Fun in the sun!! 400s-v-SV650

I commute daily on my SV, so rarely just go out for ‘a blatt’ as, well I ride plenty … but today I decided to go for a jolly!!

Thing is I took my little 400 out, not the SV … I can’t remember the last time I took it out properly (I have had it years and tend to just give it a run every now and then) but as the MOT was up for renewal in the week, I had already fished it out the back of the garage … so as it was a sunny day, I figured I’d go for a spin on my fave backroads ...

I had forgotten what a chuckle that bike is!!! Ace!!

So what do I think is the better bike?? … well it isn’t that easy … basically it ‘Depends!’. The SV makes for a great commuter, it not only does the commute, but makes it fun (unlike my old GPz). The torque of the V-twin is entertainment in itself and means wheelies are a constant phenomenon, but also means that it can be ridden sensibly and due to its size/build it has some 'road presence', so can be used for pleasure or business if you will. By contrast, the 400 is all about revs, flicking it about and having fun, and it tiny, a real 'toy'!!

I had so much fun abusing the 400, but you just can’t ride them sensibly (well I can’t it MAKES me do things I shouldn’t!! ). But it is also a back breaker, within 20 mins on the bike and my back and writs were uncomfortable , and hour or so later and I was in serious discomfort, (and I had stopped for fuel&drink so not an hour straight), good job I was having so much fun!!

So although it is a great crack for a sunny blast, I couldn’t imagine using the 400 day-to-day, it is too uncomfortable!! The SV does both, but I have to say if I want to go out purely for giggles, I’d probably be picking up the 400s keys!! If i wnated to go for a longer ride, the 400 would stay under its cover!!

Anyone else got/tried both a SV and a 400 race rep?

p.s. I saw a Yellow curvy ontop of portsdown hill about 1-2pm going the other way, was that anyone from here?? At that point I wished I was on the SV and I would have harassed them/you as I was feeling mischievous!! !!!

[squirrel_hunter]

I have an SV650S and a CBR400 NC23.

They are both great fun and completly different!

I find the 400 handles better, its easier to flick about and making it scream all the way to the red line is funny
But the SVs grunt and sound (umm Renegade) is just as good.

I would agree the SV is a more comfertable ride but I comutted for 2 years on the CBR including some long trips and didn't have a problem. Its really horses for courses!

Oh and as for harrassing an SV on a 400 its possible. I have done that on the CBR and against others they might get you on the straights but in the bends the CBR can stay with anything

Originally Posted by squirrel_hunter

I have an SV650S and a CBR400 NC23.

They are both great fun and completly different!

I find the 400 handles better, its easier to flick about and making it scream all the way to the red line is funny
But the SVs grunt and sound (umm Renegade) is just as good.

I would agree the SV is a more comfertable ride but I comutted for 2 years on the CBR including some long trips and didn't have a problem. Its really horses for courses!

Oh and as for harrassing an SV on a 400 its possible. I have done that on the CBR and against others they might get you on the straights but in the bends the CBR can stay with anything

I wasn’t going to harass the SV when on my 400 as although they would be a fair match in a fistfight, well the SV bloke would have just thought “what’s he on!?” rather than “cool another SV, game on!! ” What I meant when I saw the yella SV is that I wished I was on my SV not on the 400 and would have turned round to harass them/say hi, as I was on the 400 I just rode on!!

I am just shy of 6 foot, how tall are you?? I used to have a gull arm too, this is a VFR, the CBR was tiny too, but more comfortable than the VFR. I don’t think having low race clipons on the VFR is helping matters either!?!

I used to own a CB1 400 every time I rode it the red mist came down and I had to cain the tits of it (hense 9 points on my license) I loved that bike but it had to go when Ibought the SV, Maybe I'll get another 400 later just for track days though!!!

I had a VFR400 before the SV and I'm 6ft tall and an hour was as much as my back could stand. The howl it makes at anything over 10k is addictive but in a different way to the SV. Bemsee run a 400/Minitwin (mainly SV's) shoot out at some of there race meetings and as far as i can remember they seem to be well matched.
chris

Imagine what a man sized vfr600 would be like

Not anymore but I had a ZXR400, brilliant bike for twisty back roads.

[squirrel_hunter]

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

I wasn’t going to harass the SV when on my 400 as although they would be a fair match in a fistfight

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

I am just shy of 6 foot, how tall are you??

I think I'm about the same 5" 10ish. Not rode a VFR but had a go on a RVF found it a similar style but a much harder ride.

And I'm sure lower clipons wouldn't help, I can only imagine the pain

Vfr400 - When the minitwins series was in its infancy, they used to tag the minitwins onto the 400s all the time, they were indeed pretty well matched, even back then, remember watching them by the sideline!!

A mansized VFR400 …. Humm now there a thought … hang on, Honda already did that one … the legendary VFR750 (RC30), streets ahead at its time. Still a very desirable bike, they are worth a fortune now!! A modern-day VFR600 would be most interesting

Razor – Had a go on a ZXR400 once … the howl they make is very distinctive (and addictive ). Looking at the results, the ZXR400 appears to be the best of the bunch when it comes to racing.

Squirrel_hunter – we are about the same height then, you might just be a bit more flexible/younger?!?!!?

The ZXR was the only 400 offcially imported AFAIK. That was my reason for buying it, and that bootiful noise

[squirrel_hunter]

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

Squirrel_hunter – we are about the same height then, you might just be a bit more flexible/younger?!?!!?

Flexible, No!

Younger, maybe...

I got the CBR when I was 18/19 rode it every day for 2-3 years.
Its been sat on my parents drive for the past 2 years, I miss riding it but haven't got the cash to get it back on the road propper (Uni).
Spent the last few years on the SV, which I love. But when ever I get to theirs I have to walk past it, would love to be riding them both again...