Husband has the duc fever.... Need another bike!

[nheaney696]

So... I've had my 09 696 monster dark for two years now. Love it! Now my husband is starting to ride. And now he's taken over my bike! Since I don't like to share, I've been thinking about another duc. I'm  debating between just getting another monster (09 696 used) or maybe an older 600 or 620. But I'm worried about reliability and ridability. That's why I'm leaning toward a newer monster. Thoughts?

[zooom]

an older 620ie is probably one of the most reliable bikes on the product line from the previous generation....I'd advise looking for an '03- early '05 for to have the more desirable metal tank...

[ducpainter]

an older 620ie is probably one of the most reliable bikes on the product line from the previous generation....I'd advise looking for an '03- early '05 for to have the more desirable metal tank...

Steel tank is a plus...

Instrument cluster issues an be problematic.

[tristantumble]

i have an 07 695, the power bump from the 620 are a nice, as well as having 6 gears...I've had it since new, and have had no problems with it, or the tank. also the black on red frame combo is killer...(yes that's what i have)

[sbrguy]

the older 620 as far as the engines are basically very good if the maintenance has been done.  the only thing is sometimes if the bike wasn't taken care of the wiring may or may not be finiky at times, but nothing that bad. 

plus the older monsters are easier to change the battery and such than the newer ones.  and have a metal tank.

[ChrisH]

The 620 only made about 60hp, I wouldn't want to go from the 80hp of the 696 down to 60hp personally. Even if the measurements are at the wheel for the 620 and at the crank for the 696, the 696 still comes out on top by a few ponies.

[nheaney696]

Wow. You guys are awesome. The 620 would do the job, I'm not a speed freak. My budget would be up to $5500. But a higher mileage 696 would be great too. ( mine has 16,000. Not a single problem) so.......thanks!

[Slide Panda]

At that price point you might get something more than a 620. You could look a little older like a 1000 not the s2r1000, just 1000 or a 900. Better suspension than the 6xx bikes and the 900 is a tank. Mines got 34,000 trouble free miles on the engine. With the older bikes youll save some up front, but they might need a touch of TLC if the maintenance isn't up to date. Though given that the newest 620is a handful of years old that's probably a push.

Besides hubby needs to ride the little bike in the family.

[Goat_Herder]

If you are going with the 620 route, find a 2004+.  It comes with 6 speed tranny.  2003 and prior has 5 speed.  Can't go wrong with the 6xx monster though.  Better yet, find a S2R800/1000.  arguably the best looking monster. 

[nheaney696]

Honestly, I'm on team 620 or 696. 6 speed is tempting.  now all I have to do is find one in AZ!!!!

[ducpainter]

The 620 only made about 60hp, I wouldn't want to go from the 80hp of the 696 down to 60hp personally. Even if the measurements are at the wheel for the 620 and at the crank for the 696, the 696 still comes out on top by a few ponies.

Have you measured a 696 at the wheel?

[RC Fan]

Have you measured a 696 at the wheel?

I think the rear wheel hp of the 696 is about 68.

[Privateer]

Honestly, I'm on team 620 or 696. 6 speed is tempting.  now all I have to do is find one in AZ!!!!

my 620 will probably be for sale shortly, altho I'm in SoCal.  If you don't find anything in AZ, let me know and maybe we can work something out.

[zooom]

The 620 only made about 60hp, I wouldn't want to go from the 80hp of the 696 down to 60hp personally. Even if the measurements are at the wheel for the 620 and at the crank for the 696, the 696 still comes out on top by a few ponies.

I can honestly say, going from my 900 to riding my GF's 620, it is just pure joy and fun wringing the throttle on that machine...so I think it depends on your mindset...but mine is akin to the ideal of it being more fun to ride a slower bike faster, than to ride a faster bike slower....YMMV of course...

[OT]

Eventually, he's gonna try to take your next bike, too.

I agree with zooom about riding the slower bike faster.....60 hp on the street isn't so bad....some of the guys (6'2" and 200+ lbs) I ride with have 620s and they have no problem staying up with liter bikes in the twisties.

How about a used (sporty) Ninja 500R or something similar you can quickly resell when 'Mr. Heaney' realizes he wants a more powerful bike and you get your beloved 696 back?