Help decide between 695 and s2r800

[hadesducati848]

shaving the seat down made a huge difference for my GF on her 696. i know not the same bike but would think that it would help the same on any thick seat.

[IdZer0]

I have  had a 695 for 5 years, and wished I had chosen the S2R when I had the same questions you're facing right now.

The tiptoing is something you can learn (assuming you can reach the ground)

Although the 695 is a great bike and I still love it these are the downsides:
- lower seat is just a shaved down S2R seat; ie. less foam, ie. harder! If you want a lower seat try and get hold of a 695 seat; they're interchangeable. I now ride with an S4R seat.
- problems with heat ; engine paint melting/discoloration caused by Euro5 (solution is DP ECU; a must have if you decide for the 695! Oil cooler would also help)
- Euro5 also causes the engine to ride rough/hiccups (did I mention the DP ECU?)
- debatable, but after market parts (esp. rear sets) are harder to find. Cycle Cat rising from the ashes is a god's gift here.
- but the most important reason for me is the ergonomics for longer rides (ie. 2hours+). Although I'm also vertically chalanged (30 inch inseam) my hips hurt from all the gear changes and I really need to lean forward for a good riding position, which makes for a very weird riding position. Ever seen someone on a 695 that doesn't look like (s)he  is stretching to reach the bars?  I've ridden on S4R, M1100 and the ergonomics are just way better. Also the footpegs are more outward than the S2R; your feet are further apart  than you knees. Try sitting in a squat position on the floor and push your ankles out. Hold this position for 5 min and you'll get whet I mean.

If I had chosen the S2R (1000) I now would not be looking for another bike.

Maybe that last sentence is a reason to go for the 695 

Whatever you choose you'll have a great time.

[Betty]

What warrants you lowering the bike?

Confidence ... that is the main thing, something that apparently you are not short of (pun partly intended):

I am pretty short and i just got used to riding the bike. its really not that big of a deal because 90% of the time your moving so its only when you stop it becomes an issue, and its something you easily adapt to with time.

For some it is a HUGE deal to get used to the weight of a 'big' bike and trying to learn how to balance without a proper footing can be a massive deterrent to ride. Height is not the only issue we are dealing with here ... weight, strength and who knows what else play a large part ... all related to confidence.

The Boss insists lowering her bike to get a decent footing is the thing that saved her from giving up. You are right ... riding she was fine ... but stopping and manoeuvring at low/no speed were the problems - her confidence was that low it was taking the fun out of riding. And without confidence it is not easy to adapt ... it is practically impossible.

Most of the changes to lower a bike are readily reversible ... so if it provides the confidence to continue to develop and ride then it is all good - you change the settings again as confidence and desire dictate.

[ducatiz]

I have  had a 695 for 5 years, and wished I had chosen the S2R when I had the same questions you're facing right now.

The tiptoing is something you can learn (assuming you can reach the ground)

Although the 695 is a great bike and I still love it these are the downsides:
- lower seat is just a shaved down S2R seat; ie. less foam, ie. harder! If you want a lower seat try and get hold of a 695 seat; they're interchangeable. I now ride with an S4R seat.
- problems with heat ; engine paint melting/discoloration caused by Euro5 (solution is DP ECU; a must have if you decide for the 695! Oil cooler would also help)
- Euro5 also causes the engine to ride rough/hiccups (did I mention the DP ECU?)

the 695 is Euro3. 

Euro4 and 5 have not yet been mandated for motorcycles.

[IdZer0]

then I meant Euro3 

[He Man]

If height is really that big of a deal, then just shave the seat down.

I originally shaved my seat down for comfort and redid it so the seat was a little taller. bare footed i can just get both foots' toes down. WIth shoes on i can get the front part of my foot down pretty easily. Its still shorter than stock, but i plan on jacking the rear up by 1/4". Ive just learned how to deal with a taller bike and the monster is pretty easy to manuever since its fairly light and smooth. A 749 with full leathers and raised rear and track boots = a nightmare to ride. I couldnt get either foot down with out my foot fully off the seat. But its a skill that got carried over from riding hte mosnter when it was taller.

http://www.suspectsunlimited.com/forum/index.php?topic=3524.0

this is how i did my seat. If you just shave the front then you wont need a new cover.

[JBubble]

Confidence ... that is the main thing, something that apparently you are not short of (pun partly intended):

For some it is a HUGE deal to get used to the weight of a 'big' bike and trying to learn how to balance without a proper footing can be a massive deterrent to ride. Height is not the only issue we are dealing with here ... weight, strength and who knows what else play a large part ... all related to confidence.

The Boss insists lowering her bike to get a decent footing is the thing that saved her from giving up. You are right ... riding she was fine ... but stopping and manoeuvring at low/no speed were the problems - her confidence was that low it was taking the fun out of riding. And without confidence it is not easy to adapt ... it is practically impossible.

Most of the changes to lower a bike are readily reversible ... so if it provides the confidence to continue to develop and ride then it is all good - you change the settings again as confidence and desire dictate.

+11ty billion.

Kittay, whichever bike you get, do what will give you confidence. If that is getting or making a lower seat as well as lowering the bike, then do that. Once you get used to weight and height of the bike, you can always raise the height back up to stock. Spend time in your driveway, parking lots, wherever you can, practicing moving the bike while on and off it. I gave up a long time ago trying to back my bike up while on it, so I just push it around small spaces or ask the hubby to move it.

[kittay]

I think I'm going to go with the s2r. I want to sit on one first, but checking out the specs, it sits the same seat height at my current bike. So I think I would be ok with that

Only hard part is finding one for sale near me. Holy crap I'm amazed how hard they are to find.

[booger]

Move to DC and find one easy. They're like electric pushmowers here. People use them to lean their yard tools and hockey sticks on.

[corey]

They're the same damn bike save for a slight power advantage and the SSS. The S2R tends to go for a few bucks more so if it's worth the premium to you go for it, you'll be thrilled with either bike.

I will say this as a 695 owner, it's nice not needing any specialty tools or parts to lift and work on the rear.

a $100 stand from t-rex, and a $20 spanner from one of the numerous sources on ebay is well worth the ease of chain adjustment on the SSSA in my book.

[Slide Panda]

If you want to do some DIY work, another not-so-tall member here wrote up a good tutorial on shaving the seat

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=2513.0

[ducatiz]

If you want to do some DIY work, another not-so-tall member here wrote up a good tutorial on shaving the seat

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=2513.0

or just buy some riding shoes like this: