The 696 is the best buy by a long shot.
I agree, best value.
The 1100 is worth the some of the extra cash as it has adjustable suspension, a little extra power and better brakes.
By the way the extra power of the 1100 does not equate to much extra performance really.
The real question is how fast is fast enough? For the cost of an 1100 you could get a Hyabusa...
Haven riden the 696 for a hundred miles or so and owned the 1100, they are completely different beasts. The 696 is the easiest motorcycle in the world to ride, a true asset to the world of motorcycling.
I would argue easier than a ninja 250 because it is lighter, you don't have to modulate the clutch soo much because of lack of power, the brakes, suspension, and handling are farrr better.
But the 696 and 1100 could not be anymore different.
The 1100 is a true
MONSTER. The dry clutch is grabby, the bike always feels nervous or pissed and the torque difference is
26 ft-lbs! Not 1-2-5,
26ft-lbs. It is a snarling beast, get a little grabby with the throttle, and the front wheel is in the air in 1st and 2nd. It compression brakes like no other bike I have ridden, locks the back tire up effortlessly without rev matching, and if you give it a little more throttle than it wants coming out of a corner, hold on for some head shake. With stock gearing and fueling, it is not happy below 4k rpm or 5 mph and requires a lot of clutch work. It embodies everything I think a monster should be. It is an absolute thrill to ride, without being overbearing and untamable. In stock form they need a 14t front, better fuel mapping, and a steering stabilizer in the worst way.
The hyabusa comparo is laughable, might as well been an elephant or a lawn mower.
A better analogy would have been street fighter, which IMO has no purpose in the world to exist, but I am glad it does. It does everything the M1100 does dialed to 11. It is not easy to ride, it will eat your children, and after you piss your pants you will never be able to get the smile off your face. It is unrelenting, unforgiving, and not for the faint of heart. It will kill you if you are not careful. I am convinced it works better than a pharmaceutical grade shot of adrenaline. And there is currently one sitting next to my m1100 in the garage ;D.
The 796 while not the "best value" is a necessary stop gap between the M1100 and 696. Most people will never need or want more. Over the 696 it has better midrange, arguably better looks, but should come with adjustable suspension for the price point.
FWIW 1 mile on the M1100 and I new I had to own it.
All that being said the 696 is a great bike and I would be happy to own one,
BUT I'm glad I bought my M1100.