Should I buy the 09 Monster 696?????

[VEGAS 00]

 
I own a 05 Suzuki Katana 750, and have ridden from Vegas to Coast Mesa with no problem other than WIND RESISTANCE (FULL FAIRINGS!).  I have test driven both the 09 Monster 696 & 1100.  I really enjoyed the feel of the 696, but I am very concerned about the HUGE HEAT SINK BETWEEN MY LEGS (not bragging)  .  Seeking recommendation from the DMF.  Is this the right switch?  What kind of bike is the MONSTER (Road or Street only)?  Good for long rides (300+ miles)?  How do I manage the heat sink when it is 100+ degrees out?  Thank you! 
Vegas Wannabe DUC!  [moto]

[zedsaid]

It's a sweet bike, and i love it.

You'll hardly even feel the heat at those temperatures, because it's not being blown onto your legs, you may feel a little more when you're stopped.

That said, i'm in the process of installing an oil cooler to help it run a little cooler.  I haven't overheated yet, but i'd rather run a little cooler than i do now.

I've only taken it on a trip up the coast @ 230mi.  It was my first roadtrip on a bike, after only riding it 40mi. at the most at a time.  It was a pretty tough trip up (cold, night, highway, not used to riding long periods).  But it was a much nicer ride back (daytime, warmer, knew what i was in for sitting on a bike a long time.)

I tend to ride pretty fast on the freeway , at slower speeds I tend to be heavy on my arms (i know this is bad, i should be loose noodle with them), so when other people talk about fighting the wind, i just think holds me up pretty good. [moto]

Then again, i'm 6'3'' and weigh 220lbs. YMMV 

[Snips]

You will experience:

• awesome noise while riding at speed
• kudos while stationary at lights etc
• increasing heat between legs while stationary at lights etc
• a bike with 11tybillion-times more character than the Jap equivalent

Your call.

[herm]

no way to compare a kanatuna with a monster...
i have done 400+ on my monster, and others have done more. not the most comfortable for that kind of ride, but ok.

try a search on the topic, as it has been discussed in great detail here ever since the 696 (and now 1100) hit the market.

[alligator]

I just picked up an 1100 this year after coming from a YZF-R6 a few years back.  There is no comparison, this is a much more interesting ride.

Yes, you get heat stuck in traffic, but who wants to be stuck in traffic anyway? 

The riding posture is much more gentle on your body than other bikes, but it isn't a laid back cruiser either.  You'll have to buy it knowing what it feels like and understanding this.

That said, this is probably the most interesting bike I've ever had.  Much more customizable too.

[That Nice Guy Beck!]

I say no. go for an older model the new ones look very walt disney

[Spicoli]

I have a 696 and wishing I waited for the 1100.... might end up taking a decent loss to trade in for an 1100.

in otherwords, I would recommend the little extra for the 1100 or get one of the used bikes off this forum.

[Raux]

i rode in 100 deg weather in the southwest, and a lot of guys are in the arizona cali area. it's not a prob. if you are in a traffic jam maybe a bit hot, but no more than a watercooled bike with heat coming off the cyl heads. that being said, since you had a 750 4 cyl, your best choice would be to go up to the 1100. the 696 might be as torquey but the hp will leave you short.

[ab]

I personally do not like the looks of it and it still has not grown  on me yet.  Hope you don't outgrow it quick.  That is my only regret on my 04 620.  Good luck.

[ArguZ]

If you really like the look and can find the money for the 1100, I would go for the bigger one.
How long do you plan to keep her ? if only a year or two the 696 will do..but THEN you want the big one

[Statler]

I personally do not like the looks of it and it still has not grown  on me yet.  Hope you don't outgrow it quick.  That is my only regret on my 04 620.  Good luck.

Dude, you have never been on the track and you have five speeding tickets in a year...what part of the 620 have you outgrown?   

[Spidey]

Dude, you have never been on the track and you have five speeding tickets in a year...what part of the 620 have you outgrown?   

[Scottish]

If I'm not mistaken the Katana is air cooled too, Therefore the biggest difference you should notice heat wise would be from the lack of fairings. I haven't spent a lot of time on faired bikes but it's my understanding the with fewer places to vent the heat they tend to bake your legs more than a naked. Of course if I'm wrong about it being aircooled none of this matters anyway.

As for what bike to get, go with the 1100, the SSS looks way better on the bike than the DSS on the 696.

[Raux]

have to agree on the SSS on the 1100 vs the DSS on the 696. but if i ever find a shop to do it, i'm gonna mod the DSS to look awesome.

[junior varsity]

the "heat sink" has never been a problem for me. you won't "outgrow" a 696 either, that's just silly, but you might want the additional power of the 1100 and the excitement of a dry clutch.

I have an aftermarket saddle on my 900, and its made the longer rides more enjoyable. speaking of long rides, I'm about to do Dallas to Vegas and back on my Monster - approximately 2800mi worth of ride is planned.