CBR600RR whilst SV in for service, should I change?

Originally Posted by northwind

For me, the big reason is that learning on a great bike has 2 specific advantages. One is that you can let the bike do the work, like I said earlier in the thread- you learn things on a slow bike that you'll probably never bother to learn on a fast one. Why conserve an extra 10mph through a corner when you can go from 40 to 50 in well under a second? It can encourage laziness and bad habits, and can take away some of the impetus to improve.

I wouldn't say that a newish rider shouldn't have a SS600, but i definitely agree with Northy on this point, and they also need to have a certain amount of respect for the bike and acceptance of their own relatively limited experience.

Originally Posted by nick_1871

The RR gives confidence as it's so planted on the road when riding

Important to be aware that there is a down side to the increased confidence that you have via the improved braking/handling. In particular, it simply doesn't feel like you're going as fast as if you were riding the SV at the same speed, so you tend to find that you're riding faster. This is not necessarily a problem, until you have to try and stop urgently, at which point you become a lot more aware of how fast you're going!

It's essentially a case of being aware that this extra speed can get you into the kinds of trouble that no amount of improved braking/handling can get you out of, and IMO a more experienced rider is better able to deal with these situations.

Haha that was a cunning and cheeky move by the dealer! There was no way you would have come back without wanting to do a permanent swap!

Don't listen to the SS600 owners that warn against it. People always get a bit upset when newbies/inexperienced riders go out and buy the same bikes that they own. Especially if they like to big up their bikes and make out that they are dangerous in order to boost their ego's and image.

SS600's in general make great learner bikes as they are so docile, the RR is supposed to be the softest of the lot in the lower and mid range, they look the dogs b*llocks and corrosion resistance is excellent.

Just thought i'd say.

I've got an SV and a CBR 600 RR, the RR is a very useable bike, i rode one at donnington park and thats what swung it for me, as with most hondas they have the attitude of. Yes sir i can sort that for you, just sit there and i'll do all the work for you.

Cracking bike, best colour is black and silver

[northwind]

Originally Posted by Toypop

There was no way you would have come back without wanting to do a permanent swap!

Rubbish. Fair enough, you wanted to make that step but not erverybody does, I've test ridden everything from VFR400s to Busas and it's the SV I come back to. These bikes may be better, but that doesn't make them better

Originally Posted by Pete1987

Yes sir i can sort that for you, just sit there and i'll do all the work for you.

That's why I have an SV not a CBR, if that's what I wanted I'd go pillion

I think the thread is running off the topic slightly which is not a bad thing, but a couple of things to mention which were already hit upon.

CBR600RR Yes the brakes and suspension are far superior to the SV

SV650, 1000. V Twin with massive low down grunt and engine braking compared to an IL4. You can come a cropper with this also if the surface is slaipe

I reckon the first quick ride on an SV was helped by the fact that you could shut the throttle and hey, it slows down.

Now the bloke on the new RR is coming up to a bend and shuts off before it, nothing happens, panic, grab a handful of right hand levers.

My point is that its a different animal.

Hope you make the right choice. I wish it was my dilemma

Originally Posted by northwind

Rubbish. Fair enough, you wanted to make that step but not erverybody does, I've test ridden everything from VFR400s to Busas and it's the SV I come back to. These bikes may be better, but that doesn't make them better

totally agree with this statement.

Originally Posted by northwind

Rubbish. Fair enough, you wanted to make that step but not erverybody does, I've test ridden everything from VFR400s to Busas and it's the SV I come back to. These bikes may be better, but that doesn't make them better

Absolutely. I had an ageing GS500 for the weekend while my gixxer was in for a service. Now I'm glad I have my bike back, because it suits what I want to do with my riding at the moment, but the GS was remarkably comfortable and relaxing to ride, and it certainly has its place as an all-rounder. I even caught myself contemplating one for chilled out touring/winter use. Getting back on my bike it's cramped, feels stiff as a board, I can't see as well (either forwards or backwards), and it's more hectic to ride, so it's worth remembering that there are down sides to these 'better' bikes.

Now much as I love my gixxer, I'm looking to do more long distance touring in future and at some point may well change back to an SV as a single bike to do everything. It's all about having the right bike for you and the riding you do...

Originally Posted by wheelnut

I think the thread is running off the topic slightly which is not a bad thing, but a couple of things to mention which were already hit upon.

CBR600RR Yes the brakes and suspension are far superior to the SV

SV650, 1000. V Twin with massive low down grunt and engine braking compared to an IL4. You can come a cropper with this also if the surface is slaipe

I reckon the first quick ride on an SV was helped by the fact that you could shut the throttle and hey, it slows down.

Now the bloke on the new RR is coming up to a bend and shuts off before it, nothing happens, panic, grab a handful of right hand levers.

My point is that its a different animal.

Hope you make the right choice. I wish it was my dilemma

This is the point where you brake..! The RR does have engine braking but not like the SV which is fierce, the RR isn't.. Makes the RR easier for newbies in my book...

To say the RR will get in you into trouble more than the SV is a misconception too. The RR makes it's power at well over 10k rpm, in normal road riding you spend a lot of time under 10k rpm where the SV is more punchy.

You really have to work the RR to get it to fly, it's not suddenly just gonna take off without you wanting it to.

Originally Posted by nick_1871

To say the RR will get in you into trouble more than the SV is a misconception too. The RR makes it's power at well over 10k rpm, in normal road riding you spend a lot of time under 10k rpm where the SV is more punchy.

You really have to work the RR to get it to fly, it's not suddenly just gonna take off without you wanting it to.

Agree, the SS600s are actually quite docile, esp below 10K revs. My point is that from my own experience, and having spoken to others who've made a similar change too, you tend to find that you're riding faster on the SS600 as the smooth power delivery and better handing reduce your perception of speed.

Obviously that depends a bit where you do most of your riding - at town speeds the difference will be much less apparent than it is on fast sweepers/motorways.