Power vs. weight

[the_lone_wolf]

So last night i took the SV out after not riding it for a while in favour of the KTM, and i was a little shocked by how it felt to ride...

Basically, the throttle that once felt like it was connected via a steel cable to how quick you wanted to go now feels like it's connected by one of those wool sweaters your nan used to knit you, and a few elastic bands

now that's no bad thing, the throttle on the KTM could best be described as "enthusiastic" and at worst "impossible" due to the on off nature, but now i've tuned into riding it, the SV actually feels slow, not just to pickup but also throughout the rev range waiting for the power to kick in whereas the KTM just kicks you in the balls the instant you open the throttle and takes off

so, now i'm confused, i thought the SV vs KTM thing would boil down to the same old "depends on how fast you're going" rule of who's faster, but it doesn't seem to matter if i'm doing 20 or 80, pin the throttle and the SV feels a bit, well, limp. i'm sure it's going quicker but it doesn't feel that way at all

so, as a mature adult i reckon this needs to be settled in the adult way of "traffic light gp" top trumps once i find a mate to ride the SV for me, finding a long empty stretch of road with no junctions isn't a problem...

Contender #1: Suzuki SV650S
~72bhp
~180kg kerb weight (ish)
Full fairing

Contender #2: KTM 560SMR
~60bhp
~110kg kerb weight
Aerodynamics of riding a bicycle
Close ratio gearbox

Place bets now

[yorkie_chris]

You worked out the power to weight ratios?

As for the power, I would guess that the way the KTM power arrives makes it feel like it's got a whole lot more. Also has the KTM got a quick action throttle making it easier to get onto full bore?

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

You worked out the power to weight ratios?

yes, but the aerodynamics of the KTM are crap, which i thought would make the SV more of a contender at higher speeds

As for the power, I would guess that the way the KTM power arrives makes it feel like it's got a whole lot more. Also has the KTM got a quick action throttle making it easier to get onto full bore?

no quick action throttle but it has the FCR-MX carb with the throttle pump, if you open the throttle quickly it just throws fuel straight into the engine bypassing the butterfly / slide / jets completely

the two bikes have similar throttle throws

[yorkie_chris]

So it's like a Cv carb but with an accelerator pump too?

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

So it's like a Cv carb but with an accelerator pump too?

essentially yes, iirc it's a "flatside" carb if that makes a difference, i remember back on thumpertalk the best upgrade you could make was hoiking out the 36mm mikuni CV carb and replacing it with a 39mm FCR - the one on the KTM is the 41mm version

I'll ride the SV

whats more

I'll ride My sv (no topbox)

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

I'll ride the SV

whats more

I'll ride My sv (no topbox)

how much do you weigh? i'm about 11st - if you're similar and game for a laugh then why not have a weekend on the island?

The KTM obviously has a good 30 or so more bhp/tonne with an 80Kg rider aboard. So to 60 it will most certainly have a significant edge, and give sharper throttle response at lower speeds, although I bet the close stacked gears contribute to that too.
The SV probably won't have any edge till you're at 80mph plus.

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

how much do you weigh? i'm about 11st - if you're similar and game for a laugh then why not have a weekend on the island?

9 st

maybe I should have the topbox on with 10kg...

It'd be cool to do it, but I dont knwo when I'll have time until...i dunno, easter

aerodynamics wont really come into action untill your doing faster speeds in terms of these two bikes. i would pop over to the little island this weekend but its not exactly cheap just popping over there!! im only in bournemouth so its only down the road to lymington