[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

So i’ve been riding the new ninja 250r around quite a bit, learning a lot in the process. I just read some articles on the new Ducati 696 and wanted to see what some of you on this forum thought about it? It’s being marketed as a “beginner’s” bike. Seat height is low, power delivery is suppose to be smooth like the SV650. And since the SV650 is recommended on this site as a beginner bike I was curious if the new Ducati would be as well.

[acidpope]

It’s an L-twin engine, which is why it’s prolly compared to the V-twin sv or Parallel twin Ninjas. First thing I’d do would be lift the handlebars. They look pretty low and if leaning way forward isn’t for you it might be something to look into. It’s been mentioned in another post that you could run into parts/maintenance issue if you don’t have a Ducati dealership/mech around you. It’s a beautiful bike (love naked bikes), but I wonder why not just get the sv650? Looks just as good, will cost you a few thousand less and there is parts/dealers and mechanics for it everywhere. Just a thought.

[Matt]

It has up on the forum several times before.

Power delivery is very similar to the SV650 and Ninja650R. It is as friendly as those. The big thing is that Ducati’s don’t have a perfect track record for reliability (though that has gone up a lot in the last decade). They still require a fair amount of regular maintenance. And when you need parts, they won’t be cheap. IF you drop the bike, expect to pay a lot more than you would to fix a Japanese bike.

So really, it is an okay starting bike so long as you remember it is in the class of the 650s (much heavier and more powerful than the 250s) and you’ll be paying (much?) more for total cost of ownership.

[Rupmisc]

Sorry, I don’t wish to highjack this thread, but Matt has raised an interesting side question. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Motorcycles lists both the SV650, and the Ducati, as good bikes for beginning riders (ease of handling, and controllable predictable power). Before I go and get a 500R on Monday, is the 650R also to be recommended as a beginner bike?

[megaspaz]

Yes. the kawasaki 650r is considered a good beginner’s bike. It was introduced by kawasaki to compete with the sv650 line. Very comparable bikes. the 650r has more upright riding position, iirc, and is fully faired which may appeal to some. In terms of looks, the sv650sf (2008) would be the comparison against. The prices between the sv650sf and the 650r are pretty close, with it looking like the 650r being about $400.00 cheaper… and both come with ABS models as well, iirc…

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[Rupmisc]

I haven’t seen that. Looked into finding SV650 with ABS….about as much chance as finding a ninja 250R 2008. Thanks for the info. Will spend the next three days overthinking. (just my nature).

[acidpope]

The sv650sf has more of a racer posture when you’re sitting, with the rider leaning forward considerably. The Ninja 650r has a much more comfortable, upright, sitting position to it like the sv650 standard. You can get the bars raised on the sv650sf so it sits more like the standard version of the bike but it will add on to the already higher price tag of the sv650sf. Both are nice bikes.

[megaspaz]

Yup. The sv650 (naked street fighter) will have the most upright riding position compare to the sv650s or sv650sf. And comparing the sv650 to the 650r riding position, I’d probably guess that the 650r would still feel more upright. If someone just wants an sv650sf and the upright position, a cost breakdown comparison would be interesting between 1) getting the sv650 and getting all the fairings afterwards and 2) getting the sv650sf and getting the bar raised…

Either way, I’ve come to the conclusion that both would make good beginner bikes… with the usual caveats though…

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[Author]

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