SV gone (sob) - hello Ducati S4 (wow)

O.K I did it.

Traded the SV and now I am a very excited owner of Ducati S4 ( Grey w/ red wheels, Carbon fibre cans and other stuff, 916 motor - immaculate with only 4300 kms on the clock).

I just rode it back from down country where it was at a dealers...

Only thing I am changing immediately is the ridiculous mirrors. Death traps wrapped in carbon fibre

I am really going to miss the sweet and vibey SV and will hold it in really high regard always.

Anyway - I am still going to keep an eye on whats going on in here. This site is great and I have enjoyed yakking with you all. I have found much of value here.

CIAO (turning Italian by osmosis...is my hair going greasy ???)

P.S
Peter H.- yes you were right , you know me far too well or else you recognise a little of you in me.

Shooter....Kindred spirits fella! I hope the new bike gives you many miles of enjoyable ownership. I think the guys would be dissapointed if you did not stop by from time to time to have a natter!
Funny how you were offered a good deal? most dealers here would not look at the SV for a trade in,however the Aprilia dealer is happy to give me what I consider a real good price! I too have not totally discounted a piece of Bologna modern art myself!
Why not popback and do a little review /comparison of the Sv and your new baby?

Be good,be safe.

Traitor!!

Erm no actually enjoy your monster mate

Pics??

I'd love an S4R

Good stuff - i thought very seriously about an S4R too. Pictures please

Originally Posted by Cloggsy

I'd love an S4R

Having said that, I've just watched the 'Bikes Aloud' review of the Tuono

Quote "This bike is a class A drug on two wheels!"

Quick review / comparison The S4 Ducati and the SV650(naked K4). I did about 250 kms distance ( 1st day I got it) on the Ducati now so it is early impressions....

There are similarities despite the engine capacity difference (916 vs 645 cc). Mainly they both feel the same weight and balance and the riding position is similar. Both seats are kind of hard'firm. The Duke has slightly wider bars. The torque diference is very noticable and the Duke really pulls smoothly and kind of linear where as the SV winds up to a power curve then takes off. Its just there all the time in the S4

The S4 with twin Arrow Carbon/ F cans is sweet sounding ( like a Ducati actually). The SV 650 with the Scorpion was impressive sounding and throaty. Both great. Only heard the SV/scorpion yesterday first time when the dealer rode it. No one else has ever ridden it with me in airshot.

The Duke feels a bit too long legged compared to the SV especially around town in traffic where the SV excels. Need to slip the clutch a fair bit and it doesnt like it too much under 3000rpm. But on a trip, the Duke romps along at about 120km only using about 4000rpm. Found I had to gear down a bit in places the SV would have just stonked onward ( albeit with 5500 + rpm).

Duke is very solidly planted in the corners and drops in a bit better I think.

Bikini fairing works really well and better than the Givi I had on the SV.

Dry clutch is rattly as hell (when at the lights etc) and kind of disturbing in comparison to the superb wet clutch SV. Guess I will get used to it. Duke clutch is a lot heavier to operate and hold in for any length of time so I have taken up going to neutral ( and listening to the damn clutch rattle).

Conclusion - the SV is a great machine and was an ideal prep for this step up. Probably a much better machine around town than the rorty Ducati and probably a much better all rounder overall. but...the Duke is just bloody gorgeous in the other ways that would be expected of this little bit of motorcycle exotica. (Including the excellent componentry)

The great deal I got - New Zealand dollars.

Duke was reduced due to previous owners financial desparation . Began at $18450 went to $16500 then down to $15995(when I came on the scene). Dealer gave me $8200 for my SV ( I had paid $10495 for it 13000kms ago). I wrote cheque for $7800 and drove away. No additional road charges etc also with a new warrant of fitness and a full tank of gas.

A fair bit of value in this bike considering the Componentry, the Carbon fibre hugger and arrow cans, the Duke immobiliser sytem and the low mileage ( 4300kms) all in imaculate condition. (with bonus dumb expensive mirrors) which I am selling. Ducati carbon/f mirrors have a retail price of $475 each. (and they dont even work) look very sexy tho'. Replaced them last night with a couple of $20 mirrors meantime and they look fine but most important - they work. Ordered a couple of new Duke mirrors at $160 apiece. Still should be ahead on $.

CIAO for now (and Peter...you should do it also. I recommend the buzz and we both need as many of those as possible these days)

[madEG]

Originally Posted by Shooter

O.K I did it.

Good for you!!! Enjoy!

Mine's nearly gone too! Am picking up a black CB 1300 on Saturday as I fancied something bigger and am a sucker for muscle bikes. I'll miss the fun of the SV and was quite tempted by a new SV1000 K4 which my local dealer is selling at £4299 but thought I'd try something different...

Having never ridden an in-line 4 before the test ride was quite an interesting experience...very smotth and oodles of power but not quite the same in contact feel... suspect I'll be back to a bigger V twin in due course!

The only thing I won't miss is the SV build quality but I'm probably not as religious about cleaning the bike as I should be.

I won't miss this Forum cos I will continue to visit!!

you might need these http://www.nci-on-line.co.uk