2004 S4R Vs. 2010 696

[Scotty_Wheelz]

Hi, I'm getting my motorcycle license next weekend. I am looking to start riding here in the next month or so. I am currently looking at a 2004 S4R and a 2010 696. The S4R has some nice modifications, and is listed at a good price, which is tempting to me. I would like that bike, but I'm trying to decide realistically if that is to much power for a novice. I have heard mixed things from people. Some say power doesn't matter when you are a novice. As long as you respect the bike, and don't go open throttle on it at first, you won't kill yourself on it. Some say you are just destined to kill yourself even if you do 'respect' the bike. What are your opinions? I'm 5'11 and 250 pounds. I think the 696 might be to slow for my size, but i'll listen to your opinions.

Thanks for any help,

-Chris

[derby]

the 696 will make you a better rider...

[muskrat]

the S4R is not easy to tame under 3,500 rpm, she bucks a lot.  for a guy your size though it is my opinion the 696 is too little.  ride them both and see.

[kopfjäger]

696

[Veloce-Fino]

Hello!

So here's my opinion FWIW.

This is from a pure power perspective, not accounting for the comparison between parts (brakes, forks, rear shock...) Oh, and I'm 5'7" 150.

I have an 09 696 and i love it. It was and is my first street bike but not my first motorcycle, been riding since the age of 4 when I got a honda 50cc with training wheels..

Since may of this season I have put 4,000mi on the od. My feelings on the 696, GREAT all around bike, super fun in the twisties and great daily rider. I don't regret the decision  AT ALL.  

My Gripes with the 696: To start, if you do ANY sort of highway riding, even just 2-3 hours a MONTH for any more than an hour at a time it's going to suck. At ~80mph you will be in 6th at about 6k rpm (stock gearing). Considering I commute to and from school monthly thats about 4-8 hours a month I spend on the highway. In terms of power: top speed on a 696 is limited due to gearing again and in 6th at redline you will be lucky to hit 120, especially with your weight. Not that top speed matters much unless your on the track, I'm just putting it out there. You will probably feel yourself "outgrowing" a 696 within a few (very few) seasons even though it will most likely just be overconfidence. It's doubtful you will be riding to you maximum potential on the 696 but you will want more cc's. Then again, who really ever outrides their bike these days, you can always push harder, we're not professionals despite what some may say.  Ask Ung and the numerous others who owned their 696's for a brief period of time.

If it's within you budget, I would recommend the 796.... solely for the better forks you get. The weakest link on the 696 is suspension, and the forks are the worst part.

None of this takes into account your current skill. Only you can asses that.

[Scotty_Wheelz]

Thanks for responding guys!

I would like a new 796, but it's just out of my price range (11k). I can either do a new 2010 696 for 8k, or a 2004 S4R with 2k miles for 7k (has 7k in mods alone.) I feel like I would be passing up such a great offer on the S4R, but am worried about my ability to handle the power, which is why I am asking you guys who have ridden the bikes and know them well.

[Veloce-Fino]

Thanks for responding guys!

I would like a new 796, but it's just out of my price range (11k). I can either do a new 2010 696 for 8k, or a 2004 S4R with 2k miles for 7k (has 7k in mods alone.) I feel like I would be passing up such a great offer on the S4R, but am worried about my ability to handle the power, which is why I am asking you guys who have ridden the bikes and know them well.

It's hard to make recommendations without knowing you personally.

Everyone told me not to get my CRF250... then 2 years later everyone told me not to get my CRF450.... three years later everyone told me not to get a 696... a year or so from now everyone will be telling me not to get an 848.... after that an 1198....

If it's your first bike ever, think long and hard. It takes a cool head not to show off, go nuts, and ride beyond your limit. Can you keep your cool ALWAYS?

[Scotty_Wheelz]

It's hard to make recommendations without knowing you personally.

Everyone told me not to get my CRF250... then 2 years later everyone told me not to get my CRF450.... three years later everyone told me not to get a 696... a year or so from now everyone will be telling me not to get an 848.... after that an 1198....

If it's your first bike ever, think long and hard. It takes a cool head not to show off, go nuts, and ride beyond your limit. Can you keep your cool ALWAYS?

I can keep my cool, i'm a very laid back person. That's why i'm thinking the S4R will be ok. The bikes operate the same for the most part from what I have read, and if I just take it easy on the throttle, I don't see what could go wrong that would be any different than riding a 696 or any other bike.

[kopfjäger]

If it's your first bike ever, think long and hard. It takes a cool head not to show off, go nuts, and ride beyond your limit. Can you keep your cool ALWAYS?

Are you giving advice, or asking questions?

[matt922]

I have heard mixed things from people. Some say power doesn't matter when you are a novice. As long as you respect the bike, and don't go open throttle on it at first, you won't kill yourself on it. Some say you are just destined to kill yourself even if you do 'respect' the bike.

Interesting and very realistic take on the matter. I had a friend that bought a 08 cbr1k for his first bike, typical squid bike and all, but he rode it very very very conservatively.. kept it for 2 months/4k miles and sold it.  He's still alive.  A year later he drove back my sv650 and shamefully admitted that it had plenty of power and is even contemplating picking one up. (similar power to 696)

Realize that a 696 might do ~45-50 mph in first gear where as the s4r will probably do upwards of ~75(?).  I haven't test driven any powerful bikes, but even the first gear on my sv650 was(and still is) tricky in certain situations.  I just picked the bike up a week ago, so i am no expert, but its fun to beable to get on the bike with out tripling the posted speed limits in just one gear.  S4 will also probably do wheelies with out much effort.(negative point, imo)

While the 696 is no rocketship of a bike, it still has a ton of nuts(no idea why you'd need any more power tbh).

[Veloce-Fino]

Are you giving advice, or asking questions?

I'm advising him on what questions he should be asking himself. 

[Scotty_Wheelz]

I guess what i'm asking is, If I can control myself and ride this S4R in Grandpa mode at first, would it be any different than learning to ride on the 696?

[kopfjäger]

If you are learning to ride, as in you never have. A smaller 250  would be the way to go. If you have ridden, you could learn the S4.

[DucNaked]

Another thing to consider is maintenance on the s4r will cost more than a 696

[El Matador]

The S4R has basically the same engine that won a few WSBK titles a couple of years prior. Different cams, and intake are the difference IIRC.

YOU ARE NOT READY FOR THIS BIKE.

Get a ninja 250, beat the piss out of it for a few months, drop it plenty, sell it for what you bought it, then make the jump.

Getting an S4R as your first bike is like getting a 355 Spyder for your first car, just a bad idea, plain and simple.