Why buy a larger bike

I have only gone to a 600cc IL4 so not had a litre bike, but one thing to note is that the SV is lacking in acceleration over ~70mph (I've heard tales of people being outgunned by Civic Type-R's ffs! ). A litre bike solves that problem

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Because I can and I wanted one.

Originally Posted by Steve H

Me no understand Mr H.... Fizz's reasons are quite good in my book. He didn't needed, but wanted it. He can afford it (young professional type see....) so he goes and gets it.

I don't need my 'Blade or a 270bhp Focus, but my life would be much less fulfilled without them .

[fizzwheel]

I think its because my GSXR is not a litre bike...

But I get Litre bike power ish.. with 600 handling so I get the best of both worlds

As Jelster says, two up (particularly two up with luggage) the SV650 is a bit gutless and not so hot at NSL speed overtakes.

Why buy an SV over a Deauville? The latter is comfier, more practical, less nickable, cheaper to run, fast enough for the motorway and overtakes, etc.
I suspect it's a similar set of reasons as most people buy litre bikes: 'image' of the bike, aesthetics, better performance on tap (even if for most riders, the vast majority of the time it's not needed).

On the road, you don't really need anything bigger than an SV. It's plenty fast enough for the road. However I have a bigger bike (Speed Triple 1050) as I love the looks and the flat, monster torque curve that gives great roll-on acceleration. I don't *need* it, but I *love*it.

Having said that, if I were buying a new bike now, I'd probably be looking at one of the new naked middleweights - the Street Triple 675, the Shiver or the new Hornet.

Originally Posted by muffles

I have only gone to a 600cc IL4 so not had a litre bike, but one thing to note is that the SV is lacking in acceleration over ~70mph (I've heard tales of people being outgunned by Civic Type-R's ffs! ). A litre bike solves that problem

Sv has plenty of go above 100. Ok, not supersport territory but I was being provoked by a new Type-R yesterday and could easily pull off from a rolling 105 start, with both panniers and a tailpack!
A SS bike may keep on going until 150 with guts, and admittedly I'd love one as I keep looking for 7th! But I think the SV doesn't get the acclaim it deserves. As for twice the speedlimit- I've had that (139) with a huge tailpack on and its still pulling - albeit slower than normal and nearly revving out. So I can only think we must have a lot of unfit SVs or unfit rather rotund () riders around this forum. hehe.

This is what I have noticed with alot of things, especially computers and vehicles - After a period of time the item appears to go slower ( which actually doesn't ), I have no idea why this occurs but it does.
An example of this was when I was going along the M62, I didn't get the regular buzz that I would normally get and it felt I could get off the bike and walk faster.
So why get a bigger bike?
Well for me it would have to be " getting that buzz back ", It's the only reason I can think of.

[Biker Biggles]

I got a ZX9R as it was more comfortable than the SS600s then available,with the exception of the Triumph Daytona 600,but the Kwak was £500 cheaper than the Triumph.
Power wise,I don't need it all and only rarely open it up,but it's nice to have.

Originally Posted by Jelster

Me no understand Mr H.... Fizz's reasons are quite good in my book. He didn't needed, but wanted it. He can afford it (young professional type see....) so he goes and gets it.

I don't need my 'Blade or a 270bhp Focus, but my life would be much less fulfilled without them .

Ah, modern day Britain. For fulfilment, may I suggest that you read a book or two?
For your information Jelster, my wife and I earn well over £65K between us,
but apart from this post, never really see the need to rule my life by materialistic gains.
Nouveau Riche springs to mind.
But hey, each to his own.

I'm with Wyrdness on this. I don't need my Daytona 650, in fact I don't need a bike at all. But I like the design, I like the road presence, I like the power band, and I like the fact that it's British.