I think It's great.But beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
Strengths
Light weight,great handling, very flick-able,fantastic brakes.Touring seat was a big increase in comfort.termies sound fab, I test road the competition. The 696 was the only one to put a smile on my face. For me the best looking of the bunch.finish is holding up good after 2 years ownership.
Weaknesses
Shame the 796 was not out when I got it. But don't think I will change it.
Great bike I've owned 2. First one was stock and was a blast to ride for hours, second one has been completely customized and is now a truly tuned corner machine. It's a fun bike that allows a beginner to grow and an experienced rider to enjoy the ride rather than be fighting a superbike. For the modest price difference, I'd recommend the 796 for the touch of power and the ease of maintenance the single side swing arm provides over the 696.
Strengths
Smooth predictable power at all ranges. Great braking without being touchy. Very nimble bike and turns well for a stock Ducati. Simple clean design that got rid of the web of zipties that previous generations displayed. Good supply of aftermarket parts to allow for tweak sand mods. comfortable riding position, easy to maintain and tinker with. Gives a true classic feel with modern performance.
Weaknesses
taller riders will find themselves pressing the tank with the jewels quite often. Forks are not adjustable and require parts replacement to properly set up. Slightly anemic power that requires some tuning and exhaust to wake up. More stupid slippery Ducati foot pegs (and the brackets ruin the aesthetics) Could turn in quicker, but requires parts again. No steering damper. OEM parts are brutally overpriced. Tank recesses to do not provide a good grip area for the knees. Leaves a lot of expensive fragile bits exposed with no guards so put case covers and sliders on it!!!
Straight from factory, the bike is already very good. Second hand 696's are not too exp. good first big bike. Performance is good but looks and feel good factor out of this world.
I ride the monster everyday as a commuter and do about three trackdays a year. 10000 miles later with diligent servicing she has never had a problem.
However, if you want to take it a step further to perfection, I recommend first to get the performance ecu upgrade (comes included with termis or buy separately on eBay). This changes the throttle response considerably right across the range and also give you a slightly higher redline.
The performance touring seat is also really good as you don't slip down as much as stock and is a little higher so leg bend angle is decreased.
If you are looking to do some trackdays, look at sourcing some used m1100 forks as they are better. If you still have money left, the m1100s ohlins shock also drops right in.
No fancy gizmos but the clean dash is digital. Power doesn't really warrant traction control but ABS could save your life if you want that option. Rear tyre is a 160 which = nimble but looks a little skinny.
Overall, the stock bike is very good. All the cons are not really cons but basically areas to improve. The engine is strong and sounds amazing but think more freight train and less bullet train. It's more than enough for everyday riding and will hold it's own on most tracks due to it's nimbleness. Corner speed is key!
Strengths
First of all it's a Ducaaati. So as part of the package, you get noticed. Unfortunately, it's mainly from other men and kids... It's a good thing for Ducati though, after all this is an entry level bike so it seems to be attracting the right kind of attention. For those of you who don't like the attention I find that black monsters don't get the second glances that red does.
Great looks
Low seat
Low pegs
Light weight
Slightly aggressive forward lean
Amazing desmo soundtrack
Amazing brembo brakes
Good build quality.
Surprisingly reliable. 10,000 problem free miles.
Gently Grunty.
Weaknesses
Low pegs - comfort becomes nuisance on track with levers and pegs scraping. Can raise with aftermarket rearsets
Low seat - sexy oem curved seat is very good and pushing you into the tank. Get tank grips and touring seat to increase comfort .
Forks- fine for road and even track but not adjustable and one leg is a dummy! ie only spring with no valves. 796 is the same but fully adj. M1100 forks will drop straight in.
Battery is a PITA to access. Get a tender line.
Fuelling - Jerky at low revs. Fitting new 14t front sprocket helps a lot. Exp. Termignoni slipons and ECU transforms bike FYI.
It is huge fun to ride around town, in the countryside, anywhere really and I do some quite long distances on it. I am riding to Umbria in Italy this summer loaded up with luggage/camping gear and I can't wait.
Strengths
Oh where do I start? Everything really, It is small, quick, sexy and sounds awesome (I have Termignoni pipes on it)
Weaknesses
The steering lock is rubbish but I can live with that.
User Reviews
Add your review!
Overall Review
I think It's great.But beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
Strengths
Light weight,great handling, very flick-able,fantastic brakes.Touring seat was a big increase in comfort.termies sound fab, I test road the competition. The 696 was the only one to put a smile on my face. For me the best looking of the bunch.finish is holding up good after 2 years ownership.
Weaknesses
Shame the 796 was not out when I got it. But don't think I will change it.
Overall Review
Great bike I've owned 2. First one was stock and was a blast to ride for hours, second one has been completely customized and is now a truly tuned corner machine. It's a fun bike that allows a beginner to grow and an experienced rider to enjoy the ride rather than be fighting a superbike. For the modest price difference, I'd recommend the 796 for the touch of power and the ease of maintenance the single side swing arm provides over the 696.
Strengths
Smooth predictable power at all ranges. Great braking without being touchy. Very nimble bike and turns well for a stock Ducati. Simple clean design that got rid of the web of zipties that previous generations displayed. Good supply of aftermarket parts to allow for tweak sand mods. comfortable riding position, easy to maintain and tinker with. Gives a true classic feel with modern performance.
Weaknesses
taller riders will find themselves pressing the tank with the jewels quite often. Forks are not adjustable and require parts replacement to properly set up. Slightly anemic power that requires some tuning and exhaust to wake up. More stupid slippery Ducati foot pegs (and the brackets ruin the aesthetics) Could turn in quicker, but requires parts again. No steering damper. OEM parts are brutally overpriced. Tank recesses to do not provide a good grip area for the knees. Leaves a lot of expensive fragile bits exposed with no guards so put case covers and sliders on it!!!
Overall Review
Straight from factory, the bike is already very good. Second hand 696's are not too exp. good first big bike. Performance is good but looks and feel good factor out of this world. I ride the monster everyday as a commuter and do about three trackdays a year. 10000 miles later with diligent servicing she has never had a problem. However, if you want to take it a step further to perfection, I recommend first to get the performance ecu upgrade (comes included with termis or buy separately on eBay). This changes the throttle response considerably right across the range and also give you a slightly higher redline. The performance touring seat is also really good as you don't slip down as much as stock and is a little higher so leg bend angle is decreased. If you are looking to do some trackdays, look at sourcing some used m1100 forks as they are better. If you still have money left, the m1100s ohlins shock also drops right in. No fancy gizmos but the clean dash is digital. Power doesn't really warrant traction control but ABS could save your life if you want that option. Rear tyre is a 160 which = nimble but looks a little skinny. Overall, the stock bike is very good. All the cons are not really cons but basically areas to improve. The engine is strong and sounds amazing but think more freight train and less bullet train. It's more than enough for everyday riding and will hold it's own on most tracks due to it's nimbleness. Corner speed is key!
Strengths
First of all it's a Ducaaati. So as part of the package, you get noticed. Unfortunately, it's mainly from other men and kids... It's a good thing for Ducati though, after all this is an entry level bike so it seems to be attracting the right kind of attention. For those of you who don't like the attention I find that black monsters don't get the second glances that red does. Great looks Low seat Low pegs Light weight Slightly aggressive forward lean Amazing desmo soundtrack Amazing brembo brakes Good build quality. Surprisingly reliable. 10,000 problem free miles. Gently Grunty.
Weaknesses
Low pegs - comfort becomes nuisance on track with levers and pegs scraping. Can raise with aftermarket rearsets Low seat - sexy oem curved seat is very good and pushing you into the tank. Get tank grips and touring seat to increase comfort . Forks- fine for road and even track but not adjustable and one leg is a dummy! ie only spring with no valves. 796 is the same but fully adj. M1100 forks will drop straight in. Battery is a PITA to access. Get a tender line. Fuelling - Jerky at low revs. Fitting new 14t front sprocket helps a lot. Exp. Termignoni slipons and ECU transforms bike FYI.
Overall Review
It is huge fun to ride around town, in the countryside, anywhere really and I do some quite long distances on it. I am riding to Umbria in Italy this summer loaded up with luggage/camping gear and I can't wait.
Strengths
Oh where do I start? Everything really, It is small, quick, sexy and sounds awesome (I have Termignoni pipes on it)
Weaknesses
The steering lock is rubbish but I can live with that.
Overall Review
I'm gonna keep it for a while
Strengths
Great looking bike. Plenty of power for city riding
Weaknesses
Very expensive and frequent upkeep