Something completely different: Demo riding the Ducati 696 Monster

  The 696 Monster and me

Different riding styles and preferences dictate different motorcycle styles. None are right or wrong or best or worst. What's important is that you find what you like and go for it.

The Ducati 696 Monster is not my type of motorcycle, but riding one was an extremely interesting and enlightening experience.

For starters, this bike is light, a dry weight of just over 350 pounds. Compare that to the 900 pounds of the Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle Ultra Classic I also test rode. We're talking a whole different universe. The bikes I'm accustomed to riding are in the 500-600 pound range.

The Monster is also the first bike I've ever ridden with rear-set pegs. In all my previous experience the pegs have been directly below me or up front.

With rear-set pegs, it is no surprise that you find yourself leaning forward to the grips. What was surprising is that, coupled with a 24-degree rake, I found myself looking down onto the front tire. It wasn't out there in front of me as it normally is, it was down there almost directly below me. Actually, it was kind of like the position on a 10-speed bicycle.

I knew this was going to be a ride unlike anything before.

One other thing the Ducati folks explained to us was that these machines like a higher rev than more sedate bikes such as cruisers or the sport-touring Kawasaki Concours I usually ride.

So we took off and yes, this bike is fast. And one of the first things I noticed is that, with no windshield, the blast of air helped a lot in taking weight off my wrists. Normally I like a windshield or fairing but in this case the wind was good. Still, by the end of the 21-mile ride I was feeling the strain in my wrists. I suspect that if I rode this kind of bike regularly I'd evolve some subtlies in my riding position that would alleviate this at least to an extent.

I seemed to be the only one in this group who was not accustomed to this sort of bike and so it didn't take long before I started dropping behind the others. We were on a very nice, curvy road and they were blasting ahead. I tried to keep up at first but quickly decided to ride my own ride rather than put myself at risk. I felt sorry for the one other rider behind me, who had to follow my pace and who I assumed really wanted to be going faster. Sorry about that.

The bike handled well, and it has monster acceleration (pun intended). Turning is a breeze and the brakes are terrific. In fact, they warned us not to use more than two fingers on the brake lever for fear of doing an unintended stoppie--or worse.

Would I ever buy a Monster? Maybe if I was a whole lot younger. I'm sure they're a heck of a lot of fun for those who know how to really ride them. But that's not me. Still, it was an experience I wouldn't pass up. And if I get the opportunity I'll do it again. I'm not about to say you can't teach me any new tricks.

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