Downtown errands runner 2011 Mini Cooper S vs 2011 monster 696!

[THEBHJBmonster]

Hi everyone,
I have been a long time lurker and I wanted to start by thanking everyone for the amazing knowledge base that this forum is.
I need to get a fun little "transportation machine" to run errands around downtown in. I don't know why but for some reason I caught the bike bug at 30 years of age  
My original plan was to get a Can Am Spyder since I was scared of dropping a bike and I have practically no experience with motorcycles but some quad riding time (Raptor 700) and a decent amount of time on a Seadoo RXP-X. Then I decided to check the monster as I was always attracted to the design from a young age! So the plan changed to getting a 796 as I love the SSA design sadly after sitting on one I realized that in order to be comfortable in it, I'll have to lower it by 2.5 inches which means getting the low profile seat and swapping the clevis for a 696 clevis. (told you long time lurker...). So naturally, the only option is a 696 with a low profile seat. (even though I'm 190 lbs and 5' 8" my inseam is only 29) I'm already enrolled in an MSF class and will be taking it next weekend. So the big dive in the motorcycle world is definitely happening. Now here is the dilemma, a good friend is leaving for overseas and I have the opportunity to get his 2011 mini cooper S for a good price which is still fun to drive, still will give a 30ish mpg and won't require me to overcome that "steep" learning curve.
I know that I'm asking this in a Monster forum but what will you choose if you were an absolute noob like me?
I can also get the Mini and a Ninjette to learn on then graduate to a proper Monster but I'm afraid that I won't ride as much if I had the Mini available...
In any case, I'll always appreciate the monster and might even get one in the future just so I can look at it!
Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for your opinions and advices.

[Raux]

Get the Cooper and a Piaggio MP3

then when you have a bit more confidence and paid off the Cooper, get the Monster

[stopintime]

Think how much easier you can park a bike downtown

Maybe take the MSF first and see how hard/easy/fun it is, then decide....

[THEBHJBmonster]

Yeah I thought about the MP3. When I research it, I found out that it still leans so the only advantage is when you are at a stop light I guess. Correct me if I'm wrong...

[rideserotta]

Get the Cooper and a Piaggio MP3

then when you have a bit more confidence and paid off the Cooper, get the Monster

+1. Since your not gung-Ho on the bike (given you're strongly considering a car), get the Mini and a scooter to learn on. You know quickly which one you love. I liked my bike so much I sold my car.

[Blake]

I've got a Mini S and a Monster.  You'll use them both.   

[Vindingo]

the plan changed to getting a 796 as I love the SSA design sadly after sitting on one I realized that in order to be comfortable in it, I'll have to lower it by 2.5 inches which means getting the low profile seat and swapping the clevis for a 696 clevis. (told you long time lurker...). So naturally, the only option is a 696 with a low profile seat. (even though I'm 190 lbs and 5' 8" my inseam is only 29) I'm already enrolled in an MSF class and will be taking it next weekend. So the big dive in the motorcycle world is definitely happening. Now here is the dilemma, a good friend is leaving for overseas and I have the opportunity to get his 2011 mini cooper S for a good price which is still fun to drive, still will give a 30ish mpg and won't require me to overcome that "steep" learning curve.

There is no need to lower the bike 2.5". You do not need to be able to flat foot both feet to be comfortable riding a bike.

Why not get the Mini, and a junky bike to learn on?  Drop that bike a few times, then spend the $$$ on a Duc.   

[Punx Clever]

Why not get the Mini, and a junky bike to learn on?  Drop that bike a few times, then spend the $$$ on a Duc.   

This.

[Slim1899]

From one fellow lurker to another....there are very few things on four wheels that are going to provide the same thrill or experience as something on two wheels.  There are also the practical considerations, such as hauling groceries, etc...  If you already have a "car" give a motorcycle a shot.  I made a horrible decision and purchased a Harley for my first bike, then a Honda, which I loved and now I'm here.  Seams to me you are skipping to the good stuff and are well on your way to making a decision right for you!

[Adamm0621]

I love my Monster, but I wouldn't want it to be my sole source of transportation.  I did that with my first motorcycle and I think it somewhat detracted from the experience.  Now I ride for fun... and I have the option not to ride if the weather is shit, or if I'm sick/hungover.

Depending on what your financial situation is, I'd get a beater car/truck to get you from point A to point B, and then get whatever bike you want.  That being said, there is a lot of wisdom for getting a beater bike as your first bike.

[atomtbomb]

From one long time lurker to another, who has owned both, I would say it really depends on where you live and if riding a motorcycle is practical or not year round.  Your level of excitement about motorcycle riding is pretty important as well.

I bought a Cooper S new in 2005 and loved it; small, lightweight, and quick enough.  But then I moved to southern California, decided to get into motorcycling, bought a Monster 696 and loved it even more.  The MINI ended up spending a lot of time in the garage.  I rode the Monster to customer sites hundreds of miles away, through rain/cold nights along the coast, and never regretted it. 

Both are ideal vehicles for getting around a city; they can navigate traffic and park pretty easily, with the Monster obviously having somewhat of an advantage in these areas.  But the MINI will give you comfort and the ability to move people and objects around if/when necessary.

So go for the Monster of you're extremely excited about motorcycling; go for the MINI if you aren't confident in your decision (which your post somewhat indicates).  I don't think you'll be disappointed in either.

[Slide Panda]

Yeah I thought about the MP3. When I research it, I found out that it still leans so the only advantage is when you are at a stop light I guess. Correct me if I'm wrong...

The MP3 also has some on board storage. Monsters to not. Another advantage is they are more stable than a normal bike - and in the wet they have twice(ish) the front traction. Also the smaller engine will be less thirsty.

[Kev M]

Couple of thoughts.

1. DO NOT buy a Monster (at least not yet). Take the MSF, learn to ride, buy a junker if need be. Then decide if you still want one.

Personally just the fact that you thought of a Bombardier Spyder because of the "fear" of dropping a bike tells me that you are NOT ready for the commitment of a new bike.

2. Cooper S is honestly one of the few cars I've driven in my life (and I spent nearly a decade with access to all the major motor vehicle manufacturer's press fleets) that approaches the fun of a motorcycle in the twisties. We had a 2003 for about 105k miles before selling it and loved it. Very few production cars can outhandle it.


3. The MP3 is NOT going to keep you from falling over. The only advantage the MP3 has in that department is the wheels lock automatically as you stop and unlock, allowing you to lean, when you start out. It's closer to a motorcycle than the Can-Am because it leans, but it's till a different beast.

That said, a bike, a Can-Am, an MP3 and a Mini are 4 very different things.

Figure out what you want.

[Slide Panda]

3. The MP3 is NOT going to keep you from falling over. The only advantage the MP3 has in that department is the wheels lock automatically as you stop and unlock, allowing you to lean, when you start out. It's closer to a motorcycle than the Can-Am because it leans, but it's till a different beast.

I don't believe they automatically lock. At least they didn't before. There's a lever between the riders lower legs to lock the front suspension temporarily supplemented by an electronic system for when you're parking it.

YOu can see it in action here:
2008 Piaggio MP3 500 Scooter Review - skip to about 3:30 for them going through the start up and unlocking from park

[Kev M]

Panda  - look again, start at about 3:20.

Looks like there is a button on the left grip to electronically lock/unlock the ability of the front wheels to tilt.

I THINK the park lock is not a tilt lock, but a parking brake type of lock. Think about it, this thing can be left just standing there on its own and not leaning, and as such it could roll away if not restrained.

Watch just before the point in the video when he releases park lock, when he's taking you through start-up. He demonstrates start-up and shows how the tilt is locked when he starts it, but when he REVS it, he says the "bike gets heavy" and he tilts it back and forth (this is before he takes the park lock off). When you rev it, it automatically disengages the tilt lock.

I don't know for sure that it automatically engages as you stop, but I thought I read that. Obviously you can hit the left grip switch to do that if you want.

Either way, my point still stands. I think this vehicle is really more for people who are physically incapable of holding a bike up at stops than it is for actual "stability" underway, though that is the image they are trying to portray.

Though I do think the gimick also appeals to those who are just plain afraid to ride a bike (like a Can-Am).