Ducati's Monster 696 isn't as scary, but it still packs the power

That's a gift that keeps on giving because the new 696 gets about 50 miles to the gallon.

Designed for commuters rather than racers, the 696 won't be as thoroughly flogged as Ducati's more performance-oriented models. So there are just two Desmodromic valves per cylinder on this air-cooled L-twin, instead of the four Ducati employs on its liquid-cooled repli-race bikes. Even so, the new 696 offers 9% more horsepower than its 695 cc predecessor and an 11% increase in torque, and it does it in a package that weighs 15 pounds less.

In the name of full disclosure, I used to own a Monster. It was a 1999 750 Dark, which I bought myself as a gift when I was hired by The Times, garaged when I was pregnant and sold last year because I no longer had time to ride my own bike. So for me, taking the new 696 for a spin was like seeing an old friend -- a friend who'd gotten a face-lift and started working out.

The style differences on the new Monster are dramatic. Gone are the bright-eyed circles that characterized the headlight, signals, dash and mirrors on older versions. They're flattened and elongated on the new, as if they were sent head first into a wind tunnel before the plastic had fully hardened.

Overall, I'd say it's less cute, more bold. If the old Monster was a regular drip coffee, the new one's a red eye, with its mesh tank detailing, chiseled fender and two fat cans the size of pony kegs for a dual exhaust. While the bass-y thrum of the aluminum canisters isn't quite as sexy as the Termignoni I had on my own Monster, they sound pretty great for stock pipes.

The best feature of the new 696 remains the same as with earlier versions: It's supremely easy to ride. Its chassis is lightweight and nimble enough to throw around and split lanes. Its power is satisfying without being scary. Its saddle is low and narrow enough for most riders to reach the ground. That said, the saddle did have one issue. While comfortable for short jaunts, it made itself known when I upped my odo reading by more than 100 miles at a stretch.

The Monster 696 is Ducati's bargain-basement model. Geared toward newbies, women and commuters, it lacks the insane speed and technologies of Ducati's larger, more performance-oriented models. But for what it was designed to do, the newest Monster continues the tradition it started so long ago. It's g-r-r-eat.

susan.carpenter@latimes.com

2009 Ducati Monster 696

Base price: $8,775

Powertrain: Air-cooled, fuel-injected, L-twin cylinder, Desmodromic valves, two valves per cylinder, six-speed

Displacement: 696 cc

Maximum horsepower: 80 @ 9,000 rpm

Maximum torque: 50.6 pound-feet at 7,750 rpm

Seat height: 30.3 inches

Dry weight: 355 pounds

Road test MPG*: 51 (based on 311 miles traveled)

* uses 91 octane gas