Buying my first bike - 696 vs 796?

[Shieldze1025]

Hey what's up guys,  I'll be buying my first bike in a few weeks here and I had my heard set on a 696.  I've looked at them, haven't driven one yet but I love the feel and the size of the bike.  At hadn't even considered a 796, but when I was at the dealer it caught my eye.

I didn't even realize the DSS on the 696, and I love the traditional SSS that the 796 has.  Obviously the engine is a little bigger, and it has the red frame and better seat.  My question is, what other differences are there?  I love the white on the red frame and the SSS, so would a 796 still be a good starter bike? 

I've been through the whole buy new/buy used argument for my first bike so please don't bring that up.  Thanks in advance

[ChrisH]

I love my 696, it's tons of fun.....that said, if I were buying a bike today, now that the 706 is out - I'd buy the 796. Considering it's only a grand more and you get more power, SSS, better wheels, more height for better lean angle, etc it's an easy buy IMHO.

[Shieldze1025]

I love my 696, it's tons of fun.....that said, if I were buying a bike today, now that the 706 is out - I'd buy the 796. Considering it's only a grand more and you get more power, SSS, better wheels, more height for better lean angle, etc it's an easy buy IMHO.

Thanks for the response.  That's exactly what I was thinking.  The wheels/SSS are huge sellers for me, and I'm a little bigger so the higher ride height would be nice too.

[Veloce-Fino]

After spending some serious $$ on the 696, I wish I had waited the 6 months for the 796.

[Raux]

to me, the difference is styling.

the power difference is negligible.

Either can be adjusted for height of rider pretty easily.

[Veloce-Fino]

to me, the difference is styling.

the power difference is negligible.

Either can be adjusted for height of rider pretty easily.

SSS, you know you're envious.

The glory that is boomtubes on a SSS can tempt any man.

Plus, rear tire size.

all aesthetic though.

[DaveTheMailman]

I think the 2011 796 comes with abs standard too. Mine did. Nice safety feature.

[Slide Panda]

As a very first bike - I say neither. I say you go snag a 620, 695 or an SV650.

Any of the 3 can be had for a song these days. Being your first bike, the odds are it will suffer some damage at you hands - probably just a drop. But dropping your brand new bike would *suck*. Replacement parts for the 6xx monsters and even more so the SV are less expensive.

The 3 bikes I list have less power than the new monsters, but plenty enough for a new rider. Yeah they are far from the fastest bikes ever, but they are faster than most folks.

If you're worried about costs - you can generally expect to sell any of those bikes for near or the same price you purchased them for these days. I've known a couple folks who have managed to sell SVs after a year of riding for more than they purchased it for originally.

[redxblack]

+1 to what Sad Panda said. If it were me, I'd go with something that wouldn't break my heart if I dropped it, at least until I got really comfortable. But if you are going to purchase a new Ducati, the 796 seems like the better purchase for a lot of reasons.

[thought]

I basically did exactly what sad panda suggested... Got a 05 sv for my first bike for about 2900, rode it around for a year, traded it in for the 796 for 2600.  Basically paid 300 for a one year rental of a bike.

Would def suggest this route as the best way to go for a first bike

[curtisc83]

I had a similar dilemma a couple weeks ago. Long story short the ex-wife sold my 2006 Monster 620 and I wanted a new bike when I came back from leave in Aug from Afghan. So the two choices for me are the 696 or the 796. In the end I picked the 796 because its height and single side arm. Another thing is I wanted a bike I can cruise down the interstate or highway and not feel like the bike is starting to get into its upper limit. Since I'm from Texas there seems to be lots of highway between towns. I'm not really concerned with dropping it and if I do oh well I will just get it fixed or whatever. I just don't want to look at my bike and tell myself I wish I got this or that....now I'm not staying because I want a Streetfigher I should go get one using the same logic. But the 796 seems to me to be a good compromise between form and function without going over the top.

This reminds me of when I put in the order for my Monster 796 the sales guy was trying to get me to buy a Monster 1100. I think the 796 will suit me for many years just fine I don't see why I need more power. Chances are I won't even use all the power of the 796 for a long time or even ever. Just seems a tad reckless for a sales guy to try and push a severely over powered bike on a guy that says he is a beginner rider. If I was a sales guy I wouldn't want to kill off my customer base so I can have repeat business.....LOL

[DucDodgers]

+1 on the 620. Not only because I have one for a few years now but like Sad Panda said you can get them for a great price. For a beginner rider this bike will be much more bike that you'll need. Use the cash you save for gear and track days. Plus when it's time to sell it you won't lose much on the resale value. I look at riding as a lifetime activity to grow into, there will be plenty of time to move up to more powerful bikes. There is no need to rush into it.

[bikepilot]

I'd second (or fourth of whatever we are up to now) SP 

Between the two new bikes the 796 would get my vote.  You get a lot for relatively modest extra cost.

The 620 is a really good bike too - a bit longer stroke and flatter power curve than the 695/696 (and the classics are prettier )

[zooom]

  Just seems a tad reckless for a sales guy to try and push a severely over powered bike on a guy that says he is a beginner rider.

YOU THINK?...tell that to the Suzuki dealer sales reps that put new riders on Hayabusa's and GSXR1000's...or any dealer that puts a newb on a liter bike....and yet, it seems to happen everyday.

[booger]

YOU THINK?...tell that to the Suzuki dealer sales reps that put new riders on Hayabusa's and GSXR1000's...or any dealer that puts a newb on a liter bike....and yet, it seems to happen everyday.

Most noob squid riders that patronize Kawayamahonzuki dealerships want the crotch rockets, not the starter bikes. Starter bikes aren't the panty-pullers that the sportbikes have the reputation for being. Noob idiots don't want to work their way up. Since they're all invincible they want to go big or go home. It's a matter of intelligence or lack thereof.

That's capitalism for you. Social responsibility doesn't get involved here. If the customer didn't go into the dealership wanting these powerful sportbikes, the salespeople wouldn't be selling them. Commissions are better with the bigger bikes. Unfortunately a large percentage of these bikes get wadded up along with the owners. So it goes, but there's an upside. Cheap eBay parts.

I too had an SV650 and was all set to upgrade with GSXR forks, brakes, lightweight wheels, the works when I came upon the Monster I have now. In retrospect it was a fine bike, and a lot cheaper than a Monster, which made it satisfying in it's own right. A bit down on power, but some investment in lightening the bike and some simple inexpensive tweaks can improve the power-to-weight without overpowering it. Today's bikes are way overpowered. I kind if miss the SV. Ducati parts are annoyingly expensive, and I get tired of the corksniffing attitude some owners have (which is misplaced I will add).

In the end you will not change the mind of the wannabe noob rider. You will only be given the opportunity to confirm his or her original desire. If you try to change the mind of the wannabe noob rider you will only be met with contempt and resentment for the wisdom you are trying to relay to him or her. It's best to let them do what they will, and if they don't kill themselves they will be wiser from it. If they die, so what. There's an invincible superhero noob numbnuts born every second in this world. Gotta have some way of culling them out.