"Poor Man's" Ducati?

[Perazzimx14]

Not for the OP, but for the Ducati discussion, fwiw our 2011 696 has been flawless. Not a single problem or complaint.

So has been my 96 900ss/cr

[steven c]

Yamaha FZ 07 gets nothing but GREAT press.  Light as a feather...

I test rode an FZ7 one last year, really fun bike.
https://youtu.be/UfPjSf5wDo0

[Darren Williams]

New SV has a different frame (shared with the Gladius) from the original.  I had a first gen and chassis/frame stiffness was really good. Guess that's why so many were used as track bikes.

I have not ridden a new one, but hope the frame change doesn't hurt the ride.

[Buckturgidson]

I bought an SV 650 new, a 2001, and it is a great bike for the money. However, there is nothing like the feeling of a Ducati on the gas.
The older Monsters with round headlight and classic looks are best imho, the newer ones look like transformers and they don't make a single bike with a dry clutch (!).
Try to buy someone elses project and save thousands, aftermarket exhaust is key.

[pikipiki]

Yamaha FZ 07 gets nothing but GREAT press.  Light as a feather...

and now there's 700 Tracer, MT-07 and XSR 700 and even the XS950R the last one is a bit like a V9 bobber, although the Guzzi looks better you might find an xs950r with a heavy discount down to 700 Tracer money. that said the 700 tracer seems the sensible choice from the yamaha pick.

[Lannis]

Well ...... most of the responses re the SV650 have been positive.  Seems like a lot of bike for not a lot of money.  Thanks to all forum members who responded.  (Still curious about the KTM 390 ..... )

It's interesting when you go to watch the Manx GP clubman racing on the Isle of Man and look at the starting lineup, and then look at the results.

VERY few Ducatis, LOTS of V-twin 650 Suzukis.   Going like mad and finishing the race ...

I know that racing isn't street riding (well, on the IOM it is) but people are going to choose what will run hard and finish the race when they have all the world's street bikes to choose from ....

Lannis

[timonbik]

I had a 2006 Ducati MTS 620.  Bought it new and put over 60,000 troublefree kms ont it.  Probably the best bike I ever owned till and inattentive driver pulled out in front of me and totalled it.  Bought and still own 2 bikes that I thought would replace it.  Honda NT700V, nice appliance but underpowered and HEAVY and my 750 Breva, nice but a bit small and still somewhat underpowered and of course quirky.
Ducati could tour with the big boys and ride the twisties.  Fantastic all around bike!!!
Cheers,  Tim

[Doppelgaenger]

SV650 was my first bike. They're a lot of fun but the stock suspension is garbage. Front brakes are very good compared to say a triumph bonneville, rear brake does nothing nothing nothing and suddenly locks up the rear tire. Valve jobs aren't as bad as ducati, but they're still much harder than a guzzi and require special tools and disassembling half the bike.

It's hard to find a better bike for the budget.

[LowRyter]

having ridden newer Suzukis, I can say that even the simple base suspension is much improved over 15 years ago.   And Racetek springs and cartridge emulators and many other proven racetrack modifications are available for the SV.

My guess is that most riders will be satisfied with the suspension, frame, ergos and engine performance with a new stock SV benefiting from 15 years legacy of improvements.  My guess is that the SV will perform as well or better than air-cooled base-model Monsters.  And the SV is reliable as an anvil and has a complete line of after market parts top to bottom.

The new Monsters are in another performance category and price level.  And the new Duc SS really gets my attention.

[Rusnak_322]

It's interesting when you go to watch the Manx GP clubman racing on the Isle of Man and look at the starting lineup, and then look at the results.

VERY few Ducatis, LOTS of V-twin 650 Suzukis.   Going like mad and finishing the race ...

I know that racing isn't street riding (well, on the IOM it is) but people are going to choose what will run hard and finish the race when they have all the world's street bikes to choose from ....

Lannis

That has everything to do with how the rules for racing classes are written.

When I club raced a SV650, it ran against 2 stroke 125cc bikes, 400cc 4 cylinder bikes and 1000cc air cooled bikes.

A air cooled monster dosnt fit into any racing classifications.

[Lannis]

That has everything to do with how the rules for racing classes are written.

When I club raced a SV650, it ran against 2 stroke 125cc bikes, 400cc 4 cylinder bikes and 1000cc air cooled bikes.

A air cooled monster dosnt fit into any racing classifications.

Didn't know that; just watched them FLYING by the house lap after lap.   Thanks!

Sounds like the 1960s AMA rules pitting 500cc Brits against the 750cc Harley sidevalves ... a real "homer"!

Lannis

[drums4money]

Not for the OP, but for the Ducati discussion, fwiw our 2011 696 has been flawless. Not a single problem or complaint.

2006 S2r - 21,000 miles.  1st inspection required shims.  Subsequent checks have been within spec.  Belts, oil, fuel filter last fall.  It's been the perfect backroads bike.  I'm smiling right now because it's on the charger which means it's the one I get to ride bright & early in the morning. .

I have seen a few SV650's that were nicely cared for & sounded great.  I think that's the engine in the "weestrom" & it's supposed to be as solid as a ball-peen hammer. 

[desmoface]

One of the best bikes I've ever owned - I sold it to my friend who still rides the piss out of it:



Steve

[jas67]

Not for the OP, but for the Ducati discussion, fwiw our 2011 696 has been flawless. Not a single problem or complaint.

Same goes for my 2013 796.