Defector... VFR to SV.

Hi all. My name's Aaron, and I've defected from the land of Honda to join all you SVers out there!

I've just come from a VFR800, and wanted something (a lot!) lighter and more 'fun' to use every day for commuting. The VFR was extremely capable and characterful, but no real fun lugging around at low speeds, and in the twisties.

I was looking at getting a new(ish) Triumph Street Triple (08+), but they start from 4K for a decent low milage one. They are about 169kg stock. So I looked around for something with similar attributes - low saddle, lightweight, 600cc'ish, and very very fun....I don't know why the SV didn't spring to mind earlier, as my bro has one!

I only really looked at the SV, as an '06 high miler came up locally on Gumtree and made me check out specs online. Kerb weight of approx 170kg....enough power, and modern looks! So I went to view, and it had to be mine!

It needs a few things doing cosmetically, but mechanically its very good (just needs a new chain / sprockets)...but got it for a very good price because of the 40K miles its done.

So, here's a quick pic I took last night after a quick blast after giving it a good going over. Its an '06 with Renthal bar conversion, Scorpian exhaust, tail tidy and custom seats:

Looks tidy. Welcome to the forum

Very tidy! nice bike and welcome!
I'm often down hastings way (my parents are in little common)
nice roads round there in the summer

Thanks chaps! Nikon70 - I work in Eastbourne, so drive through Little Common every day! Nice roads, yes....but always full of cars, hence the bike to commute...

ah yes the marsh road.... yuk! but great for bikes

Originally Posted by mcdonaa

Hi all. My name's Aaron, and I've defected from the land of Honda to join all you SVers out there!

You username really confuses me! My work username is 'mcodona', my first initial and surname. I keep misreading yours

Originally Posted by SvNewbie

You username really confuses me! My work username is 'mcodona', my first initial and surname. I keep misreading yours

LOL...how do you think I got my username....

I went the other way... SV to VFR800... and much happier for it too. VFR has some legs in the wide open spaces in my part of the world and is far more comfortable on the typically long hauls.

I still have the SV, but it was set up for a 50-55kg rider a couple of years ago so it is only the ladies who ride it now.

Agreed, if I was doing longer trips, and touring, there is very little out there that will beat the VFR. But the whole reason I got back into biking (after a large gap) in 2010 was to recapture the sense of fun and freedom a bike can give. That's not all about power and capability - I believe its about the machine shrinking around you, and the light weight of the SV, and the punchy engine give you more than enough for day to day commuting and the occasional weekend blast! Plus, the fun can be had at much slower speeds than the highly capable 'Litre' bikes of today. I don't get how anyone 'needs' anything more than 120bhp....I mean, really who needs 190bhp on the road?