Post Edited (ghostrider5) : 4/8/2008 1:44:26 PM GMT

Uggg, whatever. I think it looks cheap and, well, like a Kawasaki trying to look like a Monster. I wouldn't be offended if it was a Kawasaki, that's what I expect from them. But Ducati? As the former owner of a S4R and a MTS1000 I'm not impressed.  

The Monster concept may have run it's course on the sales floor, I'm not a stylist so I can't imagine how to update the look and retained the rich timeless mechanical beauty of the original concept. All I know is the 696 looks like a photoshop caricature.

I think the new 696 is going to be a huge sales success, especially in Europe.  Yes the styling is different but if people want the old style Monster the S2R, S4R, etc remain in the model lineup.  The base bike needed an update because the competition (Shiver, Street Triple) is getting tougher. 

The new Monster looks even better with the aftermarket Termis and owners will find plenty of other areas to customize, I'd expect the usual Monster aftermarket support.  I'd be thinking bikini fairing, adjustable rear sets, remove the passenger pegs, eliminate the rear fender and license plate holder, CRG levers, etc.  I just hope the riding positon is good, Monsters tend to be a little short on leg room and an little long reaching across the tank to the bars.

My local dealer now has the Shiver in stock, I think it looks MUCH better in person than in photographs.  Riding position is wonderful, good leg room and broad supportive seat.  Fit and finish was superb, better than the Bimota or the Benelli that were sitting next to it.  The cans are almost invisible they're integrated into the underside of the seat so well.

The Street Triple?  eh, maybe not if you have aching knees or you're over 5'9" or so.

It kind of looks like an unholy union between the Moto Guzzi Griso and the SV650.

But like so many bike designs these days, it may represent better in real life--doubt it, but it may. I'd like my Monster to look like a bare, raw, exposed motorcycle, and this is just a little too stylin' to be scary.

One other thing about the Shiver: it is friggin heavy, like 415 dry. The Duc will be about 40-50 lbs lighter. power to weight ratio, well I'm too lazy to figure it out. I still think there's a lot more performance to come from the SL750 engine.

I was an "early adopter" for Moto Guzzi before so waiting for Aprilia's problems to shake out is a good idea, for sure. How long will that take? Who knows...the Aprilia cracked swing arm issue was just discovered last year I think. Same with Guzzi's cracked headsets.

All these cool naked bikes still have me hoping for an SV650 update, but with Suzuki, who knows. They could just as easily cancel it or let it die on the vine even further.

Styling. Very subjective, of course. When I first saw this bike in photos I thought it was a nice update on the original, but after seeing it in person, I'm more convinvced than ever that it will be a roaring sales success.

IMHO, the Japanese haven't a clue about a bike like this. The SV, though a good bike, is unbelieveably ugly, the newer Kawi ER650 also. What Ducati has done is to produce an beautiful, affordable bike that most any rider would be proud to own, despite its entry-level status. In some ways, its the motorcycle equivalent of a Mini or Honda Civic.

Good job, Ducati!

To make comparisons to SV650 demeaning the SV is ridiculous. A total upgrade of the suspect SV's suspension would still leave around $2000 with a whopping 10 less horsepower--I could live with that, especially factoring in the lower cost of ownership of the Suzuki. Looks-wise, the SV isn't but the ugly-stick sure as hell didn't pass over the 696 either. Yes, even the Z1000, does in fact look better.