Suzuki SV1000

Originally Posted by GS500_man

I was always under the impression that they were mild-mannered and you could tootle around on one at low revs.

Another point on this. I can't help think that you're missing out on most of the point of such a large bike if you just tootle around at low revs.
I know the SV is pretty soft tuned, but I'd still not call it a tootling bike.

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by GS500_man

As I'm seriously thinking of buying an SV1000 (naked) for my next bike, I was just wondering from any owners out there, does it have a steering damper on it?

Yes it does, (well, my K3 does), dunno 'bout next year's, though I'd be surprised if it didn't.

Originally Posted by GS500_man

If it does, is this because it would otherwise be a tank-slapping monster like it's TL1000S predecessor

Doubtful, it shares just about nothing with the TL, and as such doesn't have the flighty chassis and imperfect suspension of that bike, still, it can get a bit light at the front if provoked of course
It handles well enough as a package all together, I have heard some people criticise SV1K handling, (although realistically they are referring to SVS handling of course, just about nobody has actually ridden an SVN), but if you want GSXRYZFZXCBR handling then that's what you ought to buy of course.
I'll not be swapping mine for a while just yet, it's a hoot . SVs may well be popular, but at the weekend in Brighton in a crowd of 35+ SVs, my SV1000N was in a class of one

Sarj likes it too

On the subject of TLs, I rode several and I thought they were great, it's a short chassis, with a torquey 1000cc twin for a motor, if you twist the throttle enthusiastically it gets light at the front and flaps a bit, the only thing that surprised me was that anyone could be surprised about that !
TLs are not widowmaking 'real man's' bikes, that's a load of bull, theyr'e imperfect it's true, a developmental dead end that's been improved upon.

This thread has totally threw me! For ages now I've been certain that I wanted either a Firestorm or an SV1000 (the reason being that I want something with lots of torque so I don't have to change gear much - yes I'm a "lazy" rider that prefers to use the torque rather than the gears).
I've read quite a few articles about both bikes (VTR & SV) and the mags always say that they are good as first big bikes (mind you I think I have read that they are good as first 1000cc bikes as well, which is a totally different thing). Anyway, it is these comments from the mags that have led me to think that a VTR or SV is the bike for me. I know the SV1000 (naked) has got a great riding position from when I've sta on one in a shop - not too sure about the Firestorm (I'm am REALLY fussy about riding positions - to prove it I've even fitted bar risers to my GS!!!. The ones that lift the bar up AND back ).

Thanks all for the comments - all very welcome as opposed to the "test-rider" comments from mags that obviously don't necessarily live in the real world.

Rich

Originally Posted by GS500_man

I want something with lots of torque so I don't have to change gear much

I'd say the SV1000 certainly has alot of that.
On the other hand, if you're used to a GS, I'd say the 650 will be more than enough torque wise. I certainly find I rarely change gear for in town riding.

Originally Posted by Itching 2 go

would you like to buy my tl?

Mmhhh.. tl...
swap it for a 650?...

[rictus01]

Originally Posted by Grinch

Mmhhh.. tl...
swap it for a 650?...

Joe , be nice now

would you like to buy my tl?

You have a TL?????
Is it the "S" or the "R" Model??

ps.. Lucky Git