Out on a 696 today....and an S4RS

Message

Big0range · Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:35 am

I checked out a 696 and Hypermotard today, and really liked the way both of the felt. My concern is that being a bigger guy (6'4"), even though the 696 felt fine under me, based on pics I've seen of the bike with chicks, I'd look like a clown on a circus bike...

That Hypermotard, though....

HYPERR · #22 Unread post by **HYPERR** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:22 pm

Big0range wrote:I checked out a 696 and Hypermotard today, and really liked the way both of the felt. My concern is that being a bigger guy (6'4"), even though the 696 felt fine under me, based on pics I've seen of the bike with chicks, I'd look like a clown on a circus bike...

That Hypermotard, though....

696 is not a big bike although it feels much bigger than the 695. It's probably almost as big as the S2R1000 which still has a small bike feel to it. The Hypermotard should fit you better as it has a pretty tall seat height which should give you some decent leg room.

atom · #23 Unread post by **atom** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:31 pm

I like the 696 a lot. All the parts work together so well, the vents let air in AND allow wider steering lock. The new frame is probably lighter AND stiffer. Its lighter AND faster. Its elegant, probably works really well, and probably is a whole lot of fun at legal speeds.

However, I just keep feeling its over-wrought, you know, over-styled compared to the old one. The old one was pretty close the the Platonic ideal "naked."

It may sound wrong, but I kinda prefer the 883 as a naked to the 696.