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.

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.

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)

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

SV vs sportier
 

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.

Re: SV vs sportier
 

Rich telling it how it is! :thumbsup:

Re: SV vs sportier
 

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.

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

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.

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