at 55 mpg I SUSPECT she could make it to about 3.25 gallons of consumption - which would be closing in on 192.5 miles (or 309 km) so it would have been fine on your ride.

Though yeah, she'd probably not like to do that unless she was carrying a spare fuel bottle or two (or at least we had a container and a siphon hose so that she could take some of the 5.8 gallons from my Guzzi V7).

Point taken - but I would DEFINITELY NOT characterize the 696 as having "Heavy Fuel Consumption".

EDIT - noticed this old post searching for something on mileage and range.

The other day Jenn filled up her 696 and managed to put in 3.8G! 

And a day later she made it to 195 miles and only put 3.4G in...so she's got a theoretical range approaching 220 miles!!!

[Convert123]

Hey y'all, it's been awhile but taxes are back and prices came down on the 796. I've also found cheaper insurance so it's just over $ 100 a month. I rode the 796 and liked it more. I'm supposed to be picking up my bike in two weeks when the red one gets here but if it doesnt then i will settle for black because i don't want to wait any longer than i have to.

[MadDuck]

Have at it & have fun!!  Thanks for the update. Most folks just let the end of the story drift off into the ether.

[Kev M]

Sweet... enjoy! 

[pesto]

Good choice. I love my 696 but still get jelly every time I see a SSS 

[TACstrat]

Congrats on the new bike. I went through a similar decision last year (696, 796, or 1100) and decided upon the 796. I still love it and made the right decision for me based on the type of riding I do.

Regarding mods, mine is still pretty much stock except I took the emissions canister off and removed the stickers from the frame. This year I'm adding the carbon Termignoni exhaust (wish I did that when I purchased the bike), a Sargent seat, and maybe bar end mirrors.

I read the posts in this thread about changing the front sprocket to make 6th gear useable. I don't plan to change mine out. I use 6th gear as an overdrive when I'm cruising steady above 80mph. The bike runs slightly over 4000 rpm at 80 mph in 6th gear. It doesn't lug unless I accelerate, but shifting down to 5th for accelerating works fine at that speed. Just like choosing the bike, I think all modifications boil down to personal preference.

Enjoy the new bike!

[Convert123]

Good choice. I love my 696 but still get jelly every time I see a SSS 

The SSS is what made me like this bike in the beginning because you rarely see that on any bike out here.

The only modification I will make in the next 6 months will be a wind screen because I'm going to ride from Monterey CA to Moab UT haha... it's 980mi going down the interstate but I don't think I will go all interstate the whole way.

[Curmudgeon]

Moab?  It's not a dirt bike! 

Just my $0.02; try the stock mirrors and mini fairing combo before tossing them. They were developed in Ducati's wind tunnel, are surprisingly quiet, and work better than you'd suppose. For that long trip you can fit a tall Puig or Givi; those hurt my eyes though. 

[Convert123]

I would go to Moab because I have family out there haha... It would be the yearly visit kind of thing. Instead of driving my truck out to Moab and costing me $600 round trip at least.

[Anchorism]

Good choice on the bike!  I have both a 796 and 696.  Well the wife has the 696 but hasn't bee. The one running up the miles.  That being said,  I love them both.  My 796 has brute force compared to the 696.  Mainly cause of mods... but the 696 is super smooth and soooo flickable!  Another benefit to the 696 is the mileage.  Its gets about 8mpg better.... probably more me than the bike. Other than all that I love them both!

[Anchorism]

Oh and one last thing... don't settle.  If its red you want get it!  You might regret settling later if you do!  Had the same wrenching decision and boy ambi glad I waited!  Almost took a white one then almost went to a hypermotard.  Glad I got the satin black!

[Curmudgeon]

Oh and one last thing... don't settle.  If its red you want get it!  You might regret settling later if you do!  Had the same wrenching decision and boy ambi glad I waited!  Almost took a white one then almost went to a hypermotard.  Glad I got the satin black!

Fully agree. All 796's have red frames of course. Wanted the red for resale over here although mine got Pantah skins on set-up because this bike replaces the 600 SL I had both in my stable and in my feeble mind.  (See my intro thread.) http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=50673.0