Buying a monster

[loki1337247]

I am thinking of buying a bike next summer and a monster 695 is within my price range. I am a fairly new rider who's first bike is my brothers 77 kz1000 so I want something that handles and looks a little bit nicer. I am concerned about maintenance costs and how fast is a 695 really going to be. I also commute sometimes on weekends between college and home and the drive is about 1.5 hours on the highway so is a monster comfy on long hauls and how are they powerwise on the highway. What i have heard/read is monsters are a good bike to start out on so that is definitely a plus for me because i dont want a bike with so much power that i am going to kill myself within a week of buying it, but i do want a bike that i want to own for a while because we don't get rid of things in my family and i dont have the income to buy a new bike every 2-3 years. I am also 6' 2" so am i going to be to tall for this bike. Some thoughts and in site would be great on this topic

[flynbulldog]

You're buying a bike to commute on and to keep for a while, the 695 will get you through a year or so but you will quickly outgrow it.
Get yourself a nice used S2R1000, it will certainly fit your 6'2" frame better and you can enjoy the S2R1K forever.
It's not too fast that you're gonna get into trouble unless you really work at it and they are plenty comfy for an all day ride.
The power is gonna be fine for the highway and fun most of the time but it's not a gixer!

Forget the 695, go for a S2R1000!

[booger]

695 wouldn't be too small as long as you found one with adjustable rearsets. At 6'2" you're a big boy and all Monsters are little bikes. The torque should be sufficient for you, and the insurance premiums should be lower at that displacement. However the power may become insufficient after you get used to it. I'd go with an M900Sie, for power and insurance purposes.

[Bladecutter]

I disagree with both the previous posters.

I'm 6'1", and the bike fits fine.
It has more than enough power to do highway speeds for long periods of time.
It has a good personality, so that you will enjoy riding it just as much today as you will 3 year from now, as long as your overall personality isn't an adrenalin junkie personality.

In other words, if you like to start off the day by base jumping from the Sears Tower, and then follow that up with rollerblading down the Grand Canyon, and finally going for a swim in white water rapids, then the 696/695 might not be the right bike for you.

You might be better off hunting down a lightly used 696, as they are slightly better for longer rides. Price difference shouldn't be that much anymore for a used 696 vs a 695.

And just to let you know, you can kill yourself on any bike, regardless of power level, if you are foolish, or inattentive while riding. You have to be dedicated to paying attention to your environment as a rider, otherwise something is going to separate you from your bike, your health, or your life, sooner or later.

Good luck.

BC.

[rideserotta]

I'm always a little puzzled by the phrase "under powered" when referring to a Monster. My M620 is 'slow and underpowered' in a relative sense but it goes 0 to 60 in 4.3 sec under a seasoned rider (I probably can get reach 60 in about 4.5 sec). At cruising speed it accelerates briskly with a flick of the wrist. I had a Porsche Cayenne that did 0-60 in 5.5 sec and that was FAST for any vehicle much less an SUV. My M5 is SCREAMS and still barely keeps up with my M620. And for my commute the 620 is just perfect. I don't expect to outgrow it anytime soon. Most street riders rarely use the entire available power on every single ride anyway.

If you're new to cycling the M695 has PLENTY of power. Heck, even if you're not new to the sport it's not too shabby. Fit and ergonomics are a different story. That has nothing to do with power. So, my advice would be to ride a couple of bikes, see which suits you best and go from there. But trust me, if you get on a 695, rip the throttle, you won't be underwhelmed.

[Two dogs]

I just spent two years on a 695 and now passed it on to my wife.
It is great bike and in some ways I miss it as it is so usable in many ways.

Great in traffic with the short stroke motor , light and easier to throw around with its 160 rear tyre
 a lot more nimble than my now S2R1000 , with the suspension augmented the bike handles really well
and it is quick enough to keep up with most bikes except in a straight line.

I am only 6' not as tall as you but other than the low stand over height as standard
should be good for you.
I swapped out the forks and put a 999 shock re sprung and an adjustable dog bone
the bike is so much fun , if you find one cheap its a great place to start.
my 2 cents.
good luck

[TitanMonsterS4R]

The 695 is more than capable of putting around town or tearing up the highway.  My 695 was my first motorcycle and first Ducati and I took her from DC to Connecticut and loved every minute of it.  In town as other have said it is nimble enough to scoot around in but does have enough power (torque) to pick up the pace when needed.  Maintenance isn't an issue with any motorcycle if you do whats needed when required.

I wish you had posted this a bit ago, my modded 695 was cheap but I've sold the parts that make her functional at this point.  There's one on the forum for $5K i think.  Worth checking out. 

Good luck with making your deicision. 

[Meerkat]

Got a Dark 620 that comes pre-dented that I'll sell you at a highly inflated price if you ask real nice. 

[muskrat]

um, we have a local with a 695 that we've dubbed the 695'er because he's so blazing fast and leaves most superbikes in the dust.  He's not shy and runs that thing hard but I know they can be quite the bike.

[the_Journeyman]

I'll chime in here too.  I have a 1999 M750.  Power & frame wise is very similar to the 695.  You can really have some fun in the twisties, do highway speeds with easy too.  Unless you're wanting to have 'Busa style roll ons to 150mph, the 695 will be an great bike.  Maintenance on the air cooled 2-valve bikes is easy IMO.