M696 vs. SV650

[SDRider]

Yup, The Last beat me to it.

I believe there may be an optional oil cooler available for the 696, and I'm going to assume the front end is basically the same on at least the 696/796 (the later coming with an oil cooler). So the 696 gets the same shroud even though there is no cooler behind it.

I guess they use the plastic cover to mount the voltage regulator to (like the 796 and 1100) but leave off the oil cooler?

I stand corrected.

[Kev M]

Yup, and it's effectively a trim piece hiding whatever they decided to make less pretty because they're putting an cooler and cover there on most models.

And if memory serves the horn is under there too...

[TWDucfan]

696 doesn't have an oil cooler. 796 and 1100 does. One of the benefits of a 796 over a 696...

+1 

if you can find one, 796 is better. 

[Kev M]

+1 

if you can find one, 796 is better. 

Just to be contrarian, one of the joys of a 696, or Guzzi V7, or Sportster is that you're doing more with less (and for less). There's a certain joy in minimalism. Don't get me wrong, there are times we were on my 16' bay boat wishing we were on my old 26' Sea Ray sport cruiser... but if there was ever a time for minimalism, motorcycles are it!

So "Better" might be an amorphous term. 

[fragile_this_side_up]

I just purchased a used 696. I'm happy with it so far. It's got more power than my SV and the suspension works well for me. Plus, cost of entry was much cheaper in my area than the 796.

[Curmudgeon]

I just purchased a used 696. I'm happy with it so far. It's got more power than my SV and the suspension works well for me. Plus, cost of entry was much cheaper in my area than the 796.

People here are always happy to spend YOUR money!  I'm aware you had a budget. Nothing wrong with s 696; 796 is just better on a lot of levels. When I bought mine, ABS was standard and with the swing arm and extra torque, the $1,000 difference was definitely worth it.

If yours doesn't already have one, consider a 14T front sprocket if you want a bit more "go" and an easier bike to manage in traffic. Just be sure to fit the right one! 

[fragile_this_side_up]

If i could of found a 796 for 1g over what i paid for my 696, i would have done it.