Thinking of getting an sv...
 

Hey all, new to the site although I've been doing a lot of reading around here. I'm american though so you'll have to excuse me if I complain about paying $1.90/gal for gas... :)

Anyway I'm thinking about getting an sv650s sometime probably next summer. Last summer I had a honda cbr 600rr. absolutely crazy bike.. and too much for my first one (found out the hard way). So yeah I've been thinking about starting all over, and the sv seems like a good one to start with.

A few things that I like about it are, (and correct me if I'm wrong please):
I would like to try a v-twin because they sound great, are supposedly smoother than an i-4 and most of all because of the torque. On the 600rr the engine was dead below 5000 rpms.. but then between 10-15k it was the most ridiculous thing i've ever felt.. but you redline first gear and you're speeding even on the interstate! That gets frustrating driving around town. Seems like the sv would be better around town and just as good for mountain riding, which is what I enjoy.

Will I be dissapointed by the suspension? I'm faily light (150-160lbs). How about the stability in turns.. agility, things like that? Oh and also.. I've heard people complaining about the engine braking. Why wouldn't this be seen as an advantage. I think letting the bike engine brake is a more safe and natural way of slowing down.. maybe it's just me.

I'm thinking of getting a 2003 650s because I like the look and the fuel injection. Is there anything I should know first? What price should I expect to find one for? (american dollars please :))

Alright sorry for the book

V-twins are not as a rule 'smoother' than a four cylinder, in fact most commonly the reverse is true, most people however, consider this a positive thing, by which I mean the nature of a V-twin is to have a certain feel, variously described as 'lumpy' 'throbby' or sometimes 'vibratory' (not everyone likes it), there are many other words used, but as concepts of 'feel' are apt to be, it is rather a personal description, in short, try one, you'll very likely soon know if you like it or not.
The torque thing, it's a common misconception that fours make less torque, but in this circumstance, going the other way to a V-twin, you'll likely feel that it pulls from very low down the rev-range, (your Honda did too, but as it pulled so much harder higher up, it felt comparatively lacking low down), for any given engine speed, twins have fewer, larger, power pulses, each of which more discernable to the rider, giving the impression that they are overall larger.
The SV is good about town, (aren't all motorcycles?), if you will spend a significant amount of time urban riding, consider the unfaired SV, it really is easier in traffic.
The SV is never going to rival your Honda for suspension quality, but that doesn't really matter, everything about the SV 'hangs together' well, many people have changed the front fork springs for stiffer ones, or perhaps fitted a GSXR shock at the back, but just as many have found they don't consider the suspension any sort of a hindrance, SVs handle great :D .
Most people consider the engine braking a good thing, but it's true many have said that it's taken them a while to get used to it, go easy, you'll find it an endearing characteristic of bigger pistons.

Sid Squid wrote Engine BREAKING - not a good thing :cry:

Engine BRAKING - is a good thing :D

Oooooopppsss :oops:

Grammatical error fixed. :lol:

Nothing to do with grammar, just speeling. :P