Hornet to SVS - SV650.org

27-06-06, 12:27 PM

I'm seriously thinking about moving from my Hornet to a new SVS, anyone done that and, if so, what's the biggest differences I'll notice (good and bad).

Also, is there anywhere on the forum for comments on dealers?

Viney · 27-06-06, 12:30 PM

I like hornets, hell i even had one for a while alongside the sv.

People say that they are gutless, but i just found that i need revving compared to the SV. They are both fun bikes, both handle well, both have very similar performance.

The main differences you will notice will be low down torque, and a few vibes throught the bars, other than that, they are, imho similar machines, niether better than the other, just different in little ways.

If you have an old Hornet, you will notice that you will get a lot more mpg

27-06-06, 01:00 PM

Odd to go from a Hornet to a SV as they are very alike in what they do.

The SV will have better mpg and tank range, lighter, handles better, more low down and mid range torque.

The Hornet will have better top end power and top speed, comfier and has Honda build quality.

27-06-06, 01:04 PM

I still want a 900 Hornet, I like the 600. I dunno if I'd go from a 600 hornet to a sv. Sure the SV riders are nicer people but we'll tolerate the occassional hairnet rider that wants to hang out

27-06-06, 01:30 PM

I was torn betweenteh hornet and SV for my first bike, I do like one and I may end up moving from the SV to the Hornet 900 at some point.. far far into the future.

northwind · 27-06-06, 01:32 PM

I love the Hornet, myself, it's the IL4 SV

Basic, fun, more than the sum of its parts. I'd've had one if it weren't for price considerations- though I don't regret that, to be fair.

The big differences are going to be the power and the handling... No getting around the fact that you're way down in power with the SV- though IMO what power the SV has is delivered better than the Hornet. If you enjoy the top end of the Hornet, not so good. If you're annoyed by the flatness of the Hornet when you're not cracking on, then that could work out.

The handling's different... I'm not going to say better or worse, I prefer the SV but the SV's flickable while the Hornet's chuckable. With a 160 rear, there's not an awful lot in it. Hornet seemed to have better suspension from what I remember, though that was ages back.

27-06-06, 03:56 PM

Thanks for the input.

As to why I'm doing it. When I bought the Hornet (secondhand) 3 years back it was a close between the 2 bikes, a Hornet came up right time, right place, right price. Now I want to change (the Hornet is a '99 bike) and fancy something different - I don't need more 'go'. At £4k and 0% finance the SVS is hard to resist.

Viney · 27-06-06, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerprof

Thanks for the input.

As to why I'm doing it. When I bought the Hornet (secondhand) 3 years back it was a close between the 2 bikes, a Hornet came up right time, right place, right price. Now I want to change (the Hornet is a '99 bike) and fancy something different - I don't need more 'go'. At £4k and 0% finance the SVS is hard to resist.

You shouldnt be disapointed in all honesty. With a 99 model, then you will enjoy the fact you can do anywhere between 120-150 miles ebtween fill ups. You will miss that 1st gear howl that the hornet provides

27-06-06, 05:28 PM

Go for the SV you will Love it..forget top speed the SV has real torque that is really usable.

27-06-06, 05:40 PM

I had a hornet first and an sv second (owned them both at the same time). The hornet was my first big bike (bigger than a 500cc twin) and I have to say, I don't think I'll ever forget the first shot I had on it. Perched on top of the thing, it just begged to go faster and thats the major problem I had with the hornet also - it's fondness of being ridden hard.

I couldn't really bimble along on it like I could the sv. I'd want to scream away on the hornet 24/7 whereas on the sv I can be a lot more relaxed but still hustle the thing through the bends when needed.

Quite which one I prefer I don't know. Each one appeals to a different part of me. And although I can get a lot of enjoyment out of riding the sv quick, it won't beat the enjoyment that I got from the hornet being ridden hard.

(Of course the hornet loses out on the fact it has a lower tank range, higher insurance etc.)

27-06-06, 12:27 PM	#1
tigerprof Guest Posts: n/a	Hornet to SVS I'm seriously thinking about moving from my Hornet to a new SVS, anyone done that and, if so, what's the biggest differences I'll notice (good and bad). Also, is there anywhere on the forum for comments on dealers?

27-06-06, 01:32 PM	#6
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,082	I love the Hornet, myself, it's the IL4 SV Basic, fun, more than the sum of its parts. I'd've had one if it weren't for price considerations- though I don't regret that, to be fair. The big differences are going to be the power and the handling... No getting around the fact that you're way down in power with the SV- though IMO what power the SV has is delivered better than the Hornet. If you enjoy the top end of the Hornet, not so good. If you're annoyed by the flatness of the Hornet when you're not cracking on, then that could work out. The handling's different... I'm not going to say better or worse, I prefer the SV but the SV's flickable while the Hornet's chuckable. With a 160 rear, there's not an awful lot in it. Hornet seemed to have better suspension from what I remember, though that was ages back. __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

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27-06-06, 12:30 PM	#2
Viney Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the shadows to the left Posts: 7,700	I like hornets, hell i even had one for a while alongside the sv. People say that they are gutless, but i just found that i need revving compared to the SV. They are both fun bikes, both handle well, both have very similar performance. The main differences you will notice will be low down torque, and a few vibes throught the bars, other than that, they are, imho similar machines, niether better than the other, just different in little ways. If you have an old Hornet, you will notice that you will get a lot more mpg

27-06-06, 01:00 PM	#3
The Basket Guest Posts: n/a	Odd to go from a Hornet to a SV as they are very alike in what they do. The SV will have better mpg and tank range, lighter, handles better, more low down and mid range torque. The Hornet will have better top end power and top speed, comfier and has Honda build quality.

27-06-06, 01:04 PM	#4
Razor Guest Posts: n/a	I still want a 900 Hornet, I like the 600. I dunno if I'd go from a 600 hornet to a sv. Sure the SV riders are nicer people but we'll tolerate the occassional hairnet rider that wants to hang out

27-06-06, 01:30 PM	#5
Abyss Guest Posts: n/a	I was torn betweenteh hornet and SV for my first bike, I do like one and I may end up moving from the SV to the Hornet 900 at some point.. far far into the future.

27-06-06, 03:56 PM	#7
tigerprof Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks for the input. As to why I'm doing it. When I bought the Hornet (secondhand) 3 years back it was a close between the 2 bikes, a Hornet came up right time, right place, right price. Now I want to change (the Hornet is a '99 bike) and fancy something different - I don't need more 'go'. At £4k and 0% finance the SVS is hard to resist.

27-06-06, 05:28 PM	#9
caz650s Guest Posts: n/a	Go for the SV you will Love it..forget top speed the SV has real torque that is really usable.

27-06-06, 05:40 PM	#10
instigator Guest Posts: n/a	I had a hornet first and an sv second (owned them both at the same time). The hornet was my first big bike (bigger than a 500cc twin) and I have to say, I don't think I'll ever forget the first shot I had on it. Perched on top of the thing, it just begged to go faster and thats the major problem I had with the hornet also - it's fondness of being ridden hard. I couldn't really bimble along on it like I could the sv. I'd want to scream away on the hornet 24/7 whereas on the sv I can be a lot more relaxed but still hustle the thing through the bends when needed. Quite which one I prefer I don't know. Each one appeals to a different part of me. And although I can get a lot of enjoyment out of riding the sv quick, it won't beat the enjoyment that I got from the hornet being ridden hard. (Of course the hornet loses out on the fact it has a lower tank range, higher insurance etc.)