get the 695! you won't be disappointed...........i promise. it's plenty quick. besides most people with s4r's and such never really get to use all that power and you will. something to be said when you know you have gotten everything your bike has to offer! besides they can as great or as bad as you want. look at the black on black thread thats a 695.

No problem with the 695!

I would check the tank for swelling, dimpling. There is a known issue with monster plastic tanks that should still be covered for replacement by a dealer. The main areas to check are where the tank sits on the frame (rubber rests do not line up to the frame) and where the tank latches in front (tight and tough to unlatch).

Watch out--these bikes are addictive!

Good luck with the hunt.

Howdy and welcome!  If I may throw in my .02 cents on this one; I never rode a motorcycle until I was 43.  My first bike was a 2005 Ducati 620 Dark (bargain basement priced at the time   ) that I bought from AMS when they were still only in Alvarado.  

Originally I wanted a Kawasaki 250 Ninja since I ultimately knew I wanted to "graduate" to a sportbike once I had gained some experience.  But In talking with a several folks who had been riding for years, I decided to skip the training-wheels Ninja phase and just went for the 620 straight away... Never looked back.  Best motorcycle ever.  

In two years I put close to 28,000 miles on it.  Yeah, I dropped it once or twice but it never was enough to significantly damage anything other than my pride. Maintenance costs were reasonable (in Ducati terms     ) since it was an air-cooled, two valve per cylinder motor.  

Of course being able to mod the hell out of the Monsters helped the ownership experience too.  By the time I ended up selling it, my bike was truly an "original."  Damn, really loved that bike... it's still in the area which is nice since I get to see it every now and then!

All of that to say, I would definitely endorse your choice in Monsters.  Consider a 620 fuel injected bike.  My 2005 was one of the last with a metal tank and 320mm Gold Line 320mm Brembo front rotors.  And the "little" 620 has plenty of usable power and TORQUE (yea!!!) at low engine speeds to keep you amused.  Can't go wrong, IMHO.

Now get on out there and buy one  

Lisa

Quote from: Cher on August 23, 2010, 05:38:27 AM
My 2005 was one of the last with an aluminum tank

steel?

Yeah... prolly steel.  Gonna go with 'metal.'   That's my final answer... 

Steel. (Though there is a company that makes alu ones.... but my mods budget funds have already been claimed...)

I seriously suggest a fuelie for a first bike. Carbs are fun, a bit cantankerous, but not necessarily newb-friendly.

Good advice all.  I'm sure having not been on a bike in years the power will be more than enough with a 695 through there are some good looking S2R's out there.  Low miles too.  I'm surprised at the milage on some. 

That HICO run looks like fun, any suggestions or input on that?  How long is it, what to bring, etc?

you are going to want to pack 2 pb&js, plenty of sunscreen, a bag of wet-wipes, one bocce ball set, and three small boxes of toothpicks.

Gas and lunch money! I will be wearing the camelback but something like that is individual pref


Btw i ride a 695 so if u want you can follow me for awhile to see the bike in action.

Quote from: calscrazy on August 23, 2010, 06:16:50 PM
Gas and lunch money! I will be wearing the camelback but something like that is individual pref


Btw i ride a 695 so if u want you can follow me for awhile to see the bike in action.

he's such a tease

Quote from: calscrazy on August 23, 2010, 06:16:50 PM
Gas and lunch money! I will be wearing the camelback but something like that is individual pref


Btw i ride a 695 so if u want you can follow me for awhile to see the bike in action.

Following that particular 695 is a bold challenge for most of us  [moto]  You will have fun whichever one you settle on, there are few bad choices.

Quote from: calscrazy on August 23, 2010, 03:52:09 AM
get the 695! you won't be disappointed...........i promise. it's plenty quick.

I would like to politely disagree... Having owned a certain Monster 620, & also a S2R 800, I would recommend at least an 800 or better. I outgrew the 800 pretty quick, & it's time & money to sell/buy. You can always go slow on an 1198, but you can't go faster on a 695

I can get all the titanium bolts and carbon fiber pieces to make the 695 weigh next to nothing. That way it'll be "fast"er.

Bring your wallet and first born.

Quote from: webspoke on August 24, 2010, 12:06:44 PM
Following that particular 695 is a bold challenge for most of us  [moto]  You will have fun whichever one you settle on, there are few bad choices.

If it's possible to twist a throttle off a bike
Chris will be the one. 

I have had T tell me riding behind me on fm 219 that he saw 127 on the speedo. If u feel the need for me speed than that then u need a bigger bike.