Ducati Monster 696 or Kawasaki Ninja 650?

Ducati for sure, if it's between those two bikes.

I have a 2006 SV650S (see my avatar).

I love it, but will upgrade one day to a Ducati.

As far as looks and styling on the SV... you can change them. I did. SVrider.com has TONS of info about these bikes, venders, etc... its like the TW of all things SV.
I changed out fairings, lines, retrofitted a GSXR 750 rear 5.5" rim (fits a 180 now), etc.....

And yes I can say that in the mountains I beat my friend on a ZX10r secondary to my low end torque. Plan on changing it to a track only bike this spring. I love draggin knees more than doing tricks. I love L-twins (90 degree "V-twin"). More reliable, better MPG, sound completely sick with the right pipes.

But I am alittle biased now.

Don't get the 650, you will regret it later. Ducati all the way.

 

^why would I regret the Ninja 650...

 

Ducati!

 

between those two bikes i would say the duc. i've had both and the ninja was a cool around town bike but i felt a lil limited when going places cuz of the power and tank. the duc was cool and diff but around were i live there wasn't much dealers around me. and as far as the triumph i wouldn't get it cuz it's english but then again i'm prejudice against anything they make had nothing but problems with previous vehicles. i'm not sure if they still make them but Yamaha made a bike called the fazer the was diff.

 

Well the reason I said that is because I have rode with people that have them. They love them for a decent beginner bike, but when they go to sell (upgrade) their is not much resale value. I took a ride on a 650 before and it was okay. I felt like it was lacking for being a 649cc sport bike. I like ducati's and everyone I meet has no regrets about them. Well all except one who didn't like messing with the heads so he sold it.

Is this your first street bike?

 

If it was my choice on the two bikes id go for the Duc, ive just never been a big fan of kawi's. I am looking at getting an Aprilia 750 dorsoduro, dont wanna jack your thread but if you like the Italian bikes, these are pretty damn nice and ride comfortably

 

I love that sound Duc motors make. Same with the Speed Triple although it is different.

Both are nice bikes and you couldn't go wrong with either. I think there might be a newish Monster on BARF in the for sale section real soon (if not already).

Good luck!

 

I too have owned a Ninja 250, and honestly it was no slouch. I jetted it and put a pipe on it (Stupid loud!). It was awesome on gas and, where its no speed demon, had no problem getting to 60 mph, did 90 once... once. I wouldn't take it on the highway though, it just doesn't belong there.

 

The Ducati is a better overall machine as far as engineering, power, ability to be modified, etc. but make sure you understand the maintenance requirements of the Ducati before you own it, they will be higher than the Kawasaki.

I'd also look at the SV, it's a great bike and have you thought about the Yamaha FZ6? The FZ6 has the inline 4 cyl engine but an upright seating position and dirt bike style handlebars so it's more comfortable for longer rides.

 

I'm riding a Buell XB12s, and if you want to talk about a short wheelbase, yeah... That bike's got it. I'm coming from an SV650, and I will forever be recommending that bike. I loved it. A good friend of mine has it now and he loves it. My girlfriend has the newer style ('05) and she loves hers too. The wheelbase may be a little bit longer, but it's just as nimble as other bikes out there, and has plenty of power for the every day rider. The power curve on the SV's is phenomenal, fun can be had at almost any rpm. I like oogling over and listening to Ducatis, but I wouldn't want to do the maintenance to one. Triumph street triple is also a nice choice. The Kawi 650 I don't think is the same class up against these other bikes. It's better suited with the katana style bikes. Kind of a cushy sport bike.

 

Really, the Kawi 650 has the same output as the SV650 and a short wheelbase and trailing arm... you'd think it would keep up...

As for street bike... I have a Ninja 250R but I guess this would be my first street bike with some power

 

My suggestion is to ride & sit on each bike and/or lots of bikes.
I did this when I bought my yamaha FZ6R last summer.
My best friend is a powersports dealer & encouraged me to do this even if it meant not buying from him. He is a Kawa, Yammi, Aprilla dealer.
My heart was set on a Kawasaki Versys which basically has the same engine as the 650R w/ upgraded components aimed at a different class (V Strom/BMW riders).
Without a lowering kit, there was no way I would feel comfortable on the Versys & was seriously thinking of going that route until one of my friends told me his gf was selling her mint barely used 650R cheap.
I liked the sounds of that so got to take it for an extended ride which was nice but honestly I could not get comfortable on it.
The twin engine was buzzy in the grips & pegs & the shifting not to my liking at all. It doesn't make it a bad bike but it just didn't work for me.
So seeing how the same engine was in the ER-6n & Versys that eliminated Kawaski.
From there I tried Suzuki Gladius (what the heck was suzuki thinking?), GSX650F, the FZ6, FZ6R & a couple of out of my price range Aprillas.
As far as the Duc, I could not afford it. Beautiful beautiful bikes but too deep pockets for me (maintenance & price).
Have fun shopping and hope you find the bike you like

 

I've pretty much ruled out the SV650 because I don't like the wheelbase or the way they look. As for these two bikes... eventually I plan to get two bikes(maybe not these two) so that my GF can upgrade her 250r.

 

Well as for a "street bike with some power" statement...

Trust me the 250 has enough power. I've seen people killed off the 50cc dirt bikes. So not pointing/calling you out, but you have to respect the power of any bike.

Just saying.

Not throw another bike in the mix, but what about the VFR800? V-4 engine sounds amazing.

 

No real choices here other than the Ducati.

 

+1 on the Triumph. I have the Speed Triple and can't think of one bad thing about it. Well, maybe that wheelies are a $1K fine now over here

 

is that a real question? ducati!

 

Yeah seems like the Ducati is odds on favorite but I think I'm going with the Kawasaki... mainly because its A LOT cheaper... up front and maintenance wise.

Thanks for all the input though. I can get a new Ninja 650 for about $1000 more than a used one 2 years old. As for the Ducati I can't seem to find one new for under $8000 and used for under $7000.

the funny thing is that next summer my GF is going to want to upgrade... I may just get the Ducati then and pass the Ninja on to her.

 

Oh you are right it has plenty of power for the street, but not for the freeway. I've almost been ran over 3-4 times by trucks and cars merging onto the freeway because the 250 just doesn't have enough acceleration on the on-ramp. 7.72 sec 0-60 is not enough for a motorcycle... if I was driving a small car or something it would be another story but a tiny bike is almost invisible to drivers on the freeway

 

My first bike was a 05 Monster 803cc.
Great bike. I loved it.
As far as maintaince, yeah it was probably a little more than a japanese bike. But it never gave me any trouble and I know the guy I sold it to hasn't taken care of it like I used to but from what I have heard it hasn't let him down. And I do know that the newer ones have longer intervals between scheduled maintaince.
The only thing I didn't like, and the reason I got rid of it eventually, was the non adjustable front forks and the weak rear spring. I had plans of swapping them out with some forks from a gixxer and upgrading the shock but when I found my superduke that all went out the window. After riding the KTM I couldn't even stand to ride my monster anymore.
I don't know if they 696's suspension is adjustable, might be something to look into cause it really makes a difference.

BUT on the other hand a guy at work had a 650R and really, really liked it.

I agree with simon's mom and say that if you can, definatly go ride both and check 'em out.

But based on what little I know of these two bikes... I still would go with the monster.