Total Motorcycle Community Forums

NorthernPete wrote:Had a sit on the Ninja 500R the other day at the dealer.... (ordering parts for my POS yami, so I figured why not) man, what a nice bike. light...has the underbody exhaust... sexy sexy sexy.

While I wouldn't classify the Ninja 500 as "sexy", it's half decent looking, and it certainly feels light. I'd go to the Muzzy 2 into 1 exhaust, but I know I'll also have to have it jetted and I'd rather be riding it at this point. I just hate the way the dual exhaust looks. Other than that, I really like mine...

gitarjunky wrote:I'd go with the SV if I were you, only because of the maintenance issues (and I guess since I have one..."if I were you", you'd already have one...weird ) Once you're past your 600 mile service on the SV, you pretty much have to lube the chain, change the oil, tires and brake pads. No valve adjustments (unless you're over 100,000 miles) or carbs to sync or any of that. But go with which one is more comfortable...and dont' get me wrong the Monster is bad a s s. Naked bikes rule!

The schedule for SV650 valve adjustments is actually 15,000 miles. If you get the valve mod done to the ducati, it brings it up to 18,000 miles. Plus, there are 2 valves/cyl on the duc, instead of the 4/cyl in the SV. The ducati is also fuel injected, so no carbs.
None of that should be a real deciding factor since they would be so similar in that respect, but I, like TechBMW, am getting tired of people talking about all the maintenance on these bikes, when they really don't know. He is a certified Ducati Tech, and he says adjusting the valves is a lot easier than on many japanese bikes.

Something else to consider: the SV650 is liquid cooled, the duc is air cooled. After messing with the radiator on my Interceptor, I'm very very tempted to stick with air-cooled bikes. It is just another thing that needs maintenance, and another thing that could break.

Now, the SV650 does have a bigger fuel tank (4.5gal) to the duc's 3.9gal. They both get similar gas mileage (depending on your throttle hand), so that is another thing to consider.

I say, you can't go wrong with either bike. SVs are fuel injected now too ...

And Thanks DivideOverflow for saving me some typing time

I'm just happy ducs don't get bashed as much as harley's do ...

Oh and freakin-A you are absolutely right about the Brutale. I'm 5'11 and 200lbs and that thing just fits like a glove doesn't it!? I'v had the opportunity to ride one ONCE and it's as good as it looks ... Left me trusting for more - and that was 2 years ago and I havn't forgotten!!

I'd love to get my hands on one of the New 910cc Brutales now ...

The duc certainly has an exotic feel to it. There's something special about the italian bikes that just screams "classy."

Personally, in my mind, girl on Ducati > girl on Suzuki.

TechBMW wrote: Oh and freakin-A you are absolutely right about the Brutale. I'm 5'11 and 200lbs and that thing just fits like a glove doesn't it!? I'v had the opportunity to ride one ONCE and it's as good as it looks ... Left me trusting for more - and that was 2 years ago and I havn't forgotten!!

I'd love to get my hands on one of the New 910cc Brutales now ...

I'll settle for the 750

If the bike wasnt $14k, I'd hop on that like a trampoline. (the used one was $12k for a year old). I still can't believe how light it felt. My mountain bike (bicycle) feels heavier to hold up! It had the best fit and finish I have seen on a motorcycle, ever!

Speaking of weight, one thing that I noticed between the SV and the monster 620 is that the monster felt a lot lighter. I think the center of gravity is lower on it, and it felt very easy to control. According to the specs though, the SV 650 is 7 pounds lighter. Just another reason to always sit on the bikes you are looking at! Specs don't always tell the whole story.

To update this thread ... I went and bought a Ducati the next day. It's actually a matter of fitting versus much else. This is my first "sports" bike and I wanted to feel confident on it. What's more, I found a dealership that sold me their "tester bike", so i get free maintenance and $1000 off the main price. so it ended up costing me less than an SV650.

For all the "impress the ladies" posts. Being on a motorcycle at all impresses the boys.

As for maintaining the bike, i have a great mechanic who respects me enough to tell me the truth. it rocks. ^_^

but yeah ... any one want to go riding sometime?

AngellofFyre wrote:To update this thread ... I went and bought a Ducati the next day.

For all the "impress the ladies" posts. Being on a motorcycle at all impresses the boys.

but yeah ... any one want to go riding sometime?

Hey congrats! Glad to hear you made your purchase. Hope you enjoy it. Sorry bout your thread going into the ditch. There are a few guys on here who swallow every hook that hits the water......tossed in by some virgin dumbazz with no bike who lives at home w. mom none the less.


Was that a rant?

Congrats on the new Duc.
Glad you're back on your feet.
Was actually wondering about you the other day.
You should have checked out the 599 though like Sev said.
Leaving work two hours ago the owner of the HD parked next to me came out and said "Wow. That thing just .... purrs. Like a kitten."
I think it was a compliment.
The 599's are Italian Honda's you know.
Would love to ride with you, but If I remember right you're on the wrong coast.

Welcome back!!!

angel is a man ... and i think we all know it... wanna ride sometime guys... give me a break.... no way! i dont want to end up a lampshade in some creepy apartment

Jelly Filled Space Nugget wrote:angel is a man ... and i think we all know it... wanna ride sometime guys... give me a break.... no way! i dont want to end up a lampshade in some creepy apartment

whaaat???