650 or 400?

[Spike1105]

I am looking to get a first big bike in the summer and am undecided to get, a 400 and make it a lil special, like a vfr or rvf with a tyga tail and fairing or mito tail, or a sv 650 (curvy) with a full fairing and pipe.

I will only be 17 in the summer and im about 5ft 7in, iv sat on both and recon I can handle the weight of both (although i feel with the sv its slightly harder). the bike will have to be restricted, and to be honest i will be perfectly happy with around a ton top speed.

I will have a budget of about 2k (if not a lil more) for the bike, getting it sorted fairing wise and restricting it. And about 600 for incurance on top of the 2k

I was just wondering if anyone has ever compaired the two before and what the mmajor difference are, and ultimately which one i should be advised to go for?

(yes i do realise that this forum is likely to be a lil bias, so iv done adsactly the same post on 400greybikes.com)

let the debate comence!!!

[yorkie_chris]

SV parts are easy to get hold of, also SV is really easy to work on, all the faults known etc.

Try change the plugs on a VFR, I've never been so close to eating my toolbox and washing it down with the contents of the battery.

[Dangerous Dave]

Performance wise they are similar as standard. The SV is bigger in size, the 400's were designed for 5ft Japanese fella's. If you are looking for a bike with £2k before modifications then you will find a better condition SV for that money, the RVF's hold there value and the build quality is excellent but the price will be higher for a good condition one. The SV will be cheaper to run and service. Insurance shouldn't be that much different, although the 400's are a higher bracket they are older so the cost should balance out. An SV is easier to tune and has more flexibility in creating an individual look. A Honda V4 and an SV are the best bikes to get restricted as the V engines provide good torque.

For £2k including the mod's you mentioned your gonna be looking at a tatty VFR400 with a Tyga fairing or a high mileage and little rough around the exposed areas Curvy SV with a cheap Kompo-Tech full fairing.

You should go with which ever you will feel more comfortable on. Personally I would go for the SV, but I'm 6'1, and forget about the full fairing as it won't make you go any faster. Stick an end can on for the noise and spend the money on fork springs and oil.

[Twinny]

power wise up to 100 mph my sv (naked , so geard lower) deffo faster than a mates 2002 zxr400 with art can and dynojetted/dynoed at 71bhp, out and out there not much but the sv still just bout does it, but anything beside him at like 14k he gets destroyed so allround the sv is faster btw he tops out genuine 140mph sv around 130mph on the clocks, faired? dunno 135?



And to my knowledge altho not build aswell as the vfr or the rvf the zxr's are the most powerful motors

[Dangerous Dave]

power wise up to 100 mph my sv (naked , so geard lower) deffo faster than a mates 2002 zxr400 with art can and dynojetted/dynoed at 71bhp, out and out there not much but the sv still just bout does it, but anything beside him at like 14k he gets destroyed so allround the sv is faster btw he tops out genuine 140mph sv around 130mph on the clocks, faired? dunno 135?



And to my knowledge altho not build aswell as the vfr or the rvf the zxr's are the most powerful motors
Tell your mate to twist the throttle harder and work on his pulling away, a full power ZXR400 will out pace a restricted SV I have seen it several times!!!

SVS will get to around 127mph, actual reading not clock reading, and a ZXR400 at an actual 140mph on the heavy road bike is a little exaggerated, they actually top out near enough with the SV!

[scottjames]

i would go for the sv. im only a little guy to bout 5.5 but the sv is fantastic its not heavy at all. i can manage with people on the back, even my gf 18 stone dad. i too looked at the 400s when after a second bike, found the sv to be a much better option,, to get a good reliable 400 you will pay more than 2000 and the insurance will be the same as the sv. why not get the sv for the same money brag you have got a bigger engine than most 17yr olds and when its time to take the restrictions out you''ll kinda have a new bike seeing as you will have ni on doubled the power. was a no brainer for me, the problems ive seen poeple having with the 400's i just cant be bothered i want a bike a i can not have to fix. scott.

[Spike1105]

we are still talking about restricted bikes or full power bikes?

[Twinny]

Tell your mate to twist the throttle harder and work on his pulling away, a full power ZXR400 will out pace a restricted SV I have seen it several times!!!

SVS will get to around 127mph, actual reading not clock reading, and a ZXR400 at an actual 140mph on the heavy road bike is a little exaggerated, they actually top out near enough with the SV!


ain't we talking full power !?!? why would 1 be restricted and one not? they both would have to be... and if thats the case then deffo the sv cos a zxr400 ain't gonna be much fun at 33bhp

[nomad]

I would definitely go for an SV.

I had a CBR400RR. A fantastic bike but they are pretty frenetic, not a lot of oomph low down but when they go, they go. The trouble with this as a new rider is because they are most fun in the powerband one starts to run them pretty hard staying there, which can get you into lots of trouble. Although the VFR is supposed to be a little better in this respect I still reckon you are better with the SV, it is lots of fun, plenty quick, pulls well and is very forgiving.

[dirtydog]

I've had a grey import 400 and a few SVs now and i would say go for the SV. As said abovethe vfr is pig to work on, spares aren't as plentiful as they are for the SV. Also check what the insurance will be on them, generally in my experience the 400s are dearer to insure

[Sosha]

650 because:

1) You'll get more for your money
2) 400s are all getting a bit old - It'll be harder to find a nice one
3) 650 should go better restricted (?)
4) 650 more comfortable for long distances.

Had 2 400s - an NC30 (prob the best of them but expensive if they go wrong) and a 3tJ Yam held together with gaffer tape which was a lot of fun but you need to keep the revs up (look out for rust on the downpipes - tracking down replacements isn't easy).

I reccon the 600s are the new 400s - got to be pretty much the same size so you could add to your list...


Get a test ride and see what you think?

[Dangerous Dave]

ain't we talking full power !?!? why would 1 be restricted and one not? they both would have to be... and if thats the case then deffo the sv cos a zxr400 ain't gonna be much fun at 33bhp
I was referring to your previous post with the Kawa at 71bhp. With a restriction I won't waste time looking at IL4 400's.

[northwind]

I really wanted a RFV400- still do in fact- but I looked around at modern bikes and it seemed like the SV was the nearest new alternative. It was only after I got the SV that I started doing a serious comparison and realised that the famously nimble RVF400 weighs as much as an SV (well, depends who you believe, some quote 165 kilos dry but most go for 175-180) which means that now, a standard RVF dry weighs more than my SV does wet. It makes more power, and more torque. The suspension's nothing like as good but then most 400s have never had a fork service, so while their owners tell themselves they're riding a road-going scalpel, they're actually riding a broken half brick.

The SV will never be iconic, or half as sexy, though. I really wish the big 4 would revisit the 400s class, imagine modern lightweight tech, suspension and engine development in a small package...

[Wideboy]

the VFR's are more sort after by bike theirs aren't they? judging bye how scarce parts are, one of the blokes i work with is nuts on them and had 3, two for the track and one road which got nicked.

this would also bump up the insurance

[Sosha]

imagine modern lightweight tech, suspension and engine development in a small package...

I Give you the GSXR1000k5 :smt041

[northwind]

Heh, if I took two pistons out of a GSXR750 it might be something not too far off my ideal bike :D

[fizzwheel]

Performance wise they are similar as standard. The SV is bigger in size, the 400's were designed for 5ft Japanese fella's. If you are looking for a bike with £2k before modifications then you will find a better condition SV for that money

+ 1

[Twinny]

I really wanted a RFV400- still do in fact- but I looked around at modern bikes and it seemed like the SV was the nearest new alternative. It was only after I got the SV that I started doing a serious comparison and realised that the famously nimble RVF400 weighs as much as an SV (well, depends who you believe, some quote 165 kilos dry but most go for 175-180) which means that now, a standard RVF dry weighs more than my SV does wet. It makes more power, and more torque. The suspension's nothing like as good but then most 400s have never had a fork service, so while their owners tell themselves they're riding a road-going scalpel, they're actually riding a broken half brick.

The SV will never be iconic, or half as sexy, though. I really wish the big 4 would revisit the 400s class, imagine modern lightweight tech, suspension and engine development in a small package...


you got my exact view on the 400 situation , i do love rvf's tho :p

[Twinny]

I was referring to your previous post with the Kawa at 71bhp. With a restriction I won't waste time looking at IL4 400's.


ahhh ok :razz:

[Lozzo]

I will only be 17 in the summer and im about 5ft 7in, iv sat on both and recon I can handle the weight of both (although i feel with the sv its slightly harder).

Never let your height or size determine what bike you buy. I'm a short-ar$e at 5ft7 and weighed about 9 stone when I bought my first ZZR1100, since then I've had another two of them and countless superbikes. As many here will tell you, I'm not a big bloke, but once I'm on the bike the size of it doesn't matter.

[fizzwheel]

The SV will never be iconic, or half as sexy, though. I really wish the big 4 would revisit the 400s class, imagine modern lightweight tech, suspension and engine development in a small package...

I really wish Aprillia would hurry up and bolt that 450 or 550 V twin motor out of their super moto into an RS250 chassis...

[northwind]

It's been done :cool: but it looks like a hassle. And even though you'd fit the road-designed motor, you'd always wish you had the competition one :rolleyes:

[sv_rory]

i got my sv after an nsr 125. i found that the sv with all the modifications declared was so much cheaper than insuring an old 400. i have found that the sv is a very forgiving bike and is great for learners. im so glad i got mine and im pretty sure if you get one you will feel the same

[FATTYMATTYUK]

i'm 17 and i had that prob and i now have the sv650 curvy and i love it trust me go for the sv innitt

[phizog]

As for fun to ride.. if you're into 'as fast as possible' twisty riding then an rvf400 would be > than an sv (own sv, ridden friends rvf). But if you are concerned more about comfort, relaxing, ease of riding, down low power, etc. SV wins.

[chunkytfg]

Are you sure 600 will cover insurance? I remember at 21yo my first premium being 1200 TPO

[Spike1105]

yes, i am talking 600 for third fire and theft, not fully comp

[scottjames]

my have said this before but i paid 860 tpft. cheapest isnt alwasy the best. i know i get europian break down cover and a good legal cover. and as for what phizog said i would say the opposite, i know the sv is no race bike but its no slouch either. i find my cuvey very agile and it can definetly cope with a few twisty roads no problem.

scott. still reckon the SV. you know you want one spike.

[ASM-Forever]

my have said this before but i paid 860 tpft. cheapest isnt alwasy the best. i know i get europian break down cover and a good legal cover. and as for what phizog said i would say the opposite, i know the sv is no race bike but its no slouch either. i find my cuvey very agile and it can definetly cope with a few twisty roads no problem.

scott. still reckon the SV. you know you want one spike.

But how many 400s have you ridden?

The SV is a great budget bike. For the cost, insurance and initial purchase, its probably pretty hard to beat.

However compared to a true sports bike its not as good. You get what you pay for at the end of the day. Its rrp can be half the cost of a ss600 equivalent.