Thinking about a 620 Monster

P

pooda94

New member
Can any of the current or former 620 Monster riders give me their thoughts? I was looking at a used one for a second bike, one to either just tool around town on or take to a Advanced rider training course (about the size of a motard course).
I was thinking about getting one of the 696's or 796 Hyper/Monster but they'll cost about twice as much.
Just wondering how much I'll be disappointed with the power going from my 848 to the 620. I'll still have the 848 so I'm just looking for something to learn track riding on that I don't have to worry/care about breaking before I try the 848 there.
If this doesn't work out price wise I think I'm going to have to go find an older I4 600/750. But I'd like to stay with a Duc so I'm exhausting those options.

thanks in advance
 
Why?..........seriously, why??



Ok, i see where you're going.

May I suggest it's a lot cheaper to invest in track-fairings, front/rear axle sliders, under-body sliders, bar -ends, folding levers etc etc and bingo! - Instant crash-ready trackbike without spending on a Monster.....


jdw
 
I'd prefer to just buy a used 848 and have one for each but money wise it won't work for this year. And I'd get the track stuff for the 848 but I'm just worried about insurance covering it if I total it on the track.
Maybe that's just the way I'll have to go if I can get my cruiser sold.
Or a 748
 
IMO - A 620 won't make much of a track bike. In stock trim it only makes 63hp, way less than an I4 of similar displacement. And the stock suspension may not be up to the job either. Might be no fun getting around a track at such a low speed that your skills are not really improving.

That said, it could make a decent runabout. They have a rep for simplicity and are relatively reliable. One rolled up to our meeting spot this weekend with a few tastey bits added and it made an impression. It had an Arrow exhaust kit and made a pretty deep sound. More thump than I expected for that little motor. Pretty cool.
 
I know that Keith Code's California Superbike Schools (and all their various international franchises) teach the different levels the same way: Learn the skill slowly, practice it, until you can do it fast. Having a fast bike is irrelevent to becoming a better track rider.


There's no question that an M620 is not as fast as an 848. That doesn't mean that they are any less fun on the track. There are many smaller classes of machines racing on tracks (indeed, most GP/SBk riders started on these lesser bikes!) which provide ample opportunity to learn on, and have tremendous fun as well....

My original comments came from the notion that owning a trackbike (848), designed for the track, and not using it there is a bit of a waste.



In that case why not just do the trackday schools (mandatory in my experience) and rent their bikes for the day? - once you get confident, bring your own......problem solved!

jdw
 
The trackdays around my area are byob. I'd have to fly or drive a distance and the cost would end up being close to an older jap sportbike that I could take on the closer track/training schools. There is a smaller track, that has a training school that has several experience levels to work my way up to their full racetrack days at former AMA track in Brainerd, MN. Or get a trailer to do days at Mid-America or Road America.
 
My brother had a 2003 620 a few years back when he had his 'L' license - I took it out and its a great little bike around town but it wont compare in any way to your 848 - have you considered an old 900 or 1000 Supersport?
 
I have considered them but they are few and far between as far as finding them in my area. Especially at a dealer, part of what I wanted to do was trade off my suzuki cruiser for little or no cash out of my pocket. Even on Cycletrader there were't more than a couple within 400 miles, if I got one that had to be shipped that adds another 400-800. Think I'll have to go for an early 2000's gixxer 750. thanks
 
Back
Top