650 v 1000

[kwak zzr]

the 650 scores higher than the 1000 again in mcn, why is this? every mag i read the 650 rates higher :? makes me not want to change the bike when i see things like that.

[jonboy]

No idea, the press can often be strange and also completely reverse their opinions for the same bike six months later.

Try one, personally I loved the SV1000.


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[mattSV]

kwakzzr wrote:-

the 650 scores higher than the 1000 again in mcn, why is this?

because MCN is ****, that is why.

I had four years on a curvy 650 with twin hilevel renagades and airbox modes, and then went to a SV1000 2 years ago - would I go back to a 650? - no friggin way (unless my licence was at risk :wink:)

[Jase22]

Couple of reasons could be:

Possibly because the 650's power is more usable? Possibly because there's not many "normal" riders that could faesibly handle the 1000's power without getting themself into bother?

It does seem make sense when you look at it like that.

[goonrider]

Probably that they are rating the 1000 against the litre competition & the 650 against it rivals rather than each other.

Independently the 1000 is still a top rated bike though, not ridden it myself but would expect buckets more torque through the range, but maybe not quite as nimble??.

Have to book a sneaky test ride

[kwak zzr]

No idea, the press can often be strange and also completely reverse their opinions for the same bike six months later.

Try one, personally I loved the SV1000.


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i have rode a sv1000sk3 and to be honest i could'nt tell much diff compared to my 650sk3 but i didnt get chance to take it on to motorways and fast A roads, personaly i cant see me wanting to exceed 130mph anymore anyway.

[Sid Squid]

i have rode a sv1000sk3 and to be honest i could'nt tell much diff

:-s

When you say 'rode' did you mean sat on? There's an enormous difference, they're not the same bike at all.

Also the performance difference between a 650 and a 1000 isn't that the larger one works just like the smaller but carries on accelerating at 120+, there's more performance everywhere, and the larger one is way easier to ride at day to day speeds too.

[Jelster]

Maybe the 650 gets a better score because of its value for money compared to the 1000 ? (I know the SV1K is also a god price). What I don't understand, is that the price hike isn't just about engine size, the 1000 gets much better suspension and better brakes (I think) so surely that should reflect in the VFM stakes. Or possibly MCN like to be seen as having their fingers on the pulse of the bike industry, and the sales figures influence their ratings.

Apart from the Firestorm, what else is a real competitor these days ? The Falco is no longer imported (and although it is much more comfortable, the reliability's poor), Ducati don't really have anything as the Multistrada is a different beast, and the ST3 is a true "sports tourer".

So, other than the Fiestorm, which is long past it's sell by date, what other 1000cc Vee Twin semi or fully faired bike is there (that isn't an out an out sportsbike). The naked would have a it more competition, but as that's no longer available in the UK, it's a lot of hassle to get one (new).

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[mattSV]

Jelster wrote:-

better brakes (I think)

Yep - the SV1000 brakes are from the old gixxer 750 8)

[kwak zzr]

[quote=kwak zzr]i have rode a sv1000sk3 and to be honest i could'nt tell much diff

:-s

When you say 'rode' did you mean sat on? There's an enormous difference, they're not the same bike at all.

Mr squid i rode one for about an hour on a ride out we had, if anything i would have said that the 650 was a tad more fickable, i would have like'd to get it on some faster roads tho.

[DanAbnormal]

I rode the K5 SV1000 but didn't think much of it to be honest. Sure it's got a higher top end but that's not important. Plus the difference in insurance/ecomomy meant that the 650 was the winner for me. Plus the 650 is lighter and in my opinion handles a little better. I think MCN have rated the bikes against each other rather than against anything else out there so my guess is that the 650 is the best option as it does everything the 1000 does but slightly slower but a hell of a lot cheaper. Just my thoughts.

[mattSV]

sv-dan wrote:-

Plus the 650 is lighter and in my opinion handles a little better

For me, the SV1000s handles better in the corners due to the extra weight, and better suspension. I agree that it is however a bit harder to get it to change direction in the first place.

It is not just a case of more top end speed either, it has a lot more 'grunt' in any gear, at any revs. When the pace is upped a bit, I find it easier on the 1000 as you do not have to work so hard - on the 650, if I was riding with guys on SS600s it was hard work, with the 1000 it will stay with them all the way.

They are both great bikes, however to me the 1000 is a very different beast to the 650.

[jonboy]

Plus the 650 is lighter and in my opinion handles a little better.

I genuinely fail to see how anyone could say that. The SV1000 out-classes the 650 all over, the handling being in a different league. Yes it's slighly heavier, but not by that much, but it makes it far more stable and easier to ride. And the brakes... wow!


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[kwak zzr]

there was a guy in here who owned both and he said "the thou is a better bike but if you upgrade from a 650 dont expect a massive diff to justify the cost"

[mattSV]

kwakzzr wrote:-

there was a guy in here who owned both and he said "the thou is a better bike but if you upgrade from a 650 dont expect a massive diff to justify the cost"


:? :? :? :?

Err, I had a 650 for 4 years, and have had a 1000 for 2 years so I think I am qualified to have a different opinion :wink:

The real world price difference is only around £1000 I think (George White are advertising SV1000 for £4?99 at the moment). To me there are differences between the two machines, in terms of braking, acceleration, top end, sound, ride quality, handling etc. Are the differences "massive" - dunno, that is subjective. Is the overall difference worth £1000 - to me it definitely was.

If I had tried an SV1000 when I first had a SV650, I probably would not have been able to appreceiate the differences. I think to appreciate the differences between the two machines, you do need to be 'an experienced rider' on the right roads - i.e. you need to have the confidence in your riding and the road/conditions to be able to experience and exploit the differences between the two machines - having said that, I bought each machine without actually having test ridden either of them :shock: :lol:

[jonboy]

Sid Squid owned both and he'll tell you quite different. I only rode the SV1000 for about 30 mins but it was more than enough for me to never want to get off - still everyone's entitled to their own opinion ;).


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[kwak zzr]

you've inspired me to get another test ride on one, i'll have it for longer this time and use it more. :wink: