Big Choice!! Need Help

[dne1810]

Either wait for the streetfighter of pick up an 08 Brutale

for what it's worth, I was due for a new Ducati (coming from an S2R 800 which I left back home in Europe). Was obsessed with Brutale since I got access to a Tamburini F4 . I test drove a 910R 08 model which about 2 months ago can be had for GREAT savings ($500 over dealer invoice) at least here in TX. The Brutale is simply too small for me.. I'm 6.04 but feel like I'm riding a small kids bike... I'm a sucker for MV Agustas, love the F4 collaboration and even though I'm not fan of high rev bikes it does sound very sweet.... It's way too torquey and if it's bhp you're after (and wheelies) it's the bike for you. The issue with MV Agusta to this date is electrical gremlins + poor dealer distribution network. Now they were acquired by HD so god knows what will happen (if it's any indication Tamburini left the company).

I then test drove the 696 which I really liked but was BLOWN AWAY when I rode the new Monster 1100S and ended up buying it on the spot. It's fast, nimble, lightweight, enough torque + bhp for city or spirited driving and it really feels like it's planted on the road with the Ohlins suspension!! Go test drive one and you'll see for yourself

my $0.02

[DirtyDuc]

Who cares, you win either way!  These are two very awesome Italian machines!!  I'm sure that you'll get an overwhelming Ducati vote here because it's a Monster forum.  But, serously, I love almost all Italian bikes.  Ducati, Aprilia, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi...  all winners as far as I am conscerned!!

I think you should test ride both and pick what ever YOU like best.  Good luck with what ever you choose! 

...and, be sure to post pics!!!

[Gle8]

for what it's worth, I was due for a new Ducati (coming from an S2R 800 which I left back home in Europe). Was obsessed with Brutale since I got access to a Tamburini F4 . I test drove a 910R 08 model which about 2 months ago can be had for GREAT savings ($500 over dealer invoice) at least here in TX. The Brutale is simply too small for me.. I'm 6.04 but feel like I'm riding a small kids bike... I'm a sucker for MV Agustas, love the F4 collaboration and even though I'm not fan of high rev bikes it does sound very sweet.... It's way too torquey and if it's bhp you're after (and wheelies) it's the bike for you. The issue with MV Agusta to this date is electrical gremlins + poor dealer distribution network. Now they were acquired by HD so god knows what will happen (if it's any indication Tamburini left the company).

I then test drove the 696 which I really liked but was BLOWN AWAY when I rode the new Monster 1100S and ended up buying it on the spot. It's fast, nimble, lightweight, enough torque + bhp for city or spirited driving and it really feels like it's planted on the road with the Ohlins suspension!! Go test drive one and you'll see for yourself

my $0.02

I had the opposite experience riding the m1100 and 910s back to back. but mainly as I'm 5'8" 140. So the brutale fit like a glove. Both are amazing machines though!

[dne1810]

I had the opposite experience riding the m1100 and 910s back to back. but mainly as I'm 5'8" 140. So the brutale fit like a glove. Both are amazing machines though!

you need to test drive the M1100S huge difference from base 1100.. the suspension makes all the difference in the world. Same can be said for 910R of course too.. but anyways, a tamburini is enough Besides, I simply love the throaty sound of Ducati and the Termignonis make it sound that much more bad..

[LA]

Evil,
Other than the handling (which was due to weight) the only other reason I was unhappy with the S4RS was the range

I'm amazed that anybody who has owned an S4RS says they don't handle well - and due to excessive weight.  Mine weighs 420 lbs. full of gas, water, oil and battery.  And with the back end jacked up over an inch and the front end dropped a little and the suspension set up correctly it is one of the VERY best handling bikes I've ever ridden to include two different 1098's.

Outdated frame?  Look at the specs compared to a 1098/1198 - practically the same with 1440 wheelbase and 24.5 degree rake and ground clearance out the wazoo.

I live and ride some of  the most "technical" roads you can ride and find the bike to handle better and better the harder you ride it.  At 9/10s pace the character of the bike changes and the frame begins to flex and give wonderful feedback that really lets you know whats going on.  I know riding at 9/10's on the street is not wise and I don't do it a lot.

Poor handling? Due to weight?  Sorry, I just don't agree/understand that.

LA

[Bill in OKC]

I have had 2 Aprilia Milles and an S4rs.  Both Aprilias were low maintenance, easy to work on and very few problems.  Just gas, oil and tires - get on it and ride.  The Ducati is higher strung and required a few more things initially to get it "right".  Now that I have my choice I always ride the Monster.  Everything is just more fun on the Monster.

[Gle8]

you need to test drive the M1100S huge difference from base 1100.. the suspension makes all the difference in the world. Same can be said for 910R of course too.. but anyways, a tamburini is enough Besides, I simply love the throaty sound of Ducati and the Termignonis make it sound that much more bad..

That's exactly the ride i took: 1100s vs 910r. The only thing I really liked better about the m1100s was the sound. Those termis are Niiiice. But then again, the 910s was about 4k cheaper than the 1100s with termis, and that helped the decision as well.

[JetTest]

I've not ridden an S4R, only my 02 620 and now 696 Ducati's. Rode both RSV Mille and Tuono R on several extended rides, all around San Leo and San Marino in Italy, no less. Both Aprillia's had Termi CF pipes, and they were both a blast to ride, but the Tuono was so upright it was a challenge to keep the front wheel on the ground, even in the upper gears. A handful of throttle was all it took, didn't really have to try to lift the front. Other than that I really can't criticize the Aprillia's, but do prefer the styling of the Ducati. Another thing, but maybe it's just me, but  just something about the fact that the Aprillia power is not really Aprillia detracts a little, in my book.

[hypurone]

Evil,
Other than the handling (which was due to weight) the only other reason I was unhappy with the S4RS was the range

I'm amazed that anybody who has owned an S4RS says they don't handle well - and due to excessive weight.  Mine weighs 420 lbs. full of gas, water, oil and battery.  And with the back end jacked up over an inch and the front end dropped a little and the suspension set up correctly it is one of the VERY best handling bikes I've ever ridden to include two different 1098's.

Poor handling? Due to weight?  Sorry, I just don't agree/understand that.

LA

Uh yeah! I got your back on this Larry. I read that and was gonna reply with a WTF but showed some restraint. I weighed mine(on a digital vehicle scale) with a full Termi system & BST's, plus a few bits removed here and there. With gas(and all other fluids obviously) and it was 393.

Don't see how someone can even utter the words "due to weight" in the same sentence as S4RS. 

There, I feel better. 

[the_Journeyman]

My M750 weighs about the same it looks like and it's far from heavy and handles very well, even with the much nicer suspension the S4RS has!  I'll agree with both of you LA and hypurone.

JM

[LA]

Yea, acutally, I weighed my bike with the tail pack on the bike and the scale is a few lbs on the heavy side, I think.

Best thing is I just took 25 lbs off my fat ass.

LA

[hypurone]

Yea, acutally, I weighed my bike with the tail pack on the bike and the scale is a few lbs on the heavy side, I think.

Best thing is I just took 25 lbs off my fat ass.

LA

Awesome!  That'll help the power-to-weight ratio!!

[EvilSteve]

My opinion there guys, you're welcome to your own. I personally had issues with it. I'm not the world's greatest rider so maybe it just didn't work for me.

[IMO]
Compared to SV650, Daytona 675, gsxr 750, blah blah blah, it just doesn't handle that well. Sorry. Maybe it's not the weight and maybe all the articles I read about the update to the frame on the new monsters & new superbikes being related to performance (flex, etc) in the frame weren't accurate.

I had the suspension set up for me. The rear was raised by about an inch & a half. The transitions on the S4RS took a lot more muscle than I really felt was necessary. But I like really light bikes, I don't want to have to fight a bike into a corner and transitioning from side to side.

Maybe it's light for a 1000cc naked bike and that's where you're coming from, that's not what I'm trying to say.
[/IMO]

[hypurone]

My opinion there guys, you're welcome to your own. I personally had issues with it. I'm not the world's greatest rider so maybe it just didn't work for me.

[IMO]
Compared to SV650, Daytona 675, gsxr 750, blah blah blah, it just doesn't handle that well. Sorry. Maybe it's not the weight and maybe all the articles I read about the update to the frame on the new monsters & new superbikes being related to performance (flex, etc) in the frame weren't accurate.

Maybe it's light for a 1000cc naked bike and that's where you're coming from, that's not what I'm trying to say.
[/IMO]

No offense taken. It prob just wasn't your cup o' tea. But, a 675 filled with fluids & gas is only 10 lbs(or so) lighter than my bike is currently and the gsxr 750 is heavier!!

675:
DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES:

Length 2010mm (79.1in)

Width (Handlebars) 700mm (27.5in)

Height 1120mm (44.0in)

Seat Height 825mm (32.5in)

Wheelbase 1395mm (54.9in)

Rake/Trail 23.9º/89.1mm

Dry Weight 162Kg (356lbs)

Fuel Tank Capacity 17.4 liters (3.8 gal / 4.6 US gals)


2009 GSXR 750:
Technical Specifications: 
Length (ft)     6.69
Width (in/mm)     28.1 / 715
Height (in/mm)     44.3 / 1125
Wheelbase (in/mm)     55.3 / 1405
Ground Clearance (in/mm)     5.1 / 130
Length (ft/ft)     6
Length (ft/in)     8
Dry Weight (lbs/kg)     437 / 198
Fuel Capacity (gal/l)     4.5 / 17
Engine Displacement to Weight (cc)     1.72

[almazing]

Streetfighter. S.