Well, as an owner of both an '88 Paso 750 and a '97 Monster 750 I can pitch in on this subject!
Although, my Paso is stock in terms of performance mods whereas my Monster has a stage II jet kit, open aribox conversion and a high exit Termi half system. So the Monster has been opened up front & back, and it has an unfair advantage right off. Given those mods - the Monster has the Paso beat.
I've beat an R6 in the quarter and I can hang with literbikes in the twisties (although in both cases - not fluffing my abilities, but I'll say rider ability has some say in the matter). I haven't dyno'd either bike, but as Frank says - the denim dynomometer puts the Monster ahead of the Paso. But the airbox, jetkit and exhaust make a big difference. It really breathes fire now; I love the sound it makes as it inhales when you get on it.
Ride-wise, the Monster's stock bars give you more leverage & a more upright seating position - something I intend to change shortly with a set of Vortex clip-ons; whereas the Paso puts you "in" the bike a little more. The tire size difference (16s vs 17s) makes substantial handling changes as well; I like the Paso's planted feel as you crank it around a turn; the Monster makes you feel like you need to go faster (drat! :neener:) through a turn, but you also feel more like a 'target', do to the seating position.
I love the Monster though. It's just as great in town as it is wringing its neck on the backroads, and it's just as happy two-up as not. Although mrs.faster likes the Paso's pillion better - which I can attest to as well. The Monster's not a plank like some of the literbikes, but it's not the Paso's lounge chair, either. But I don't think it's ugly; I like the naked styling. Actually, one of the Harley guys at my last job liked the Monster more because you can see everything - but that makes sense coming from an HD owner - they like to see their air-cooled twins.
For me, it's the best of both worlds!
:thumbup: