2009 Ducati Monster 696
Bike: 2009 Ducati Monster 696
Purchased: January 2009 at Salt Lake Motorsports
Miles When Purchased: 0
Current Miles (December 2009): 2,586
Status: Active
I was having a great time with my blue V-Strom but it was becoming more and more apparent that the Strom was no specialist when it came to sport riding. Also it was deficient in the awesomeness department. I purchased the Ducati Monster 696 to solve these problems.
The Monster 696 is no supersport motorcycle. It would never keep up with a 600cc supersport like the GSX-R 600, much less a 1000cc machine. But I wasn’t looking for a race replica track motorcycle. I wanted something more livable and civil (and humane to the rider) while achieving a higher level of sport than the V-Strom 650. To me, the 696 is fast enough (0-60 in less than four seconds) and it is good enough in the corners to keep me entertained. When I bought the bike I decided that until I feel limited by the machine and not by my skill level, I had no need for more performance. Right now, my skill level does not exceed the performance of this machine. If it never does, I’m fine with it. It’s still fast enough to outrun just about any car on the road and most motorcycles too, especially with the gaggle of cruisers running around.
The Ducati is a ton of fun on twisty mountain roads and the exhaust note is absolutely thrilling. When the bike reaches its punchy midrange powerband it rewards with a throaty, bestial roar that is nothing like the four cylinder superbikes and very different from the crusier v-twins too. Nothing sounds like it. This is my first Italian v-twin and I can see why people get hooked on these engines. They pull strong and evenly and constantly egg you on.