Monster 796 vs S2R1000

[ungeheuer]

Well, as far as looks go:

S2R =        

796 =          

What if I throw an 1100s into the mix. Turns out I can pick a demo one up for almost the same price as a 796.

The Ohlins suspended M1100s?  For not much more than M796??  If you like the look of the new Monsters (and as you see here there are many - mostly owners of older style Monsters - who dont) then take it for a ride.... and then buy it.

[Veloce-Fino]

Wrong. 

First hand experience? The numbers are not far off from one another. I have no FHE though.

[Travman]

Will the dealer allow you to test ride the M796 and M1100s?  If so, then you won't need this thread to help you decide.  A lot of demo bikes have the Termis already installed.  Hopefully yours already has this done, but then it won't be a fair comparison.  

[Travman]

First hand experience? The numbers are not far off from one another. I have no FHE though.

I have not ridden a M796 or S2R1000.  However, I've ridden the Hyper 796 and M1000 which I'm basing my opinion.  I've also ridden a SC1000, M1100 and an M800.  The 1000 and 1100DS bikes are significantly quicker than the 803cc motor bikes.  I like the 796/803 engine.  It is a perfectly adequate motor, but the 1000 and 1100 are just that next step faster.

I do agree that the latest Monsters handle well.  I immediately felt comfortable riding the 2010 M1100 at a quick pace. 

[Betty]

Thanks for giving me something which sounds less biased. Most of these opinions, while I am grateful, seem quite one sided and don't offer much real information.

I'm not so sure it is that unbiased, for example his father's bike may have bar risers and suspension settings that are not his own ... either, both or many other things will determine how the bike handles and 'feels'. Perhaps you don't want your bike to turn in 'that' fast.

Most people get hung up on the looks ... it seems that is not an issue for you. So ride what you can and make a decision on what is right for you - they will 'feel' different.

You haven't really stated what information you are after (what sort of riding, etc) ... if you want to compare componentry that is easy and you don't need the forum for that. But if you want info on the subjective (this can include look, feel, power delivery, braking performance) all opinions are going to be biased ... because, well, they're opinions.

Disclosure: I am definitely an 'old-style' guy, aesthetics aside, I didn't like the way the 'new' Monsters felt ... and it wasn't the front end that concerned me, it was the back.

[DucNaked]

I've got a m1100 and the wife has a s2r1000.
I love both of these bikes and I love the way they both look.
The s2r is a comfy bike for me to ride it's seat height is lower to the ground and I can touch flatfooted which I can't on my 1100. The 1100 feels more like a sportbike. It just wants to tear up the twisties I'm not saying the s2r doesn't, but it wants you to work a little harder to do it. Usable power I'm saying is a tie, the seat of my pants dyno tells me both bikes are awsome. The s2r just about throws me off the thing everytime I shift from first to second. I'm used to giving the 1100 more throttle without the same effect (she comes alive after that).
I would say you just have to ride both and make your decision on what's best for you. Or get both 

[booger]

I've ridden a demo 796 and was appalled at the clutch shudder moving off from a stop. Maybe the previous testers buggered the clutch out or something, but it wasn't as smooth as the one on my bike. The power didn't happen until 4500rpm, just kinda didn't have any guts at all really. HP is right on up there with the S2R1k, torque is down though. Bike handled well, brakes were excellent. However my bike handles just as well, power is there from 2000rpm on up. Brakes are shittier on mine but that's to be expected. Suspension is about the same on both.
My bike has the DP ECU and full exhaust, is tuned properly and also has newish Michelins. I don't understand the 'heavy handling' comment. The S2R handles very nicely, at least I don't have to manhandle it in corners - it drops right into them. Dunno what's up with that comment. Even so, all it would take is a +3mm adjustment on the ride height rod to cure it. Tires make a huge difference there also. I like the looks of the new bikes just fine. I was going to buy a 796 until I rode one, so I don't consider myself to be biased.
After my suspension and brake upgrades are complete it will be the bike I wanted in the first place. After you spend upwards of $3k on a Termi kit to make the 796 run like it is supposed to maybe it would be a great bike. You will still have to deal with subpar suspension however. S2R1000 comes with adjustable forks, but they still aren't that great. My advice would be to get a 796 anyway, since they are the new item and come with a warranty. I just don't find the new Monsters to be quite the massive improvement that others here have stated. Tanks are prone to distortion just as the previous generation.

[jwoconnor]

I would skip the 796 on the wet clutch alone, even if it wasn't the new Brutale/Monster hybrid I haven't been able to get used to.

[the_Journeyman]

What if I throw an 1100s into the mix. Turns out I can pick a demo one up for almost the same price as a 796.

First bike?  1100 might be trouble.  Experienced rider?  Demo 1100 all the way ~

JM

[jvax]

I test rode both bikes, stock, both low mileage.

Riding differences:
Both bikes handled well. The S2R1k felt more powerful, but the 796's power felt more manageable.  The 796 felt sportier (probably because of the handle-to-seat-height difference) and more nimble (probably cause it's 20 pounds lighter) in the corners.  Also, the 796 brakes did a better job.  Lastly, the S2R1k clutch felt harder/heavier to pull.

Other differences:
- The 796 will have a 2 year warranty period.
- The 796 will have a higher resale value in the future.

My personal taste:
I preferred the 796 for its:
- 5-Y spoke wheels
- Digital speedo
- Headlight shape
- Under-seat exhaust
- Quieter wet clutch
- Fatter frame (I believe it's slightly fatter, but I could be wrong)
- Better tank mileage because of the smaller engine and lighter bike weight


For the above, I decided to get a 796 with ABS, black with red frame.  At around 1500 miles, still stock, the engine is quite nicely broken in (to some extent) and is a lot smoother than when I first got the bike.  ABS has saved me in a couple of hairy situations.  Overall, I'm very satisfied with my bike and would not trade it for a S2R1k.
 

The demo 1100S does sound like a good deal, but if it were me, I wouldn't be too sure how it was broken in, so I wouldn't go for it.  Just my two cents.

[jim_0068]

S2R will turn in slower, i've ridden both BUT you can adjust the ride height on the S2R's to get it to turn in MUCH faster if you want it too. Don't let that be a deciding factor.