Is it good?

Yea, perfect bike. Its bike, and soft - you'll learn alot about cornering and how to handle a big bike. It'll be easier to go fast on a little RS125, but it'll be a no-brainer. You'll have to think for a while and really understand what it takes to corner on the SV, and this will prepare you much better for big motorcycles.

And even at 33bhp, you're looking at 100+ mph (if you can be bothered to wait that long!)

The punch of the engine in gears 2, 3 and 4 is very impressive - enough to remove you from the bike, if you don't exercise caution with the right hand on a set of twisty's. The low down tourque still remains, although the engine runs out of puff at 8,000 rpm (my bike is quoted as having maximum power, 33 bhp, at 7800 rpm according to the restriction certificate).

Oh, and the noise. The noise. The NOISE You'll be hunting long tunnels just to get a good listen of the noise on the overrun...

A 400 would also be good, but bear in mind most are grey imports - might be lack of spares, and also most are getting on a bit now, so condition could be suspect.

Matt

thanks for the comments, i'm now trying to convince my dad that the SV would be a better option for me than the 400, as only 17 he has a big decision on what bike i have as he is putting to some of the funds.

All that my dad see's is 'cc' and because he has a 600 il4 he believes just because the SV is a 650 its going to be equally as fast and will not listen to me when i say its not.

why wont dads listen i never listen to my son either

The SV makes a great first big bike, couldn't really get better, but I've never ridden a restricted one.

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

Yea, perfect bike. Its bike, and soft - you'll learn alot about cornering and how to handle a big bike. It'll be easier to go fast on a little RS125, but it'll be a no-brainer. You'll have to think for a while and really understand what it takes to corner on the SV, and this will prepare you much better for big motorcycles.

And even at 33bhp, you're looking at 100+ mph (if you can be bothered to wait that long!)

The punch of the engine in gears 2, 3 and 4 is very impressive - enough to remove you from the bike, if you don't exercise caution with the right hand on a set of twisty's. The low down tourque still remains, although the engine runs out of puff at 8,000 rpm (my bike is quoted as having maximum power, 33 bhp, at 7800 rpm according to the restriction certificate).

Oh, and the noise. The noise. The NOISE You'll be hunting long tunnels just to get a good listen of the noise on the overrun...

A 400 would also be good, but bear in mind most are grey imports - might be lack of spares, and also most are getting on a bit now, so condition could be suspect.

Matt

I never realised the restriction made that much of a difference unless you were really asking for power, quick overtakes, etc. I was told that in day to day riding you wouldn't notice the difference as you only use less than 33bhp's worth of your engines capability day to day. I regularly ride above 7000 rpm though.

So is it about the same to ride as the 500-1000 mile running period on a normal SV then?

Shows you just shouldn't listen to blokes in the pub eh!

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by ljharmitt

thanks for the comments, i'm now trying to convince my dad that the SV would be a better option for me than the 400, as only 17 he has a big decision on what bike i have as he is putting to some of the funds.

All that my dad see's is 'cc' and because he has a 600 il4 he believes just because the SV is a 650 its going to be equally as fast and will not listen to me when i say its not.

erh.. hang on, if your 17 whatever bike you get will be restricted to 33bhp for two years anyway, so why does the CC of the engine make any sodding difference..

In fact, the SV has around 70bhp and I think my brothers RVF 400 was about 63bhp so theres naff all in it anyway.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

erh.. hang on, if your 17 whatever bike you get will be restricted to 33bhp for two years anyway, so why does the CC of the engine make any sodding difference..

In fact, the SV has around 70bhp and I think my brothers RVF 400 was about 63bhp so theres naff all in it anyway.

I know thats what i've tried to tell him but no goal.... the Sv would be torquier anyway

[fizzwheel]

Just show him the prices of 400CC bikes on biketrader he'll soon let have the SV...

Well when I was looking round for "the ideal starter bike" I don't recall seeing any "expert reviews" recommending a 400 ... there were however TONS of reviews telling how good the SV is for a starter ... it's a bike that grows with you. It allows the beginner to get used to a "big bike", it forgives the errors that beginners will do doubt make, but it will also appear to improve as a bike, as you improve as a rider ... helping you to get the most out of both your riding and the bike ... to the point where you WILL embarrass much bigger, sportier bikes around the twisties (of course they'll still leave you for dead down the straights tho LMAO)

If that doesn't sell it to the old fella ... try the insurance costs and potential maintenance/repair costs (which I'm sure would be less on the SV?)

Good luck,
Pete

the vfr400 engine is a jewel but a mechanic once said to me "when they are running there fine it's when they wont start the problems begin and it aint going to be cheap"
this was from a guy who did all the servicing and repairs for willenhall bike who deal'd in the 400's.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by ljharmitt

thanks for the comments, i'm now trying to convince my dad that the SV would be a better option for me than the 400, as only 17 he has a big decision on what bike i have as he is putting to some of the funds.

All that my dad see's is 'cc' and because he has a 600 il4 he believes just because the SV is a 650 its going to be equally as fast and will not listen to me when i say its not.

He's probably got 100 bhp+ you'll have 33. Tell him that!