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Ducati 696
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July 18, 2008 at 4:16 pm #1743jk2Participant
So…After having introduced myself, and thinking long and hard about which bike to get, I think that I have decided on the Ducati 696. To remind some of you, I am 6’3″ and about 259lbs, and I have ridden dirtbikes quite a bit, as well as taken the MSF course. I have talked to many people about many bikes, and it doesn’t seem as though this is a bad choice. I love the look of it, and am seriously considering purchasing it in the next few months. Has anyone ridden it who can share a bit more insight? Thanks
Also, If anyone thinks that their might be other bikes worth considering that are similar please don’t hesitate to share.
July 18, 2008 at 7:39 pm #8980AnonymousGuestJuly 19, 2008 at 3:29 am #8990MickeyParticipantsee this https://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/why-600cc-motorcycle-not-good-beginner-bike-updated If you really want a 600+ sportsbike consider this one http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Detail.aspx?id=264
“I thought I was indecisive but now I’m not sure”July 19, 2008 at 5:30 am #8993AaronMerlotParticipantAnd if you need to read some more, please read this
https://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/forum/forum-topic/839/do-you-get-itPlease don’t get offended, all we want is for you to make the safest and most fun choice you can. Information is power!
July 19, 2008 at 11:22 am #9000jk2ParticipantOkay, maybe we need to try this again…I have talked to many, and many have said that a 250cc machine probably isn’t the best choice for me simply because I have substantial riding experience on dirt bikes, and because i am a big guy. In no way do I think that this means that I ‘need’ an R1 or a busa or something like that. For these reasons I have been consistently steered towards the vtwin style 600ish cc bikes, (by people here and else where). Numerous people have said to get an SV, or Ninja 650, both of which seem to be very comparable to the Ducati. However, I find the Ducati to be better looking, and to be more comfortable, so what I was attempting ask was, how is this bike so different? It is a vtwin style sport/standard style bike, it has a more upright riding position, and yes it is the same general cc class. Yes I know ducatis are expensive, and yes they can be problematic to maintain, but being that I know that it seems to be more of my concern than yours. So what am I missing?Or am I just one of those poor lost souls who ‘doesn’t get’ it? Believe me I am not the type of person to do something stupid, and that is why I am asking but everything that I have read, and everything that I have learned and heard says that this bike is really no worse than some of the other choices reccomended. I don’t mean to be argumentative, but it seems like this is an inherent problem with this site. I do not think that I am different or special or will somehow have magic powers that will allow me to learn and progress faster, I also do not view this in anyway as my last bike. I will likely ride this bike for several years, and then get another bike. Please do not be affraid to tell me that this bike is an awful choice, but please do so by giving me actual reasons, rather than linking me to an article when another rider who has been through picking his first bike so he feels that he is superior enough to tell the rest of us how silly we are. I get the point of all of the articles as well as those who posted them (and they are all valid), however, I think that perhaps their answers needed a bit more thought. I started out wanting a 250r, but have since been talked up to a larger bike, which is fine and makes some sense to me but I just need some help clarifying why I am smart for wanting to get an SV or a 650r, but apparently I am an idiot for wanting what seems to be the Japanese twins Italian cousin?
Ok sorry if that came off as an angry rant, didn’t mean it to be, and I appreciate the time that any and all take to respond to this post. Buying the first bike is a real b$tch.
July 19, 2008 at 1:53 pm #9002megaspazParticipantDucs are beautiful machines, but there’s a couple of reasons I wouldn’t go with this duc, both relating to heat. First off, the engine’s air-cooled. in warm/hot weather you’ll need to be moving to keep that engine from overheating. Could be a problem if you ride in congested cities and highways and not allowed to lane split/share. The second may be a problem depending on the configuration. Looks like there’s 2 seating different configs for this duc. The first being a full seat with passenger seat, the second being a single slimmer seat and just the back cowl.
Full seating
Rider seat only, thinner seat(???)
I’ve talked to a duc owner who’s bike has just the rider seat and he says his ass gets really hot when not moving. There’s heat insulation against the dual undertail exhaust, but it’s not very adequate. He’s gotta be moving to keep that heat off his ass. He really finds that uncomfortable when moving slow or stopped for a long period of time. You may feel differently, hard to tell. I also don’t know if having the full seating configuration helps against this.
Me, personally, I’d get an sv650s/sv650sf. Liquid cooled engine and proven to be reliable. It’s a popular bike, which means you’ll be able to save money as there’s a lot of used ones being sold and that parts are easily and readily available. Compared to the duc, the horsepower and torque’s about the same… Well the horsepower on the sv can be brought up to the duc by a simple slip-on exchange from the stock can.
So in summary, the main reasons i’d stick with the sv over the duc is liquid cooled engine, better heat insulation, and better maintainability (reliability and availability of parts). Well price is a major factor as well with ducs being notoriously expensive to buy machines. The 696 msrp is still more expensive than the fully faired sv650sf with ABS brakes. So Ducs, while being beautiful machines to look at and would be neat to own one, would never really be in my buy list.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…July 19, 2008 at 2:19 pm #9004jk2ParticipantFantastic summary I will look at the SV more seriously now. Appreciate everything. This will be a complete toy for me, I will ride to work on occassion, but it will basically be a summer time riding machine, to take on short trips on country roads, or to local restaurants etc. Still the heat thing is a consideration. Thanks a million.
July 19, 2008 at 2:57 pm #9005BenParticipantWell, having a lot of dirt bike experience is really good, and the fact you have taken the MSF is great. Street bikes are different than dirt bikes, but I know some of the concepts will transfer over.
Honestly the only reason I wouldn’t get the Ducati is because it’s expensive! I dropped my first bike a few times and I’m glad that it was a cheap GS500 with no fairings. But if you are cool with the expense, and you are aware of problems that ducatis sometimes have mechanically (but all bikes have their quirks), then I say go for it.
If you were looking to spend a bit less then I would go with megaspaz’s suggestion and get the SV650. They are everywhere so you won’t have a problem getting parts or advice on how to do basic mechanic stuff. Of course because they are ‘everywhere’ that might be one reason why you don’t want one.
Whichever bike you get, make sure you wear full gear: Jackets, gloves, pants (not jeans), boots, and full face helmet.
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles AdminJuly 19, 2008 at 3:00 pm #9006BenParticipantLet me temper that advice by saying that I think the IDEAL choice for the most learning would be a 500cc bike of some type for you. With the Duc or the SV you will hopefully learn the lessons a 250 or 500 would teach you, but in my opinion you will learn them slower. I think if you get a 600 I-4 there are some skills that you just simply will not acquire.
Let us know what you decide!
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles AdminJuly 19, 2008 at 7:10 pm #9010ShannonGParticipantIf you like the Ducati 696 and think you can handle a bike that size, consider the Aprilia Shiver. It’s virtually the same bike as the Monster power and spec wise, but liquid cooled.
http://www.apriliausa.com/modelli/road/modello.asp?id=123#
Edited to say: My husband has a Shiver (his first motorcycle in 10+ years) and while he is the first to admit it is a very powerful bike, he also is enjoying it immensely. You just need to be a grownup about it.
July 19, 2008 at 7:48 pm #9013AndrewParticipantI like the look of the Monster more than the Shiver although they both have a nice industrial look that I really like. As a complete noob they are too much bike though. I’ll be looking for a 250 cruiser once I have completed the MSF.
Andrew
July 20, 2008 at 12:06 pm #9026jk2ParticipantI am not sure what I will do yet, but i do appreciate all of the input. The shiver is a gorgeous bike to my eyes, but looks like it might be a little more than I want out of the gate even though it is only slightly bigger than the SV or the Duc. Anyways, I will keep you all informed of my decision, and hopefully, I will be riding soon. And please, if anyone learns anything more about the Duc, or any other bikes please let me know as it might help make my decision.
August 19, 2008 at 4:22 am #10742AnonymousGuestWhy would you even compare the Ninja 650R to a Ducati 696? Ducati fans are as much about looks as they are about performance. That same old Jap. styling doesn’t even come close to the Ducati Monster.
August 19, 2008 at 1:27 pm #10753WeaponZeroParticipantIf you like the style of the Ducati Monster and it’s your first bike, a Suzuki SV650 is 90% of what a Monster 696 is for much less money. And that last 10% is mostly just style.
Realistically you’ll probably be moving on to a bigger bike within a couple years because of one of 2 reasons:
1. You total your monster but are determined enough not to let that accident pull you away from motorcycles
2. You begin to get bored with the power given by the 2 valve per cylinder air cooled engine after you learn the fundamentals of riding on the street and realize you want either:
A. a large displacement touring/sport touring motorcycle
B. a quicker, more power, more racing-oriented bike
C. a cruiser
D. a bigger naked standard/streetfighter/motardConsidering your background with dirtbikes I’m guessing the second choice to be more likely.
So, spending a lot of money on something like a Ducati may not be the smartest choice for your first bike.
August 19, 2008 at 2:08 pm #10755MattParticipant“2. You begin to get bored with the power given by the 2 valve per cylinder air cooled engine after you learn the fundamentals of riding on the street and realize you want either:”
Thank you for reiterating that grande old lye about out growing motorcycles.
Let’s just replace “2 valve per cylinder air cooled engine” with “250cc engine”.There are a lot of people, serious riders, who really like the old 2 valve air cooled Ducks. They are very easy to work on and have been known to last a very long time in sport-touring applications. The engine has a great deal of personality. No, the Monster is not the fastest bike in its class, but since most riders don’t push their bikes to the 9/10ths on the street, a surprising number of riders are happy with their 600 and 620 Monsters.
Which is all moot, since the 696 makes 80hp now, which is more than the SV650 (sport or naked).
Now, will someone want to upgrade after a couple of years? Most likely yes. That is simply the way of motorcyclists; most change bikes every three years or so, and almost no one keeps their first bike for a long time (even if they tend to hold on to their bikes for very long periods of time afterwards).
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“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.” -
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