Hi all, So, I've had my M696 from new and its just years old and just done 7k miles. Just returned from a round trip to Nurburgring and it ran like a dream and like a brand new bike. However I did feel a little cramped on it having to have a leg stretch more than usual. So taking that into account and the fact that I've had it 3 years I'm thinking that it might be time to move on. It has to be a Ducati and I love the monster range / style of bike. I also love single sided swingarmed bikes with silver / gold wheels but it needed to be taller than my 696 so I wasn't cramped. So it didn't take long to realise that the 1100 / 1100s might fit the bill. I did consider the 796 but that seemed too similar to what I currently have and it only gave me less than an inch extra leg room. So, knowing little about the 1100 can anyone offer any views on the 1100 / 1100s. Firstly what do you get with the 's' spec over the standard 1100? Secondly with the 1100 do you get much more leg room? I usually sell my bikes on either biketrader or e bay. Any onther decent ways to sell that you can recommend. Looking forward to hearing from ya'll........... I see that d8mok appears to have made the move from a 696 to 1100s so I'd love to hear from you with any advice.
Hi Banus, I have a standard 1100 and the trouble has a 696 which I have done a reasonable bit of riding on. You do get a bit more leg room but the main thing that you notice is the massive difference between engines. The 696 is smoother but the 1100 just has so much more grunt, a huge difference. It dominates everything about the bike. I love the extra oomph and am quite happy with it being more lumpy. I dont think I am a good enough rider to say I really notice much difference in the handling with the slightly better suspension. I rode an 1100s before I got mine and found the ride too hard so didnt think it was worth the extra for me , couldnt give a stuff about carbon parts etc either. I tried the 796 too and while I think they are all great bikes I decided I`d regret it if I didnt get the 1100. Have you ridden an 1100 yet? David
Hi there, the 1100s has Ohlins front and some carbon bits, I think the main differences are it's taller, firmer, less fizzy more grunt, plusher ride ( deals with bumps etc.. much better ) single side swingarm looks good, the standard seat makes you slide forward on braking good cheap mod is to stick the taller bar riser from a 796 on, lifts the bars 20mm, also a touring seat helps. Over the 696 it will feel like a lot more bike, it has a dry clutch so carefull with jamming down the gears until you get used to it, you'll also be able to go a lot faster between the bends, after your 696, which is a great machine, you'll love the move up. Enjoy. PS. while the 1100 is taller off the ground, the seat too peg angle/distance is very similar if not identical to the 696, but you will feel less cramped as you can stretch your legs when stopped.
Hi, I did indeed make the same swap in november last year. I'd only had my 696 since april but managed 4k miles in that 7 months inc a TT trip. The little monster had been brilliant, but i was using it so much that it was doing double the miles of the 848. I was really sad to change it, but thought if the right bike came up i would. My only gripes with the 696 was the seat height, not enough power and the suspension would wallow if pushed hard. Im 6ft and it was far too small to be 100% comfy all the time and I also looked a bit too big for it. Being used to a 848 i was riding it flat out to have fun and keep up with anyone. But i must say, i did enjoy the lack of power as it was nice riding a bike that could be rode at its limit without being 100mph +. However it did make it hard work when with a pillion, and when i needed to overtake without being "on it". When riding normally the bikes suspension was really good as its not too hard. But when pushing on familiar roads i would often touch the edges of my feet on the floor and once the peg. I would also find it would wallow in fast corners. Not enough to worry, but still noticeable. I decided that i wouldnt bother with a standard 1100 as i didnt "love" the look of them and felt the small difference to a "S" would be worth it. I love the ohlins and gold wheels, and I'd set my heart on a white bike as my last monster was red. When offered a deal on a red bike but with a new set of white panels i dealt. I px'd my 696 in november, and took delivery of my 1100s but didnt ride it until mid feb as the weather was bad. The 1100s is a much better size for me, but if your under maybe 5.10 you might struggle. The supension is great around corners, as it holds itself perfectly. However on bumpy roads it could do with being a little softer which means Im going to have mine set up by k-tech when i get chance. The engine is very different, as the 696 likes to rev, the 1100 is much lazier. Its got so much grunt, and its very addictive. I often found myself smiling in my helmet. The way to ride it is by short shifting all the time as it only revs to about 8k. Ive hit the limiter so many times, and after a few rides i actually missed the 696. But now after about 700 miles ive realised how to ride it, and love it to pieces. Its 10 times better with a pillion too, simply because of the engine. I never fell in love with the 696's looks. Yes its a nice bike , but sometimes looked a little plain comapred to other ducati's. This doesnt mean i didnt like riding it though and as a whole i would rate the experience as a 8 out of 10. The 1100s looks amazing , and i love its looks maybe more than any other naked bike ive seen. The ride is brillaint, and its just getting better and better. Its certainly on par with the 696 so far, and im hoping after this years TT trip it'll be in 1st place. Its actually proving to be better on fuel too as i dont rev it so much. The single sided swing arm, ohlins, and dry clutch are pure class, and i smile from ear to ear evertime i ride it now. I fitted some extra's but didnt want to spend too much as this was supposed to be my "cheap" second bike to use on days when the 848 didnt suit. Somehow i didnt expect to end up with it costing so much. I had the Dp tail tidy from the 696 so fitted that with a smaller plate on the first day. I went for SC project cans, which a far nicer than termi's in build quality and they sound amazing. I got some "chazzo" levers from "the2wheels" on ebay for £30 as i like adjustable levers and i had a set on the last monster. My girlfriend got me my giamoto clutch plate and cover with avanti springs for xmas.And as a precaution ive spent a bit on some evotech protection for the forks and frame. Im my opinion it doesnt need anything else, and im very happy. Its just had its belt service done, and its ready for the IOM trip in 3 weeks. Then hopefully a good summers riding too. If you can afford it, i would def look to buy one. Its simlair in so many ways that you will still feel at home, but maybe will add the pieces which you feel are missing. Good luck here's mine
Oh and ive ridden a 796 too, but apart from the looks its far to similair to your 696 to spend the cash.
I also had the696 and moved on to the 1100S after a year, got to do it! Same as said previously the bike looks fantastic and the engine the same. Loads of power and fun. Best in red with Termis awesome sound, and suspension is massive improvement. Went to Italy 2 up had a hoot
Thanks all for taking the time to post such detailed replies. It appears that it's all about compromises and there's no such thing as the perfect bike. I love the revvy motor in the 696 and having a slight lack of power means that I can use the full rev range which is great fun. Where as on my 749 I was only using 30-40% of what I had on tap, which was a bit pointless and felt like using a Porsche 911 to pop to the shops. I also love the wet slipper clutch which is also great fun to use and I love dropping down the gears at speed which makes the little 696 feel almost like a sports bike. Power wise, on my recent 1000 miles round trip to the Ring with 8 others the 696 kept up with the best of them including Multi's, Diavels, a Monster 1100 Evo and 2 huge BMW touring / sports bikes. One of the guys in our group has now moves up from a 696 to a 1100 Evo and mentioned that the 1100 Evo was lumpy and not as smooth. Regarding suspension set up, I haven't got the abilities to push a bike hard enough to notice any difference, but the one thing I could critisise the 696 for is the fact the you appear to feel every imperfection in the road surface which makes a long ride hard work on the arms. 796? Although they have rave reviews and many say they're nothing like the 696, I feel that I'd have to find about £3k to buy something so similar to what I have and I'd soon out grow it and be back to square 1! Although I've always had red Ducati's (the only colour to buy a Ferrari or a Ducati in) I now love the look of the 1100S in white. It looks great and d8mok's is a great example of tasteful aftermaket additions without making it looking like a tarts handbag. I'm 5' 10 1/2" and struggle a little on leg room so I agree that anyone 6' plus would feel cramped. Decisions, decisions but I think in my mind the 1100S has it on the "balance of probabilities" and it's only a matter of getting used to a less free revving motor and a dry clutch with more power. Thanks again all and I'll keep you posted. ps - oh yeah, one of the guys on our trip who works for a Ducati dealership mentioned that the 696 was aimed at new riders, girls and riders with short legs!! Great!
Both the 696 and the 1100 are great i their own way. Maybe take a demo ride to be sure? I miss the light clutch of my 696 now you mentioned it.
Test ride definitely. So. Knowing what you know now and all things considered would you make the same decision again?
Yes for sure. The 696 was brilliant but not ideal for me. The 1100 fits me much better. However if I had a 796 originally I would of probably said different.
