Moving on from the SV650 - Goldylocks Problem

[Rogue_Shadow]

Hello Org,

I've decided it's time to move on from my first "big" bike.
I've had my K4 for 4 years, 2 of which restricted to 33bhp. It's been a great bike & despite counting 37k on the clock & it may never let me down.
It's time to move on.

The problem arises in finding a replacement, ideally I want a bike that improves on the qualities of the SV & its versatility. But it seems the mid weight tourer is dead!

• I'm searching for something light weight (200kg) - due to parking location
• Modern styling
• Has a fairing due to my rural location
• Fair Power - I don't care for 12000bhp, my SV has provided plenty but always happy for a twist more.
•Has the ability to tour - Not globe trotting but a week in Europe once a year
•Is fun to ride - I don't commute, my SV is my secondary transport, fun & touring

The best matches have been dedicated touring bikes but I'm worried that these are going to feel dull compared to the pepping SV.
Whilst I'd never suit a SR1000rr, I'm not ready for the pipe & slippers yet :D

Best contenders

•BMW F800GT
Incredible light & manuvourable, only had a 10 minute demo so will need another play

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02926/BMW-F800GT-1_2926906b.jpg

• Tracer 700
I deemed to be the ultimate SV replacement, but was completely disappointed on my first test ride. Will try one more test ride.

http://images.mcn.bauercdn.com/PageFiles/597581/1IMG_5491.jpg

• Versys 650
Lovely engine with plenty of torque, however very heavy combined with being unable to flat foot didn't inspire confidence when stopping.

https://storage.kawasaki.eu/public/kawasaki.eu/en-EU/model/15KLE650F_44SWHTDRF00D_C-ok_003.png

Has anyone else had similar trouble moving on from your SV?
Any help or feedback on these bikes or others I missed would be great.
I'm heavily leaning towards the F800GT currently, just hoping it's not too "mature".

[Bibio]

how about the mighty VFR800 or Aprilia Futura which is supposed to be one of the comfiest bikes.

[Sir Trev]

Triumph Tiger? You'll love the tripple engine.

[DJ123]

I had an F800ST, the predecessor to the GT. It was a great bike and handled everything i threw at it. I'd have another one again in a heart beat.

[Red Herring]

I'd give another vote for the VFR if for no other reason that you can get a hell of a lot of bike for your money and it is a genuine all rounder. If you can find a relatively low mileage (actually not that easy as they're so popular for touring) example that's been looked after and has all the luggage etc then you're almost better off buying older than newer, especially if you can find an F1 (the last before the VTEC). The only problem is it's not going to fit into your weight bracket.

I'd be interested to hear what it was you didn't like about the Tracer 700. I've several mates who have them now and they seem a superb all rounder, you just have to appreciate they are built to a budget and if you are going to spend any money on it make it the suspension first.....

[andy650]

Consider an Aprilia Shiver (GT if you want a fairing).

I have a Dorsoduro, the supermoto brother of the Shiver, and love it. The guys on the forum really rate the Shiver as a great fun all rounder.

Nice V twin engine, practical, fun, reliable and relatively cheap.

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?63-2008-2015-Shiver-SL750-Dorsoduro-750

[NTECUK]

BMW 800 a great sensible choice.
For touring it's got a brilliant spec and extras catalogue.
Tiger 800(had an xrx myself) and it's derivatives are also good sensible choices too.

[Mr Speirs]

Yeah as others have said you must try a Honda VFR800. Great bike, sporty when you want it to be but comfortable and a great tourer.
Had mine just under a year now and hands down the best all round bike I've had.
I tried the Tracer 900 and was ready to buy one but rode one and didn't like it at all. Front end felt vague and juddery and gave no confidence in high speed corners. Felt like it was going to skip across and out of the corner. Weird sensation. Tracer 700 may be different by the sounds of it you didn't get on with it either.
Test ride a VFR800 I'm sure you'll find it to be the replacement you are looking for.

[maviczap]

If I ever replace my Sv (unlikely as I never ride it ) but I'd like a VFR, pre VTEC

[Rogue_Shadow]

Really appreciate everyone's input :)

Cannot believe I overlooked the Triumph Tiger!
My only concern being it's more adventure/off road ordinated than touring, even the XR variation. The other being weight or the feel of the weight.
I appreciate that once your moving it's irreverent, the Versys taught me that. However I have to manual manoeuvre the bike into a shed, by riding up a pavement & through a 88cm wide gate, up a paved pathway which is on an incline, then roll the bike back before pushing/ riding it forward through a 90cm shed door :D
Hoping the Tiger doesn't feel all 210kg in weight & being able to get both feet down would help. It makes the shortlist

The VFR is out purely on its weight, I sat on one over the weekend & it makes no attempt to hide the 240kg+ wet weight.

The 800GT still appeals after my very short test ride. Not too sure how I feel about a belt drive & also fear it maybe too "sensible".
A lot of review state it's under powered ... but compared to an SV? ;)

I'll definitely look to ride the Tiger & BMW soon.

As for the Tracer 700, here's why my first impressions were bad.
( It's all Tracer 700 from here on - turn back now )
I really looked forward to the release of the Tracer 700, I deemed it the perfect SV replacement & maybe this hype helped kill it for me.
Every review states it's "good value" or "amazing for the price".
Yet if you took out the price tag & look at what your actually receiving, it's VERY basic.
The overal finish seems good, yet I'd be extremely interested to see a long term review. The engine is a torque monster & the styling is great ... but.
The switchgear feels like it was taken off a kids toy, so very unnecessarily small & cheap feeling. It's something I never even considered till riding the Tracer.
The all in one hand guards do nothing to prevent wind blast, some amazing styling but they prevent the option to even add your own. The dash is rammed with information, squeezed into a space smaller in size than a helmet visor.
Speed,Revs,Fuel, gear position, odometer & a clock.
The brakes lack any initial bite or feedback until really pressed & you might as well jump off the bike than rely on the rear brake.

The styling is personal, the brakes are fixable, but the suspension.
Cornish roads are not renown for being silky smooth, but the SV handles them no trouble. I did not expect a 2004 bike to have a better suspension that a 2016 bike. Every minor roll in the tarmac has your head bobbing like a Churchill Dog.
So yea, upgrade the suspension, but why isn't this done already?
The competition, which unsurprisingly every review brings up, " cost significantly more".
True but they didn't cull an essential item of a SPORTS TOURING motorbike!
So that's my first ride review of the 700 Tracer ... starting to think I'd be better off backing away from it slowly rather than risk another ride :D
Rant over

[Sir Trev]

I loved the test ride I had on the Tiger but it had the standard seat on, in it's lower position (of two). I could not get enough of my feet on the ground to be comfortable about stopping in a hurry or at lumpy/uneven junctions. There is a lower seat option which would have made it a lot better I'm sure but with my dinky 29in legs I was not confident on it. The dealer had a lower seat which I know I should have tried but I had a go on their T100 instead and I was hooked...


Trumpet dealers will be used to shorter people finding their very popular bikes a little tall so I'm guessing that most of them will have a low seat available for their test ride fleet if you need one. I found it a hoot on the move and very comfortable but you may need to take a tape measure with you to see if it will fit through those openings.

[NTECUK]

If I can rider a 800 xrx 3 weeks after my knee anthropscy.
I think that your be fine lol
Had the lower seat (well still got it ,and the exhaust Slip On and link pipe).
Helps to an extent.

[DJ123]

Really appreciate everyone's input :)

Cannot believe I overlooked the Triumph Tiger!
My only concern being it's more adventure/off road ordinated than touring, even the XR variation. The other being weight or the feel of the weight.
I appreciate that once your moving it's irreverent, the Versys taught me that. However I have to manual manoeuvre the bike into a shed, by riding up a pavement & through a 88cm wide gate, up a paved pathway which is on an incline, then roll the bike back before pushing/ riding it forward through a 90cm shed door :D
Hoping the Tiger doesn't feel all 210kg in weight & being able to get both feet down would help. It makes the shortlist

The VFR is out purely on its weight, I sat on one over the weekend & it makes no attempt to hide the 240kg+ wet weight.

The 800GT still appeals after my very short test ride. Not too sure how I feel about a belt drive & also fear it maybe too "sensible".
A lot of review state it's under powered ... but compared to an SV? ;)

I'll definitely look to ride the Tiger & BMW soon.

As for the Tracer 700, here's why my first impressions were bad.
( It's all Tracer 700 from here on - turn back now )
I really looked forward to the release of the Tracer 700, I deemed it the perfect SV replacement & maybe this hype helped kill it for me.
Every review states it's "good value" or "amazing for the price".
Yet if you took out the price tag & look at what your actually receiving, it's VERY basic.
The overal finish seems good, yet I'd be extremely interested to see a long term review. The engine is a torque monster & the styling is great ... but.
The switchgear feels like it was taken off a kids toy, so very unnecessarily small & cheap feeling. It's something I never even considered till riding the Tracer.
The all in one hand guards do nothing to prevent wind blast, some amazing styling but they prevent the option to even add your own. The dash is rammed with information, squeezed into a space smaller in size than a helmet visor.
Speed,Revs,Fuel, gear position, odometer & a clock.
The brakes lack any initial bite or feedback until really pressed & you might as well jump off the bike than rely on the rear brake.

The styling is personal, the brakes are fixable, but the suspension.
Cornish roads are not renown for being silky smooth, but the SV handles them no trouble. I did not expect a 2004 bike to have a better suspension that a 2016 bike. Every minor roll in the tarmac has your head bobbing like a Churchill Dog.
So yea, upgrade the suspension, but why isn't this done already?
The competition, which unsurprisingly every review brings up, " cost significantly more".
True but they didn't cull an essential item of a SPORTS TOURING motorbike!
So that's my first ride review of the 700 Tracer ... starting to think I'd be better off backing away from it slowly rather than risk another ride :D
Rant over

I've not ridden a GT, but if it's anything like the ST they're developed really well.
Belt drive is great - no maintenance. Just keep an eye on the tension and condition of the teeth. BMW say 20k intervals, but most easily hit 30k. As with a chain the most stress/stretch is when pulling away from stationary. Also pretty easy to change yourself too. Cost is about £220 or so from BMW, or you can buy them from Europe - made by Continental (same as the ones from factory) so not a cheap rip off.
The power is ample for the bike as is the gearing. The torque is available at nigh on all revs and it pulls happily to the top. Parallel twin with 360 firing cycle means it is a very even power band and no real peaks. A very consistent band of power.
The chassis is fantastic, sporty enough but also not too stiff. Very compliant over mid corner bumps and very stable.
Well worth getting a longer test ride and take it on a variety of roads.

[Bibio]

new MT-09 with a tall screen. 193kg fully wet, traction control, abs, now with comp/reb adjustable forks all for £8k

[Luckypants]

Cannot believe I overlooked the Triumph Tiger!
My only concern being it's more adventure/off road ordinated than touring, even the XR variation. The other being weight or the feel of the weight.

The VFR is out purely on its weight, I sat on one over the weekend & it makes no attempt to hide the 240kg+ wet weight.

The Tiger is great tourer and pretty damn rapid. Try one, you might be pleasantly surprised.

I agree that the VFR can be a tad heavy to wheel about, but you do get used to it. I have no problem maneuvering the bike on my sloping drive. As you have only sat on one, I'd urge you to take a test ride, once moving its a very different beast. Easy to ride, although fast changes of direction does need some proper input to the bike (which I like), enough power (VTEC howl is addictive), reasonable economy, real world 200 mile tank, super comfy tourer. As a European tourer, its great - frugal and comfortable on the boring bits but drop the luggage and its a great deal of fun up and down cols. I'll be keeping mine for a long time yet....

[Talking Heads]

Can't believe no-one has mentioned the new V-strom 650 yet...?

[650]

The VFR is the best shout here, shame you didn't take it for a spin as all the iterations lose their heavy stand still weight when on the move. I couldn't imagine life without my VFR750. Maybe consider a 4th gen VFR750 as they're lighter and the gear driven cams ensure engine life that will outlive you. The only weak spot on them is the RR. The suspension naturally gets soft over the years but a lot of bikes tend to have either new oil and springs or a bit more on a Maxton (etc) revalve.

But if you want light, fun, capable of touring and your budget isn't tiny...why not get a Street Triple? They'll hold a long journey as well as any other bike, drop the luggage and you've got yourself a hooligan corner carver.

http://www.motohaus.com/content/uploads/2015/10/Street-Triple-Rx-300x200.jpg

[NTECUK]

TBH I wouldn't think my 765 RS is a good as my old Tiger xrx in its ability to take luggage.
There's a good few luggage systems for the Tiger.
The Streets not nearly as well supported.
Yes throw overs/tail packs can serve well.
But then again the xrx had cruise control.
Really relaxed riding position.
Screen that's adjustable.
Big squishy seat.
200 miles tank rang.....

[650]

I'd always want something I could ride about like a hooligan at the destination. Just my preference though!

The SV1000 would make a good touring machine with a Sargent/Corbin seat and a taller screen

[NTECUK]

I'd always want something I could ride about like a hooligan at the destination. Just my preference though!


Oh and the Striple can do that by the bucket loads lol.

[650]

Damn right it can

[Rogue_Shadow]

Thanks everyone :)

Hopefully off tomorrow to have a back to back test on a Tiger XR & F800GT.

Chain V Belt
Triple V Twin
Adventure Touring V Sport Touring
:D

I won't completely dismiss the VFR, given how strongly it's being defended.
I'll try & find one locally to test ride adwell before deciding anything.

Cheers!

[SV650rules]

Thanks everyone :)

Hopefully off tomorrow to have a back to back test on a Tiger XR & F800GT.

Chain V Belt
Triple V Twin
Adventure Touring V Sport Touring
:D

I won't completely dismiss the VFR, given how strongly it's being defended.
I'll try & find one locally to test ride adwell before deciding anything.

Cheers!

One Brother has a VFR800 (pre VTEC) and another has the VFR750 (the one with gear driven cams) - neither would swap them for anything.......... A joy to ride and bulletproof. I am the odd one out with a SV650 AL7, but it has surprised both of them how quick it gets off the line and up to legal speed limit LOL - above that it is a different matter, but I don't go there anyway (theirs are fully faired but my SV is nekked except for an MRA fly-screen which I fitted), and I get better MPG into the bargain, can be as good as 80mpg+ if I'm tootling and short shifting, but even pushing on can get >70mpg.

[Toooldtodie]

Doesn't all this to-ing and fro-ing just show how good the SV is and how difficult it is to better!? It has a great balance of performance, reliability, MPG frugality and flexibility. I too have often toyed with replacing my old bike, but with what?
Good luck, I'll be following this to hear the views expressed to try and have some ideas when/if the time comes.

[Decade]

What about the new Kawasaki Ninja 650 ?
Same engine as the Versys (more or less) but lower seat height & weight. Wind protection from the standard screen is apparently very good on the high setting.
They even do a 'Tourer' version with bigger windscreen & small panniers, though it would probably be better to buy the base one & spec some givi-type luggage.

[keith_d]

Another vote for the VFR as a touring machine. I had one after my SV and could ride it all day without getting a square ****, which is more than I could do on the SV saddle.

At the moment I'm riding a Fazer8, which is a bit less powerful than the VFR, but with a power commander under the seat it makes a nice sports-tourer.

Regards,

Keith.

[650]

Just look how pretty the 3rd gen VFR750 is

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4168/35218914990_5370f2e910_o.jpg

Took a bit of work for me to get it like that, mind you!