Not sure whether to get 99-02 or 03-06 generation model?
 

Hi,

Is there THAT much of a difference between the first and second generation models of the sv650? the reason i'm asking is being i'm upgrading from a GS500 and buying an SV soon. I really don't like the styling (especially the headlights) on the 2nd generation svs. I prefer the 1st gen in almost everyway. So what are the reasons the new sv is better than the old. Is having fuel injection that much better than carbs?

Go for the Curvy model, Those pointy things don't compare.
The fuel Injection is very basic and offers no advantage to the carbs.

Actually thats not quite correct. If you ride in winter the Fuel Injected bikes have one big advantage. They dont suffer from carb icing in cold weather.

Never suffered from carb icing on the sv anyway. :? Not one problem with mine last winter unlike the zx-6r I had which was unusable due to carb icing.

Go for the one you think look the best. Curvies are great, I know for a fact. But so are pointy one's I'm sure. I'd say go for the cheapest but that's just me.

If you prefer the Curvy then get one. There is very little difference between the two in terms of performance, both power and handling wise.

I personally went for the Pointy as I thought it was the better looking of two.

In all truth, I think that everyone on this forum would agree that you will not regret getting the SV, what ever flavour. :lol:

pointy! pointy! pointy! pointy! :roll:

Get the one you like the look of... The overall spec is much the same, build quality's comparable (I think the paint's better on the old ones, it's a bit soft on the new ones), even the prices are fairly similiar when you compare like with like, ie good condtion K2 with K3. The injected one makes marginally more power, but not so's you'd notice. Carb icing can make a difference, but I commute on my curvy (and not just that, but tuned curvy with foam filter, recipe for carb icing that) all year in Scotland, probably about 3 months a year in perfect carb icing conditions- bit of Silkoline FST Pro and it's fine. Does up the running costs though.

Curvy ones have the nicer frame, injected ones have the brake lights ;)

Get a curvy and update the brake lights. :D

Personally I think the cuvy just looks too dated and the frame looks weak. But that's just my opinion, I'm from the generation where if it isn't new it sucks.

Get what you can afford, same flavour, different packaging. (Or something)

Unless you have a preference, and that you're asking suggests you don't, buy the best one you can find for the money you've want to spend.
The riding experience is so similar that you'll not really find any advantage in one over the other in that respect, obviously the pointies will be later and therefore there's a slightly better chance of finding a neater, lower mileage bike, but both have sold in sizeable numbers so there's plenty of bikes to choose from, and there's no shortage of tidy curvies about.