Buying my first bike - 696 vs 796?

[Shieldze1025]

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.

Yea I already thought about that.  Calling my insurance agent tomorrow. Thanks though 

[bikepilot]

For what its worth I don't think State Farm has any weird barriers.  So far all my rates from them have been reasonable - ranging from little dual sports to antiques to liter bikes.

[Boreas]

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

Even if you turn it off, it would still be there like some parasitic twin attached to the back of your neck. Weighting you down (4 lb extra) and killing your endurance (0.2 gal less capacity)  . Its the principle dude, why have something there if you're not going to use it.

[Veloce-Fino]

I checked every single company known to man, including riders.

Foremost was lowest by $500 a year. Somehow a 23 year old on a motorcycle came out to $38 a month with full coverage... progressive was $110/mo!!

[ChrisH]

Just wait until you get older  I pay $130 a year for 2 bikes 

[Veloce-Fino]

Just wait until you get older  I pay $130 a year for 2 bikes 

Trust me, I can wait to get older. I'll gladly pay the premium for my age, and beauty. 

[Shieldze1025]

696- ~$700/yr
796- ~$900/yr

That's for full coverage

[sgollapalle]

I just got myself a 696 ABS.. I just started riding this year. I've ridden smaller 100-200cc cycles for 6 years in Asia.. I was very inclined to the 796 because of the added benefits for the small price, but when I test rode it, I thought it was too powerful to start with.. And I'm 5'6" so the inch taller 796 became a no.. no..

Good luck riding!!

[Shieldze1025]

Yea, I'm 6'0" and 210, so the 796 is a better fit for my size.  We'll see when I ride them both though.  Thanks!

[iRam]

I rode motorcycles when I was in high school, Low displacement bikes. The 796 was my first REAL motorcycle. I've had it for a year, riding it to work as often as I can. Haven't dropped it so far. The main thing is if your set on going with a new bike, 696 or 796. Do the responsible thing. Take an MSF class, have lots of practice(specially defensive driving) and ride smart all the time. Whatever you go with it's going to be fun!