SV650 v's The Rest

[aimhamilton]

Hi All,

Probably a similar question(s) has been asked a thousand times before so I do apologise if some of you have to go over old ground.

I am new to the whole biking thing, but as mentioned in a recent post am very keen to get a SV650 K3 (or later). I have always liked the look of the bike and am genuinely impressed at the reviews/support/fan base that the bikes get. Plus it seems to be a very good bike to "start off" with.

However, I am the last of 8 friends to get a bike and they all have either Sports 600's, or 1000 Tourers (Fazers etc) and they say that I will be "p*ssed off" that I will not be able to "open it up" (obviously on the private bits of road/runways that we ride down) and I will be left a little behind. They all agree the SV is a great bike, but think that something like a CBR600 or YZF Thundercat would be a better option.

Having only ridden lower spec bikes (125s, ER500's) and never ridden the SV (neither have any of my mates to be fair) or any Sports 600 on an open road I cannot believe that there will be that much difference in acceleration/mid range/etc on a SV to a Sports 600? Or is there?

As I haven't yet bought a bike, this is the question that is stopping me from doing anything.

Discuss?

[Iansv]

See if you can get a test ride..... Taz do them sometimes

You won't be able to keep up with them when it goes to silly speeds on straight roads but you'll be doing them quite often on the twisties... altho having lived in peterborough before its all straight roads and roadabouts :lol:

Plus yours will sound better if you put a fruity can on it. Basically the only way they are gonna leave you behind is if there is lots of 100mph+ riding

[thor]

Yours will be a lot cheaper than theirs... :D

[Sid Squid]

Believe me, a H*nda is never a better option.

[aimhamilton]

Thanks mate..

Actually (all bar 1) my mates live in Leicester...so it will be the mighty A47 and then back roads round Market Harborough (the famous B6047) to Melton, etc...so not that many straights. But like I said (on the prviate road/runways) they do open them up.

Whats the top end like on the SV's? Surely with good torque is should be able to get there pretty quick from say 50/60??

For me at the minute, any bike seems fast...but thought I would ask people in the know. Plenty fast enough by the sounds of it?

[Skip]

See if you can get a test ride..... Taz do them sometimes

You won't be able to keep up with them when it goes to silly speeds on straight roads but you'll be doing them quite often on the twisties... altho having lived in peterborough before its all straight roads and roadabouts :lol:

Plus yours will sound better if you put a fruity can on it. Basically the only way they are gonna leave you behind is if there is lots of 100mph+ riding
I have friends with faster bikes that I ride out with and can totally agree with what Ian says above....

Plus when one of them had a go on mine, he loved it! :D

CJ Ball Suzuki in Hales near Norwich have SVs that you can test ride... bit of a way from you but not that far...

HTH

Skip

[Skip]

Whats the top end like on the SV's? Surely with good torque is should be able to get there pretty quick from say 50/60??
Up to 100 and a bit they are plenty quick enough, well, for me anyway! :lol:

My naked had nearly had enough at 120, but if you are going to go those speeds then I would find some slower friends for a couple of years! :shock:

[Couerdelion]

It will be slower than a sports 600 but to give you some idea have a look at the BMCRC racing site and look at the two different classes.

22 racers finished the rookie 600 class. So let's say the average rider was 11th and he had a fastest lap time of 57.61

The mini-twins race had 34 finishers. So let's say 17th ws average and his fastest lap was 57.67.

This was the first round at Brands for the first race of 2004. Not much difference...

Not sure what mods are allowed on the 600's but for the mini-twins no engine mods are allowed just exhaust and suspension really.

[aimhamilton]

My naked had nearly had enough at 120, but if you are going to go those speeds then I would find some slower friends for a couple of years! :shock:

I agree, but to be fair to the lads they very rarely do silly speed. Cause as we all know, riding fast over long distance is bloody hard work. But like I said, it just when they (and I) want to open it up and give it a little. Watching that speedo climb....

I assume the faired SV's have a slightly better top end that the nakeds?

[Flamin_Squirrel]

... I cannot believe that there will be that much difference in acceleration/mid range/etc on a SV to a Sports 600? Or is there?...

Not on the road there isn't. If you learn to ride well (which will probably be easier to do on the SV) then you'll be faster. I'm sure I'm not the only one on here that's been held up by people on sports 600s. Heh, I expect rictus has been held up by sports 1000s :lol:

...actualy no, he'd have gotten passed and sailed off into the distance :shock:

[Nouf]

I had a Ducati 749 that was stolen and I got the SV as a replacemnet. While I was gutted and it still hurts when I see the Dukes, I couldn't be happier with the SV. I will eventually move up to a bigger bike, am thinking of the Gixxer 1000 k5 or the MV Agusta but that's not for another yr. At the moment I am happy to enjoy the SV. With a few mods here and there you will prolly not even notice the difference with you mates' bikes.

[jon]

I had a Ducati 749 that was stolen and I got the SV as a replacemnet. While I was gutted and it still hurts when I see the Dukes, I couldn't be happier with the SV. I will eventually move up to a bigger bike, am thinking of the Gixxer 1000 k5 or the MV Agusta but that's not for another yr. At the moment I am happy to enjoy the SV. With a few mods here and there you will prolly not even notice the difference with you mates' bikes.

that would really hurt, sorry mate :(

I ride out with an r6 quite a lot and he's commented how quick the SV is out of roundabouts. I kept up with him to around 100 then eased off as he was starting to pull away (and i'd only had the SV for a few weeks)

This is on a less powerful, standard carbed SVS.

[Couerdelion]

I think a lot of negative comments come from peoples perception that the SV is a bike for new riders who have just passed their test and is also a girls bike.

Most people who have actually ridden one will have a different opinion.

[Skip]

My naked had nearly had enough at 120, but if you are going to go those speeds then I would find some slower friends for a couple of years! :shock:

I agree, but to be fair to the lads they very rarely do silly speed. Cause as we all know, riding fast over long distance is bloody hard work. But like I said, it just when they (and I) want to open it up and give it a little. Watching that speedo climb....

I assume the faired SV's have a slightly better top end that the nakeds?
Trust me, you wont be disappointed, go and try one and hold it against the throttle stop in third onwards past 7000rpm.... I like that bit... :lol: 8)

[Skip]

I think a lot of negative comments come from peoples perception that the SV is a bike for new riders who have just passed their test and is also a girls bike.

Most people who have actually ridden one will have a different opinion.
Yup, my mate who has a YZF1000 Thunder Ace rode mine over the weekend and came back with a huge grin on his face and said he loved it! The total lack of chicken strips on my tyres were testament to how he rode it! :shock:

He said if he could have one as well as his Thunder Ace, purely for a bit of a blast now and again he would...

As Couerdelion says, its one of those "Dont knock until you have tried it" kind of things... :D

[richwill68]

Let's get a few things straight here. The SV is not just a next step to a real bike. :x It'll crack 60mph in about 3.5 seconds, 100mph not long after, and handles better than most people can ride. Ask yourself these questions:-

1) How often are you gonna ride in "brain off flat out" mode?
2) Can you ride the SV to its' very limits? :-k
3) On public roads? :plod:
4) How fast do you want to go? [-o<
5) How long do you want to be around to ride bikes? :crutches:

Consider getting some good advanced training. Not only will this help you be a faster, better, smoother and altogether safer rider, your insurance will look favourably on it too!

This is just my humble onion! OK, OK, opinion...

Have fun.

[Skip]

Let's get a few things straight here. The SV is not just a next step to a real bike. :x It'll crack 60mph in about 3.5 seconds, 100mph not long after, and handles better than most people can ride. Ask yourself these questions:-

1) How often are you gonna ride in "brain off flat out" mode?
2) Can you ride the SV to its' very limits? :-k
3) On public roads? :plod:
4) How fast do you want to go? [-o<
5) How long do you want to be around to ride bikes? :crutches:

Consider getting some good advanced training. Not only will this help you be a faster, better, smoother and altogether safer rider, your insurance will look favourably on it too!

This is just my humble onion! OK, OK, opinion...

Have fun.
Rich telling it how it is! :thumbsup:

[Ceri JC]

Let's get a few things straight here. The SV is not just a next step to a real bike. :x It'll crack 60mph in about 3.5 seconds, 100mph not long after, and handles better than most people can ride. Ask yourself these questions:-

1) How often are you gonna ride in "brain off flat out" mode?
2) Can you ride the SV to its' very limits? :-k
3) On public roads? :plod:
4) How fast do you want to go? [-o<
5) How long do you want to be around to ride bikes? :crutches:

Consider getting some good advanced training. Not only will this help you be a faster, better, smoother and altogether safer rider, your insurance will look favourably on it too!

This is just my humble onion! OK, OK, opinion...

Have fun.
Rich telling it how it is! :thumbsup:

Hence MCN rating it as "The Best Bike for the Real World". :)
Seriously, up to licence-losing speeds, I've kept close to sports 600s and I'm by no means a fast/experienced rider.

[M.C.]

when i had my sv i was riding with r6, zx6, gixer750 gixer600, and i would stick with them until we were exiting corners at 80 and nailing it on the straights but i still was'nt that far behind, all it could have done with was some new internals in the front forks.
i had a cbr6 f-sport after the sv and IMO the sv was better would'nt punish you if you come out of a corner in the wrong gear it would just pull but the cbr would bog down, and as people have said a lot cheaper to run insurance was less than half the cbr and fuel was a lot better, and put a can on and i garantee you will :D every time you start it

[Jelster]

Most modern sport 600's come with better suspension, tyres and steering than the SV, that's a fact.

The SV is a very very good bike for the money. It's a lot of bike for the cash.

.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Most modern sport 600's come with better suspension, tyres and steering than the SV, that's a fact.

The SV is a very very good bike for the money. It's a lot of bike for the cash.

.

But the SV is easily upgraded, and really none of that will make any difference on the road.

[jonboy]

Most modern sport 600's come with better suspension, tyres and steering than the SV, that's a fact.

The SV is a very very good bike for the money. It's a lot of bike for the cash.

.

But the SV is easily upgraded

Only to a degree and without spending shed-loads of dosh.

...and really none of that will make any difference on the road.

Unfortunately it does. If you're riding a bike in earnest, the SV just doesn't cut it in the suspension stakes. Don't get me wrong, I love my SV, but I don't kid myself that it's anything other than a modestly good bike with a stonkingly charismatic engine (which does it for me).

Try the SV1000, now that has pretty decent suspension, maybe not in the ultimate category like the Gixxer, but more than good enough for me.

It's now (thanks to Sid Squid) on next year's shopping list.


.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Well, after upgrading suspension front and back and knowing the difference it made, I'm sure you're not wrong that a less budget bike will be even better still.

However, I really don't think it will stop you from keeping up with sports bike ridiers.

It's the man not the machine/bad workman blames his tools/ <insert more cliches here>.

[sprocket]

The SV is a fantastic bike, my very first bike so unfortunately I can't compare it to anything. However I do regularly ride with larger bikes gsxr600 zx6r and CBR's and I can keep up to an extent, however they are all better riders than me and thats where it counts.

The SV will help you build confidence like I have and with a new can on it sounds awesome :D

[leatherpatches]

Well, I can agree with the other comments, but what do you expect on an SV forum - an unbiased opinion! :lol:

Having said that, I was absolutely and totally trounced from 60mph to silly speeds by my mate today on his G plate ZZR1100. I made the mistake of leaving work just before him... :roll: He came past like I was stood still and I was throttle wide open in 5th!

[jonboy]

However, I really don't think it will stop you from keeping up with sports bike ridiers.

Ah but would it stop me from keeping up with me if I was riding a 600 supersports? ;) When all things are equal then the SV simply won't keep up. It's a great bike for what it is and even when it's eventually time to move on I shall remmeber it with both joy and pride.


.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

On the road? I'm not sure it would make that much difference. Some difference yes, but you can't ride near enough to the ragged edge while on the road.

Gaining more experience will make you far faster than better suspension.

[Peter Henry]

Ian you are faced with something of a dilemma but it is not as difficult to decide as you think. Pound for pound I have to say you would be extremely hard pressed to beat the basic package that is the SV. As mentioned a few tweaks and add on's here and there and you really can transform their personality,but there are limitations.
Your pals do sound a sensible bunch and so it would appear that you are not always going to be charging around on your own group Moto GP. If they are not all wanna be Rossi's then even the basic suspension of the Sv should be more than adequate,(the only mod I did in that area was to put in heavier oil on my K3) when it comes to those few moments were the guys want to twist it back to the stop,then ok after 90ish the Sv is going to make slower progress up to it's limit. But really how often are you going to be riding so high up the band?
As you become more experienced you will become quicker and smoother and believe me a good rider on a poor bike will out ride the opposite. You keep the SV at around 6k revs at all times like dropping in to bends etc. and you have a good rush waiting to kick in.
We are talking different animals and straight comparison with focused 600 sports bike is unfair on the SV. My last bike before the SV was a 600 Ninja which I rated very highly,but the SV did not dissapoint me. I tell you now with the suspension, right tyres and a good rider on board keeping it in the power band...an SV will not live with a 600 sport.

But all of that is hypothesesis,you might decide that you have outgrown the SV in the future,but that would actually mean that your riding skills are then way in excess of what they might be today. :wink:

(I am aware that some harsh retorts might be heading my way and so I am about to duck for cover!) :? 8)

[northwind]

Jonboy's right... I'm faster around Knockhill than a, well, let's be charitable and say more relaxed rider on a 636, doesn't mean an SV's faster than a 636. I imagine if I was on his bike I'd be faster still.

But without being too biased, the SV's not drastically far off a SS600. You won't keep up in the straights, but I would say it's easier to get into, through and out of a corner fast on an SV than on the 600. You don't need to muck about with gears, etc, and the traction's a little better, plus you have the benefit of the narrower rear tyre. (Now, again, that's not to say the SV's faster through corners- just that it's easier to ride fast through them, particularily as a relative beginner.)

But here's the thing... If you buy the exact same bike as they run, chances are you'll be slower as you're less experienced, and you'll have no excuses. If you buy the SV you'll get respect just for keeping up :) The R1 rider practically never lives up to the bike's rep, on the other hand the SV rider is rarely held back by the SV.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

:-s
Well thats nice n all, but we were talking about road riding :?

[northwind]

And I wasn't? The Knockhill example was just to make a point about fast bikes vs fast riders- the post's road-oriented. (and I'm not an especially fast rider, a more experienced rider could have made that guy look even worse)

Or do your roads not have straights and corners? :)

[aimhamilton]

Thanks guys....

I did think I would get an honest "unbiased" opinion. Cause the SV and their riders are "real world" people. Yes, in a straight line on 600 even as a novice even I could beat an SV, but thats not the point for me really. I like everything about biking, not just the thrill of speed.

The nods of fellow bikers, the commoradery of bikers and the little personal touchs you can make to a bike to stamp your individuality on it I think make biking such a great thing. As a frustrated pillion for too many years, and with moving to Peterborough (bikers capital) the urge got too much.

Yes, the wife and family are a little unhappy about me having a bike but they know its a passion that I have been waiting to live. I have got the money in the bank and some nice weekends coming up to be able to enjoy being free.

I know I am making the right decision to get an SV first, and know that the SV will teach me more about riding in the first few months than a 600 would. Biking ain't just about riding fast, I know. Anyone can "go" fast, but its takes skill to "ride" fast.

As ever, I am loving reading everyones opinions...keep em coming! the night is but young!

[Jelster]

With the same ability rider and a same age bike, the SS600 will be faster through a bend and out the other side. Don't listen to the hype about being in the right gear, I can pull from 30 - 90 in 2nd, and with the close ratio box that a SS has, a flick to 3rd and you're over a ton.

The GSXR will handle better and holder a tighter line than an SV from stock. How much do you want to spend ? You can get a new 04 GSXR for just over 5k. How much time and money would you have to spend to convert an SV650 to that spec, and then you still can't match it for power.

The 2 bikes are different, the SVS is seen as a middleweight sports tourer, not a sports bike. Pound for pound it's the best value on the market for doing what it does best. There is not another bike any where near it's value in the same class. You would have to spend a lot of money on new components to bring the SV handling up to spec. But supersports 600 are a different class, and that's the big appeal, it's better out of the box.

For those of you that haven't, try one before you say one is better than the other. After 14 months of my GSXR the only downside I can think of is that sometimes I find it all a bit hectic. That high revving engine, that scream from the can and that rasp from the airbox. I think I'd like to have the option of something a little more "lazy" every now and then. But I'm glad I've had the experience of my SV650, then a big twin with the Falco, and now the GSXR. I'm currently going through retro muscle bike phase, got a thing for GSX1400's and XJR1300's at the moment :oops:

.

[northwind]

With the same ability rider and a same age bike, the SS600 will be faster through a bend and out the other side. Don't listen to the hype about being in the right gear, I can pull from 30 - 90 in 2nd, and with the close ratio box that a SS has, a flick to 3rd and you're over a ton. .

Mmm, a lot of people would disagree with you... True, a skilled rider will put the SS through a set of bends faster every time, but a relatively new rider would probably be the other way round. I was anyway, and so were quite a few others.

[streetos]

I would say a less experienced rider will go quicker on an SV than a full on sports bike becuase it's basicly easyer and more forgiving to ride.

[Jelster]

Yes, that was badly worded.... What I meant to imply was that somebody with say 12 months experince on a twin, and another with similar experience on the SS600, the later would be quicker. Select the right gear before you go in, the brakes are better so you can brake later and it handles better so you can hold a tighter line. Keep the engine above 8k and the 600 will be out and off quicker... IMHO

I hope that's clearer....

.

[Jezza]

I used to own a CBR600F4i. Now ride a curvy SV650S.
Personally i reckon the SV is a much better road bike. Gear selection is less critical and you can get great drive out of corners. My mate on his 600RR spins the rear out of lots of corners, the SV just hooks up and goes right with him.

We generally ride at a very similar pace. However through flowing corners (one corner leading right into the other) i'll leave him behind a bit cause the SV is so nimble and easy to ride.

Up to about 160kph through corners the SV does just fine as long as you keep the momentum going, runs out of puff and can't pull out of faster bends though. Doesn't matter to me really cause i rarely go that fast.

Riding on roads i think speed as in getting from A to B is much more down to the rider than the bike. Sportsbikes may be quicker on straight bits but hit a few corners and things level out. Many sportsbike riders have been embarrassed by old graybeards on Beemers through the twisties.

I used to ride a CB500 and got ****ed off following a guy on a ZX-10 through some bends cause he was so slow. Rode my CB500 with guys on CBR954s and VFRs and i was often the one doing the waiting. Not that i'm fast, but an easy to manage bike can make you quicker than 120+hp scaring you coming out of corners.

And bikes with less power are more fun IMO cause you can flog the **** out of them. Not really possible with more potent machinery.

What i'm trying to say is, get whatever puts a big smile on your dial. If your mates are really mates they won't mind waiting for you. Or you might just embarrass them with your 'slow' SV...

[richwill68]

AimHamilton,

See what a can of worms has opened up here!? Everyone has a valid opinion but remember, the one that counts most is yours. Try lots of bikes, test rides from dealers, even mates bikes and see what suits your riding requirements, style and pocket. Many people commute on sports bikes and never explore the full potential of the machine. Some people can make sport bike riders look very silly on average commuter machines. Be open minded and remember, if you buy a bike that ultimately you become unhappy with, you do have the option of selling and getting something better suited. Over to you mate!

Regards

Rich :wink:

[jonboy]

I would say a less experienced rider will go quicker on an SV than a full on sports bike becuase it's basicly easyer and more forgiving to ride.

See I fundamentally disagree with this. The SV is far harder to ride than a supersports 600, which are easy and will flatter virtually anyone.


.

[Couerdelion]

I would say a less experienced rider will go quicker on an SV than a full on sports bike becuase it's basicly easyer and more forgiving to ride.

See I fundamentally disagree with this. The SV is far harder to ride than a supersports 600, which are easy and will flatter virtually anyone.


.

Why do you think it's harder to ride?

[Iansv]

I would say a less experienced rider will go quicker on an SV than a full on sports bike becuase it's basicly easyer and more forgiving to ride.

See I fundamentally disagree with this. The SV is far harder to ride than a supersports 600, which are easy and will flatter virtually anyone.


.

Cool... I'm getting a gsxr thou then :lol:

[Flamin_Squirrel]

However, I really don't think it will stop you from keeping up with sports bike ridiers.

Disagree.

Why? If you've two riders with identical ability then I'm sure suspension will make a difference, but not a very big one - especialy if you upgrade the SV. Rider ability will make the biggest difference.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

That's cos it's got 50% more power, duh!


:lol:

Only joking. Seriously though, I've spent just over £100 on suspension mods for the SV (front and back), and the difference it made was fantastic. If it's not something you ever did to your SV, I might let you try mine on wednesday if you're coming to the selkent meet 8)

[Couerdelion]

After having an SV for a year or so and having now had a sports 600 for coming up to a year, I could not ride the SV as fast as I can my Ninja.

Ok so that just proves that the same rider will be quicker on a faster bike.

Do you think you could ride the SV faster than some people could ride your Kwak?

[Couerdelion]

a) I think so
b) yes of course, some people aren't very fast riders by choice or by lack of experience (or indeed both)

Do you think you learnt more by getting the SV before the Kwak or do you think, in hindsight you would have been better getting the Kwak straight off?

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

For most people, most of the time, an SV650 will piddle over most sports 600s, at legal speeds, on UK roads.

Depends what you want from a bike - some people are desperate for that top end rush, which they can only get for short periods. Personally I'd rather have what the SV has, as I can use it 50-75% of the time on the road and I don't need to be going over 100mph to have a good time

[Couerdelion]

Definitely getting on the SV first was a good move, if I had got on the Kwak first I might not be typing this right now.

Pretty much what my opinion is then. The SV is a great bike to start off with and if you feel youve out grown it and want to move on to something with more top end then you will have learnt the skills on a more forgiving bike.

The SV won't keep up on the straight, with a ss600, ridden by an equal rider. But they won't leave you miles behind either. If you get to a point where you feel the bike is holding you back then trade it in.

Look at the advantages of getting the SV first...

(1) Cheaper insurance.

(2) Cheaper bike.

(3) Your mates won't expect you to be able to keep up.

(4) This great forum :D

[benHallowes]

< yawn >

same old, same old

"SV vs. IL4 600"

< yawn >



who the f*ck cares?

...as long as you enjoy riding your bike!


In answer to the original question - in most situations (on the road) you'll NOT be left behind.

The SV is a great bike to get used to the roads on:
- brakes are good but forgiving,
- the suspension's a bit crap which can be scary when the front dives massively under heavy braking,
- power is unintimidating but fun

If you plan on doing a lot of track days, I would think that you will be left behind TBH - esp. on bigger tracks...

[aimhamilton]

AimHamilton,

See what a can of worms has opened up here!? Everyone has a valid opinion but remember, the one that counts most is yours. Try lots of bikes, test rides from dealers, even mates bikes and see what suits your riding requirements, style and pocket. Many people commute on sports bikes and never explore the full potential of the machine. Some people can make sport bike riders look very silly on average commuter machines. Be open minded and remember, if you buy a bike that ultimately you become unhappy with, you do have the option of selling and getting something better suited. Over to you mate!

Regards

Rich :wink:

Cheers Rich....they have all been useful comments even the hardcore SS600 fans ;)

I think I will get a SV and go from there. It seems that whenever a little doubt pops into my mind, I pass one on the street or in a car park! I do love 'em.

Thanks all, and hope to be able to join you SV boys for a ride out in the next few weeks!

[northwind]

This is great... It seems like some of the people who think they're disagreeing above are actually basically saying the same things :)

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

For most people, most of the time, an SV650 will piddle over most sports 600s, at legal speeds, on UK roads.

:?

Why?

:-s

I guess because on the SV it has tons of grunt low down. I find that there's always loads of pull on tap. Friends who have IL4 600s moan about needing to keep in the powerband to really get the most out of it... or go on to IL4 1000s :D

I agree with the above, it's all down to having fun. It's also more accurate to say that the SV *can* piddle over the 600s - the rider planning the route better (especially in traffic) and I get the impression that with the SV taking more care of itself (not needing high revs as much) I can concentrate more on the road and so get on quicker... if that makes sense?

[northwind]

I think maybe it's more that a lot of SS riders don't realise what they've got, whereas on here we tend to realise that even though we've got less under the tank than a GSXR1000, we're still capable of ridiculous feats of speed at will, compared to the average car. There's maybe a tendancy among 600 riders to think of their bikes as the slowest of the supersports instead of the fastest of the 600s?

Folk on here tend to get less litre envy than 600 riders I've spoken to, that's the scientific basis for my comments ;)

[Well Oiled]

I bought my SV a couple of months ago and had the choice of a CBR600 costing £3600 or the SV of a similar age costing around £2000.

Believe me, the CBR was nice, but not £1600 nicer.

Having bought the SV, and tested over a few nice roads (eg Cat & Fiddle)Je ne regret rien !!!

[goldengraemes]

it makes me laugh the sv vs inline 600 they are two totally difeerent type of bikes for different purposes.
in my opinion
i used to have a gsxr400 and that hit the power at 10,000revs! and it was a big kick in the ass but the sv felt tame in comparison but getting used to the sv it has plent more grunt where you need it.
A sports tourer with a 4k price tag wouldnt beat something that esentially is is designed for track with a 7kprice tag
But the moans about suspension on this site baffles me im 13.5stone and i have no trouble goes into corners well but im not a knee sliding style rider.
every article i read before purchasing the sv said excellent handling and chassis which in my eyes is correct they said it had a great engine which is no lie full of character.
i compared the sv650's performance from ride mag to the test on the triumph triple speed and they say that the sv is QUICKER! to 60mph but slower by i think 2secs 0-100mph! i think i can live with that in the real world.
i feel i could hop on a sv1000 or gsxr600-750 and be fine but i dont feel the need the gsxr400 was like a mini race rep and slogging the guts at 10,000revs keeping it in the power band for max progress is a pain and that is where the sv becomes so good because the torque is good.(gsxr400 has no comparison to a gsxr750 before anyone says)
i think bikers have to say my bike is........... and it has 100+bhp blah blah blah a guy once told me who'd been riding bikes for 40yrs if a guy rides a 1000cc sports bike on the road its is just a penis enlargement(ego boost if u like) because a 600-750sports will have more than anyone could need.which i totally agree with.
rant over

[Jezza]

GG, gotta disagree with you there.
It may seem illogical (like many things i say), but i personally think a 1000cc IL4 is a better road bike than a 600. Why? Cause you can just stick it in a gear and leave it there. 600s ask to be worked much harder, making riding them a much more frantic experience and making 'cruising' less of an option. Not something everyone is in to.
I used to think thous only made sense on the track. Until i rode a 1000RR myself.
600s actually make better track bikes for the average bloke cause they're a lot less demanding physically and don't scare the crap out of you by powersliding and monoing out of every corner.

I personally don't care about my 'image' (i do ride what most Aussies would call a girl's bike) and don't think of big sportsbike riders as being challenged in the tackle department. I see hidden envy in many people who label them as that though :wink:

[jump]

Jelster or anyone else in the know.. I ride my sv 90% in london traffic, commute a few miles a day from battersea to the west end... is the riding position of the gsxr much more radical (sportier) than the sv? I remember when i first got on the sv i thought whew this is too radical a position and was wondering whether i should have got a naked.. anyway i am totally used to the riding position now and love it.. but is the gsxr or r6 that much more sportier? I have notice quite a few couriers in london riding old r6's and that really is in the traffic all day in out...so cant be that bad...??

[Jelster]

Well, at 17,500 miles in 14 months on the GSXR I can say the riding position is not a problem. I ride across London 3-5 days a week on the GSXR and it's either a calm relaxed ride keeping it below 8k, or on the odd day (usually on the way home) I can give it a good ragging around town and up the A4/M4.

True it's designed as a race rep but it does the commute job as well as the next bike. It's slim proportions help you filter and when you need to get into that gap it's never let me down. Lock is a pain aas you can't always get through stationary traffic, but that's about it really....

I've tried riding upright bikes in London but I've got used to going through traffic head first rather than feet first and would not be as confident sitting upright. Have to change that if I'm gonna get a muscle bike though...

.

[Sid Squid]

I guess because on the SV it has tons of grunt low down. I find that there's always loads of pull on tap. Friends who have IL4 600s moan about needing to keep in the powerband to really get the most out of it... or go on to IL4 1000s :D

No, I've got a 600 and I don't 'moan' about needing to rev the goolies off it 'cos it's just not necessary, and:
Top gear roll on from ~40 - ~80mph, my ZX beats an SV, tested several times, but I've lost count of the times I've been told that my weedy 4cyl 600 has no torque. :roll:

[goldengraemes]

point taken jezza.
The jelousy side of it im not im in a position i could go buy a 1000cc but i dont fancy it as i feel what i ride is enough for what i do and gives me enough pleasure.
a customer said once in my work i have a fazer 1000cc he said its awsome but i cant use the power fully!

[Jezza]

I was just pulling your leg mate :lol:

I chose to ride an SV650 cause it's all i can handle. And it's got to be the most fun bike in existence for me :D I luvs my Smurfmobile

[aimhamilton]

I agree, I think I will be more than happy with my SV. And if I decide after a few months/years I have outgrown it and do what something more powerful then maybe I will "upgrade" (probably a bad choice of words)

You all seem to talk about the suspension? Is this more dependant on you weight as a rider? I am 5' 9 but am a muscley (cough cough)...ish 14st. Do you think if I get one, I should spend some money on suspension first?

I already have a lengthy list of things I want to do to it. It doesn't help having a picture of johnnyboys SV as my desktop. Which I think is truely a loverly looking Sv....for a pointy ;)

[Plasma Bob]

Hi All,

............ they say that I will be "p*ssed off" that I will not be able to "open it up" (obviously on the private bits of road/runways that we ride down) and I will be left a little behind.

...............

Utter ********, it's the rider that makes the difference, they'll pass you on the straights but any baboon can open a throttle on a straight road. Me on SV650S, mate on Fireblade, through Trough of Bowland, Fireblade is a dissapearing dot in my mirrors. Me - riding 12 months, mate 10 years......nuff said :wink: