2008 Ducati Monster 696

11/6/2007
By Bart Madson

The Monster is a seminal naked motorcycle design which has spawned great success for Ducati. At the EICMA Milan Bike Show, the Italian marque unveiled an all-new addition to the Monster lineup - the Ducati Monster 696. Although many of the Ducatisti will be focusing their lust on the all-new 848 and 1098R Superbikes, Ducati PR is pitching the new 696 as the "undisputed star of the Milan Show."

At a glance we can understand the claim. The 696 retains the traditional Monster styling aesthetic, but you won't confuse this bike with its 695 sibling. Cosmetic changes are apparent, the most notable perhaps the traditional trellis frame being replaced with what Ducati is dubbing a "Hybrid Trellis" frame. It is a design which the manufacturer claims is "directly inspired by the 2007 World MotoGP title-winning Desmosedici GP7 machine." Even a cursory visual examination reveals the frame tubes are much larger in diameter than those on its Monster siblings and they meld into the all-new aluminum subframe and swingarm.

Carrying the flowing lines of the new chassis is the 696's sleek exhaust. Eschewing the low-slung design of the 695 and the dual side cans of the S4R and S2R, this new Monster sports a dual undertail configuration. Also noticeable is the new route of the exhaust downpipes, which wrap around the side instead of underneath the bike, cleaning up the bottom of this Monster.

The chassis and exhaust designs manage to both retain the distinctive Monster appeal, while modernizing a design which launched the naked class 15 years ago. The changes also amount to an 11-lb reduction from the 695, for a claimed dry weight of 359 lbs.

Powering the new Monster is a version of the L-Twin housed in the 695. At 88 x 57.2mm, the bore and stroke are identical but the pistons and combustion chamber have been altered. The motor also sports new cylinder heads similar to those on the Multistrada and Hypermotard. Matching the reshaped heads on the air-cooled design are more cooling fins, placed closer together via an improved casting process.

The changes add up to a claimed 9% jump in horsepower at 80 ponies and 11% boost in torque to 50.6 lb-ft. Numbers which Ducati contends gives the new 696 "the best horsepower per liter ratio of all Ducati's air-cooled units."

Slowing down the new Monster are Brembo four-piston radial-mount calipers, with the front binders pinching down on dual 320mm rotors. The mondo brakes figure to deliver top-shelf performance, which Ducati promises are "the envy of its class."

Style-wise, the 696 further distinguishes itself with mirrors more closer resembling the 1098 than other Monsters. Also discarded from the Monster style bag are the more traditional analog instruments, which are replaced on the 696 with an electronic display similar in appearance to the Hypermotard.

A new triple-arc headlamp is all-alone up front, with an LED taillight out back. The rear tail section can also change appearance and function with ease thanks to a removable seat cover.

No MSRP is listed yet for the new Monster. Ducati does make a favorable monetary promise about the 696, however, and its entire 2008 lineup, with the Bologna firm claiming: "Every 2008 Ducati requires maintenance less often and with fewer parts during servicing, dramatically reducing maintenance costs - by as much as 50%."

If true, the claim is more good news for Ducati, which is on a financial roll after the success of its 1098 and Hypermotard. Success which Ducati's CEO, Gabriele Del Torchio, mentioned in his opening address at the EICMA show - the Italian manufacturer having recorded positive growth for the third consecutive quarter.

Helping the Ducati bottom line is the pricey Desmosedici RR, also on display at Milan, which has seen its limited-edition production run balloon up to 1500.

Another notable Milan entry for Ducati is a Special Edition Tri-Colore S4RS. The Hypermotard also returns to the event it headlined in 2005. The only change for Hypermotard in 2008 being a color swap, but the availability of the hooligan enabling beast in all-black livery is perfect.

new 2008 Hayabusa

2008 Hayabusa 1340 MSRP: $11,999.00
Engine: 1340cc, 4-stroke, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve, TSCC*
Bore Stroke: 81.0 x 65.0mm*
Compression Ratio: 12.5:1*
Fuel System: Fuel Injection
Lubrication: Wet sump
Ignition: Digital/Transistorized
Transmission: 6-speed, constant mesh
Final Drive: #530 chain
Overall Length: 2195mm (86.6 in.)*
Overall Width: 740mm (29.1 in.)*
Overall Height: 1170mm (46.1 in.)*
Seat Height: 805mm (31.7 in.)*
Ground Clearance: 120mm (4.7 in.)*
Wheelbase: 1485mm (58.5 in.)*
Dry Weight: 220 kg (485 lbs)*
Suspension Front: Inverted telescopic, coil spring, fully adjustable spring preload, adjustable rebound damping and adjustable compression damping
Suspension Rear: Link-type, gas/oil damped, fully adjustable spring preload, adjustable compression & rebound damping
Brakes Front: Dual hydraulic disc
Brakes Rear: Single hydraulic disc
Tires Front: 120/70-ZR-17*
Tires Rear: 190/50-ZR-17*
Fuel Tank Capacity: 21 liter (5.5 gal.) 20.0 liter (5.3 gal.) CA. model*
Color: Orange/Black, Black/Gray, Blue/Black

Sport bike

Classes

Although not officially recognized by any major motorcycle organization, the different variations of the sport bike can generally be grouped into several different classes, each containing unique features to that class.

Beginner

Beginner sport bikes are entry level motorcycles that are meant to introduce riders to the sport bike design. They are relatively inexpensive, lightweight, and durable. There are minimal to no fairings installed to cut down on cost and maintenance if the motorcycle were to be dropped. Although capable of more power, the engines are usually detuned for longevity and durability. Beginner sport bikes can usually accommodate riders of all heights and weights.

Examples include the Suzuki GS500 and Kawasaki Ninja 500R/250R.

Super sport

Super sport bikes (also known as middleweight sport bikes) are sharply focused for optimal performance on a race track. They are generally built around a high revving, small displacement powerplant that is usually sized around 600 cc to 800 cc. Most super sport bikes will carry a wet weight between 375—450 lb and produce 100+ hp. Because of how strongly focused super sport bikes are on race track performance, riders with heights of 5 ft 8 in and below will generally find trouble being able to flatfoot (the placement of both feet completely flat on the ground while sitting on a motorcycle) these types of sport bikes. In turn, taller riders and heavier riders may find the rider ergonomics in the default position to be cramped and uncomfortable.

Examples include the Honda CBR600RR, Kawasaki ZX-6R, and Triumph Daytona 675.

Super bike

The term Superbike is a word that is trademarked solely by Ducati Motor Holding, but due to the popularity of the motorcycles in this segment, the super bike term has been generally adopted to describe all bike (regardless of manufacturer) in this classification. Super bikes are large displacement super sport bikes. They have the exact same characteristics as the smaller super sport bikes which are mainly focused on race track performance, but are powered by larger engines that are usually sized around 800 cc to 1100 cc. A typical super bike will carry a wet weight between 400—480 lb and can produce 140+ hp (many newer models can produce over 180 hp). Super bikes with a displacement very close to 1000 cc are sometimes referred to as liter bikes as the engine displaces approximately one liter.

Examples include the Ducati 1098, Honda CBR1000RR, and Yamaha YZF-R1.

Hyper sport

Hyper sport bikes are very large displacement sport bikes with a strong emphasis on top speed and acceleration. They typically are powered by motors displacing 1100 cc to 1400 cc. Hyper sport bikes are bigger and heavier than super bikes with wet weights generally being close to 500 lb. The increased weight compromises race track capabilities in favor of stability at very high speeds that can reach 180 mph. This compromise also allows manufacturers to design slightly more comfortable rider ergonomics.

Examples include the Honda CBR1100XX, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14, and Suzuki GSX1300R.

Sport touring

Sport touring bikes are designed with a longer distance riding emphasis. They typically feature more creature comforts than that of the average sport bike. Sport touring bikes are typically heavier, less powerful, and less performance oriented than super sport bikes, but have the added capabilities of storage, more comfortable rider ergonomics, and better practicality. Depending on the amount of emphasis on these touring capabilities, sport touring bikes can range from super sport bikes with more comfortable rider ergonomics to full-featured touring motorcycles with sport bike-like capabilities and features.

Examples include the Honda VFR800, Triumph Sprint ST, and Yamaha FJR1300.

Types of motorcycles

There are three major types of motorcycle, street, off-road, and dual purpose. Within these types, there are many different sub-types of motorcycles for many different purposes.

Street

• Choppers: Highly customized motorcycles based on a cruiser-style frame with long rake (longer front forks) and wild paint jobs. These are created more for show than ridability.
• Cruisers: A range of small to large motorcycles designed for comfort and looks with a relaxed upright seating position. They are notable for their heavy use of chrome and are often highly customized.
• Electric motorcycles: Nearly silent, zero-emission electric motor-driven vehicles. Though electric motorcycles are emission free during operation, producing the electricity that charges the batteries in them can be a cause of pollution. Operating range and top speed suffer because of limitations of battery technology. As an alternative to batteries, fuel cells and petroleum-electric hybrids are also under development to supply electricity to the electric motor to extend the range and improve performance.
• Mini bikes: Very small bikes designed to be simple runaround fun for both children and adults. Generally they have no hand-operated clutch or gearbox to simplify operation. Also known as Mini Motos. Not street-legal in most countries and jurisdictions. May be used for racing by all age levels.
• Mopeds: Small, light, inexpensive, efficient rides for getting around town. Usually started by pedaling (motorcycle + pedals = moped).
  • Underbones: Small motorcycle which is a crossover between a scooter and a true motorcycle with step-through frame, popular in Southeast Asia. While the fuel tank for most motorcycles are tear-shaped and located at the top and just behind the instrument panel, the fuel tank for an underbone motorcycle is located under the seat.
• Naked bikes/Standard/Street bikes: Naked bikes have a riding position midway between the forward position of a sports bike and the reclined position of a cruiser. Unlike touring bikes, naked bikes often have little or no fairing (hence the title). Luggage capabilities are often an optional extra. Naked bikes are popular for commuting and other city riding as the upright riding position gives greater visibility in heavy traffic (both for the rider and to other road users) and are more comfortable than the hunched over sport bikes. Note that naked bike and standard are not fully interchangeable terms. Naked refers to the lack of bodywork and standard refers to the upright riding position.
• Scooters: Motorbikes with a step-through frame and generally smaller wheels than those of a traditional motorcycle. Can be ridden without straddling any part of the bike. Available in sport, commuter, and touring models.
• Sport bikes: Fast, light, sleek motorcycles designed for maximum performance, for racing or spirited road riding. They are distinguishable by their full fairings and the rider's tipped-forward seating position. They are also called "race replicas" because of their connection to the racing category for production motorcycles known as Superbike racing. The power to weight ratio of the 900 cc+ models typically matches or exceeds one bhp of power for every one Kg of mass. (A common slang for a Sport Bike: "Crotch-rocket".)
  • Racing bikes: Motorcycles designed for circuit or road racing, including mass-production motorcycles modified for motorcycle racing or sport riding.
  • Street customs: Highly customised motorcycles with wild paint jobs also built for show, but constructed from a sport bike frame instead of a cruiser-style frame.
• Touring motorcycles: Touring bikes are designed for rider and passenger comfort, luggage carrying capacity, and reliability. Cruisers, sport bikes and some dual-sports can also be used as touring bikes with the addition of aftermarket luggage and seats.
  • Sport touring motorcycles: Sport-tourers are factory-built hybrids of a sport bike and a touring motorcycle, for those riders who desire the qualities of both. They are built for comfort, while maintaining a forward-leaning riding position.

Off-road

• Motocross bikes: Motorcycles designed for racing over closed circuits, often with jumps, over varied terrain of gravel/mud/sand. Sometimes simply called "dirt bikes" when not being raced, they can also be used for informal off-road recreation, or "mudding."
• Supermotos: Beginning in the mid-1990s, motocross machines fitted with street wheels and tyres similar to those used on Sport bikes began to appear. These are known as "Supermotards", and riders of these machines compete in specially organized rallies and races.
• Trials motorcycles: Motorcycles made as light as possible, with no seat (as they are designed to be ridden standing up), in order to provide maximum freedom of body positioning and stunt capability for use in observed trials competition.
  
  
  Dual-purpose
  
  
• Dual-sports: Road-legal machines offering a compromise in highway and off-road performance, durability and comfort. Since the requirements are often conflicting, the manufacturer has to choose one or the other, resulting in a great variety of bikes in this category.
• Enduros: Road-legal versions of a motocross machine, i.e., featuring high ground clearance and copious suspension with minimal creature comforts. Highly unsuitable for long distance road travel. The features that differ from the motocross versions are the silencers, the flywheel weights and the presence of features necessary for highway use.
• Adventure Touring: Closely related to dual-sports, adventure tourers are motorcycles with lighter weight than just about any other bike considered a tourer, but heavier than any traditional dual-sport. Adventure tourers can handle with aplomb rough dirt paths such as fire roads however, for their weight they are generally not suited for anything more strenuous than that. The advantage is their increased number of luxury features and larger engines which make on-road riding much more enjoyable.
• 
  

motorcycle

A motorcycle or motorbike is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle powered by an engine. Styles of motorcycles vary depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions. In many parts of the world, motorcycles are among the least expensive and most widespread forms of motorised transport.