Sv400 vs. Sv650

[dual-power sv]

Hi. i have a friend who is taking his direct access test very soon, he is after a curvy SV. i mentioned about the Sv400, we looked at insurance and its cheaper, and he fancies having a 400 insted of a 650.

So i thought i'd try and find out what i can find out about them. so hear i am.

Which one do you think is best for his first bike, taking everything into account, insurance, power, weight, etc????

Thanks

[madness]

Personally having recently passed my test I can't see the point of the 400. The 600 is friendly enough for a beginner.

[Biker Biggles]

From memory the 400 is identical to the 650 except it has a single disc front brake and sleeved down cylinders.It therefore has a bit less power,and worse brakes,but is otherwise the same.Id forget it and get a 650.

[ogden]

What on earth is the point of an SV400?

The 650 is hardly a ripsnorting monster.

[dual-power sv]

he's had a flirt on my k3 650 and says he wants something abit tamer :-P he'll soon learn

[fizzwheel]

I'd be inclined to steer him towards the 650, he might be a bit wary of it now, but in a few months time I reckon he'll be wishing he'd got the 650...

[sinbad]

Never ridden the 400, but anyone who is conscientious enough to consider one because it is a more "sensible" choice for a newbie is surely sensible enough themselves to have a bit of restraint when it comes to the throttle. Unless the insurance is a massive saving he should get a 650, loads more to choose from too I'd bet.

[vardypeeps]

Tamer! Might as well stick to a 125. Tell him to get a 250 2 stroke :P

[SVDragRacer]

Tamer? If the 400 is the same size just with worse handling characterists then surely the 650 will be tamer in the sense it'll be easier to ride, no point in trying to muscle around a bike the size of a 650 that can't perform like a 650.

[ogden]

Tamer! Might as well stick to a 125. Tell him to get a 250 2 stroke :P

He seems to want something slower than an SV650, not faster!

[Dangerous Dave]

From memory the 400 is identical to the 650 except it has a single disc front brake and sleeved down cylinders.It therefore has a bit less power,and worse brakes,but is otherwise the same.Id forget it and get a 650.
Pretty much, although the later versions got the dual discs too.

What on earth is the point of an SV400?
Japanese grey import, only official sold in japan along side the other 400cc pocket rockets.

He seems to want something slower than an SV650, not faster!
What makes you think they are faster?


I'd get him to go for the SV650, it is novice friendly just like the SV400 and the engine doens't need to be revved as hard. Build quality wise they are the same, not to different in weight either, and they share many parts.

[vardypeeps]

He seems to want something slower than an SV650, not faster!

DD I think it might have been pointed towards my 250 2stroke comment :p which was a joke by the way (not trying to dig at anyone just so you know)

I think it's a wise choice to get a 400 if the insurance is going to be dirt cheap. Tell him to get some quotes before committing and think road tax might cost the same still

[ogden]

What makes you think they are faster?

I've had my RGV250 out to play with the TVSF plenty of times.

[Dangerous Dave]

I think it's a wise choice to get a 400 if the insurance is going to be dirt cheap. Tell him to get some quotes before committing and think road tax might cost the same still
The SV400S only used to sit one group lower than the SV650S (same group as the SV650N), I beleive it is in the same group as the SV650S now. If you shop around I am confident you will find a cheaper quote for a SV650 than for a SV400 simply because it is more common.

I've had my RGV250 out to play with the TVSF plenty of times.
But that is more comparing riders, not bikes.

[ogden]

But that is more comparing riders, not bikes.

Are you saying they all ride like girls?

I mean, it's true, but more of an open secret, we just don't talk about it.

It's not an unreasonable comparison between bikes though.

RGV250: 55bhp, 139kg = 0.40bhp/kg
SV650: 67bhp, 165kg = 0.41bhp/kg

Taking a stock example of each, the SV will be more tractable but it'll handle like a badly sprung pig in comparison.

[Sid Squid]

I wouldn't buy an SV400. Not that's it's a poorer bike than the 650, it is the same in every significant way but less power, and the single disc isn't half the brake, it's perfectly adequate.

I wouldn't buy one as they can be difficult to sell on - very small market. A 650 is easier to find and it's easier to get a better one.

[dual-power sv]

yea, he was just abit off put by the ride he had, he's only ever ridden 125's, but he loved the v-twin feel as he had a go on my brothers gxsr-750 and didnt like the IL4 'feel'. He just wants the same v-twin feel just without all the power of the 650

[Biker Biggles]

Larger front sprocket to raise the gearing and tone down the power a bit?

[dual-power sv]

thats a good idea, i'll think we'll probs change it on mine n then see what he thinks

[SoulKiss]

Get a 650 and then tell him you have restricted it.

His problem is all in his head and then you can "de-restrict" it later for him.

If you are a real b&^%ard you can charge him for the restriction and later de-restriction - when he says it doesnt feel any different ask him if he's a dyno and point out that at lower speeds theres not much different.

I doubt a 400 would be THAT much slower in the 0-30 stakes anyway.

Additional thought - stick some lumps of lead on his bike when you "restrict it"

:)

[Rich]

Get him a 33bhp restrictor if he's that nervous. Can soon pop it out when he feels the need for more power.

[fizzwheel]

hang on a minute, he's ridden a GSXR-750 which probably has in the region of double the horsepower than a SV650, and yet he's worried a SV650 is to much for him....

[dual-power sv]

he was worried about the power on both but much preferred the V-twinness
were off up to a local bike shop to have a look at a 1999 sv650 naked 21000miles and i think he'll be persuaded to have it and just restrict his right wrist

[ogden]

he was worried about the power on both but much preferred the V-twinness
were off up to a local bike shop to have a look at a 1999 sv650 naked 21000miles and i think he'll be persuaded to have it and just restrict his right wrist

A GSXR750 only makes real power if you let the revs go high enough. Below 7k it's a gutless beast and it's only above 10k that it starts to get really interesting.

The pansy!

[dual-power sv]

i nearly offered him ago on my TL1000R but i thought it'd probably put him off bikes altogether :-P

[AndyL]

Get the SV650. Simple really. :D

[Biker Biggles]

"Local bike shop-----99SV" I smell a hugely inflated price tag here.Do be careful and look at alternatives before parting with hard earned here.

[dual-power sv]

Were off to DK bikes, the biggest rip offs out there, but like i said only to look, he's going to find a private sale to buy one.

[Dappa D]

650 defo.....ive not ridden the sv400....

but i did have a bandit 400 just before i got the sv....it was fun...and felt faster than the sv but thats probably due to screaming the revs....

i wouldnt like a 400 v twin personally, 650 sv all the way

[Dangerous Dave]

Everybody feels like that when they jump on there first big bike, depending how far you turn the throttle will depend how much power you put down.

The SV650 on bites idiots.

[zsv650]

has anybody actually had a go on a sv400 anyway i'm gonna break the trend and say yeah why not let him have a go on both see which one feel's right for him.

[Dangerous Dave]

has anybody actually had a go on a sv400
Yes

[ging6996]

would never bother with a 400. get the 650 but fit a restrictor to get used to it first.

graham

[Doofer]

I own both an sv400 and a 650 curvy, so here's my comparison for you.

Both handle exactly the same
Single disk on the 400 is still plenty for such a lightweight bike.
Both have identical rolling chassis, the difference is the engine (400 is not a sleeved down version of the 650) and a 520 chain.
There is little difference in weight and no difference in height.
The 400 has a shorter stroke, therefore revs higher
0-30 there is little discernable difference in power
Motorway riding, get the 650, the 400 feels like it's being thrashed
Fun, get either.
Insurance - no discernable difference

The 400 is a little awkward to find a chain and sprocket kit for, but all other parts are the same as the 650

I personally prefer the higher revving motor of the 400, it suits the way I ride. I have not sadly been able to ride the 400 since I bought the 650 as I wrote it off in October and am in the process of rebuilding it, however as I only have a bike license I will be keeping both bikes, so I intend to set up the 400 for fun, single seat unit, suspension set up for solo riding, ditch the pillion pegs and enjoy the high level twin cans it has. The 650 will be my workhorse, 2up riding, long distance stuff.

I chose the 400 because I beleived there was a difference in the seat height, I was wrong. I've been riding for 17 years, so power was not an issue but at 5'1" height and weight is.

After buying the 650 to keep me on the road after my accident I would recommend that your friend goes for the 650, there are few 400s around, you will get a better condition 650 for less money than a tatty 400, he will need as much restraint with the 400 as he would with the 650 while he gets used to the power anyway.

DK have no 400s in at the moment anyway and their 650 are a good £300-£400 dearer than a similar age & condition one from my local suzuki dealer (I live on DK's doorstep and only bought my 650 in November)

On a different note, someone made a comment that I was unlikely to get a payout from the farmer's insurance company when I wrote off the 400 due to the mud he left on the road. The insurance company have held their hands up and accepted liability without arguement, we are in the process of agreeing a settlement figure for my claim :D

Doof

[Thingus]

I'm a 6"3 clumsy oaf and my first ride on the SV was easy and a heck of a lot of fun. Worth the extra pennies on the insurance.

[kwak zzr]

i followed a sv400 for alot of AR06 and on the straights my 650 couldn't pass it! there virtually the same bike so id go with what the others have said and say 650, the parts are going to be more available than the 400 single disk bike.