2006 Ninja 650 SV650 Comparo Photo Gallery

Ninja 650 SV650 Comparo

Ninja 650 SV650 Comparo

Ninja 650 SV650 Comparo

When it's time to do some backroad giant-killing, an experienced rider can make good use of the SV's higher performance threshold.

Ninja 650 SV650 Comparo

Ninja 650 SV650 Comparo

This won't be the best Ninja to take to a trackday, but it has plenty of performance on the street.

They tend to frown upon this stuff at the MSF class.

Ninja 650 SV650 Comparo

"Okay, where can I go next to chase down some Gixxer squids..."

Ninja 650 SV650 Comparo

To those who think Duke's only talent is pulling wheelies...

Ninja 650 SV650 Comparo

Ninja 650 SV650 Comparo

The SV's riding position is slighty sportier than the Kawi but still pleasantly neutral. A new-for-'06 mini cowl provides a small but usuable measure of wind protection.

The Ninja's ergonomics provides a neutral riding position, with a seat height slightly lower than the SV and a higher, more rearward handlebar position.

These bargain blasters have a larger performance envelope than many of the squids ridings flashier and more powerful machines.

The standard SV650 comes in blue or red and retails at $5,949. A sportier quarter-faired version rings in at $6449.

Faired-in turnsignals are a nice touch for a budget-oriented bike. Expect more of these in the future.

The instruments have a traditional style that many will find pleasing.

We imagine Mr. Buell is privately gloating at the current proliferation of under-engine mufflers, such as this tidy one on the Ninja that unfortunately does a little too much muffling for our tastes.

The laydown shock manages to look retro and high tech at the same time while working quite well in most situations.

The petal discs look cool. Too bad the pad compound requires high effort with limited feel.

The Ninja 650R has a sophisticated look that belies its budget $6299 price tag.

Although slightly cheesy looking, the instrumentation tells you all you need to know at a glance.

Although nothing fancy, the Suzuki’s brakes delivered solid, predictable stopping power.

The SV650 is also powered by a Twin but, unlike the Ninja's parallel setup, the SV's cylinders are spaced 90 degrees apart. It makes for a sweet powerplant that is both torquey and revvy.

Ninja 650 SV650 Comparo

The Kawi is sporty without the inherent comfort compromises of a full-on sportbike. It's very cooperative and willing. Anyone new to riding or returning to the sport will immediately find themselves at home in this cockpit.

The Ninja is blessed with handling that is exceedingly agile yet stable, and it can make quick work of a tight canyon road.

The new mini windscreen over the SV's headlight adds some styling pizzazz and a bit of wind protection.

The Ninja 650's fairing and comfortable riding position also make it a good mount for exploring distant backroads.

Other than the Ninja's fairing, this pair of Twins share several commonalities. Both have 41mm conventional forks, 25-degree rakes, 160/60-17 rear tires, and tank-empty weights of just over 400 lbs.

The Ninja 650 is available in Europe in a stripped version like the SV, called the ER6n. Kawasaki believes the American market would better support the fairing model.

The Ninja's lay-down shock makes for easier packaging, but its simple linkage-less design has a slight dynamic compromise. The footpegs' aluminum bracket is stylish but glaringly large.

Suzuki topped the charts in both categories, but this horsepower graph demonstrates how the SV goes above and beyond the Ninja in performance capabilities.

The torque curves were very similar for both bikes, but the SV has a litle more on tap.

A newbie rider will be more confident and quicker on a friendly bike like the Ninja 650 as opposed to a pure-bred sportbike.

The sporty SV has enough ground clearance for even aggressive street riders.

The coltish Ninja makes tackling corners easy for newbies and entertaining for vets.