a/c Ducs vs. built SV in lightweight

[dylanfan53]

Under the category of "It can't hurt to look at the menu" I've been thinking about the merits of an a/c Ducati in lightweight versus a built SV650 (call it about 90 hp.).  

I think the bikes can be easily built to approximately the same power to weight ratio.  It's the extra torque of the Ducati that attracts me.  

At my 200lbs (okay, fine, that doesn't include the Vansons but there are still a few months left to lose weight if I put the candy bar down) wouldn't I rather have the extra torque while getting back on the gas??  ???

Any comments?  ('Bout the torque, not my weight  :P )

Dawn or Dave, go ahead and stick this in wrenching or tips/tricks if that's where it belongs.  Tnks.

[Super Dave]

Well, that's a good question.

Think about a Buell vs SV and torque.  Might be some merit.  Matt Carr did well on his air cooled Ducati.  You know much about their reliability?

[grasshopper]

Parts are still more easily accesable for the SV, probably cheaper too.

Ducati sounds like fun though.

Why not have both?

[dylanfan53]

Don't know much about reliability.  I haven't own an air cooled Duc.  I know common thought is that the brand is less reliable.  My SV has been very reliable and deserves credit for that.
  
Both would be built by a good mechanic.  

I've thought about the Buells.  Actually, they are a challenge to race against and that's what got me thinking about torque as their advantage.  My impression is that they would be a more expensive route.

[Zac]

Air cooled Ducati's come in many flavors, from 620s to the dual-spark 1000.

Stay away from the Pantah case models (620, 750, 800, wet clutch).  The cases generally can't take a lot of power.  The 900 and 1000 are based on the 851 (888, 916, ....) cases, which can handle more power, plus a lot of the 4-valve aftermarket stuff will fit (slipper clutches, kit trannies, etc.)

The older bikes had long, raked out chassis and it was hard to make them turn.  Newer ones fixed some of that.

They are pretty easy to work on, but valve adjustments are a pain, especially because the rear shock is in the way of the rear head.

There are a ton of go-fast parts on the market.  Relaibility is a function of power and how the engine was built, i.e. high compression requires you to change to high strength studs as well. 90hp would not be a problem.  

The SS1000DS would be a hard bike to beat in LW.  It came stock with top line forks, brakes, and an adjustable length Ohlins shock.  It's worth considereing a Monster as well, some came with the adjustable shock linkage used on the 4-v bikes.

-z.

[dylanfan53]

Parts are still more easily accesable for the SV, probably cheaper too.

Ducati sounds like fun though.

Why not have both?

I tried two bikes once.  It didn't work out so hot.  Went from an SV onto an R6 and right into the flank of K3.  ;D

[dylanfan53]

Thanks Zac.  Your comments about cases confirms what I've heard.

How old are the older frames to avoid?

I think an SS1000DS AM and FM would be off the table considering the cost.

[towelie]

I've been racing on Duc 750ss. pretty fun in Ultra-Light class but in the other LW class I only manage to keep up with the traffic, maybe its the rider... not much advantage on torque with a 750ss

as for the reliability, I rode it hard just about every other weekend in the past season and it has not let me down (yet...).

[H-man]

Any comments?  ('Bout the torque, not my weight  :P )

Damn!  You know us too well ;)

[dylanfan53]

Damn!  You know us too well ;)

;D And I expect to hear from K3 about that R6 comment too!

You've got 20 to go.

[grasshopper]

But Don, Super Dave Says horsepower doesn't matter and it will not make you any faster or improve your lap times.  ::)

I'm sure this will greatly effect your purchase and decisions.  ;D

[Dawn]

But Don, Super Dave Says horsepower doesn't matter and it will not make you any faster or improve your lap times.  ::)

LMAO!!!!!

 ;D