Johnny Rod's "What Bike" thread brought to you by Hitler

[yorkie_chris]

My ideal SV, I would stick with stock bore for reliability but fit 'busa pistons.

I would use curvy frame OR a pointy frame with one of those custom shock knuckles for a linear rather than progressive motion
Penske shock, no contest. Maybe ohlins on pointy.

Engine, carb or injected doesn't matter. Either FCR39 carbs or TWF racing big throttle bodies on injected*
Port heads
Thin head gasket
Full leo pipe.

BDK racing genny
minimalise electrics, single 35W HID headlamp, LED other lights

Late GSXR front end, spring and valve to suit

Brace swingarm and machine some trick GSXR-esque adjusters, maybe use GSXR wheel, maybe not.



*I personally would use carbs, as the wiring is SO much simpler and flatslides sound great

[Skip]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

My ideal SV, I would stick with stock bore for reliability but fit 'busa pistons.

Engine, carb or injected doesn't matter. Either FCR39 carbs or TWF racing big throttle bodies on injected*
Port heads
Thin head gasket
Full leo pipe.

BDK racing genny
minimalise electrics, single 35W HID headlamp, LED other lights


*I personally would use carbs, as the wiring is SO much simpler and flatslides sound great

What sort of rough BHP would that setup be netting? Just out of idle curiosity...

[yorkie_chris]

realistically 85 or so, build one and see
Maybe a bit more with fancy cams or more head work.

Oh yeah, add cam swap to that list for cheap option

[johnnyrod]

Hmm interesting... more thoughts on the alternatives though? 848/GSXR/RSV/other?

[andrewsmith]

ZX10 04-05 or 08 onwards
a late ZX636

Versys for me.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by johnnyrod

Hmm interesting... more thoughts on the alternatives though? 848/GSXR/RSV/other?

I wouldn't have one of the wops, but that's just a personal thing. I like the jap thing of readily available spares and things designed to be easy to work on.

I'd definitely have a GSXR, I had one on loan from a mate and it was great, owned another which was nuts, and still own another waiting some TLC. You can definitely do anything on one and they're lots of fun. TBH though the new ones don't inspire me and are a completely different experience from a sports twin.

I'd definitely take RSV instead of 848, as the money saved will allow you to do the important thing of RIDING the bugger!

[johnnyrod]

Well I test rode the GSXR and Mille... and ... um...

The gixxer was okay, pulled a bit at low speed, lit up at around 6k and went into warp speed not unlike a firework in the trousers. Seemed to vibrate a lot through the bars though (buzzing), I'm sure the 600s I've ridden don't do that. Also seemed to be fairly whirring even at e.g. 50mph in 5th when you'd think it'd be chugging or happy (gearing is about the same as the SV but the longer rev range takes it up to higher speeds - just seemed to be squealing). Great handling of course, but the riding position is pretty radical. No question it's fun but I ride my bike all year round, take it on holiday etc. and I don't think I could do that on the gixxer.

The Mille was kind of the same. I like the engine more, pulls a lot harder than I remember the TL doing so. Suspension seemed good but was set up so hard it was difficult to really get a feel of it. Really did vibrate like a road drill (gixxer vibes were high-frequency). Truly useless mirrors, not just in the metaphorical sense. Similar riding position though. Crunchy gearbox.

I got off them both and I wasn't sure I wanted to change. I don't think I want a four, though might try the new R1 with the crossplane crank to see if it works, but I think I'm set on a twin. 848 gets only 80 miles to a tank so forget it, that's on top of all the other things, I do getting on for twice that just on a track day. Probably has the same foetal riding position as it's a race bike anyway which is part of what spoiled the other two for me.

Bugger.

[johnnyrod]

So I rode a few more, if you wanna know...

GSXR1000. Quicker than the 750, bit more comfortable, still seemed to be missing something. Heavy steering at low speed for some reason.

BMW R1200S, which for the normal people who've never looked at a Beemer, is a boxer with some sort of sporting pretensions. Shaft drive using their clever Paralever back end, and wishbone-type Telelever front. Very stable, surprisingly chuckable, excellent brakes. Engine of a tractor, vibrated like a road drill. Rubbish fuel injection linked to how fast you open the throttle, so bad that if you do it gently, you have to open it more than a quarter before it picks up off tickover, I kid you not. Blipping on downchanges? Think about it, crap gearbox, crap throttle response, miles of slack in the transmission, big twin engine... Great build quality and the dealers treat you like a human being too.

BMW F800S, parallel twin with conventional suspension. Something like an SV if you took all the fun away.

Next up, crossplane R1, 675 and new SV. Sometime.

848 only gets 80 miles to a tank

3 1/2 gallon tank and they do more than 40 mpg.

Rather than rely on test reports and other peoples prejudical comments, you really should get a test ride on one. Remember servicing is at 7.5 and 15k or every year. It's also got a wet clutch so it lasts longer and sounds quieter. If you can hear that over the Termis.

I ride with a guy who has a late model 848. It did have the rad go. Sorted within a week. He much prefers it to his Gsxr600 that he had before it.