Wow, lots of new members from NoVA and DC area. Well, just finished day 1 of riding for my MSF and wow, riding is so much fun! I really kick myself for not doing when I was younger. Anyway, i'm having a blast and am looking to purchase a Monster 620 or 696 as my first bike. Glad to be hear and already learning a ton.
Any recommendations on shops in the NoVA area? Want to try on helmets, jackets, etc. Thanks.
Welcome.
Check out the CAM section when you get a chance. That's where all us hooligans hang out.
For shopping, you could try Coleman's in Falls Church or you could schlep all the way out to DucPond in Winchester.
Where in NoVA are you? There's a number of shops. So a region might help you find something close by
Colemans in FC will price match online stuff BTW. So if you find something you like just ask them to match and they will. I just did that over the weekend on a helmet. Though I've got some mixed feeling about Colemans over the years, their Gear and Parts folks have always taken care of me and done it right. So with the price match, no reason not to support local business.
Different stores carry different brands. Colemans carrys Rev'it which I suggest you give a hard look at. Anyone who has their stuff has nothing bad to say.
Now, on to bikes. the 620 and 696 are pretty different. While both were the base of their era, the 696 has a good bit more power. It's on par with the S2R 800 in that regard.
Also, you're going to be paying a good bit more. A 620 can be had for a pretty low price point these days. It's a solid bike and IMO a pretty good learners platform. It's not as cheap to fix as something like an SV650 in the event of damage... But one can source a lot of 620 parts for not so much, as it shares a lot of parts over a broad time and model span of Monsters.
Welcome [clap] I've had less-than-great experiences with Colemans years ago (non-ducati specific stuff). I get most of my gear and stuff from MFI in woodbridge. They don't stock Revit though and that is generally quality textiles.
I haven't ridden a 696, but I'm told a lot of the reported big increase in HP comes from a different way of measuring HP as opposed to how they measured it on the 620/695 (crank vs wheel). The 620 and 695 seem to work out about the same for power and stock for stock the magazines reported the 620 as being ever so slightly quicker (better gearing). I think the 696 has improved cams and tuning as compared to the 695 so its probably a bit quicker, particularly at higher revs. The 695/696 use a much bigger bore and a bit shorter stroke as compared to the 620. This should make them more revvy-feeling and a bit less grunty at very low rpms. None will be so fast as to be a real handful but all are quick enough to be entertaining I think. I find the wife's 620 good fun and I've been riding for almost two decades now.
BTW the 695 is basically the same motor configuration as the 696 but in the classic, 620-style chassis.