First bike, 650 vs 650S?

[fndngemo]

I'm getting ready to buy my very first motorcycle, and have narrowed it down to either an SV650 or SV650S. From looking at pictures I can see what the difference is in terms of looks, my question is what the differences are in terms of riding and performance. Which would you guys recommend?

[Law]

Go to your dealer and take a test ride, The S has a more sporty riding position due to clip-ons and pegs, has more wind protection due to the fairing. The naked I think has one less tooth for better acceleration. wider handlebars for leverage.

[lukemillar]

I'm getting ready to buy my very first motorcycle, and have narrowed it down to either an SV650 or SV650S. From looking at pictures I can see what the difference is in terms of looks, my question is what the differences are in terms of riding and performance. Which would you guys recommend?

S model has clip-on handlebars and a more focused riding position than the naked. I'd imagine this might make the naked more comfortable to ride on longer journeys, and possibly a little more manouverable around town (I've never ridden one so I don't really know). However on motorway blasts, you get better wind protection from the fairing.

My advice - buy whichever one you prefer the look of. :D

[embee]

If it's your first, definitely go with the naked. The sit up and beg riding position is going to be a whole lot easier and it'll enable you to build confidence.

The "S" riding position isn't the easiest to start off with, the extra weight on your wrists/arms, neck bent back, more difficult to look over your shoulder etc.

I've been riding bikes for 34 yrs and currently use a K1 SVS and a Honda Deauville mainly. The Deauville is way way easier to ride.

[Demonz]

I'd say take them both for a ride and see what you feel best on. I went for the S because i it looked racier which for me = cool. If I lived in the city though i think i would go with the 650 now for pure ease of riding... You sit higher so you can see more and its easier to steer/control. So think of your own needs but most end up on an S.

[Demonz]

:lol: well thats pretty definative!

[Law]

S is more popular so you could get a better deal haggling on a naked at a dealer. Assuming you are looking at a new one.

[Professor]

I'm getting ready to buy my very first motorcycle, and have narrowed it down to either an SV650 or SV650S. From looking at pictures I can see what the difference is in terms of looks, my question is what the differences are in terms of riding and performance. Which would you guys recommend?

S model has clip-on handlebars and a more focused riding position than the naked. I'd imagine this might make the naked more comfortable to ride on longer journeys, and possibly a little more manouverable around town (I've never ridden one so I don't really know). However on motorway blasts, you get better wind protection from the fairing.

My advice - buy whichever one you prefer the look of. :D

My S is my first (and only) bike. I found it to be OK. The good thing is the wind
protection, the bad thing is the stress on the back. If you think your back can take
it go for the S.

I am now 50 but in due course (when I am 60?) I will probably get a bike with
a more upright riding position.

[fndngemo]

Haven't decided whether to buy new or used. Kinda depends on what's available in my area I suppose. Another thing I should probably consider is that I'm fairly tall, coming in at about 6'3"-4" depending on which convenience store I'm leaving. Do either of the bikes cater more towards taller riders?

Also, since this is going to be my first bike, it will mostly be used on the weekends out in the country away from traffic.

[Professor]

Haven't decided whether to buy new or used. Kinda depends on what's available in my area I suppose. Another thing I should probably consider is that I'm fairly tall, coming in at about 6'3"-4" depending on which convenience store I'm leaving. Do either of the bikes cater more towards taller riders?

Also, since this is going to be my first bike, it will mostly be used on the weekends out in the country away from traffic.

No point buying secondhand at a time when there are good offers on
new SV's. Check out, for example http://www.fowlers.co.uk/ They
offer SV650SK6's for £3999 and SV650K6's for £3799, both with £1
deposit and 0% finance.

And if you plan to ride mostly in the countryside you should definitely go for the S.

[fndngemo]

Another thing I should note is that due to my height I've been known to have some lower back pain on occasion. It mainly happens when I've been bending over at the waist for a long period of time and then try and stand straight. I don't have any experience riding a motorcycle so I don't know if it would cause problems or not.

[thegibdog]

I don't think either bike particularly caters for tall riders, but the naked will put less strain on your back becasue of the more upright seating position. But then if you're going to use it on weekends away from traffic the s will be better suited. Personally I would (and did) go for the naked mainly on looks. Plus it'll be cheaper to buy and possibly to insure.

[Jools'SV Now]

Also remember that a replacement fairing for the S is £178 should you have a little 'off'

....and the bracket is another £100 if that gets bent :oops:

....so the repair bill would be lower for the naked one.

Also as you haven't ridden before - good luck getting a test ride - some dealers won't let you unless you're experienced, as ridiculous as this is, it happens.

If you do high speed riding (motorways or 75mph plus) faired would be better.

Not much speedy stuff, go naked.

[fndngemo]

A buddy of mine has a '01 Triumph TT600, and that will most likely be the bike I will being doing my learning on. Right now I'm kinda leaning towards the naked, both for the more upright riding position and also because it just looks different from most bikes I've seen.

[Anonymous]

my ex hubby was (well still is) 6 ft 3 and he rode my svs occassionally. looked tiny when he was on it.

whatever one you choose i hope you have many happy miles riding

[cyphertheory]

Im 6' 5" and i find the sv650s fine to ride, can get a little sore on the wrists but im sure others find the same problem, lowering the clutch and from brake helps relive this a bit

on second thinkng i should have gone for a naked, but i love the looks of the S!

[kciN]

Go to your dealer and take a test ride, The S has a more sporty riding position due to clip-ons and pegs, has more wind protection due to the fairing. The naked I think has one less tooth for better acceleration. wider handlebars for leverage.
Thought it was one tooth more on the naked?

I'm 6' 2" and have no problem with the 'S'. IN fact I tend to push my 'rear' into back seat as I feel more comfortable.

How tall are you mate? I sat on a pointy naked (ooeerr)! and it didn't feel as great as I thought.

Try them both. Have a good sit and feel before you try....

[Law]

The naked I think has one less tooth for better acceleration.
Thought it was one tooth more on the naked?


I dunno how gear cogs work! All I remember is the naked is reported to have slightly better acceleration and a slightly lower top speed. I am most possibly wrong.

[jambo]

The Neked has a couple of teeth more on the rear sprocket to gear down the final drive, better acceleration, lower top speed, neither by a huge ammount, and you can always fit a bigger rear sprocket to an "S", footpegs are slightly lower on the Nekkids, and the bars are 1 piece rather than clip ons. Interchanging parts between the 2 to get a mix you want isn't that tough as all major components are the same IIRC.

Try both, see what you prefer :wink: you can argue the point till you're blue in the face as it's all personal preferance and subjective anyway as they're essentially the same machine 8)

[muddycoffee]

If you are tall you might be more comfortable on a naked. I am 6'2" and the naked is ok for me, I would be a little cramped on an S.

When I have had bikes in the past with a more aggressive riding position I have found that I get a sore back, neck and forearms. Don't forget that these bikes were designed by japanese and they tend to be much smaller than Britons on average.

The addition of a flyscreen makes the Naked very comfortable at high speeds. I have a marvellous Givi which I cannot praise highly enough, it is rock solid and made the bike much more rideable, before I had it I daren't go on motorways because It was like having my head ripped off and the noise was torture. I think the Screen was only about £40 from a main dealer. I was very fussy and I thought that the fabbri ones looked flimsy and cheap.

[MGYoung]

In terms of looks the naked looks best IMO although I'm sure that the majority will disagree.

Best of luck.

Martin.

[Bevesocth]

I also think the naked is by far the pertyer bike, and at more than 6 feet you might not get all that much advantage from the screen on the S, so maybe that's not much of a point. A test drive might be a good idea, but personally, I bought my nekkid '04 sv650 purely on looks, and I'm very very happy with it :)

also, my nekkid wheelies in the two lowest gears (with some inspired driving,) and that might be harder on the 's if what they say about gearing is true ;)

/beve out

[Law]

also, my nekkid wheelies in the two lowest gears (with some inspired driving,) and that might be harder on the 's if what they say about gearing is true ;)

/beve out

It'll also be harder on the S cos you'll be placing your weight over the front due to the clip ons.

[Toypop]

I wouldn't touch a naked as I can't stand the wind blast. Spent too many years putting up with that and will never go back.

The S riding position feels very extreme if you are used to nakeds but once you get used to it and/or ride something with a proper extreme position you realise that it is actually quite comfortable. It does hurt a bit at first but you build up to it.

The S for me did feel over geared for performance but was a good cruiser. Doesn't wheelie that easily so good for a beginner.

[muddycoffee]

I wouldn't touch a naked as I can't stand the wind blast. Spent too many years putting up with that and will never go back.
As I said earlier, you get no wind blast with a flyscreen. And at 6'3" he's going to be much more comfy on a naked.