A sales person, who said I should stick with a 500, said that the 650R Ninja has essentially the same engine as the SV650. Is that true?
From your perspective as a new motorcyle rider, it’s basically the same (P-twin vs. V-twin). Mechanically, they are very different with different characteristics. There are advantages and disadvantages to each design. Would you notice these differences? Probably not.
I’m quoting what I’ve read on the internet, so take this with a grain of salt…
P-twins provide higher rpms, higher top speed, supposedly better fuel efficiency, less vibration and are easier to cool.
V-twins provide more torque in the power band and especially in the lower rpm range, lighter than the same displacement P-twin engine, and are more common.
I’ve heard differing opinions on the less vibration part and with liquid cooling, cooling differences are kinda negligible. Not sure on the fuel efficiency either. But either way, if you’re set on a 650, either the sv650 or the ninja 650r will be fine.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…