Ducati Monster 696- cheese and macroni of Ducati
Ducati | November 13, 2010Ducati Motor Holding has many successful models to its line up of aesthetically perfect and super performance motor cycles. However the fact remains that half of Ducati Motor Holding sales are from the ubiquitous Ducati Monster 696 model. It is therefore rightly called the bread and butter model from the Ducati stables. This model was introduced from the Bologna based manufacturer in April 2008 and has since undergone several revisions both to its engine as well as form. It also spawned a variety of other engines basically in the same body form.
Looks
The first thing that you notice when you look at a Ducati Motor Holding’s product is the look of the bike. All the Ducatis ever produced have been all lookers and that is no exceptional considering that an Italian company is at the helm of the affairs. The Ducati Monster 696 is no different and you immediately notice the street fighter stance of the bike. It has a half hearted but good looking mud guard covering those 17 inch Marchesini wheels. The trellis frame body hugs a hulky looking cast-aluminum sub frame body. Wait! Is there a sub-frame to this bike. Exactly. You would be fooled with it as well. But the Ducati Monster 696 does have a sub frame. The head lamp is a triple parabola unit. This makes night riding easier with its wide penetrating beam.
The eagle eyed would notice the new air ducts atop the chiseled and new fuel tank. The mirrors are as stylish as they can be however un practical for every day use. They don’t offer any view of what’s going on behind. The twin tail pipes snake from the engine head and make their way just short of the tail lamps of the bike. Ducati Motor Holding says that this helps protect the pillion from the excess heat from the twin pipes as also leaving the foot peg area uncluttered. LED tail lamps make for a compact looking rear, so typical of 600 cc bikes.
The dashboard shares most of the design elements from bigger brother, the 1098R. It makes do with a big rev counter, speedometer, turn indicators, twin trip meters, low air pressure warning, fuel level, real world fuel consumption, gear indicator, maintenance indicator as well as high and low beam indicator.
The fuel tank is a false resin one and has been bolted on for easy repair. This also adds in another advantage that if you want to change the color of the tank, you don’t have to give it for a repaint but just bolt in another color one. Simple and do it yourself job. The seat height is more comfy for short riders and the handle bars are brought more closer to the rider. Tall riders would find themselves perched atop a rabbit. Well, the fact is that Ducati Motor Holding makes Ducati Monster 696 as a stepping stone for female riders to the biking world.
Handling and ride quality
The Ducati Monster 696 handles like a dream and just like any Ducati from its stables. The much improved from 1098 chassis, braking and suspension package works in tandem to complement the small 600 cc bike’s looks. The suspension is of the hard type but it is never bone jarring and would quite comfortable for cross country rides. The little fly screen however does pretty much little to shield the rider from the winds at high speeds that the Ducati Monster 696 is capable of.
Engine,Performance and fuel efficiency
The Ducati Monster 696 has the Ducati trade mark L-twin motor which has the same dimensions as the old 695. To be precise, it is 88 x 57.2mm. However similarities apart, there are many changes for the 696’s motor. It has a reworked head as well as cylinder and new ports. This are akin to the ones found on Ducati Multistrada and Ducati Hypermotard. This is one bearing less engine and this contributes to the Ducati’s 18 kg weight loss over its predecessor. The cooling fins have been also remodeled for improved cooling. This changes give this bike a significant increase in its compression ratio and thus boost its power as well as torque figures. Peak power is 80 Bhp @ 9200 rpm and torque is 51 pound feet @ 8,000 rpm.
This is one eager beaver of a power plant and one which rushes to meet its red line. Power uptil 4000 rpm is sane and after that the motor just goes ballistic. The only fly in the ointment is the high gearing. Ducati Motor Holding’s say that this is to meet the EU4 emission norms. Well, Mr. Ducati, there are other ways to meet emission norms and the one you apply on your bikes isn’t the right way.The APTC wet multiplate with hydraulic control makes light work of everyday chores. The 6 speed gear box is carried forward from the Ducati 600. It is a smooth shifting unit but sometime requires a hard tap.
The performance of the bike is quite sprightly and it races from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. It reaches a claimed top speed of 117 mph. The fuel tank is a smallish 3.8 gallons however this is one Ducati bike which can claim to have about an EPA estimated fuel efficiency figure of 34 mpg. This makes it one of the most fuel efficient in the Ducati Motor Holding’s line up of bikes.
Brakes are of the twin rotor types up front. They are from Brembo and are radially mounted. They are the 4 pot 320 mm disc brakes. The rear makes do with a 240 mm single unit. Brake feel is perfect and this work well to get the bike retard well before danger sets it. Lest, we forget, the Ducati Monster 696 also offer ABS as an option and we would highly recommend this.
Verdict
The Ducati Monster 696 is one hell of a revolutionary motor bike from the Italian manufacturer. If you want to better perfection, you need to join the Bologna based company. They created the 600 series and just when we thought how the next Ducati would be, bang, they bring on the Ducati 696 which though retaining almost the same looks as its predecessor, carries forward a better performance package along with good fuel efficiency to boot for. It is priced at approximately $8,436 and this is similar to its competition. Reliability has also increased manifold and the new Ducati shouldn’t have a problem in this department.
Technical Specifications of the Ducati Monster 696
Engine and Transmission
Type : L-Twin cylinder Desmodromic, 2 valve per cylinder, air cooled
Displacement : 698cc
Compression Ratio : 10.8:1
Bore x Stroke : 88 x 55.2mm
Power : 80 bhp @ 9300rpm
Torque : 51 pound feet @ 8,000 rpm
Fuel injection : Marchesi electronic fuel injection with 46 mm throttle body
Exhaust : 2 aluminum and chrome plated mufflers
Gearbox : 6 speed Aisin
Clutch : Hydraulically controlled APTC wet multiplate type
Chassis and Dimensions
Frame : Trellis frame with Tubular steel
Wheelbase : 1454mm (58.1in)
Rake : 24°
Front Suspension : 43mm upside-down Showa forks
Front Wheel Travel : 121mm (4.4 in)
Front Wheel : 3-spoke light Marchesini alloy 3.50 x 18
Front Tyre : 121/60 ZR18
Rear Suspension : rebound Sachs adjustable monoshock with Progressive linkage and preload
Rear Wheel Travel : 149 mm (5.7 in)
Rear Wheel : 3-spoke light Marchesini alloy 4.51 x 18
Rear Tyre : 161/60 ZR18
Front Brake : twin 320 mm discs with 4-piston radial calipers
Rear Brake : single 245 mm disc with 2-piston calipers
Fuel Tank Capacity : 15 liters or 3.8 gallons
Dry Weight : 163 kg or 355 lb
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