Philrl1

I took a test ride of a Monster 696 from Ducati Coventry in September. The weather by the time I got to the dealers was horrible- raining very heavily and roads running with water. My Bandit which I'd cleaned to get a good part ex price was now filthy!

Anyway I went for a test ride and was very impressed despite the awful conditions. It stuck to the road like glue and was incredibly confidence inspiring. Good exhaust noise and note - in fact I'm not sure how the Italians get the bike through the noise emissions regulations. Lovely looking bike I thought and certainly not built to a budget with Marchenisi wheels, aluminium swing arm and Brembo brakes etc. I've ridden v twins before so the fantastic power delivery came as no surprise. Very light too at 160 KG's- it felt like a push bike after my Bandit. It had a very nice kick of power at 6,000 rev's too.

I was due to go on a test ride on a Triumph Street Triple a couple of days later but I liked the Ducati so much there was no point. I went on a test ride on a Suzuki GSR 750 a week before the Ducati but it seemed too clinical and in some ways similar to my Bandit as an inline four. I picked the Ducat up a week later.

I've only done just over 500 miles on it yet but I really like it.

Cheers.

jj2463

You need to join a couple of our rideouts; that will build up the mileage. I had a Monster as a loan bike a few years ago, thought it was a brilliant little bike, so much soul.

chrisjk

They are great bikes in all their guises.