Monster 696

 

Anybody know anything about this scoot? I saw it on the Ducati site -
it's a new bike but I'm not sure how long it's been out. Since I sold
my VTX and FXLR I'm starting to get "that itch" again. Can't seem to
stay away from twins though...

 

One fine day in rec.motorcycles, "kingfish@hotmail.com"


Rider magazine published an article about it in their August 2008 issue.  
(I'm a subscriber.)  66.1 HP @ 9100 on the dyno, and 43.4 Ft/lbs torque.  
Nice sporty curve, and it averaged 43.9 MPG.  Bagging it is difficult
because of the high pipes, and plastic tank.  The bike is described as
compact, but that makes it ultra maneuverable.  Shifting is described as
"smooth and clean", but the clutch engages where the lever is nearly all
the way out.  My old V-Star 650 was like that, and I had no problem with
it.  The mufflers emit "sweet music", although the power output is
described as "dandy" for lighter and less agressive riders.  According to
the tester, it just keeps leaning and leaning and leaning, never scraping
anything, and easily soaking up undulations in the pavement which would
throw other bikes off-line.  The suspension is otherwise described as
similar to that of a serious sports car, and the brakes (Brembo calipers
all around) are strong and linear, with extra praise for the back brakes.  
Add to that an instrument panel that does everything but your taxes, and
you have quite a contender.  They claim the power to weight ratio is better
than the Monster 900, although I imagine the gearing is a tad shorter.

Overall, "a fine entry-level machine for someone who doesn't want to grow
out of their investment".

--
Uncle Vic
04 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad
92 Nighthawk 750

 


Interesting. The Duc site says 80hp & 50.6 torque. Mebbe those numbers
are at the flywheel?

Bob, it's hard to top the Japanese when comaring scoots. Yes the
Zookie will do it as well or better for less $, but if it doesn't
trigger the brain's pleasure center then the savings don't matter. I
like the 696's look where the SV looks to me like a generic metric
bike. (I've had 8 of those already)  The Duc will probably require
more maintenance than a Suzuki, but I guess that's the price of
admission.

The "poseur value" comment I will just chalk up to your
contrariness  : )

 

wrote:

You've obviously never ridden an SV-650. Like I said, It outperforms
the baby Ducati in every way, including thrills per mile:)

Bob Nixon..

 

Bob Nixon wrote:


Guys make sense here.  Looks may matter for you, but they get old quite
fast, and then you are stuck with an uninspiring bike.  Now, try to imagine
one of your friends lets you have a ride on his much cheaper Jap.  You hop
on it, find it better in every case than your current machine (beside
looks, which got old already) and you try, but fail, to look cool when you
hand them back their keys...  I'm telling you, it's hard not to laugh when
you see it.

--
Andrzej Rosa