Curvy Vs Pointy

I tried searching for this as I'm sure it must have been discussed before but it gave me 36 pages worth of returns so here goes again.

I'll try to take my DAS before the end of the month and then buy an SV so I was wondering, as there doesn't seem to be that bigger price differential, what the plus points of curvy & pointy are?

I understand that it got fuel injection but what does this mean to someone who know nothing about bikes? also are there any differences in reliability or parts costs between the two? what about handling and economy? would one be more suitable for a novice or is the difference negligable?

Lastly everyone seems to say the v twins sound better than the IL4's, I'm sorry to say I havent had a chance to sit on one or listen to it yet is there an sound file somewhere on the net to listen to this kind of thing to whet my appetite www.totalbikenerd or something?

Cheers
S

Hello Steve.

For the sound files, go to the "goodies section" on the main website http://www.sv650.org/ that will give you an example of what an sv650 should sound like with a non-standard exhuast on (Try the remus, unbaffled).

Re: the models. For me it came down to looks and price. The curvies were the older one and therefore cheaper so I got one (onto my second now, both 1999 models).

Injection will make things smoother I would imagine and certainly easier to start in the mornings as they dont have a choke. The pointies also have more 'refined' suspension I am led to believe, with showa forks on the front compared to the curvey's "soggy woggy" ones. MPG on both is relatively good although I get the feeling the curvy's are slightly better at it, I don't tend to get worse than 50mpg although I am at 33bhp at the moment.

I'd say there would be no difference for a novice between the two. They are equally good at their job comes down to looks in my eyes (if you are new to bikes anyway as you don't know too much about suspension, FI etc)

Of course, ignore ALL OF WHAT I HAVE JUST SAID and go and have a sit on one. Might turn out you don't like either of them!!!

Whatever your choice, I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

[northwind]

There's not an awful lot of difference really.

The FI would be an advantage if you do a lot of winter riding in bad conditions- the carbed ones can carb ice in freezing, damp conditions which is a pain in the bum. On the other hand, I prefer the carbs for their better low-rev fuelling, the SV FI isn't all that good IMO.

Power... The injected ones make slightly more because of their different camshafts. Not hard to make up on a carbed one if you choose (a carbed bike with the same cams makes more power than an injected bike, funnily enough)

Handling... Really very much the same. Suspension goes off with miles covered so a 20,000 mile old bike will usually handle less well than a 10,000 mile old one. Other than that... The quality of parts is very, very similiar. Not especially good on either, to be honest, but loads of room for easy improvement. The chassis is good on both, but the suspenders are barely adequate. Same for brakes.

Finish... Mixed stories here. It's not great on any of them to be honest, but I reckon the paint's better on the carbed ones. It seems to scratch up very easily on the injected models. They both have very cheap fasteners, and less-than-ideal resistance to corrosion, but both have the same solutions (stainless bolt kits- not expensive really- and Scottoiler FS365 or ACF50 to protect exposed metal) The carbed ones tend to get pitted fork lowers (sliders, some would call them) which is unsightly but not a safety concern, and can be fixed for around £50 with a respray or powdercoating.

Reliability... They're all good. 100,000 miles without serious maintenance good. Carbed ones have been known to have their cam chain tensioners wear out- again, very easy fix, and easy to detect (rattly noise) Don't buy a heavily tuned one, the bottom end's perfectly good for standard power or a bit more, but a lot more is asking for trouble.

Both models have the same fault with the front cylinder taking on water- loads on this on the forum, and again, very easily fixed. £4 and 10 minutes, and anyone could do it.

Lastly, customisability. SV owners love to mess about with their bikes. The carbed ones have had the better range of bits, but some of those are now going out of production. But if you like to do any engine tuning work, the carbed one is better for the home tuner. Both are absolutely superb bases for projects big or small, as good as it gets really.

Basically... Buy the one you like the looks of, or the one you can find the best example of. They're so close together you can't really go far wrong that way.

[northwind]

Originally Posted by instigator

The pointies also have more 'refined' suspension I am led to believe, with showa forks on the front compared to the curvey's "soggy woggy" ones. .

They're both gash, tbh I could be wrong but I think both are Kayaba. recent ones are slightly stiffer, but still not very. They're the same design, at the end of the day. Not so bad that you'll hate them I think, but not very good- I'd say the suspension is the absolute worst part of the SV. But not hard to upgrade if you choose.

Appreciate all that feedback.

So as I'm *ahem* slightly more than 14 stone would it be worth my while putting in a gixxer (sp?) shock?

That sounds so frickin cool I want want one NOW. I think the Quill or Micron was my fave.

Originally Posted by ***Steve***

So as I'm *ahem* slightly more than 14 stone would it be worth my while putting in a gixxer (sp?) shock?

I'm about that weight as well (depends how much more than 14 you are )
I'd have a go with it as stock before replacing anything as you can adjust the rear suspension to a certain degree. If you're just doing the DAS at the moment, you probably won't be chucking it about that violently for 6 months to a year, so I would expect it to be OK.

[fizzwheel]

What Northwind said

The only thing I would stress is that carb icing in the winter is a total pain in the a*se. My bike doesnt do it so bad on decent petrol such as optimax, but boy is it nasty on cheap supermarket fuel.

If you are tall, go for a K3 onwards. The seating position the pointy bikes is higher than the curvey and I find it more comfortable ( I'm 6ft )

IMHO its not worth mucking about with the suspension till you've got some miles under your belt. Leave it standard and concentrate on riding better rather than adjusting the biike. Once you have some more experience then start fiddling with the adjustability thats there as standard. Its not much but its a start. Do some more miles and then think about new front springs and fork oil and maybe replacing the rear shock. You wont IMHO feel the benefit of the suspension mod's until you have some experience and as a novice rider wandering if two clicks of preload on the rear shock whilst you are riding about may well distract you.

HTH, its a fantastic bike you wont regret buying one.

For sound bites of various bikes to compare the sound of others http://www.scorpion-exhausts.com/Bikes/soundzone.php

pretty much what Northwind says.

The carb icing can be dealt with by using the higher RON fuels [optimax or the like at 97/98 RON] as Fizz suggested. Only occurred with me in freezing fog fortunately.

I find the SV smooth on my commute - others with pointies and FI have said its not so smooth. Again I think its down to what Northwind said above, crap FI as much as the carbs being easier on low rev fuelling.

Otherwise the curvys have a lower seat height than the pointies. And a smaller tank - 16L as opposed to 17L.

PS. The curvys just look better :P