SV 650 vs Ducati 695

Sv.. Fantastic all round bike for use anytime you want, and in any weather as long as it's got a fender extender

Duke..Same as above apart from rain! The wiring on them is not very well protected, no waterproofing on the connections in the loom.. water gets in and causes lots of problems. If you spend a few hours with a roll of self amalgamating tape it will be a lot better.
First thing a done when i bought mine was cover everything in ACF50 to stop it turning to a pile of corrosion and sealed up as much wiring as i could. Had it out in many downpours (not through choice) and the only thing that's died so far was the indicator relay
As long as they are used regular.. they are fine.

Try to get a decent test ride on everything you like, the one that makes you smile the most is the one for you

What about a 400? I don't know about over in the states but you cannot get a new sports 400 in the uk. Something maybe like a cbr400 or a zxr400 would probably fit the bill. Are you specifically after a v-twin?

If you're not sure, go for a test ride. I tested a Monster 695 in May 2007 then bought a K4 SV650. The 695 is a hoot to ride, very free-revving, and feels damn quick. But the Monster's riding position is odd, you get stretched over the tank with arms quite wide, and the foot peg puts your foot in an uncomfortable position when selecting gear. It also has a lousy steering lock, which is a nuisance at first in town. On the plus side, it looks and sounds great, and its a lovely shiny Ducati But my SV is a whole lot easier to live with, and very good fun to ride.