Second post, purchasing a monster

[Slide Panda]

yes - IE = FI in eye-tal-yun. All 620s are injected, but the early ones got the IE label as they had transitioned from the 600 with carbs to 620 with injection

Look for a 620 with dual discs. As noted, one disc (from the factory) had a 5 speed. Some folks have dropped to a single disc on their monsters to loose weight - but those are rare.

In mid/early 05 the 620 saw some important changes. They changed from metal tanks to plastic and got lesser grade front brakes. After the change they are 300 mm rotors with 2 piston calipers. Prior they are 320mm rotors and 4 piston calipers - seen on ALL monsters until that point, 748, 996 998, super sports etc etc.

So it is possible to find an 05 with the metal tank and beefier brakes - but they are small segment of the 05 production.

Dark models didn't come with the headlight/bikini fairing nor a seat cover cowl. They also had top triple with the bar clamp cast into it. Non dark models had all the body work and the bar clamp was a separate piece bolted to the top triple.

[BerettaMato]

Wow good info. I learn something new with every post.

[Betty]

Look for a 620 with dual discs. As noted, one disc (from the factory) had a 5 speed.

Just to clarify (refer to my post above) the Boss' bike was a non-dark, non-S model with dual 320 discs a 5 speed and non-APTC clutch. It came with the seat cowl and she ordered it to be delivered with the bikini fairing from the S model.

[Slide Panda]

What year? Was it purchased new or used?

It's not hard to fit a 2nd caliper to the 5 speeds. But Afaik they all shipped with a single disc. But there's a ton of fragmentation and sub versions of the 620 so who knows

[duccarlos]

And the S2R has a 6 speed tranny. The only reason I would even consider a 620 would be for the steel tank. The 620s with the dual calipers can be hard to find. The suspesion was shitty on both bikes. If you're looking at bone stock bikes, I also prefer the shotgun exhaust, even with the udder, on the S2R.

[Betty]

Purchased new in 2002 with two discs and the 4 piston calipers. The dark models may have had the single disc though.

What year? Was it purchased new or used?

It's not hard to fit a 2nd caliper to the 5 speeds. But Afaik they all shipped with a single disc. But there's a ton of fragmentation and sub versions of the 620 so who knows

[rule62]

Non dark models had all the body work and the bar clamp was a separate piece bolted to the top triple.

True of the 800's but not the 620's. All of the 620's, dark or not, had chrome handlebars and the clamp cast into the top triple.

[michaeljr]

Okay, I've been contacted by a private seller. It's an '03 620 dark, under 5000 miles, $3850 OBO, clear title, hasn't left the island it's on since it was bought (just for buzzing around a popular vacation island up here).

http://capecod.craigslist.org/mcy/3062010551.html


What do you guys think? If I did like it, what should I offer, etc etc.  Counting on you guys so I can join the world of the monsters. Getting antsy....

[minnesotamonster]

Looks good. Has the better dual brake set up and steel tank. A little overpriced, IMO though. At least in my market area it would be. Not sure about yours.

If you like it, go for it. You won't worry too much about a couple hundred bucks While you're riding it  

Check for service records as well. It's coming up on its 6k service which is valves, belts, etc. if its not done, take $500 off the price.

[BerettaMato]

I would not pay more than 3k if the timing belts have not been done which I would guess have not. If its 100% them maybe 3.2-3.4k would be the most I would pay.

[Slide Panda]

Yeah - the belts if you do the work are $100 in parts. Tack on 30-45 min of labor to have a shop do it. All the normal maintenance questions apply - with the addition of need to get a good look at it for corrosion. Being on the coast like that, salt sea air can contribute to accelerated corrosion. The plating on fork/shock sliders seem especially touchy about that so I'd want a good look to ensure I wasn't buying a bike that needs new suspension right off.

[BerettaMato]

The belts need to be done every 6k miles or two years. If the belt have not been done since the bike is six years old, I would contact your local dealer to get a quote on price. You could use that to get a better price. I would plan on a oil change which is about $50 just so you know it is done and currant.

[BerettaMato]

Panda the cheapest out here I could find a shop to do just the belts was $400.  That's why I am doing mine. Lol They wanted $1400 for a full tuneup. 

[Slide Panda]

Just the belts for $400? Four - make the beast with two backsing hundred? Just replacing the belts? How do they figure that?

For an older moster - allen key method.
1. Up on rear stand
2. Pull plugs
3. Belt covers
4. Set pullys to marks
5. Loosen the 4 bolts for both tensioners
6. Pull belts.
7. New belts go on
8. Tension belts
9. Check tension
10. Adjust if needed
11. Final torque of tensioners
12. Covers on
13. Plugs in
14. Ride.

A local is shop charge me $300 or a bit less a few years back for a 2v valve check that needed a couple shims. Checking the vlaves involves pulling the belts and a good bit more fussing...

[BerettaMato]

I know it's stupid. The cheapest I could find a oil change was $100 stupid as well. Just saying don't just think its going to be that much. Make sure you call around.