I have Monster envy. And LUST.

[Johnny5]

Ok I really like my GS, it is definitely a cool little bike.  But I have a SERIOUS jones for a Ducati...

I just test drove a used '06 Monster 620... with Termi High pipes and ECU... 

I think I'm in Love...

It was like being on a race car with those pipes on it... man what a killer bike...

[RVertigo]

I didn't find the 620 to be much different than the GS...  It had more power, for sure, but not THAT much more...  I was still able to find full throttle without a problem.

What's the price difference between the '06 620 and a 695?

[Johnny5]

I didn't find the 620 to be much different than the GS...  It had more power, for sure, but not THAT much more...  I was still able to find full throttle without a problem.

What's the price difference between the '06 620 and a 695?

It must be the Termis and the ECU and open airbox(I think and also 14t front sprocket))... I have not ridden another 620 so I can't compare... but that 620 had more cajones than the stock 695 I test drove. At least it seemed to, those pipes are BADASS, literally sounds like you have a corvette underneath you, WOW!  Way more than my GS... and I have V&H, rejet, and K&N.  I popped the clutch a little and the wheel came up in 2nd.  Took me by surprise... The 695 is $7495 list so you figure just over 8 grand out the door.  The 620 they have listed as $6900 OTD but that's without negotiating(They're really trying to milk the Termi upgrade that's an $1800 aftermarket).  I'm figuring they'd do $6500 OTD easy.  If I could afford (OK, well if I wasn't married LOL) I'd do it tomorrow... LOL

They are blowing out brand new '06 S2R 800's as well(just about same price as new 695)... but honestly I don't need the extra power, that 620 was more than enough to get me into trouble... it just wanted to be driven fast.  I agree on finding full throttle though, I was able to do that in a couple of the gears.  Man what a pisser to ride.

[RVertigo]

I guess I was ignoring the mods list in your post.

I'm sure that modified 620 would SMOOOOKE a GS in a straight line...  The one I rode was dead stock (Well, except for the Pandy Mods).  Still fun though...  But, it didn't whip around like the GS...  Not much does.

[spc]

the older 620 puts out more hp than the 695 iirc, and with termi and ecu it should hold its own fairly well,  my next bike  is gonna be a 600 with an r in the name or a liter naked  ( I'm really liking the lines on the gt1000 )

[Johnny5]

the older 620 puts out more hp than the 695 iirc, and with termi and ecu it should hold its own fairly well,  my next bike  is gonna be a 600 with an r in the name or a liter naked  ( I'm really liking the lines on the gt1000 )

Yeah I've heard the 620 revs quicker and smoother, plus it's geared lower... couple that with the Termis and the ECU and I guess it's not so surprising.   Man I am head over heels for that bike LOL, you HAD to hear it, it sounded so badass, deep rumble.  Good choice on the GT1000, those are beautiful... I love the Sport 1000 as well.  I am smitten by Ducati in general... LOL!

[coll0412]

Not to be a negative nancy but those damn 620's smoke GS's, they are also in the lightweight race class and totally dominate and I always get to watch them pass me down the straight

[spc]

yeah, what do you expect the 620 put like 68-70 true to the wheel hp   thats double a GS.   I'd treat a modded 620 a lot like a 600 r bike.   it'll kill you if you don't know what the hell yoou're doing.  those sportclassics are awesome wait til ya see a video of someone droppin their knee on a track on one

[debtman7]

I dig the monster too, but other than the looks and the ducati name I have yet to convince myself that it's worth that much more than an SV or ninja 650... It is a sexy beast though.

[spc]

ehhh  probably very compaarable but 'ducati' just sounds so much better when someone asks what you ride

[RVertigo]

Plus it asks you:

[Cheesy Italian Accent]"Heya Buddy, you wanta go get a pizza ora maybe somea Spaghetti?"[/Cheesy Italian Accent]

[spc]

     just remember you'll never see a fat chick on the back of a Ducati

[Johnny5]

I dig the monster too, but other than the looks and the ducati name I have yet to convince myself that it's worth that much more than an SV or ninja 650... It is a sexy beast though.

I agree, I do absolutley like the looks and sound better, also I'm really short and the Monsters fit me really well, but bang fer buck the SV650 eats it's lunch thru the S2R 800, engine wise anyway.    There are some things you can use to justify the price, ie: Brembo Brakes with braided lines, better suspension,  2 year warranty, slipper clutch(this is cool, cuts down on engine braking no rear wheel lock up AT ALL).  

The Ninja 650 is very cool... I would love to buy the black with red frame and street fighter it...

[spc]

*ahem* S4RS  aka  one damn sexy streak of color goin down the road

[brett]

They are blowing out brand new '06 S2R 800's as well(just about same price as new 695)... but honestly I don't need the extra power, that 620 was more than enough to get me into trouble... it just wanted to be driven fast.  I agree on finding full throttle though, I was able to do that in a couple of the gears.  Man what a pisser to ride.

Don't pass on the S2R 800 because you are worried about any extra power. According to the numbers, it doesn't have much more top end horsepower, just more torque down low. I haven't ridden the 620 or 695, but the S2R 800 is an absolute dream. Throttle response is very smooth and linear, and I don't see you getting into any trouble with it coming from the GS.

Moreso than the engine, the biggest difference is the suspension and overall quality of the bike. I would imagine the 620/695 are similar to the 800 in these respects. The 800 is just so smooth through the corners. That and things like steel braided brake lines leading to Brembo brakes are nice additions you won't find on the equivalent Japanese bikes (SV650, Ninja 650, etc.).

The one thing I would look for is peg, foot, and exhaust position. On the 800, the pipes get in the way of how my right foot wants to sit on the peg. Also, all the Monsters have a tendency to drag pegs early until you get up into the S4R's.

[Alphamazing]

the older 620 puts out more hp than the 695 iirc, and with termi and ecu it should hold its own fairly well,  my next bike  is gonna be a 600 with an r in the name or a liter naked  ( I'm really liking the lines on the gt1000 )

The 620 does NOT put out as much horsepower as the new 695. Not even close. At the wheel, the 620 is putting out roughly 50HP. The Termis and fueling set up would bump that up to 55, roughly.

You say you want a race bike, but then mention the GT1000? The GT1000 is a very upright bike with a fairly mellow liter twin motor. It's an air cooled two valver (the 1000DS engine) and puts down about 85HP to the wheel.

Not to be a negative nancy but those damn 620's smoke GS's, they are also in the lightweight race class and totally dominate and I always get to watch them pass me down the straight

Yeah, the 620s have at least 10 more HP than the GS, and also weigh a few dozen pounds less.

yeah, what do you expect the 620 put like 68-70 true to the wheel hp   thats double a GS.   I'd treat a modded 620 a lot like a 600 r bike.   it'll kill you if you don't know what the hell yoou're doing.  those sportclassics are awesome wait til ya see a video of someone droppin their knee on a track on one

No. You're wrong. As mentioned before, the 620 doesn't come near those numbers, not without some SERIOUS work. The engine is EXTREMELY simple. It's an air cooled two valver, just like the GS. The 620 is a comparable starter bike to the EX500 and GS500. It's got a low seat height ideal for beginners, a friendly powerband, and pretty decent suspension.

Don't pass on the S2R 800 because you are worried about any extra power. According to the numbers, it doesn't have much more top end horsepower, just more torque down low. I haven't ridden the 620 or 695, but the S2R 800 is an absolute dream. Throttle response is very smooth and linear, and I don't see you getting into any trouble with it coming from the GS.

The S2R is an excellent step up from the GS, as is the 695. However, the S2R has the wicked cool SSSA and the shotgun pipes. The 695 was pretty nice as well, but it felt more comparable with the SV650 (which a lot of people note that the power difference between the GS and SV isn't phenomenal). The 695 is basically a sexier SV with lower bars. Not a bad bike though.

Moreso than the engine, the biggest difference is the suspension and overall quality of the bike. I would imagine the 620/695 are similar to the 800 in these respects. The 800 is just so smooth through the corners. That and things like steel braided brake lines leading to Brembo brakes are nice additions you won't find on the equivalent Japanese bikes (SV650, Ninja 650, etc.).

Yeah, when you are comparing just the engines from Ducati to a Japanese bike (i.e. SV to Ninja 650 to 695) it won't tell you everything about the bike. While not fully adjustable, the suspension on the Ducati trumps that of both the SV and EX650 without question. Not only do you get invreted forks, but they are of higher build quality and not nearly as softly sprung as the other brand's cost cutting setups. They are more responsive and give you a better feel of the road without wallowing or flexing like the others are known to.

[Johnny5]

Alpha, The 620 is listed at 63 HP and the 695 is at 73 HP, stock respectively granted this is measured at the crank, but I think that still drops it down only a couple of HP when measured ath the rear wheel. 

Supposedly the 620 revs faster and smoother than the 695 also the gearing is quite a bit taller on the 695 so they will be close stock in the 1/4 mile, I test drove them back to back and the 620 I rode was definitely faster... granted this was a worked 620 vs. a stock 695.  The Termis and ECU clearly add some zing to the 620, that bike felt waaaaayyyy more powerful than my GS, not even close... and my GS has a V&H, rejet and K&N.

I'll be test riding the S2R early next week to see how different it is  ... I was VERY impressed with that particular 620 though...

[Jake D]

Before this gets to "pissing match level" maybe somebody could explain the range of cc's you can get on a Monster.  IE., there is a Monster:

620
695
S2R 800
S4R 999

Etc. 

Are there others? 

[Johnny5]

Before this gets to "pissing match level" maybe somebody could explain the range of cc's you can get on a Monster.  IE., there is a Monster:

620
695
S2R 800
S4R 999

Etc. 

Are there others? 

For the record I wasn't in a pissing match, I hope it didn't come across that way!

Right now Ducati offers quite a few differnt engines for the Monsters... the 620 was actually replaced by the 695, so now in the Monster line you have:

695 - 695cc 73 listed HP (air cooled)
S2R 800 - 803cc 77 listed HP (air cooled)
S2R 1000 - 992cc 95 listed HP (air cooled)
S4R Testastretta 998cc 130 listed HP (Liquid cooled)
S4Rs Testastretta 998cc 130 listed HP (Liquid cooled)

[RVertigo]

Well...  They're all faster than the GS.