Any Monsters out there?

[craigs23]

Need some pointers, or better still, some owner advice.

Thinking of chopping in my CBR, just a thought at the moment, but maybe in time for spring next year. It's a great bike and everything, but my outlook on biking's changed somewhat since owning a 125 again, and the bike seems a little too serious for daily commuting.

I'm thinking of getting something that combines the charm of the little piece-of-crap, but with the provisions (modern tyres, lights, suspension, etc) of the CBR.

So far I'm thinking along the lines of an SV650 (unfaired), MT03 and of couse a new 696 Monster (really like the look of them too). I don't really need more than 70bhp, 120mph's ample and looking forward to a twin or single cylinder. The more upright riding position's a bonus too, as is the ability to dawdle along single lane roads from time to time, with the option of a thrash to crack on when the need arises.

Anyone have any experiences of these - namely day to day use, quality and reliability issues, etc.

[Zimbo]

www.ukmonster.co.uk

that's the place for you

but basically, yes it's reliable, it handles well, it's fun to ride.

[AngelGrinder]

https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y209/angelgrinder187/Picture032.jpg



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRas4ByiUOc

You know you want to...

I'm going touring on it in the spring, over to France, Belgium. With a pillion....it's going to be a very 'motorway free' journey, and it's going to be the nuts
____________________
Currently Riding - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000 Mille

[Dom]

Of the three I'd definitely take the monster. The SV is pointless if you can afford better.

[mark83]

I like the new monster.

and if you slap some aftermarket cans, will sounds lovely.

Oh, and you won't look like every other bike on the road (SV).

Should also consider an old shape hornet if you wanna save yourself a few grand.

Otherwise I'd go for the monster.
____________________
Kawasaki ER6n -> Honda CBR600RR -> Honda VTR 1000 -> Moto Guzzi Norge 1200
Buy my Mercedes 350 Sport AMG Evo

[Wave2k]

Currently riding an SV650 (curvy) for winter and would take a monster in exchange any day of the week.

Forget the yammy, its too big and heavy.

You want style and agility.
____________________
Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[AngelGrinder]

[craigs23]

Thanks for the responses - thanks for the link Zimbo.

Going to have to stop the choice in regards to criteria such as power, weight, etc. Pretty much irrelevant given the fact that I'm now quite comfortable at plodding along. Will have a basis on riding in town though, but a lot of that will be down to visibility and riding position (areas where I find the CBR somewhat lacking in comparison).

It's been a little strange going from one end of the spectrum - i.e. a dog slow barely-out-drags-a-bus learner bike to a machine that's got a USB port for your brain and only seems to care about how fast you try and make it go. I'd rather have something in between, vearing more toward the 125 as for my weekend sportsbike kicks I'll still have my '30.

I had a Hornet last year Mark. In hindsight, I was riding it wrong (was hoping it would be a 600cc CB1), but didn't really get along with it. I quite like the 04 model with the USDs and 17 inch front though.

I had an SV as a hire bike after my first NC was written off. Despite my brandishing the thing the 'Banana' and the fact it felt like it was made by Duplo, it felt rather charming, in a it's-a-kinda-shagged-hire-bike kind of way. Bit of character due to its shortfalls, but got me 6 weeks into a winter without any major fault. Quite like the older variations, and would be looking for an unfaired model, with a necessary loud exhaust.

Had a poke around a 696 at the weekend, lovely looking piece of kit with nice details, and they seem to have tidied things up a bit since the earlier models. USDs and Brembo radials look smart. Might be fiddlier to clean than the others - and the Ducati is a bike I'd most likely take better care of - the only concern of mine for getting one. Think I'll pop back to the shop and book a test ride...

....possibly as a back to back with the MT03. Bit different, not 100% on the looks though, but even when they first came out, they were the only 'quirky' bikes that caught my eye in the local dealers. I'd like to try one out as well, I know they're a little lacking in the performance department, but as mentioned, that's not really a downer at the moment. I'd also not clean it as much, think they look as good (relatively) dirty as they do show room clean. Bit more practical than a (usually too tall for me) supermoto/crosser too.

[garth]

Why not sell the Cbr privately, and pick up a cheap M750, for say, £1700?


____________________
You ain't a has been if you never was

[AngelGrinder]

Your right about it looking good dirty aswell, mines covered in mud from looning around the local one lane roads...but the 'white crud' makes me cry a little inside as you can feel the sal corroding it away - so I'm going to go and wash it in a minute.

That being said, I've been less than generous cleaning it this winter so far (I havn't) only giving it a quick spray of WD40 after riding, and no signs of any furry bolts yet.

If your ever around/near North Herts, give me a shout and you can have a ride
____________________
Currently Riding - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000 Mille

[Wave2k]

Id put money on the duke being more agile, on a count of its size and weight difference and generally more enjoyable.

A duke also looks better, a very different V-twin engine setup from an SV which is like someone said a diesel car (and im a big fan of v-twins).
____________________
Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[Keir]

i quite liked the naked curvey SV i had. it felt so short and sharp it was a breeze commuting on. it was a very late model though with the adjustable suspension which may have helped.
____________________
Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[Charlie]

Both the MT03 and new monster look the sex and I'd happily take the both of them. Also I quite like the look of the Yamaha Tenere...

Only thing I worry about the with the MT03 would be the 100 mile or so fuel tank (I might have remembered that wrong), which wouldn't be very good (although roughly the same as the hornet) for touring on.

Personally I don't think I could keep the Ducati in good enough nick, however I'd imagine you could do it fine.

Good luck picking which one you want.
____________________
Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[AngelGrinder]