Anyone go from a much larger bike to the 696?

I sold my RC51 thinking I would take a year of of street riding and race only well I have the itch already. 

I really like the looks of the 696 but am a little worried about the lack of power comparred to the 51..... anyone make a jump like this?

If your strickly talking about street riding the 696 has more power than it needs to.

80hp, 50 Torque there abouts.

That being said I did upgrade from a 03 620 to a 05 S4R

If I would do it again I think I would be happy with a s2r800 instead of a S4R for street use.

if you can wait out the winter... I would wait for the 1100.

Take one out and try it!


The small ducs are terribly nimble and fun.

I'd think that once you've been used to the power and torque of something like a RC51 it'd be hard to go backwards. For the price of a new 696 you might be able to find a pretty nice used SR21000 or any variation of an S4R.

Quote from: mac900 on September 07, 2008, 11:39:34 PM
SR21000

Now THAT'S a motorcycle I would like to try. 

I went from a VFR750 to the 696 after taking about 3 years off from riding.  For around town, the 696 is likely to be a better bike.  It is quick and nimble.  However, you will notice a significant decrease in roll-on power when you are out on rural roads.  That said, the 696 is a fun bike to ride as it is flickable and easy to toss into corners.  The 696 has the right balance of power/weight for me, especially considering my break from riding.  If you are going directly from the RC, you may miss that brain tingling surge of power when you crack the throttle at 60 on the RC.

Quote from: DRKWNG on September 08, 2008, 12:57:21 AM
Now THAT'S a motorcycle I would like to try. 

For darn near all practical purposes you have one! What are you talking about?? 

Do it!  The thing is so light, I feel like I can lift it up over my shoulders.  When I sat on it, it felt as light as my dual sport, but I guess thats due to the higher stance. 

Quote from: mac900 on September 08, 2008, 10:21:00 AM
For darn near all practical purposes you have one! What are you talking about?? 

Mac, put down the  and get your eyes checked.  You said the SR21000, a 21000cc engine! 

I wouldn't worry about the power too much...but I would worry about the non-adjustable suspension on the 696.

I have a Kawasaki ZX 14 and bought the 696 as a second small around town bike.  Although it feels slow in certain situations the 696 is so small and light that the fun factor is greater than the Kawasaki.  It has decent power when it spins up to 6k and above.  I plan on selling the ZX 14 now.

QuoteI have a Kawasaki ZX 14 and bought the 696 as a second small around town bike.  Although it feels slow in certain situations the 696 is so small and light that the fun factor is greater than the Kawasaki.  It has decent power when it spins up to 6k and above.  I plan on selling the ZX 14 now.

Same experience except with my VFR 800 which I rarely ride anymore. I find the 696 plenty fast and even works great on the highway. I am keeping the VFR for two up riding which the 696 isn't near as good at.

I have a 1992 851 which is modified and insanely fast. My 696 is a ton of fun and has all the power one really needs too ride on the streets. The other day I actually felt the front wheel touch down on my shift from 2nd to 3rd ( I'm light, 130#, and I left hard from a stop sign). I love my 851, but the 696 is a bike you want to ride all the time, I love riding it! I bet the brakes on the 696 are  better than the RC51. Try it Mikey thinks you'll like it!