SV650 v's The Rest

Originally Posted by jonboy

See I fundamentally disagree with this. The SV is far harder to ride than a supersports 600, which are easy and will flatter virtually anyone.


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Cool... I'm getting a gsxr thou then

Originally Posted by rubberduckofdeath

Disagree.

Why? If you've two riders with identical ability then I'm sure suspension will make a difference, but not a very big one - especialy if you upgrade the SV. Rider ability will make the biggest difference.

That's cos it's got 50% more power, duh!




Only joking. Seriously though, I've spent just over £100 on suspension mods for the SV (front and back), and the difference it made was fantastic. If it's not something you ever did to your SV, I might let you try mine on wednesday if you're coming to the selkent meet

Originally Posted by rubberduckofdeath

After having an SV for a year or so and having now had a sports 600 for coming up to a year, I could not ride the SV as fast as I can my Ninja.

Ok so that just proves that the same rider will be quicker on a faster bike.

Do you think you could ride the SV faster than some people could ride your Kwak?

Originally Posted by rubberduckofdeath

a) I think so
b) yes of course, some people aren't very fast riders by choice or by lack of experience (or indeed both)

Do you think you learnt more by getting the SV before the Kwak or do you think, in hindsight you would have been better getting the Kwak straight off?

For most people, most of the time, an SV650 will piddle over most sports 600s, at legal speeds, on UK roads.

Depends what you want from a bike - some people are desperate for that top end rush, which they can only get for short periods. Personally I'd rather have what the SV has, as I can use it 50-75% of the time on the road and I don't need to be going over 100mph to have a good time

Originally Posted by rubberduckofdeath

Definitely getting on the SV first was a good move, if I had got on the Kwak first I might not be typing this right now.

Pretty much what my opinion is then. The SV is a great bike to start off with and if you feel youve out grown it and want to move on to something with more top end then you will have learnt the skills on a more forgiving bike.

The SV won't keep up on the straight, with a ss600, ridden by an equal rider. But they won't leave you miles behind either. If you get to a point where you feel the bike is holding you back then trade it in.

Look at the advantages of getting the SV first...

(1) Cheaper insurance.

(2) Cheaper bike.

(3) Your mates won't expect you to be able to keep up.

(4) This great forum

< yawn >

same old, same old

"SV vs. IL4 600"

< yawn >



who the f*ck cares?

...as long as you enjoy riding your bike!


In answer to the original question - in most situations (on the road) you'll NOT be left behind.

The SV is a great bike to get used to the roads on:
- brakes are good but forgiving,
- the suspension's a bit crap which can be scary when the front dives massively under heavy braking,
- power is unintimidating but fun

If you plan on doing a lot of track days, I would think that you will be left behind TBH - esp. on bigger tracks...

Originally Posted by richwill68

AimHamilton,

See what a can of worms has opened up here!? Everyone has a valid opinion but remember, the one that counts most is yours. Try lots of bikes, test rides from dealers, even mates bikes and see what suits your riding requirements, style and pocket. Many people commute on sports bikes and never explore the full potential of the machine. Some people can make sport bike riders look very silly on average commuter machines. Be open minded and remember, if you buy a bike that ultimately you become unhappy with, you do have the option of selling and getting something better suited. Over to you mate!

Regards

Rich

Cheers Rich....they have all been useful comments even the hardcore SS600 fans

I think I will get a SV and go from there. It seems that whenever a little doubt pops into my mind, I pass one on the street or in a car park! I do love 'em.

Thanks all, and hope to be able to join you SV boys for a ride out in the next few weeks!

[northwind]

This is great... It seems like some of the people who think they're disagreeing above are actually basically saying the same things