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squids, donks, bikers, posers, ect,ect,ect.

it’s all regurgitated motorcycle puke.
when I first got into bikes, I fell for all the useless “bike culture” stuff like most everybody else.
It’s all a bunch of BS.
many of us wave on the road and then back-bite each other on the internet or in the bar.
labeling each other, condescending each other, just to elevate our’ ego’s or justify what we’re riding.
my advice (a whole two cents worth lol), don’t fall into to it and do your own thing.

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I’m sure everybody is looking forward to totaling their’ new 696, not exactly a PC thing to say around motorcyclists FYI.
Maybe a better choice of words would be that a newer rider is more likely to “drop it”. We don’t want to jinx anybody

I’m not a beginner, I have three bikes now ranging from a 800 intruder to a VTX1800.
The motorcycle world is upside down a bit. Usually folks start with a quick, light sporty type bike which can perform like a pistol and go to a lumbering cruiser later. Cruisers are much tamer and easier to ride in my opinion and I think folks should start with a middle weight cruiser first then venture into the “sporty” territory later. But that’s just my two cents.

I’m adding a Monster 696 to my stable because I’ve just got to have it !! I want that style and performance that I can actually use on the street not track. I want that Desmo!

The 696 would be a poor choice for a first and only bike simply because of the expense and it’s pretty limited in what it does.
If your’ still looking for your’ motorcycle “identity” a $10,000 naked middle weight bike would be a tough pill to swallow if you decided it’s not for you. A SV650 would be much more suitable in that case.
I see the 696 as a “second” bike for riders with a bit of experience, into the “exotic style” and who plan on keeping it around for a while.
Also, as we learn more about the 696, that L-twin 696 comes to life when you “kick it” with a top end of 130 mph and a faster 0 to 60 (about 3.2 seconds)than even a (stock) 600 sport bike. So that “entry level” tag they put on the 696 would more accurately be described as a “entry level Ducati” as opposed to a “generic entry level” motorcycle.

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don’t winterize…just ride it.
get some good winter gear (nitro is pretty cheap and effective)
I don’t venture out in the snow and avoid the ice.
just be careful of that “black ice”…it’s not a puddle, it’s real ice and the woe of many unsuspecting riders.

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as somebody said, don’t fill it up like a car.
eye ball it yourself without sticking the nozzle all the way in.
don’t pull the trigger all the way either. light touch it.
avoid topping it off until you get use to it.

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A big guy like that needs more than a 500cc or 600cc.
A 750 or 800 would work. Not balls out fast but highway capable.
I know a guy 6’7″ over 400 lbs. who rode a Volusia 805 for years and it worked quite well.
He’s gone onto a bigger bike now, but that 805 did the trick.
Tell your’ buddy to look for a nice used bike to start with.

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