To Duc from HD ? about 1100 vs 696

Saxiety · June 21, 2009, 03:51:36 AM

Well that's the rub with the 1100, it ain't in the budget for at least a year or so. I'll test ride the 696 Monday and see where that gets me. I am so ready to get on a sport bike but I don't care for much of the Japanese bikes due to either looks or ergonomics. I took a BMW F800 out for a ride and really liked it and based on that I think the 696 might fit the bill in terms of seat of the pants power. I thought the power delivery of the f800 was fine, but on the other hand the Monster is a bit more oriented towards sport riding to me over the f800.

scoprire · June 21, 2009, 04:50:44 AM

If you like the F800, you'll like the 696 moire. I rode an F800s that didn't feel all that strong, but you look down and realize how fast you are going. My M800 on the other hand... compared to the F800s... feels like it's pulling harder out of corners. The #s for the M800 and the 696 are fairly close, enough for the comparison.

Saxiety · June 21, 2009, 05:23:10 AM

Quote from: sfarchie on June 20, 2009, 09:44:46 PM
Having owned a M696 and now a M1100S, the biggest diff is in the torque. You can easily pop accidental wheelies if not careful on the 1100. <<<I've heard this is possible on the 696 as well.
Regardless of which one you get, they are totally different from a HD and you won't be disappointed. If speed is your desire, don't worry about which bike. Red is the fastest color!

ps I never really understood the fast color comments, but I thought I would throw that in there.

That is something to take into account is that anything will be faster than the hog.

Slide Panda · June 21, 2009, 05:43:21 AM

The 1100 will lift the front a lot more easily than the 696. i have not spent time on a 696, but have ridden 3 flavors of monster (620, 900, S4R) and the hyper motard. Out of those 4 bikes, the 1100 powered hyper was the most prone putting the front up.

Budget is a valid concern - so's the comment about getting a used monster. I'll my monsters have been purchased from board memebers - and there's a couple nice ones in the For Sale section at this time.

And we all know CF is the fastest color...

Saxiety · June 21, 2009, 05:54:05 AM

I plan on financing for a couple years, is that something the local dealer can handle?

Also, has anyone ridden a TuonoR 1000? That will be at the top of my budget but I plan on test riding that as well Monday.

Statler · June 21, 2009, 06:07:02 AM

motorcycles are very fragile toys to finance.

a 696 and a track school will be faster than either a 696 with lots of cf goodies or an 1100.

how much do you weigh yourself?

Saxiety · June 21, 2009, 06:15:25 AM

Well, I'm having a little issue with weight at the moment...225. I am dieting and plan to be down to about 190 in the next few months. I don't know that I've heard of a track school near me in Greenville, SC but I would definately be up for one. I have done a lot of reading and while the 696 is the smaller bike, it definitely seems like the 14t change and the termi system will make it a real blast to ride. I know myself and can be addicted to speed so something with a smaller motor may definitley be the best way to start into the sport bike world. I've run a HD Sportster I had up to 120 which is scary as sh!te as something that heavy which isn't really designed to go that speed.

Statler · June 21, 2009, 06:16:59 AM

budget for respringing either bike.

Saxiety · June 21, 2009, 06:31:10 AM

Quote from: Statler on June 21, 2009, 06:16:59 AM
budget for respringing either bike.

$ ?

Statler · June 21, 2009, 06:33:39 AM

stock springs in the suspension are too soft for your weight. Springs for your weight (with gear) will make the bikes handle significantly better. I would do that before doing any exhaust upgrade, cf parts etc.etc.

z0mb1e_DUC · June 21, 2009, 06:38:11 AM

I've got a 696 with termi's. It sounds absolutely awesome. But lift the front end? Only if you want to. There's definitely enough power to get into trouble, tho. Ride em both & make your decision. If you like the 696 enough & want to go new, you can always upgrade parts later. Like Statler says, you can always re-spring.

Slide Panda · June 21, 2009, 06:41:46 AM

$400-600 should handle it all, inc labor.

As statler noted, you, me, him are all too heavy for the stock springing on Ducs.

Bike size might be an issue for you, if you're not a small guy - the 696 will be lower in the seat. As I've said, you might have a look at the used market for the near term - then go to an 1100 later on.

And as statler said, with some learning, one can get a 6xx monster moving quite well, especially on the streets.

yotogi · June 21, 2009, 07:09:41 AM

Not sure if any of this will help, but...

I was in the market for a monster back in October. I was seriously considering a 696, although I did have concerns that I would "outgrow" the bike considering my ownership horizon of 4+ years. In the end, I purchased a lightly used S2R1000 and am glad that I did.

A few days ago, I had the bike in for a new rear tire and took a M696 out as a demo/loaner. After being on the bike with the bigger motor, I was definitely wanting more. The power, breaking, ergos and everything were great (although you will want the DP seat right off the bat) and I certainly can't ride the M696 to its limits, but the power of the 1000 or 1100 engine is addictive.

You can get a solid S2R1000 for about the same price as a 696, so I would add that to your list of bikes to consider. Of course it means that you have to ride the classic full-trellis frame...

Saxiety · June 21, 2009, 07:14:44 AM

Well the issue really comes down to 696 or not b/c of budget constraints. If I buy the 696, I'll probably keep it for a couple years and then upgrade. The budget is more of an issue for my wife than myself, but that is what it is. I'm getting out of the HD b/c she doesn't ride and as I've learned won't ever ride so I don't see the need for riding such a big bike since I don't really enjoy loping down the road. If I go with the 696, I can have a great bike with a smaller payment (makes the wife happy) and have a blast riding it. If it was purely a power issue, I could go get a litre bike and be done but I really get into the bike being Italian, that beautiful sound it makes and I really prefer v-twins. I tried to keep the financed portion low by saying let's put a couple grand down on the 1100 at which point I thought I would be castrated. There are somethings my wife will NOT budge on and this is one of them.

In terms of upgrading the shocks, what should I look for? I'll probably do the work myself b/c I hate paying someone else to do what I can unless there is something I don't know about with replacing the shocks on a 696.

I also want to say, thanks for all the feedback, it has been a great help.

ducaticop · June 21, 2009, 07:58:07 AM

1100s is only 15lbs heavier than the 696. the difference in power more than makes up for the weight. if youre worried about the power i would definitely save for the 1100. Ive been talking about the same issues with my dealer for a while. I rode my m620 and pretty much grew out of it in a year of riding. The bike was quick but lacked the shock factor that i think most people buy sport bikes for.

I decided to save up for the 1100 at minimum. the 1100s would be nice however the suspension difference will only be noticeable to a really seasoned rider or tracker.

My advice is save for the 1100 and dont test a 1100s. that way you wont know how much better the s is

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To Duc from HD ? about 1100 vs 696