SV400 Opinions?

Isn't it the same ride height as the 650?

[Sid Squid]

SV400 same chassis/seat height dimensions as 650.

Nothing wrong with an SV400, just don't pay 650 money for one. A 400 may be harder to sell on then an equivalent condition/mileage 650 as well, and almost certainly for less money too.

Also possibly dearer to insure as not an officially imported UK bike.

Originally Posted by SVnick

Seing as the SV400 that seems to be offending people is mine, i'll give my point of view.

For starters the reason i advertised it as "very rare" is because .... well it is very rare, im not saying saying that makes it more valueable or better just thats there's not many about, and its certainly worth more than chucking off a cliff!
As for size i cant comment as iv not ridden a SV650 but i am only 5'8 so am on the shorter side but i can sit flat footed all the time and its nice and light.
Insurance was not any less for me than the 650, and parts are available from weemoto.
The main reason i bought the 400 was because it was local at the time i was looking to buy a bike and it was in such good condition that it was ideal for my first bike, and i have been very impressed with it.
Iam going to agree with others though that maybe the 650 is probably a better option for most if they are the same size etc as they are more widely available, but for me the 400 was perfect.
Hope this helps

@ SV Nick, apologies it appears my thread has been hijacked by people slagging off your Bike. Personally I wounld have been very interested in the 400 as a first bike, as it turned out I got the 650 and found that to be fine despite reading a lot from people warning against getting anything more powerfull than a CB125.

My reason for the post was to find out some more info /opinions about the 400, other than perhaps parts beeing harder to get hold of it sounds like, at the right price, it could be a good choice for my frind who is looking to upgrade from his Aprilia 125 2 stroke on passing his test. I'll have a wrod with him and see what he thinks.

Cant see any problem with owning a 400cc bike, owned a 400 import bandit for a while, and seeing as Id been on ...........cough cough..... vespa`s for a few years, it was more than fast enough, theres more to life than riding about flat out everywhere.

If he does want either one lowered a little then, my minitwin used to be the other halfs bike and was 4'11". Now I've still got a lowered seat that he could buy off me, also if that's still not enough I've got lowering dogbones to lower the back end (ill throw Then just lower the front to match

Effing phone please add to the "(I'll throw" this bit "the shorter side stand in as well)". Personally I'd just go for the seat as then the geometry is still the same.

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by Rowan207

@ SV Nick, apologies it appears my thread has been hijacked by people slagging off your Bike.

That's rather unfair, mostly - mine included - the views given have been quite balanced about the SV400. It is dimensionally the same as the Curvy 650, so does not have an advantage if a physically smaller bike/lower seat is desired, but in all other respects is a lesser bike, those are not a matter of opinion good, bad or indifferent, they're simple fact.
None of the above counts one jot against an SV400 - if the price is commensurate with understanding the limitations of the machine.

If such a machine were required, I'd happily ride an SV400 but, as I stated quite fairly above, I wouldn't buy one for the cost of an SV650, as it has no advantage and some clear disadvantages.

That's not slagging it off by any means.

[yorkie_chris]

What are they like on economy?

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

That's rather unfair, mostly - mine included - the views given have been quite balanced about the SV400. It is dimensionally the same as the Curvy 650, so does not have an advantage if a physically smaller bike/lower seat is desired, but in all other respects is a lesser bike, those are not a matter of opinion good, bad or indifferent, they're simple fact.
None of the above counts one jot against an SV400 - if the price is commensurate with understanding the limitations of the machine.

If such a machine were required, I'd happily ride an SV400 but, as I stated quite fairly above, I wouldn't buy one for the cost of an SV650, as it has no advantage and some clear disadvantages.

That's not slagging it off by any means.

@ Sid, I was refering to some earlier posts, "throw it off a cliff" for example, thanks for the info.