Monster 696

[evltwin]

Alright...figured I'd go ahead and open up a thread where folks can express their opinions on the new Monster 696.

Have at it.

[Blackout]

the what now?

[uncrameses]

Looks like ass.

[27044]

I like it in the same way I like the Brutale and the Aprillia. Cool, but I wouln't buy it.

[lwszabo]

as far as I am concerned its not a Monster, more of a sporty Hyper. I fvcking hate it, and I think it will bring the wrong crowd to Ducati. I was real proud to say I owned a Ducati, I love when people ask "what kind of bike do you ride?" but now Ducati will be mainstream. the 696 made my s2r 1000 a 100% better looking, and now I am thinking of not selling it in the spring, but it also makes me think get out while you can. I know my thinking is extreme, and back in the early 90's when the monster came out, superbike owners thought the same thing about the "entry level" Monster. FVCK THE 696!

[27044]

Originally Posted by lwszabo

... and I think it will bring the wrong crowd to Ducati

You have met some of the people in MROC right? Most of us have NEVER been in the right crowd. [laugh]

[sennaster]

i think it sucks.

visually it looks like they took the modern classic that started the naked genre and turned it into a blend of brutale/SV/yamaha/speed-triple

why would you take something that others have copied, and just turn it into one of those copies?

this just re-affirms my desire for a GT1000 (and the new white 848).

if their goal was to try and steal sales from the models listed above, then that may work, but i think they probably screwed themselves if they are hoping current monster owners will buy a new model.

[Seabass]

Well, it's a business. And the number one goal of a business is to make money. That's it. Nothing else. Customer satisfaction with service, pricing, ect. is all a factor of the overall amount of money that's coming in.

Is it most cost effective to build a more expensive bike with a lower margin to a niche market? (although it's growing nicely) Or is it better to widen your horizons and create a product that market research and observing competitor's lines, will sell better. AND that product will probably have a higher margin due to manufacturing saves, and less costly third party costs, such as the fuel management system.

If losing YOU(or me or whoever) as a customer is the down side to gaining possible thousands of customers, they will do it in a heartbeat due to the increased sales and revenue.

BUT..... if this change doesn't go over well in the next year (i.e. sales are poor) they may very well not risk the change.

Look at Cadillac. I believe they've increased sales in the gangster, hooptie ride, type group. Compared to when a Cadillac was the Cadillac of cars. Of course this is the survival of that company. Ducati is taking a risk here. Especially if the price point is the same as competing bikes. Like the SV650.

[UserID 23314]

I like it. Then again, I like my Bandit. You guys are fanboys. ;D

[Fiber]

I kinda like it, but then I kinda don't. There are elements from that, such as the swingarm style and the high pipes, that I wouldn't mind having on my 620. I don't care so much for the changes to the frame, basically cutting it in half so that only the front half is tubing.

I won't turn up my nose at anyone that buys it, but I won't run out and trade my 620 in either. :-)