For the record, not considering getting this bike, just an article i found interesting.

I was going through a GQ magazine..and found an article talking about good beginner bikes. They mentioned the ninja 250r of course and they said many nice things about it. Then they also mentioned the Ducati Monster 696. Now i know nothing about this bike..or about Ducati. but when I see the word Ducati...and the number 696. And neither of those sound "beginner friendly" to me.

Opinions? Is this bike actually a nice starter bike? or is this magazine just trying to score points with something it knows nothing about.

Here is the link to the article: http://men.style.com/gq/features/slideshow/v/1009MOTO

It is not really what I would call a beginner bike simply from the cost of parts when you dump it.

I'll find out soon enough, my buddy just bought one (getting it on monday). It's only 60hp, shouldn't be too bad, but he's never driven a bike before.

It's a bit sick, but I kinda want to follow him around with my patented Ninja Cam (tm), and wait for the entertainment :)

Ducati 696
0-60 in 3.9
Quarter mile in 11.23 at 111mph

Ninja 650r
0-60 in 3.6
Quarter mile in 12.0 at 108mph

They have close to the same hp and torque (though I'm not sure if those numbers are wheel or not since they are different sites)...however the Ducati is significantly lighter.

It seems kind of on par with the 650r....little more upper end power it looks like. So kind of a beginner bike, but definitely enough power to get your attention.

I wouldn't call it a beginner bike. Well its a beginner bike how most people view it.

Could always setup one of those mapping cpus, so that you can detune it while you learn...though i'm sure after 2 days most would put it into sport mode.

I have that magazine and read that article. They only mentioned 3 bikes in the article and they did promote gear as well so......I had no problem with it. Not every person is going to want to start on a 250 so suggesting/presenting other options is alright IMHO.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=30050

I think motorcyclist also put it in a beginner test with the FZ6R, ER6N and a Suzy. They mentioned that nothing smaller is appealing other than the Ninja 250R. Take it for what its worth, ex-racers testing non race type bikes often calls bikes like that beginner bikes.

I think it is a great looking bike, good torque from that L-Twin, but I have heard of some guys needing repairs, parts being a bit longer than necessary to come in, and the valve adjustment is a bit more maintenance (from what I've been told). Given the $ to spend on a bike I would have one though.

The torque should be a lot higher than most other inline4 of similar displacement. If it is only the same as the 650, then it will be OK as a beginner except for the price and price of parts. He is in an exclusive club, and that privilege costs money one way or another.

I managed to keep from dieing while learning on a 60hp bike. It was claimed to do 0-60 in under 4 seconds and would gladly run at 120 mph all day long. It actually didn't start to live until 90, that's when the suspension really started to work well.

It's only 60hp, shouldn't be too bad, but he's never driven a bike before.

From the review referenced earlier:

"All these changes combine to give the 696 a marginally increased compression ratio (10.7 vs 10.5:1) and a claimed 80 hp at 9000 rpm with just under 51 ft-lbs of torque at 7750 rpm; a 500 and 1,000 rpm increase, respectively. Taking those digits at face value means the new Duc is good for 7 additional horsepower and roughly 6 more ft-lbs over the 695."

It really depends on the person. There's bazillions of people out there that buy 600CC sport bikes for their first bike and they do just fine ... there's people that get a 250 for their first bike and dump it... multiple times.. within the first few weeks.

I need to know a person before I can give an opinion about whether or not I think they'll be ok learning on a specific bike. I know several people who have owned nothing but liter bikes and did great learning and they're still going great.. I know people who have ridden for years and they're still scary and lucky to still be above ground and I cringe at the thought of them getting their hands on a bike with horsepower.

BTW.. yes I've counted them all.. there are bazillions!

The torque is pretty high, it won't take much to flip that thing on its back if someone hamfists the clutch and throttle in first gear.

Though Duc parts are more costly the monster is a naked. A drop on its side won't damage more than bars and the plastic cover where the tanks is. Now dropping a faired Duc - priceless.
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From the review referenced earlier:

"All these changes combine to give the 696 a marginally increased compression ratio (10.7 vs 10.5:1) and a claimed 80 hp at 9000 rpm with just under 51 ft-lbs of torque at 7750 rpm; a 500 and 1,000 rpm increase, respectively. Taking those digits at face value means the new Duc is good for 7 additional horsepower and roughly 6 more ft-lbs over the 695."

I think it's around 80 at the crank and 66 at the wheel.

It's definitely a quick bike that can get anyone into trouble...wether a beginner or not. 0-60 in under 4 is fast. It DOES look like a lot of fun though!

It's a damn good looking bike too. I believe the one my buddy bought is a bit on the older side though (2002?). All I know is he said I could ride it. I got him to promise this before he got the biker "No one touches my bike" rage (You know some of you have it!).

The torque should be a lot higher than most other inline4 of similar displacement. If it is only the same as the 650, then it will be OK as a beginner except for the price and price of parts. He is in an exclusive club, and that privilege costs money one way or another.


Just to clarify, the 0-60 and 1/4 mile numbers posted were for the 696 and the 650R, which is a twin like the Ducati, not the ZX-6R I-4 sportbike. Torque will be there to be had on either of the twin configurated bikes.

OK, now that you remind me, yes the 650 is a twin

I think a better way to word it would be, "Ducati's Beginner Bike;" not, "A beginner bike."

But remember it is GQ, a mens mag geared towards North American Men, who think Horsepower has a direct, positive corrolation with Penis size. With the exception of the 250r, 600cc is the begining class for sport bikes in the US (though they are middle-weights).

Buell had a beginner bike, but for 2010 they crushed them to be sold as furniture.

There are few beginners bikes in the USA, mostly because the market is driven by purchases and no one buys the beginner bike (even though you can't swing a dead cat on Craig's List without hitting an ad for a Buell Blast).

Buell had a beginner bike, but for 2010 they crushed them to be sold as furniture.

More evidence that Men in the US believe that horsepower = penis size.

I still wish we had a good selection of 400cc sport and super sport bikes to choose from. A sub 300 pound GSXR400 would be completely awesome.

I Kawasaki redesigned the ninja 500 to look the the 250, I guarantee they'd have a new best seller..

More evidence that Men in the US believe that horsepower = penis size.

Actually, it's because the bike was a piece of crap.

It was certainly a nondescript machine, there really wasn't anything about it that stood out except the name and that it was at a Harley dealership. Just simply basic transport.

I feel its far more of a beginners bike than many of the 600cc supersports. But the Duc is not cheap, maintaining the bike will be more costly and more involved. Now that said, they are sweet rides, and deserve consideration if you have the means. I know a guy that has an S2R 800 with Termis on it and its an amazing sounding machine for sure. That and the Ducatista are FANATICAL about their bikes.

I Kawasaki redesigned the ninja 500 to look the the 250, I guarantee they'd have a new best seller..

I agree... not to mention getting rid of that bench seat on the new 650r's and update them.

I think a better way to word it would be, "Ducati's Beginner Bike;" not, "A beginner bike."

But remember it is GQ, a mens mag geared towards North American Men, who think Horsepower has a direct, positive corrolation with Penis size. With the exception of the 250r, 600cc is the begining class for sport bikes in the US (though they are middle-weights).



Actually, it's because the bike was a piece of crap.

tjkamper is still right about the North American male equating Horsepower to Penis size. Why the hell else do we see Mustangs all over with 500hp and a kid who can't drive it for crap braking to 30 on the 50mph offramp?!!:confused30:
Or the same kids who buy a 600cc supersport to run it at 25mph and rev it at the ladies on the street. Then upgrade to a litrebike because the "motor is bigger".
Plus, look at american cars/sport in general, save the 'Vette and GT500. Power power power..oh wait...how do we get it around a turn? Psh doesnt matter, floor the thing!

If you want a Ducati and are using it as a "beginner" bike, the used 620 Monster market is ripe with good low-mileage units for cheap. And working on a 620 is a piece of cake.