ER6 Vs SV650

[fizzwheel]

Theres an article in this weeks MCN comparing the two if anybody is interested

[Scoobs]

Theres an article in this weeks MCN comparing the two if anybody is interested

No.

[BillyC]

...if anybody is interested

That didn't include you Scoobs :lol:

[kwak zzr]

will the ER6 rival the sv? let's read and see :D

[Moo]

Surely not a serious contender. :lol:

[Sid Squid]

Why not? It's a brand new bike, even though Kawasaki have strangely used a similar name the ER6 owes nothing at all to the ER5, the only similarity is that they are both parallel twins.

Remember that the SV is effectively a seven year old design, the first one being the Jap market 400, which was changed very little to make us a 650. The change from curvy to pointy was a facelift, it's still very much the same bike. If Kawasaki have done their job right, and they usually do, it should be a good bike, and realistically a competitor to the SV.

What did MCN say?

[Diveboy]

Why not nice bike apart from the front aspect (nasty light).

Still its not a V Twin which give the throaty ROAR we all love :kiss:

Never going to get a unbiased opinion on an SV forum though :?

[Vfr400]

It might go ok, maybe even enought to rival the SV BUT it's pig ugly :x and will never match the SV on looks.

chris

[Sid Squid]

Says you.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder etc etc

If you like you like it, if you don't you don't, bit subjective to say it's ugly though, it's a far too personal thing.

[haggis]

MCN sez... (NB. just from memory, not a direct quote)

SV- better engine, tested at 76bhp!
ER6- less torquey, power comes in later and redline is the same, 69bhp
To me that says weak engine, 1-0 to the SV. Hurrah!

Comfort, quality suspension setup, styling(!?!), finish and rider satisfaction all going to the ER6.

We'll call that 1-1. :roll:


Seriously, this could be the best thing to happen to the SV. Proper competition will bring about a proper revision.

Factory SV750 with gsxr suspension anyone?

sign here......
NAME Quantity
haggis 1

[a1a]

Seriously, this could be the best thing to happen to the SV. Proper competition will bring about a proper revision.

Factory SV750 with gsxr suspension anyone?

sign here......
NAME Quantity
haggis 1[/quote]
I'll take one of those SV750's with the gsxr suspension, please. :thumbsup:

[carlos]

not saying i would buy one on looks alone but dont think the er6 looks that bad :oops:
reminds me of a raptor with a buell exhaust thing going on.

[kwak zzr]

they got 77bhp out of there sv :D if the kwak was a v twin i would have been better.

[shutdown]

Certainly interested in seeing how Suzuki respond to the bike

[TSM]

I do beleave that it said that the rear suspention & shock was a bit simple on the ER6 compared to the SV. The front was basicly the same except the dampning was better. Not much in it.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

The SV maybe 7 years old, but it's still arguably the best budget middle weight bike, Bike mag says so :D

Hopefully the ER6 will give the SV a run for it's money, and spur some improvements.

[BillyC]

The ER6n gets an ABS option... while I don't think this would be entirely appropriate or cost effective on the SV... the SV does need to pull a trick or two from up its sleeves.

Firstly is to sort out the horrendous colour options that have been thrown at us over the past few years, and get rid of the grim black frame.

[BillyC]

Bloody hell... it's also 649cc - bigger than the SV, puting out 72.1ps and 66Nm of torque... both figures larger than the SV. However, it is 10Kg heavier.

Suzuki should be scared, this is not only in direct competition with the SV, but also the GS!

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Bloody hell... it's also 649cc - bigger than the SV, puting out 72.1ps and 66Nm of torque... both figures larger than the SV. However, it is 10Kg heavier.

Suzuki should be scared, this is not only in direct competition with the SV, but also the GS!

Do we know how much it'll cost though?

Also, bare in mind there's no faired option, and Suzuki sell far less naked SV650s.

[sv4me]

Firstly is to sort out the horrendous colour options that have been thrown at us over the past few years, and get rid of the grim black frame.

Grim? :?

I think it looks great along with the black wheels. For one it disguises the frame on the pointies which lets face it,look like a piece of box section :P (spoken like a true curvy lover \:D/ )

But I agree they should try for better colour schemes,maybe more than just one solid colour and I dont mean ripping off the GSXR paintscheme either!

I think it will unfortunately rob sales from the SV as my newly qualified mate likes it and wants one,even after me telling him its a minger from the front for the 90th time! Its got nice design touches to it though and with the engine,itll be a completely different ride. Upto people to decide if they want the v twin of the SV or not. We still love it though :love:

[Raf]

Bloody hell... it's also 649cc - bigger than the SV, puting out 72.1ps and 66Nm of torque... both figures larger than the SV. However, it is 10Kg heavier.

Suzuki should be scared, this is not only in direct competition with the SV, but also the GS!

Do we know how much it'll cost though?

Also, bare in mind there's no faired option, and Suzuki sell far less naked SV650s.

It could be argued that the SV was styled to be compromised between the faired and the non faired model. As for the ER-6n was styles from the beginning to look good (again argueable from some quarters) without a fairing.

I wouldn't be surprised if it sold quite well and made suzuki re-think the K7 remake. It's got all the signs of being a good bike in the making. I will hold final judgement until there eval models going round.

[wheelnut]

I certainly want to try one, and already think it looks better than a pointy SV, I have never liked the new fangled model which is why I bought a new K2 on an 03 plate.

I might miss my V twin but a parallel twin is still better than an IL4 :wink:

[wreckah]

i like it alot! one of the more interesting newcomers i think!

looks better than the pointy esvee's in my opinion :oops:

http://www.moto-station.com/ttesimages/motodivers/nouveautes2006/Kawasaki_ER-6N_st4pz.jpg

by the way, anybody who says a parallel twin can't sound as good as a V-twin should hear a piped yammie TRX850. They sound awesome!

[Damoulianos Marios]

The front was basicly the same except the dampning was better. Not much in it.

Hey, efficient damping is what all those expensive Ohlins forks do. Damping is VERY imprtant. I wonder how Kawasaki managed to pull this trick off. An unadjustable cartridge fork perhaps? (like Ducati's Monsters?) If this is true then it's gonna be the first time a Jap factory put something more than a totally basic fork design on a non-pure sports bike.

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

The front was basicly the same except the dampning was better. Not much in it.

Hey, efficient damping is what all those expensive Ohlins forks do. Damping is VERY imprtant. I wonder how Kawasaki managed to pull this trick off. An unadjustable cartridge fork perhaps? (like Ducati's Monsters?) If this is true then it's gonna be the first time a Jap factory put something more than a totally basic fork design on a non-pure sports bike.

They probably "pulled it off" by not fitting fork springs designed for an 8 stone rider, like on the SV :D

[instigator]

That's funny - I read the article and thought the sv got whooped. :lol: The sv engine being better but that's about it, er6 humped it.

I still think the sv wills ell better, the er6 is of course related to the er5. And the amount of folk that do training on it's stibling, the er5, they'll want something different ;)

[wheelnut]

That's funny - I read the article and thought the sv got whooped. :lol: The sv engine being better but that's about it, er6 humped it.

I still think the sv wills ell better, the er6 is of course related to the er5. And the amount of folk that do training on it's stibling, the er5, they'll want something different ;)

I think the only similarity between an ER5 and a ER6 is the letters ER and Kawaski. They probably should have called it something else, I agree.

When I read the tests it seemed as though the SV was beaten in every corner :oops:

[Stig]

I like it a lot. I think it's very smart indeed. Would have to test ride one before making up my mind though.

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

Time will tell... the bike press have a habit of jumping to conclusions (and the wrong ones at that) over new bikes. When the latest fazer came out they all applauded the revvy engine and all agreed it was better than the old fazer. Now, a few years on, they all slate the new fazer and say yamaha got it wrong...

At the end of the day they want to sell copy more than they want to give a full, unbiased view. There are plenty of bikes out there that whup the sv - on paper, on the track, on tests... but none have managed it in the real world where it matters...

[kwak zzr]

the swing arm looks pooo and those downpipes are typical rusty kawasaki. but the rest look good.
if a bikes rrp is cheap then its made on the cheap, you do well on the sv to get an alloy frame.

[21QUEST]

I must say I do like but looks like it's going to be a very expensive bike to drop let alone crash :lol: .

Cheers
Ben

[wheelnut]

I didnt ride one yesterday, but I was sat on one, it feels just about right. I will probably have a test ride when I go for another play on the Z1000. :P

Forget what I said earlier about IL4 :oops:

[Iansv]

I like it but I can't see me getting one, i'm keeping the sv when I get another bike and they're just too similar in performance...

[rictus01]

Just as a matter of interest, I was talking to Mike1234 yesterday (minitwins) and you'll see at least one pair of ER6's competing next season with decent backing, should be interesting.

On a "like/dislike" front I'd go with the former, the black with red frame does look good, by the looks of it (one down at Soho, friday before last) It'll suffer the same as the SV (poor shocks, budget finish, that sort of thing), but for the money not a bad package.


Cheers Mark.

[RandyO]

i like it alot! one of the more interesting newcomers i think!


by the way, anybody who says a parallel twin can't sound as good as a V-twin should hear a piped yammie TRX850. They sound awesome!

cause it has a 270 crank, instead of the normal crank for a parallel twin

here in the US, one of your rags "Motorcyclist" did a comparison, they are showing the kawi at a couple HP and lb/ft less than the SV. and in there opinion, the SV still comes out as top dog and is still listed as best bang for buck

[Dangle_kt]

the faired version looks ALOT better than the naked. I would consider one - but only if the price was right.

[triumph5ta]

Not really the same thing, surely the SV is sportier. Im sure the ER-6 is fine but to compare it to the SV is a bit pointless. But MCN have to fill the pages with something...
Adam.

[thor]

Here is the faired version

http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/Objects/w320h240_000003400692CBBC.jpg

[Sid Squid]

Not really the same thing, surely the SV is sportier.

What makes you think that?

[empty]

The specs of the ER6F and the SV650S are as near as makes no difference identical. The SV has clip ons and higher pegs (I think, based on sitting on one), which I like, but some people find a pain. Pity they didn't make it an option on the ER6.

I like the looks (but not of the naked), will wait a few years to see what happens and for the price to come down (and spares to become more available on ebay), then who knows?

MT

[tigersaw]

Just thought I'd bump this thread again - has anyone taken one for a test ride as yet?
Sold my SV650S last month, unfortunately far too uncomfortable. Currently doing the long journeys on a Deauville, a fine fine bike but I have to travel in disguise in case I'm spotted on a grandad bike. My G/F's 13 y/o daughter has disowned me.

Looking at maybe getting another SV, naked this time, though would have to wait for some decent colours, or maybe the ER6 naked, yellow/gold or black/gold.

[lawsoc]

Hi,
I had a curvy svs and I traded it for a er6n for 1 reason really prefer to be sat more upright as it gives much beter all round visability and greater comfort. Happy with my decision as I think its easier to ride and turn (I am a girlie) and feel more confident filtering on it. Performance wise don't think there is that much between them possibly I prefered my sv but the over positives outweigh this. It is a great FUN bike for commuting but I think for guys they will out grow the bike and want something bigger but I do think it is the best first big bike us girlies can buy low seat height and weight. Obviously the svs gave better wind protection than the the er6n is fine up to 75mph (and I have not got the fly screen on ) and to be honest I don't go over that speed.

Claire..

[Razor]

The ER6F has flat bars and a full fairing. Looks a good choice for those wanting the upright position but still decent weather protection.

There's a segment in BIKE this month about the short comings of the suspension and how to improve it on a budget...

[tigersaw]

From what I can gather, you can get some wicked sounding aftermaket mini pipes as well, getting rid of the heavy cat - but only the naked version (?).

The ABS doesnt get a lot of praise either, but the bike is cheap enough and might make a change from buying Suzuki, having bought 3 in the last few years.

[Warren]

the kwaks wavy discs give it sportier looks than the SV in my opinion, but the SV's frame looks better than the kwak,

if i had to choose between the bikes, id choose a fully faired SV, based on looks alone,

never ridden the kwak, or owned one, so cant comment on ride quality or build quality.

but to be honest, i probably wouldnt buy either :)


z750 gets my vote as the best sporty road bike ;)

[northwind]

If this is true then it's gonna be the first time a Jap factory put something more than a totally basic fork design on a non-pure sports bike.

I'm pretty sure the Hornet has non-adjustable cartridge forks...

There was one of the faired ones parked up in one of the stops at the AR... It probably felt a bit bullied, dozens of SVs all crowding around the new boy in class :) I thought it looked great, myself. If memory serves it was the bronze frame and silver plastics. I'd only seen pictures before and didn't rate it, but in the flesh it's quite tasty. Would I have bought one over the SV? Probably not- it's not really what I was after, not sporty enough in the faired model and I hate the naked's headlight bucket. But I've seen one fitted with a 636 race fairing and it was pretty fantastic.

Someone said up the thread that it could be the best thing that's happened to the SV... I totally agree. Nothing like a bit of competition to make Suzuki up their game.

[Skip]

z750 gets my vote as the best sporty road bike ;)
It got my vote too - and my wallets! :oops: :wink:

[Damoulianos Marios]

I can't swallow the looks of the ER-6. Especially the peg assembly and the underside of the tail. And the somehow cheap looking frame.... apart from that I don't think there is any real difference to both of them, I jsut believe the SV has greater scope for improvement especially in the riding position department because of:

-Easy to find aftermarket pegs, can't see how to alter the peg position with on the ER-6
-Dog-bone mod, impossible in the ER-6 because of the direct shock mount.

Plus, there are so many aftermarket products for the SV, I doubt the ER-6 will ever enjoy this variety of offers.

[Vfr400]

I can't swallow the looks of the ER-6. Especially the peg assembly and the underside of the tail. And the somehow cheap looking frame.... apart from that I don't think there is any real difference to both of them, I just believe the SV has greater scope for improvement especially in the riding position department because of:

-Easy to find aftermarket pegs, can't see how to alter the peg position with on the ER-6
-Dog-bone mod, impossible in the ER-6 because of the direct shock mount.

Plus, there are so many aftermarket products for the SV, I doubt the ER-6 will ever enjoy this variety of offers.

Things are starting to move in the racing world one is racing in the Bemsee minitwins and finishing in the top 6 or so. Fairings and bodywork is starting to appear too see here
http://www.motoforum.net/index.php?showtopic=16514
I don't suppose there was much accessory's around at the launch of the SV
IMHO the SV in both guises is much better looking.

chris

[stuartyboy]

Just thought I'd bump this thread again - has anyone taken one for a test ride as yet?

Rode both sv & er6. I'm a newbie but there was no competition IMHO. Er6 shook my fillings loose, low seat height (i'm 6,1) so didn't suit me and I didn't gel with the bike. SV - gelled straight off (despite the sore wrists).

Of the two, the sv was the only one to make me grin. Deposit down!

[DanAbnormal]

Nope, nope, nope NOPE. Rode an Er6 but was quite a bland experience after having my SV for a few months. Like it's an okay bike, nowt much wrong with it but I've fallen for the V twin and don't think I can look back. That thumpy twin with roaring acceleration! Oh yes!

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

Not rode an ER^ and never plan to - it's so ugly. If you think it's alright in the pictures, wait 'til you see one in the flesh... there's one on the way home from work and it looks like a crashed/streetfightered bike. That's crashed and streetfightered by a chav with no taste or attention to detail. The paint and wiring is awful, plastics don't work... it's just horrible. The framework looks like it's come out of a shop shelving and racking retailer.
The SV can be an aquired taste sure, but I'll often look at my SV from various angles and think it looks great. I don't think I could ever do that with the ER6. And who wants to ride a bike that looks like a bag o' ****e?

[Skip]

Having just bought a Kawasaki I have seen a few ER6s close up and I can honestly say that the faired version is a nice looking bike - the red accents on the grey model look a bit ghey but overall its a nice looking machine. The naked one however is butt ugly, I think it looks like a childs plastic trike gone wrong! :cyclopsani:

[Razor]

Exhaust location is just soo cool.

http://www.two-motoracing.it/gallery/terminale2-er6n.jpg

[Razor]

I still say the fairing and handlebar option makes it very attractive to the mature customer.

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/Kawasaki%20ER6f%2006%20%204.jpg

[Jabba]

If this is true then it's gonna be the first time a Jap factory put something more than a totally basic fork design on a non-pure sports bike.

I'm pretty sure the Hornet has non-adjustable cartridge forks...

If that mean non-adjustable USD forks then yes, the '05 and later Hornets have them. Very nice they are too :thumbsup:

They are a modified (i.e. adjustment-less) version of those from the CBR600RR

[northwind]

If that mean non-adjustable USD forks then yes, the '05 and later Hornets have them. Very nice they are too :thumbsup:


Wee bit mroe thann that, it refers to the internals more than the shape, knew they were USD but I wasn't sure what was in them :)