I'm off to the market soon, to start looking for my "big boy bike". Meaning, I've spent long enough learning how to ride the local roads on a forgiving bike, it's time to get something I can get into trouble with. Meaning... I need more power. Power is easy to find though. It seems anything with an engine newer than my current ride has at least 20 more HP, and similar torque numbers, so it comes down to a different game now. I need something physically larger, or at least something that feels larger.
My current ride is a 2002 Monster 620ie, and while I've been overly happy with that purchase, it's always felt a bit lacking in the overall size department. I feel like I'm riding a pit bike sometimes. Now, I LOVE how I can throw the bike around as I see fit, but I find myself over-inputting (making up a word, but I'm sure you know what I mean) because I've ridden larger off-road bikes before and had to exert effort to get it to do what I wanted.
So... I've pretty much narrowed down my choices to what I consider to be acceptable bikes. My main questions (you knew they were coming) go to anyone who's ridden one of the older Monster family bikes and another type of bike I might have listed.
The questions:
1. How would you say the power 'felt' compared to an older Monster? (For comparison, I think my 620 comes on strong with plenty of low end grunt for it's size, but falls on it's face when the revs go up. Versus my dad's Harley, which has tons of grunt down low and holds it's "power" through the entire rev cycle, albeit barely enough to get out of it's own way.)
2. Physically, does the bike 'feel' larger? Even if the exterior dimensions are not bigger, does the bike at least have a larger feel to it?
3. Is the bike larger, dimensionally wise, than an older Monster?
4. What's the seating position like? I'm looking for something a bit more upright, but wouldn't rule out putting risers on a Monster. That would be just about perfect. I can't stand the typical clip-on riding position though.
The bikes:
1. Harley XR1200 - New to the US, same basic principle as a Sportster with cooler styling.
2. Triumph Speed Triple (08-up style) - Euro trash FTW!
3. Triumph Street Triple - 10 less HP than the big dog, $3000 less pricing)
4. Ducati Monster 696 - 15 less HP than the Street Triple, same price, but... it's a Ducati, so it's cool
5. Ducati Monster 1100 - Horsepower, single side swingarm, and it's a Duc
6. Ducati Sport Classic - Cool looks, 90hp, and it's still a dang Duc
So there we go, post it up if you've got thoughts. I'm definitely in the market for a new toy.
If you're looking for something that "feels" larger I'd stay away from the entire Monster line, with the exception possibly of the S4R models(the radiator and gear do make it feel a bit bigger). THe Triumph may well be the best direction for you from your stated desires. Ultimately the bst thing for you to do would be to visit some dealerships and do some test rides.
The bikes:
1. Harley XR1200 - it's a harley- take that as you will
2. Triumph Speed Triple (08-up style) - i think Triumphs are cool but not a ducati
3. Triumph Street Triple - same
4. Ducati Monster 696 - more powerful than the 620
5. Ducati Monster 1100 - physically larger than the 696 with higher seat height, longer forks, etc.
6. Ducati Sport Classic - wow, sat on one, what a reach, monster is way more comfortable
You have not indicated whether your choice MUST be a brand new machine or not. If not, might I suggest an S4RS! I have ridden liter class bikes for the last 23 years and jumping off them and on to the S4RS was seamless. Except for the lighter weight!! [thumbsup] Awesome power (stock is listed as 130@crank), brakes (Brembo w/radial masters and calipers), suspension (Ohlins!) AND LOOKS. It is no longer being made, which gives it even more coolness AND was fairly limited in numbers. Even more rare would be a Tricolore (though not my bag in the was of color scheme).
It would be a major jump from a 620 but you get the best of ALL worlds IMNHO... ;D
or the S4Rs' replacement the Streetfighter.
I went from a 03 620 Dark to a 05 S4R about 3 years ago now.
If you like the classic looking Monsters and just want a larger displacement check out the S4R. You can find them cheaper than the price of a New 696 [thumbsup]
Hmmmm.... something similar to a Monster, with a more upright seating position, and larger in scale...... this is too easy....
Aprilia Tuono
My 2 Cents are as follows:
Harley XR1200 - Great bike for what it is, good looking, unique, gem of an engine, but it sticks out in this crowd. The other bikes you listed are more performance oriented and compared to them the HD is heavy, slow, cumbersome, and asthmatic at higher RPMs. Besides, if you really want to go this route, I'd recommend you find a used 1200 roadster, get suspension, wheels, exhaust, etc from Storz Performance, and make your own. It'd probably run you nearly the same as a new XR1200 but you'd have a lighter, faster, more unique bike with better components.
Monster 696. A step up in HP, but it might not be enough. This depends on you. If you really don't find the 620 THAT lacking in power, the 696 will probably be fine, especially considering significant chassis improvements. But if you really hunger for big HP. This one will only partially satisfy you.
Speed III. Other extreme. Maybe too much of a step up. Not so much a question of whether you handle that much HP as it is can you actually use that much HP. My first bike (Ninja 250) had only 20 something horses, then I stepped to a bike with 120something ponies (Z1000). Not the best decision. I never wadded it up, thank God. I actually rode it far several years and loved it, but I was never able to use all of it's potential. The thing lived it's life at half throttle. I believe that I would have improved more quickly as a rider If I had moved up more incrementally. The guy I sold it too totaled it the very next day.
So that leaves the Sport Classics (what I own now), M1100, and Street Triple. These are all great bikes and I think your best options. It just comes down to what best meets your needs, and what moves you the most. You can get great info on the Monster here. Try the Sport Classics forum at Ducati.ms for opinions on those, and I'm sure you can find a Triumph forum with plenty of info on the Street III (If you buy new, spring for the R version). And, as others have said, get out there and test ride them.
Good Luck.
Quote from: Ivan on February 15, 2009, 03:44:02 PM
Hmmmm.... something similar to a Monster, with a more upright seating position, and larger in scale...... this is too easy....
Aprilia Tuono
Make sure you test ride one first and not just sit on it. I did and hated it within 2 miles! The seating is bolt upright and then wind blast was worse than my Z1000! I felt like I was just hanging on to the bike not riding it... :P
Excellent input so far. Thanks guys!
I've considered the S4R and even the S2Rs, for the step up in power, combined with the Ducati cool-factor, and then I wouldn't have to get a new t-shirt. [roll] ;D In all reality, I'd say that those are in place a bit higher than the new Monster 696/1100, due to the higher power, similar positioning of my 620, and the pricing. Not only are they cheaper, price wise, but they also have most of the expensive up-front maintenance costs taken care of.
Not that expensive is the road block. I just want to get something I can stick with for a while.
I suppose I'll just have to wait it out until the warm weather returns here and hit the dealerships. We've only got one Triumph dealer in the area and it's about 1.5hrs from me. The nearest Duc dealer is about 5 minutes away though. Not sure where Aprilia even sells around here, but I'll give that a look as well.
Thanks again.
1100s
I'm new here, but I used to own a Triumph 955 Daytona, which had as much or more personality than any other bike I've ever owned. 60,000 pretty much trouble free miles. It ate one clutch cable, and the front rotors wore out on the floater pins. It's pretty similar to the Speed Triple. The XR1200 is cool in a funky sort of way, actually, it's the only Hardley Ableson that I would own. I've got an S4 Monster now that I'm having fun with, it's the latest in a long line of bikes.
Go to the dealer and test ride the bike you want it... [thumbsup]
Quote from: Ivan on February 15, 2009, 03:44:02 PM
Hmmmm.... something similar to a Monster, with a more upright seating position, and larger in scale...... this is too easy....
Aprilia Tuono
Not a huge aprilia fan but damn thats a fun bike to ride a full on no nonsense nekkid
The bikes:
1. Harley XR1200 - New to the US, same basic principle as a Sportster with cooler styling.
- 1. How would you say the power 'felt' compared to an older Monster? The XR will have that low grunt, but will run out of rev room very very fast from what I understand. I passed an 883 on my M750, 2-up, with ease as the rider on the 883 attempted to keep me from passing him
- 2. Physically, does the bike 'feel' larger? It will feel heavier if it's similar to a Sportster. It's noticeably heavier and you feel it during low-speed moving.
- 3. Is the bike larger, dimensionally wise, than an older Monster? Without pulling up specs, I'd say yes.
- 4. What's the seating position like? Similar to the Monster, maybe a bit more upright
2. Triumph Speed Triple (08-up style) - Euro trash FTW!
- 1. How would you say the power 'felt' compared to an older Monster? [/i] Gobs more power, pulls nice and smooth too
- 2. Physically, does the bike 'feel' larger? Some, but not huge. The wide bars make it very easy to throw the Triple around
- 3. Is the bike larger, dimensionally wise, than an older Monster? A little bit, but not much
- 4. What's the seating position like? Similar
3. Triumph Street Triple - 10 less HP than the big dog, $3000 less pricing)
- 1. How would you say the power 'felt' compared to an older Monster? [/i] Less bottom, plenty more up top
- 2. Physically, does the bike 'feel' larger? Never sat on one
- 3. Is the bike larger, dimensionally wise, than an older Monster? Not much if any
- 4. What's the seating position like? Similar
4. Ducati Monster 696 - 15 less HP than the Street Triple, same price, but... it's a Ducati, so it's cool
Since you're upgrading, I'd skip this and look at the 1100
5. Ducati Monster 1100 - Horsepower, single side swingarm, and it's a Duc
No FHE here, but but you're going to have a similar seating position and tons more power. Low grunt with a good pull up top. Less power overall than the Speed Triple though.
6. Ducati Sport Classic - Cool looks, 90hp, and it's still a dang Duc
- 1. How would you say the power 'felt' compared to an older Monster? [/i] Tons more power through the range
- 2. Physically, does the bike 'feel' larger? Yes, but not in a bad way
- 3. Is the bike larger, dimensionally wise, than an older Monster? A bit longer, probably not much
- 4. What's the seating position like? Leaned over a bit more, kind of old-school cafe racer style. Seat pan shape puts pressure on my legs that I don't like. Sit on one for a few minutes.
My personal choices from the list? The Speed Triple or the Sport Classic. Don't forget the Supersports
JM
I'm biased as hell. I started out with a Ducati 800 which I still have. I love that bike, it's got more hp than your 620 in roughly the same sized package. My bias comes from my Speed Triple. It is simply the best bike around for my use. The engine is a colossus, it handles beautifully and is forgiving. It makes power everywhere. It's not geared for top end power so only goes about 150 top speed, slower than my friends with R6s. The S3 is a larger bike, weighs a little more than the Monster but the stock cans weigh a ton so remove them immediately. The seat height is probably 2 to 3 inches higher than the Monster as well.
I've also ridden the Sport Classic and cool as it is it just didn't do it for me.
If I had to get another bike today I'd look at the KTM SuperDuke or even the new 1100 Monster. My 2cents.