Buying my first bike - 696 vs 796?

[Slide Panda]

And Shieldze1025, I bet you thought you were asking  a simple question.

At least you didn't open the 'which oil should I use' can of worms...

[Shieldze1025]

And Shieldze1025, I bet you thought you were asking  a simple question.

At least you didn't open the 'which oil should I use' can of worms...

Well I thought saying "save me the buy new/used conversation" would have prevented that, but after years of forum use I should have known better.

I want to buy used but I live in Hawaii.  Now bikes are popular here, but for some reason there are no good used bikes for sale.  All I see is used Kawa 250s and harleys.  I looked across the spectrum and to get something decent I'm still looking at 6-7k.  IMO if I'm spending that much, I might as well spend 9k and get what I want.  YES I'll probably drop it.  YES I'll be upset.  YES I can afford to fix it.

I've ridden plenty of times, I'm comfortable on two wheels but I have never had my own bike.  Always used friends/family's bikes.

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Apart from that, thanks for all of the responses.  I'm taking my time right now and hopefully a respectable used bike shows up, but for now I was just asking the 696/796 question.  Seems like I got the answers I was looking for, which I thank you all for that. 

To bergdoerfer, thanks for staying on topic 

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.

 

[Raux]

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

nowhere in the states will you be legally able to reach the upper limits of even the 696.
even with 14t sprocket she'll do 120mph

[curtisc83]

nowhere in the states will you be legally able to reach the upper limits of even the 696.
even with 14t sprocket she'll do 120mph

I have no doubt about that and the 696 is a great bike from what I have heard and read. I'm 6ft tall and weight 225-230ish pounds and felt cramped on my 620. And I want to do 2 up riding with my GF for day trips to wherever and the 7 extra hp it has will help tote around a extra person easier then if it didn't have it. I had a 15t sprocket on my 620 and going 75mph felt buzzy on the highway. I know it could still smoke most cars on the road but I decided my next bike would be something like a 696 or a 796 with ABS.

I do know that you can change the ergo's of any bike and that would solve the being cramped issue. But since I have two weeks in the states I really don't want to fool around with any of that. I want a bike that fits me right out of the box with little to no changes and have max time to ride. And the 796 from what I have read and researched would be just fine for me.

I also have zero intentions of going triple digits I just want to putt around and have a nice and relaxing time with or without my GF.

I'm no expert and don't have all the answers but the 796 just feels like the right bike for me. And its only 1k more then the 696 so just seemed like a good choice.

[ChrisH]

I rode modified scooters for a few years, but the 696 is my first motorcycle. If you ar remotely responsible it or the 796 could be a great first bike that you won't grow out of IMHO.

[danaid]

 Both have lame suspension,    get a used 1100/s and tear up those awesome Hawaiian twisties.

[slvrflme147]

Went through the same question when I was buying my first Monster last winter.  In the end a white 796 abs won over the 696 for the added value I saw for a little more cost.  This is my first bike but I've been riding for a bit over a year on other bikes and I don't regret the purchase at all.  As other have said if you know your limits the bike has plenty of power and easy handling. 

[Veloce-Fino]

Both have lame suspension,    get a used 1100/s and tear up those awesome Hawaiian twisties.

If you want to kill yourself, do this ^^


If it really is your first bike and you have no experience riding, you WILL in all probability CRASH.

So do it on a less expensive bike.

[Boreas]

For what its worth... I just bought a new 696.

I was looking at the 796 too. In my opinion though, the height, power and SSS didn't outweigh the extra cost (both initial and insurance) and the ABS. Mostly the ABS though 

[thought]

For what its worth... I just bought a new 696.

I was looking at the 796 too. In my opinion though, the height, power and SSS didn't outweigh the extra cost (both initial and insurance) and the ABS. Mostly the ABS though 

dunno why abs is such a big issue with some people, esp when it can be easily turned off.

[danaid]

If you want to kill yourself, do this ^^


If it really is your first bike and you have no experience riding, you WILL in all probability CRASH.

So do it on a less expensive bike.

 WTF???  Please explain further.

 People have crashed more expensive bikes, not very relevant.

 There are many new, left over 1100/S in California that will give you more value for the money then a new 696 or 796 for about the same price.

[swampduc]

WTF???  Please explain further.

 People have crashed more expensive bikes, not very relevant.

 There are many new, left over 1100/S in California that will give you more value for the money then a new 696 or 796 for about the same price.

I think veloce-fino's referring to the fact that the OP is a relatively new rider. The 1100 has a lot of muscle for an inexperienced rider to handle.

OP, if you're set on new, I'd say the SSS and wheels are a lot of value for the extra cash. Both make more than enough power for a new rider, so I don't think the small power difference should be a decider, either for or against.

[Shieldze1025]

Thanks guys.  I def am not getting an 1100.  I've ridden before but this will be my first bike that I've purchased.

I think I've decided on the 796.  The SSS, ABS and wheels are a big selling point for only 1,000 more.  The power difference isn't too much, and the seat and color combo (red frame) are an even better bonus.

[Veloce-Fino]

Thanks guys.  I def am not getting an 1100.  I've ridden before but this will be my first bike that I've purchased.

I think I've decided on the 796.  The SSS, ABS and wheels are a big selling point for only 1,000 more.  The power difference isn't too much, and the seat and color combo (red frame) are an even better bonus.

Agreed.

Get insurance quotes BEFORE you buy the bike and make sure you can afford it.

Jumping over the 700cc barrier can have a drastic increase in rates, especially under age 25.

[thought]

Agreed.

Get insurance quotes BEFORE you buy the bike and make sure you can afford it.

Jumping over the 700cc barrier can have a drastic increase in rates, especially under age 25.

yeah, good point... it's one of the reasons i was heavily leaning towards a street triple... insurance rates were lower... but in the end, i always wanted a monster so i had to get one.  haha