SV1000S or SV650S?

Hi, the age old question:
what do I go for?

I'm 32, passed my DA about a year ago, bought an old Bandit 600 and used to ride a H-D XR1200X most of the time to and from work due to working at a H-D dealership.

Always loved V-Twins, loved riding the 1200 a/c, always fancied an SV.

I've come to a dilemma, my head is telling me to go for a 1000 but my heart is telling me i've only been riding a year and maybe a 1000 is a bit cheekie, i feel i can grow into the 1000, whereas if i go for a 650 I feel i'll get bored PDQ.

So frustrated.

No dealerships locally do test rides and quite frankly want you to buy blind which I find weird.

I guess long story short I need some good honest advice from the riders,

Please help.

Cheers,

Bob

[dizzyblonde]

I've never ridden the 1000, so I can't give you an opinion on that. However as you've ridden a larger capacity bike........
I've had two SV650s, one was sold this year, but the other has been my steed for several years.
I've been riding around on a VRap 1000 since October, and only recently started riding the 650 again, after putting the Rap on SORN.


I hate to say it, but the SV feels gutless, and I feel like I need to rag the nuts off it to get it to do anything the VRap does comfortably.....if that makes sense.

Don't get me wrong, the SV is bags of fun......but the shine has gone since I went and gots me a litre bike. Only downside is the damn thirst for petrol!!!!
Personally I'd say you might be more suited to the SV1000 having experienced larger capacity bikes.

PS welcome aboard from a fellow West Yorkshire person

[Sid Squid]

They're both great, buy the one that suits your pocket, bearing in mind the purchase price isn't the full story, the bigger one will cost more to run, of course how much more depends on the sort of riding you'll be doing.

Having owned both I can say for certain the 1000 is better in many respects; suspension, brakes and more go obviously, but the 650 is a great bike and definately not a disappointment alongside its big brother. If its going to be your commuter, I'd say the 650 would likely be a better choice, simply in terms of cost of ownership.

what sid said and welcome to the forum

having had both.. the thou any day - although it is rather thirsty as a commuter. i agree with what been said with u having been on larger bikes the 650 may be a disappointment and if i can handle the thou, should be a doddle for u

Hi, thanks, it's nice to be back, potentially back, on two wheels.

It'd be mainly for a bit of commuting and a bit of easy sunday riding, no long distance, no motorway where possible, just a bit of fun really.

I'm a fair-weather rider unfortunately, I do however feel, even compared to the Bandit 6 the SV650 is a little, let's say 'diet' coke...if you know what i mean?

I've ridden a s4 duc 916 l/c which was fun, just not interested in in-line 4's/3's i find they don't have much soul.

I guess logic points at the 1000, i'm sure it'd be great but as you can appreciate, sports style bikes are all new to me and sub-conscious is telling me to walk before i can run, but unfortunately my budget can't have both.

Insurance isn't an issue and fuel is mandatory, wel...they both are, I suppose it's just finding one to test ride???

Thanks guys!

Are there any good tweaks to get more out of a 650 if needed? I've seen and test riden a beauty 650 with a custom underseat exhaust that i have my heart set on and can visualise being great for a year or two, stage 1??

owned both and covered 10,000 miles on each.

sv1000, eats 33% more petrol and eats tyres a lot faster, but you tend to get more bike for your you money when you buy the sv1000.

sv1000 is no good for small low speed road or commuting, so bare that in mind.

[Balky001]

Hi Bob

Been a while since I rode the 650 but the XR1200 you are used to probably isn't quicker than the 650. I've got the XL1200 and it's pretty lazy. You have a much wider rev range on the Suzuki and I don't think you'll get bored if your used to the HD. That said, the 1000 will be closer to the style of riding. Can't you look for some for sale locally at small dealership/private and get a test ride?

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by Yorkshire Bob

Are there any good tweaks to get more out of a 650 if needed? I've seen and test riden a beauty 650 with a custom underseat exhaust that i have my heart set on and can visualise being great for a year or two, stage 1??

Not really, nowt that would be comparable to a 1000, if thats what you were wondering. Everyone and anyone can customise a 650 its easy to do, but with little as far as power is concerned imo. I've got funny insides on mine, but it don't do too much for power gain....you'd have to do far funnier stuff to the engine for that sort of thing........and it can be expensive.

Originally Posted by Balky001

Hi Bob

That said, the 1000 will be closer to the style of riding.

The SV1000 maybe a little lazy, but its no HD as far as style of riding is concerned

Hi,

The XR1200X we had was a full race replica that pulled about 120bhp, it wasn't fast it was just fun, the torque was endless.

They got critacised so much but i thought they were great, the XL1200L will only be around 62-69bhp depending if it's been fully Stage oned. The XR1200X is the same lump that Eric Buell used up untill the 1125cr/r, i think you maybe think ing of the XR1200, now that is pants with a capital 'P'

I'll keep a weather eye on the horizon for potential test rides though, no try...no buy.

Thanks all!