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Kevin_Duke · 09-10-2010, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmdonald

Can you add the speed triple and the 1100 to that equation?

Um, no. Not this time. But here's kinda how it would turn out. The S3 has a super-torquey and highly appealing engine in a solid street chassis. The Duc's engine is nearly as cool, it looks better, and its handling is better when riding aggressively. No losers here. Personally, I slightly prefer the airy and lighter Duc, even if comes up short on horsepower. But I could also make a great case for the S3!

Jeff Cobb · 09-10-2010, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin_Duke

But I could also make a great case for the S3!

So could I.

Dr_Sprocket · 09-11-2010, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin_Duke

You summed it up nicely in the first part. And to your second part, how'd you like to read a comparo of the M796 and Street Triple R...?

Thank heaven for the return of the middleweight! One question: to what do we attribute this resurgence? The economy or people actually coming to their senses?

Duken4evr · 09-11-2010, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin_Duke

How'd you like to read a comparo of the M796 and Street Triple R...?

Bring it!

Kevin_Duke · 09-11-2010, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr_Sprocket

Thank heaven for the return of the middleweight! One question: to what do we attribute this resurgence? The economy or people actually coming to their senses?

I'd say a bit of both. Also, let's not confuse the availability of middleweights with success of the category.

King Vitamin · 09-12-2010, 09:45 AM

Great bike, but the previous version looked better. That headlight in particular looks like the bike was run into the back of a van (at low speed, of course).

If I actually owned one, though, I think I would probably be able to get used to it.

Kenneth_Moore · 09-12-2010, 10:23 AM

I wouldn't argue that this is a great bike, but I have to wonder if having 3 Monsters in the lineup, with so little to differentiate the lower two, makes sense. Who would buy the 696 when the 796 is sitting next to it? Same audience for both, I would think.

Kevin_Duke · 09-12-2010, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenneth_Moore

I wouldn't argue that this is a great bike, but I have to wonder if having 3 Monsters in the lineup, with so little to differentiate the lower two, makes sense. Who would buy the 696 when the 796 is sitting next to it? Same audience for both, I would think.

I see a worthy enough distinction between the 696 and 796. I'd pay the 11% premium to get the bigger motor and single-sided swingarm, but the 696 is now so good that it can easily satisfy relative noobs and the budget-conscious. This is slicing the pie pretty thin, but I see enough distinctions between the two. Way to slim for Honda, but Ducati has a couple of appealing paths to Duc ownership that can work for their lower volumes.

acecycleins · 09-12-2010, 11:55 AM

Ten days ago my sister's buddy Alicia bought the 796 over the 696 after a test ride. The bike was bought as a demo. She said that even though it was slightly heavier lifting off the stand that the direction change weight was barely different and the pull out of the corner is what sold her. The next day My Bro-In-Law and I took her on a 360mile day ride from my home in Cumming, GA to Deals Gap then through Cherahola Skyway and a series of state hwys back to GA 60 then home. She said that with exception of about 80miles the majority of riding was in 4 gear. She was due for her 600 mile break-in before she parked that night. Longest single day ride she's ever done and was asking when we go again. I think she liked the bike.

Kevin_Duke · 09-12-2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acecycleins

Ten days ago my sister's buddy Alicia bought the 796 over the 696 after a test ride. The bike was bought as a demo. She said that even though it was slightly heavier lifting off the stand that the direction change weight was barely different and the pull out of the corner is what sold her. The next day My Bro-In-Law and I took her on a 360mile day ride from my home in Cumming, GA to Deals Gap then through Cherahola Skyway and a series of state hwys back to GA 60 then home. She said that with exception of about 80miles the majority of riding was in 4 gear. She was due for her 600 mile break-in before she parked that night. Longest single day ride she's ever done and was asking when we go again. I think she liked the bike.

I like everything about this story except the part where she bought a bike without first reading MO's review!

09-12-2010, 10:23 AM	#17
Kenneth_Moore Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: VIsiting the GIft Shop in the Pit of DIspair Posts: 7,118	I wouldn't argue that this is a great bike, but I have to wonder if having 3 Monsters in the lineup, with so little to differentiate the lower two, makes sense. Who would buy the 696 when the 796 is sitting next to it? Same audience for both, I would think. __________________ www.kennethmoore.org

09-12-2010, 11:55 AM	#19
acecycleins Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 4,129	Ten days ago my sister's buddy Alicia bought the 796 over the 696 after a test ride. The bike was bought as a demo. She said that even though it was slightly heavier lifting off the stand that the direction change weight was barely different and the pull out of the corner is what sold her. The next day My Bro-In-Law and I took her on a 360mile day ride from my home in Cumming, GA to Deals Gap then through Cherahola Skyway and a series of state hwys back to GA 60 then home. She said that with exception of about 80miles the majority of riding was in 4 gear. She was due for her 600 mile break-in before she parked that night. Longest single day ride she's ever done and was asking when we go again. I think she liked the bike. __________________ "Slack" - a state of being in which everything flows smoothly.....a frame of mind so at ease that the universe naturally cooperates.

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09-12-2010, 09:45 AM	#16
King Vitamin Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 23	Great bike, but the previous version looked better. That headlight in particular looks like the bike was run into the back of a van (at low speed, of course). If I actually owned one, though, I think I would probably be able to get used to it.