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EICMA: Ducati Monster 696
The new Ducati Monster 696 is the
next generation naked and the final word in urban excitement.
Ride the Monster 696 around your favourite downtown routes in
relaxed style or, when the spirit moves you, unleash its dark
side to deliver more naked performance than ever before.
DESIGN
Refined style and design are the clear motivations behind the
new Monster and the continued perfection of the Desmo engine
ensures that its 'saint and sinner' image will impress any rider.
A comfortable and confidence-inspiring chassis combine with the
famously smooth and powerful Ducati L-Twin engine to provide
the most enjoyable riding experience. The balance of new technologies
expressed in stylishly finished materials is shaped around the
original cool Monster heritage.
Maintaining its traditional Monster silhouette, the 696 now looks
more muscular than ever. Its wide tank tapers to the thin waistline
of a comfortable narrow seat ensuring sure-footed confidence
when at the traffic lights. The large diameter Hybrid Trellis
frame blends stylishly into an aluminium sub-frame and swingarm
while minimalist instrumentation and simple controls at the front
of the Monster contrast with twin, bold, Ducati-style mufflers
at the rear to enhance its urban-ready image.
With a fuel tank form created with ingenious removable outer
skins that enable quick and easy colour swaps, changing the personality
of your Monster has never been easier. The quickly removable
rear seat cover makes it even easier to completely colour coordinate
and, when removed, reveals a place for your favourite passenger.
The Monster cult
The Monster is the original 'naked' motorcycle. Launched
to rave reviews in the early '90s, it immediately created a devoted
following and became a cult motorcycle. With its fully exposed
engine and 'less is more' minimalist attitude, the Monster delivers
style and real sport bike performance. It has defined the 'naked'
class and become the bike of choice for top designers, Hollywood
stars and Formula One racing drivers alike while creating a unique
motorcycle lifestyle that is accessible to everyone.
CHASSIS
The 696 ergonomics have been improved with subtle but effective
changes to the riding position. A shorter reach to the bars and
a slightly lower, more forward footpeg position, together with
the lowest seat height of any Ducati and a reduction in weight,
empowers any rider to become the master of this Monster.
The chassis of the new Monster is made up of a new Hybrid Trellis
frame with larger diameter tubes directly inspired by the 2007
World MotoGP title-winning Desmosedici GP7 machine. To this is
attached a rear aluminium sub-frame.
The front brake system is the envy of its class and becomes the
new benchmark for the category with two 320mm discs and four-piston
radial calipers.
At the rear, the dual-sided aluminium swingarm draws inspiration
from Ducati Corse's finest racing products in this area.
The instrumentation is now totally digital and continues the
tradition of all Ducati's latest-generation hypersport models,
guaranteeing lightness, ease of use and a wealth of information.
The new exhaust system stands out for its re-routed downpipes
that now give the underside of the Monster a cleaner appearance
and terminate with twin, bold Ducati-style mufflers.
The headlamp unit is characterized by a new triple arc main beam,
while the rear light uses modern LED technology.
The unmistakable tank boasts ingenious removable outer skins
which makes it easy to change the personality of the Monster
696.
In line with the latest-generation Ducatis, the new Monster 696
has undergone a weight reduction of 5kg from the previous model
and now becomes the lightest bike in its category (359lbs
163 Kg).
ENGINE
The engine of the new 696 is an evolution of the previous 695
version. Measuring 696cc it boasts a series of updates and refinements.
Power output gets a 9% boost to 80hp (59kW) and an 11% increase
in torque to 50.6 lb-ft.
This new engine continues to have the best horsepower per litre
ratio of all Ducati's air-cooled units, and it ensures a smooth
and powerful delivery for a relaxed but thrilling ride in all
conditions.
This increase in power has been achieved by the introduction
of new cylinder heads, which are now similar to the ones on the
1100 2V engine fitted to the Multistrada and Hypermotard. Bore
and stroke remain identical to the previous 695 model at 88 x
57.2 mm, but the pistons and combustion chamber have been revised
to optimize the fluid dynamics of the new ports.
The camshafts now rotate on bearing surfaces directly in the
cylinder head and are supported by means of oil pressure. The
elimination of the bearings has enabled the weight of this unit
to be reduced considerably and the layout simplified.
Furthermore the cooling fins of the cylinders and the cylinder
heads have a new shape, and an improved casting process allows
them to be produced closer to one another so as to increase their
number and improve thermal exchange.
Like its predecessor, the new Monster 696 has an advanced APTC
clutch, which makes down-shifting safe and helps keep the clutch
lever action light and easy, especially in urban riding where
frequent stops require high use.
Like every bike in the new range, the Monster 696 also has a
new scheduled maintenance programme that reduces costs for the
customer.
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