Wanna buy » Advice Needed - MTS1100S vs. Monster 696 vs. MTS620

[Nozz]

Wife gave me the green light on a new Ducati (a moment of silence please... I love her!). Now the heated internal debate begins and I'm stuck in a quagmire. Of course, the lower the payments the better, but since my last 2 Honda VFR800's, I've been without 2-wheeled motoring for about 1.5 years.

I need your help with your MTS expertise as well as any Monster 696 test rides. Please help! Here's the breakdown.

Monster 696
1. Advertised $119 payments are NICE and meet with spousal approval
2. I like the gas mileage and looks
3. Wife says the white 696 is too girly and I would be called not-so-nice names at work. Can't have white
4. Don't like the red frame
5. Is the black matte black or gloss?
6. I adore the new Monster 696
7. New Ducati with better maintenance scheduling
8. Swap out tank colors?
9. No test ride yet
10. Lower chance of costly farkling
11. Don't know if I'll like the Monster 1100
12. Can I get heated grips?

MTS1100 and MTS1100S
1. Too much new, but my first 2-wheel love
2. Love the all black 1100 and 1100S
3. I would want the 1100 vs. the elder 1000
4. Like the new maintenance scheduling increase
5. Tough to find used and well taken care of
6. Some say ugly, but I love the way it looks
7. Test rode a 1000 years ago and giggled all day long
8. Pricey used though
9. Heated grips = yes

MTS620
1. Adore the yellow and red versions
2. Difficult to find near me
3. Don't like the dark versions

A bit about me:
1. This bike will be 90% commuting to/from work on freeways
2. North Texas is flat and hills/twisties/mountains are faaaaar away
3. Nearest Ducati dealer is 140+ miles away (Oklahoma City vs. Dallas dealers)
4. Will do 90% solo riding
5. 5'9 & 180lbs
6. Previous bikes were VFR800's (a '99 that was stolen and a '01)
7. No new or upcoming bikes peak my interest
8. Love V4 or Twin engines, not a big fan in inline 4's

Please help. If you an above bike, I love to hear from you. If you have one for sale, let me know.

Nozz

[colin martin 2005 620 (Yellow)]

I own a 620 Multi. Have you considered a used one? They are pretty cheap and combine the best of both worlds.

[The Duchess of Desmo 2014 1200S PP]

test rode monster 2 years ago...thought bone shaking underpowered piece of crap! In fact thought Ducati not for me. Then the multi in the press and I was curious...test drove 1000sds fell in love mts=bloody big grin
Anyhow as you will be 90% solo the 620 mts sounds best option, you will have the comfy riding position, heated grips, gr8 friends here on the site and it will be affordable...but go test ride the monster 1st..good luck

[TnTimbo 2006 620 (Yellow)]

620 Multi is no longer available. (Only manufactured as a 2006 model)

I have a Yellow 620 that I am considering sale of, as financial considerations are forcing me to "thin the herd". I sldo have a couple classic bikes (BMW and Triumph) that I am considering selling. If one of those goes I am hanging on to the Duc. I love it!

Mine is fully "farkeled" and has been custom fitted with a bash plate from the HyperMotard, Centerstand, Handguards, two auxillary powerlet accessory plugs, Zero Gravity windscreen (smoke), Factory color matched luggage and Ram mounts for GPS/radar detector.
T

[TnTimbo 2006 620 (Yellow)]

Oh yes, I forgot to mention the Kaoko cruise control. A very nice adder!
T

[lotus54 - Moderator]

Try and ride them all if you can.

I think an 1100 S would be possibly the best, since you liked it so much when you rode it before.
I know when I test road my 1000S I knew in couple of blocks I had to have it.
The Ohlins are super plush on the little bumps, but still handles the large ones well.

I've never ridden the 620, but I know a lot of guys that really like it. Make sure you can ride one first and that it is what you want though.

I don't like freeways, but the best was with the '03/'04 low screen. The stock screen tends to buffet (I'm just 1" taller).

Any can have grip heaters, I like the Dual Star ones the best.
They go under any grip you like. The Ducati ones are VERY pricy.

Mark

[potomacduc 2013 1200 (Red)]

Well, if you're considering a Monster, that means you're not turned off by the idea of little wind protection and a short fuel range. In that case, I would say try the bike in between the MTS and the Monster: the Hypermotard. The HM is basically an 1100 Multi with a small tank (~120 mile range), less wind protection, 40 less pounds and no mounts for hard luggage. That means with a HM, you'd get a bike with the weight of the 620, but the power of the 1100. Used HMs are a bit easier to find than used 1100 Multis as well. The Hypermotard is worth a look.

[lotus54 - Moderator]

There is a larger tank available for the Hyper now also.

I've never ridden one, but I hear they are a blast.

Also a buddy just picked up a KTM SuperDuke R- pretty fun machine! (probably out of the price range though)

Mark

[Nozz]

I do a like the HyperMotard, but being military, I'll eventually move to a locale where I'll take longer rides and need a bit more range and wind protection. Don't forget the occassional 2-up riding for the kidos and Mrs.

Ideally, a Multistrada 696 would be most excellent. But alas, Ducati doesn't listen to me.

Anyone test rode the Monster 1100?

[Activator 2006 620 (Black)]

I just bought a Hyper. (My MTS 620 is for sale in the Marketplace) I really love the 620, it does everything I need and has been 100% trouble-free, but I've had a ton of comfort issues. Note that I have comfort issues everywhere - office chairs, couches, beds, etc., so a LOT of it is just "me". The Hyper is the 1st bike I've ridden that really "fits" me like it was custom-made for me!

Be aware that the the Hyper is that it's pretty tall. I'm 6'4" with a 34" inseam and I can only flat-foot if I slide all the way forward. My preferred riding position is mid-way back on the seat, and from there I can only get the balls of my feet solidly down.

BTW, have you sat on a Monster? I just don't think my nuts could take that laid-out, crotch-against-the-tank position for very long... no sir.

For what you're looking to do with a bike, 90% freeway commuting, I'd say any flavor of MTS is gonna be your best bet. Figure out what you can spend and then see what's available in that range.

Good luck!

[JJGeo]

Since you're used to a VFR800, and the twisties are a ways away I say the Multistrada 1100, or better yet 1100S. Depends on how much you want to spend. You should be able to find a decent used one if you're patient.

The MTS 620 isn't made anymore, and will feel underpowered to you...and has shite suspension. The Monster 696 will feel underpowered, has shite suspension, and will make you wonder why you love motorcycles when you're on long rides.

The wildcard could be a Hyper 1100/1100S with the aftermarket larger gas tank. You'll sacrifice wind protection though, which you may regret. You also may not like the dry clutch, whereas the MTS100/1100S has a nice wet one.

You could also try a Triumph Tiger 1050...their version of the Multi...supposed to be a great bike, and should be a fair amount cheaper.

[potomacduc 2013 1200 (Red)]

I do a like the HyperMotard, but being military, I'll eventually move to a locale where I'll take longer rides and need a bit more range and wind protection. Don't forget the occassional 2-up riding for the kidos and Mrs.

Ideally, a Multistrada 696 would be most excellent. But alas, Ducati doesn't listen to me.

Anyone test rode the Monster 1100?

The Monster 696's tank is only .5 gallon larger tank than the HM so it's range is limited as well.


I was at a local dealer's Ducati demo days on Saturday and was back on a HM for the 2nd time. I have only a 32" inseam and had no problem flat-footing. Activator, maybe you have the pre-load cranked? Every time I have sat on an HM, it's felt lower than my MTS. I also rode an 1198, but that's another story.

[Nozz]

You could also try a Triumph Tiger 1050...their version of the Multi...supposed to be a great bike, and should be a fair amount cheaper.

Nah, I'm not interested in Triumphs to be honest. I usually stick with Hondas but the MTS and 696 are quite intriguing. A good and well loved black or red 1100 or 1100S is ideal, though lightly farkled. I'm beginning my Ducati era

I need to get to a Ducati dealer soon. It's difficult with a family and the Duc dealer 140 miles away in either direction.

[Mr2U 2007 1100S (Red)]

A new Tiger 1050 would be perfect. Motor is bliss.

I own a 620 MTS for the tight stuff, you would not
want it on the freeway, day after day.


The little monster is so uncomfortable, you have sex with the tank
all day.


It's a new MTS or a new Tiger, go ride them both.

[Nozz]

The little monster is so uncomfortable, you have sex with the tank
all day.

Too funny. Must schedule a Monster vs. Multistrada test day

Nozz