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Members: 640 | Total Threads: 50,830 | Total Posts: 518,575 Currently Active Users: 1,023 (0 active members) Please welcome our newest member, Mrtom1100s |
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#1 |
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![]() I had a test ride on a 696 at Metropolis today and I have to say I was really impressed with it!
It felt a little taller than my 695 (it's the same on paper but the seat is definately a little higher) and the tank was lower so initially felt a little strange with so little actually in front of me. It had a slightly higher pitch throb than my current motor but at higher revs it certainly let people know I was coming. I did'nt really notice certain things until I got back on my bike but the brakes on the 696 are really good and the clutch and throttle are light and responsive. The digital clocks etc took a bit of getting used to and to be honest I prefer old fashioned clocks but hey, I'll have to live with it. The turning circle was dramatically better which for central London Commuting is pretty handy. I placed a deposit 6 weeks ago for a white 696+ and it looks like the earliest I will see it is early July but until then Damiano has said I can pop down for a test ride anytime to get my fix - top fella! I'd recommend a test ride to anyone considering a change and especially somebody looking for a commuter! Stroll on July!!! ![]() |
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#2 |
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You read the comparison test in MCN today?
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#3 |
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Hope your bike arrives soon Lucati.
I have some differing impressions of the 696 (seat lower, turning circle sucks - but it could easily be my impressions that are wrong. Oh, and I hate to think of my pride and joy as a commuter! ![]() Great that Metropolis are giving you good service - that's where I went frequently to browse while I acquired the taste for the looks ![]() Roll on July indeed! |
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#4 |
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#5 |
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They do make a rather incredible noise, don't they?
Hope mine turns up soon. Like tomorrow! |
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#6 |
flob-a-lob-a-lob
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NW Surrey
Bike: Multiple Monsters
Posts: 3,306
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#7 |
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#8 |
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#9 |
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The first thing I'll be doing to mine once it's run in is to fit a 1 tooth smaller front sprocket. 6th gear is useless until you hit 75mph. The damned thing is geared for at least 150mph FFS!!!
75Mph = 4500rpm, 9000 - 9500 rpm cut out? (Well that's about where the shift light came on when I thrashed the test bike) Gives 150-160mph in top = Useless overdrive gear. It's to get it through the emissions regs AFAIK. For about a tenner that will make five times the difference a £700 pair of cans will! ![]() |
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#10 | |
flob-a-lob-a-lob
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NW Surrey
Bike: Multiple Monsters
Posts: 3,306
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Quote:
![]() ![]() I find exhaust tunes alerts drivers on quite a number of occasions - and lets the REAL ducati sound out when required. A properly made system will still permit the bike to sound moderate, when ridden moderately - and also sing well when opened on road or track. Mind you, I've had Ducati's for quite a long while now and am so used to the 'proper' sound from all of them, right up from the 620 - as well as open clutch on our bigger 2 (before you comment on that type of noise - its cooler for it as I tend to ride distances ![]() One of my bruvs had an uncorked striple till he got his latest bike a couple of weeks or so ago, but he said it still doesnt measure up to AK's special for 'tune' ![]() |
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#11 | |
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Quote:
Oh, and regarding todays MCN test, THAT'S why the 696 was totally thrashed by the other 3 bikes in the peformance tests, especilly the top gear roll on, which is frankly embarrasing But nobody at MCN had the brains to notice that, did they? Yet a fool like me spots it in a 25 mile test ride.......Professional testers? Yeah, right. ![]() |
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#12 | |
flob-a-lob-a-lob
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NW Surrey
Bike: Multiple Monsters
Posts: 3,306
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Quote:
![]() The gearing is FINE for most average riders to start with, its a great bike too ![]() You might pay £700 for 'cans' - I prefer to get a decent system (like we have on most of our bikes), thus eliminating a lot of un-necessary weight from the bike, and also gaining in performance too by a small margin. The full system on AK's road bike, weighs less than one 'std can' on a monster........ Maybe you should have brought a bike with a 1100ds engine in it? Happy monstering ![]() |
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#13 |
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![]() LOL! Why would you wear earplugs when you can listen to induction like that? I admit all Dukes sound lovely unsilenced. I might get mine canned, or I might spend the money on fuel and tyres..... We'll see. ![]() I saw the official accessories brochure at the weekend. There will be a nice neat numberplate hanger, I'll get one of those I think, and maybe some nice mirrors. And I'll uprate the headlight bulbs too. Anyway, why am I on about this. I gotta get my grubby little mitts on it first, FFS! |
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#14 | |
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My point was that it will NEVER pull 150mph. That's what it's GEARED for though, which is too much. Lowering the gearing will improve acceleration and response. I've done it before. ![]() It will get top speed in 5th, I imagine, like most cars the top gear is an overdrive. It did chug a bit even at 75mph in 6th! |
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#15 |
flob-a-lob-a-lob
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NW Surrey
Bike: Multiple Monsters
Posts: 3,306
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