The following is a summary of the different generations of monsters.
This FAQ is a work in progress. I'll add more info as time permits. Feel free to contribute about specific model years, features, etc.
Current generation ('09): 696/1100.
- 696 -- half trellis frame, DSS, wet clutch, radial calipers, 696cc air cooled engine, dual-sided high mount exhaust.
- 796 -- half trellis frame, SSS, wet clutch, radial calipers, 803cc air cooled engine, dual-sided high mount exhaust, optional ABS.
- 1100 -- half trellis frame, SSS, 1100 dual spark engine, air cooled, dry clutch, dual-sided high mount exhaust, radial calipers.
- Streetfigher -- though not technically a monster, it replaces the S4rt and s4rs. A naked beast with a 1098 engine.
S*R Generation ('06-08) : the S*R line (with the 695 as the 'classic' styled monster)
- S2r or S2R 800 (05?-08)-- ST based frame, single sided swingarm, 800cc engine, wet clutch, air cooled, one-sided shotgun exhaust.
- S2r 1000 (06-08) -- ST based frame, SSS, dry clutch, 1000 dual spark motor, air cooled, one-sided shotgun exhaust. Replaced by M1100
- S4RS/S4Rt (07-08) -- ST based frame, SSS, 999 testastretta motor, dry clutch, radial brakes, water cooled, one-sided shotgun exhaust. Replaced by Streetfighter
- S4R (04-06) -- The first of the S*R monsters, and sold at the same time as the ST-based DSS generation. ST based frame, single sided swingarm, 996 water cooled motor, dry clutch, one-sided shotgun exhaust. Replaced by the upgraded s4rs/s4rt with the 999 motor.
- 695 -- ST-based frame, DSS, wet clutch, 695 cc motor, air cooled, dual sided low-mount exhaust. Basically, it was a 620 with a bigger motor. Has the look of the "classic" DSS monster. Replaced by M696.
ST-based DSS Generation ('02-'05) -- "Classic(?)" monsters
- M1000 ('03-'05). St-based frame, DSS, 992cc dual spark engine, air cooled, dual sided low-mount exhaust, dry clutch. Replaced by S2r 1000.
- M800 ('03-'04). ST based frame, 800cc engine, DSS, air cooled, dual sided low-mount exhaust, wet clutch. Replaced by S2r (also called S2r 800).
- M620 ('02-'05). ST based frame, 620cc, DSS, air cooled, dual sided low-mount exhaust, wet clutch. Replaced by the 695.
- S4 or MS4 ('01-'02). The '01 S4 was the first ST-based monster. ST-based frame, 916 water cooled engine, DSS, dual sided low-mount exhaust, dry clutch. Replaced by s4r.
- M750/M900. St-based framed, fuel injected 900s and 750s were availabe in 2002.
888-based DSS Generation ('93-'01) -- "Classic(?)" monsters
Note: You can idenitfy the 888-based monsters by the hoop over the swingarm.
- M600 ('01 in US): 888 based frame, DSS, wet clutch, single front brake rotor, carb'd 600cc motor, dual sided low-mount exhaust, air cooled. Replaced by M620.
- M750 ('97-'01): 888-based frame, DSS, wet clutch, single front brake rotor, carb'd 750cc motor, dual sided low-mount exhaust, air cooled. Replaced by the M800. Note: some of the later 750 models have an oil cooler (2000-'01 and maybe earlier models) and the '01 has dual front disks.
- M900 (93-'01): 888-based frame, DSS, dry clutch, 900cc engine, carb'd until 99 and i.e. (fuel injection) from 2000-02, dual sided low-mount exhaust, air cooled. Replaced by the M1000.
Note: The M400 is a Japanese-only model.
DSS = Dual sided swingarm
SSS = Single sided swingarm
This is pretty much exactly as I see it. All DSS Monsters - 400/600/620/695/750/800/900/1000/S4 are the Classic Monsters. If it looks like the '93 M900, it is a classic. Sure the frame changed, and the motors changed, but the shapes are the same.
The Single Sided Swingarm was not a dramatic change to the look, but coupled with the different exhaust, there is no confusing it with a standard "classic Monster".
Then you have the newest generation, which might be called the "modernized" or whatever.
Current Generation -- Examples
M696
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3620136164_97fce68291.jpg?v=0)
M1100
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3308/3620136138_c2832f1c4e.jpg?v=0)
S*R Generation -- Examples
S4Rs
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3374/3620136150_988ee9201d.jpg?v=0)
S2r 1000
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/3620136144_94de55b5fa.jpg?v=0)
M695
Note: This bike is technically a part of the prior generation of DSS, ST-based frames, but it was sold at the same time as teh S*R generation.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3387/3620136170_240fe2b2b4.jpg?v=0)
ST-based DSS Generation -- Examples
S4
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3635/3620136156_fe74f8d9cb.jpg?v=0)
M620
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3619331795_b0e1466bbb.jpg?v=0)
888-based DSS Generation -- Examples
M750
(Note the hoop over the rear swingarm)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2438/3619331797_4885f34c2d.jpg?v=0)
*need to edit example of 696 picture. it shows an 1100 with sss and dry clutch. looks like they be switched.
Oops. :-\
Gracias. :-* ;D
I think the discription of the m750 may be a little off. the m750 (at least the 2001) has an oil cooler and dual front rotors
Good catch. It looks like some earlier 750 models (at least the 2000 as well) have an oil cooler. I'll edit accordingly.
(http://i25.tinypic.com/2d5fle.jpg)
(http://i27.tinypic.com/sc42o7.jpg)
(http://i31.tinypic.com/30ttans.jpg)
(http://i31.tinypic.com/dwvvo7.jpg)
(http://i32.tinypic.com/2znzsz9.jpg)
(http://i25.tinypic.com/f5aauf.jpg)
(http://i32.tinypic.com/33ym6c3.jpg)
(http://i26.tinypic.com/2ps0e8m.jpg)
(http://i31.tinypic.com/9asb2s.jpg)
(http://i25.tinypic.com/fctglc.jpg)