Performance and Economy

[I'm_a_Newbie]

Hi

I am relatively new to biking. Been riding a Baimo RSR125 for nearly 2 years. I am doing Direct Access in 2 weeks. I was interested in getting an SV650S as a first big bike.

I am looking for a bike that offers all round performance but must also be economical. My Baimo does 140+mpg but will only do about 65 to 70 at a push.

Can anybody give me realistic info on the SV650S i.e 0 to 60 times, top speed and mpg figures for different riding styles/speeds.

Many thanks.

[Saint Matt]

It will feel like a rocket compared to a chinese thing. 0-60 realistically 4-4.5 seconds, top speed roughly 130 real speed, anywhere between 130-145 on the clock. Expect mpg of 40-65 depending on how you ride, that's what I get, although it has been down as low as about 32 I think at one point, that was mucho caneage.

[Diveboy]

Like Matt said 0-60 4-4.5sec and around 45mpg. You do have to hammer it to get under 40mpg so getting 32mpg is very good (or bad i supose).

I know you are expecting me to say this *looks at forum name* but SV's are fantastic all round bikes. It doesn't matter if you're out for a ride out or just commuting. Besides that V Twins are just better than 4's its true (my dad said).
I head a rumor that if/when Labor win the next election they're going to ban those nasty 4 cylinder monstrosities.

Main choice is Curvy or Pointy. Personally I would go for a 99-02 model for your first bike. Maybe in red with a rear hugger around 17,000 miles and well looked after. Thinking about it, I have one just like it for sale how odd :lol: No need to ask why I'm selling it, I've bought a new SV650s :roll: :lol:

Good luck with your test I passed mine last Aug and its been smiles ever since. Anyway let us know how you get on. :thumbsup:

[sv650s_guy]

ive had mine since new and if u keep it acround 5000 rpm which is about 70 you get bot 3275-300 to a tank i dont get any where nere that for some strange reason :oops:

[rob13]

guy, you'll never get 300 miles to a tank.

your Baimo sounds frugal! 140mpg? I didnt think any bike did that. My SV gets above 50mpg at all times which imo for a bike which is quick is great.

[I'm_a_Newbie]

I did manage to get 170mpg out of it when I was running it in. I was amazed and still am. I put £10 worth of fuel in every 350 miles which lasts me about 3 weeks of commuting. Not bad for a £1300 Chinese Import that does not look too bad either. Better looking then the old Honda CG125's. Not as good on build quality though.

A test of the Honda CB125R in Motor Cycle News put the economy of this bike at just over 40mpg. Now that is bad!

[fizzwheel]

I get about 120 - 125 miles out of roughly £11, before the fuel light comes on if thats any help in comparing the two.

[jim@55]

if its economy u want ,stick with your chinese 'chow-mein 'or whatever its called.if its performance your after then economy is 2nd on the list im afraid 40ish mpg is preety good on a bike thats pretty quick (sv650).the sv does get a bit of bad press but i hadnt been on a bike for a long time and when i wound it on , :D its rather quick(**** myself really.)so a bit of a trade off is required -performance vs economy whadya want :?:

[northwind]

I used to get roughly 85 from the orrible Virago 125, and that was despite the fact that it spent half its life at absolutely full throttle in 5th gear... Poor wee thing :oops:

[thor]

If you live in the smoke, keep the 125 as a city hack, and then you can have the SV for weekends and longer trips. That's what I do anyway. The additional insurance cost is pretty low.

The SV is a great first time bike, but go for what you like. Spend time in show rooms, talk to bikers, make up your own mind. It's also worth doing some test rides, although not all dealers will let you (it's an insurance thing, as you will not have had your licence for a year yet). Some don't care at all.

As for fuel economy, I think you should consider the wider cost persective. There is no way a 600cc bike will be in the same league cost wise as a chinese 125. Then there are other things to think about:

Insurance
Finance
Gear
Any mods you fancy
Parts, servicing, oil, tyres etc
Fixing it once you fall off

It's still going to be cheaper than a lot of other transport solutions, but nothing is going to be as cheap as your 125. Having said that, relative to other big bikes the SV's low asking price makes it compare well against other sporty offerings such as GSXRs etc.

Hope that helps,

John

[Lightweight]

The trade-off for MPG and power increases greatly when you switch to an I-4. I will reliably get 53-55mpg with my SV, which is exceptional for a sport-bike. My buddies Honda cbr F4-I 600 gets about 28-31 mpg, when we are riding together, and i get 55. Go figure. (I keep up with him just fine) However, having 2 more cyl. and additional parts does take more energy to move the motor. People not familiar with bikes think they get 200+mpg--sorry. They're designed to be fun to ride. They need power to get out of the way of people trying to talk on their cell, eat breakfast, drive their SUV's, all while yelling at their children.

You'll love the SV. It's light, fast, and inexpensive. Be careful...it is considerably faster than the 125!

[I'm_a_Newbie]

From what you all have added, the SV650 does sound like the sort of bike I want. I don't want an out and out speed machine like and R6 or Gixer. From reading road tests, I knew that 4's are crap on fuel economy, especially the Honda 600's for some reason. From my mechanical background, I had already guessed that a long stroke 2 cylinder 650 would return better economy in general riding conditions than a 4 cylinder short stroke. This would be down to the more useable torque curve. This torque curve will also make it a better all round bike for every day riding and commuting. You all have helped confirm what I already thought.

I was keen on the Fazer 600 as this is also a good all round bike. I have read on more than one occassion that shorter people will struggle with the Fazer as the seat is too high. I am only 5' 8" one article quoted this as too short for the Fazer. The more I see of the SV650S, especially the fully faired versions the more I like them.

[ophic]

SV is short stroke - oversquare. It's not a cruiser engine!

[The Basket]

If economy is your thing then one of the 500cc twins will do you...low seat height too. Fast enough for a quick sprint.

My step up from a GPz500 to a SV650 is not a big one...the GPz was cheaper to run but the SV has more go and feels like a 'proper' motorcycle.

The SV is producing less power than a 600 Fazer but what power it has is lower down the rev range...making it a better cruiser. Cheaper too.

[I'm_a_Newbie]

Ok I shot from the hip a bit there. I am aware the the SV650 is a short stroke 81mm x 62.6. What I mean't was that it would be a longer stroke than a 600 4 cylinder screamer.

As most of my riding will be commuting with a few pleasure runs thrown in I believe the the torque/power band lower in the rev range will be more suitable for my needs. If I get 40 to 50 mpg I will be a happy bunny!

[ton up tony]

:lol: hi all its not about the fuel its about the riding THE BIKE AND ENJOYING IT
i go out I fill it up when the light comes on i fill up again
if you want consumption buy that new diesel bike!! LMAO
THE GRIN FACTOR OUTWEIGHS THE FUEL COSTS ANYDAY!!

[Diveboy]

Ah yes the seldom used fuel consumption equation that is 'Smiles Per Mile' :lol:

I belive its a firm favourite with RX8 owners. Normally getting 17-20mpg out of mine you needed something to balance it out. Now I go faster, get through traffic quicker, have more fun and get 40-50mpg

[I'm_a_Newbie]

I went to Portsmouth Yamaha lunchtime and had a good look round the FZ6N they had there. The reviews are right. At 5' 8" tall I can get the balls of my feet on the floor when the bike is upright but that's it. The dealer reckons the seat height is a bit lower on the old models.

Can anybody give me any idea how much lower the seat heights are on the Pointy and Curvy's compared with the current Fazer.

Many thanks.
Tim

[The Basket]

The Faired SV should be OK for your height. Seat width is also a thing...see how far your legs are spread...as it were.

Awww...the GPz500...loooooow seat height....awww...the memories.

[Diveboy]

The Faired SV should be OK for your height. Seat width is also a thing...see how far your legs are spread...as it were

You can either trim the seat down to fit better, or suzi do make a lower one i think. Sorry I'm 6'3" so never really faced the problem. :?

[Gazza77]

I only passed my test last year, and my bike is my first. Having had a ride on my Dad's Fazer (the new one) I found that the riding position was far to upright and the screen seemed to direct the airflow right around my neck (I'm 6ft). Plus as in IL4, it just doesn't sound right! :roll: :D

[The Basket]

Plus as in IL4, it just doesn't sound right! :roll: :D

8)