Is your SV still fun?

Originally Posted by Toypop

The problem is though on dual carriageways and the like you can squeeze the most out of it and still be bored.

I found it very scary on lanes though. Any mid sized bike is scarily quick in a confined space but the iffy suspension makes it worse on the SV when it comes to twists and turns!

You must have been riding a different bike! Sure the suspension is not as good as say a GSX-R but I've pushed my 650 very hard and I still know there is more yet. It's extremely capable and for the money a bargain little sportsbike. Sure it can get a little wobbly when you hang off and get it right over but I think that's those Dunlop D220 tyres but that makes it more 'interesting'. I very much doubt anyone has used even a humble sv to it's full potential. And it's not like I haven't had my share of sporstbikes (zx7r and gixxer750) but I find the SV can keep up with them all through the twisties, just depends on your riding experience and skill at the end of the day, as with all bikes I guess.

Anyway, the SV is great in my opinion. Huzzah!

[northwind]

Originally Posted by Saint Matt

socommk23, your friends are not using their bikes to their potential at all. I would not count myself as slow, on the twisties, I got owned by a mate on a 99 R6, by no means the sharpest 600. I wasn't far behind, and he is a better rider with more experiance, but 2 people with similar skill, one on an sv and one on a double R and the cibber will win.

Couldn't agree more... But I think the smaller, slower bike generally encourages the best from its rider- bit of a generalisation this but I think a smaller bike teaches you more. If you have someone who got on a CBR6 straight after DAS, compared to someone who got on an RVF4 or an SV650 or similiar, they're much more likely to have learned lazy habits IMO.

Even a suitably sorted SV without the suspension handicap can't match the 600s out of the corners if they're having their necks wrung... But fairly few riders can really make the 600s sit up and beg.

im still happy with mine but ive had it since end of jan, and its also still restricted

only speaking from experience!
and it can in capable hands kick ass!

Originally Posted by Toypop

Paulthewitt, now you have experienced an SV what do you think of my original advice in that thread when you were asking what to get?

it was correct. The sv is not a bike that will catch you out....unless you are VERY stupid (Eg: full lean....full throttle)

i feel i will be very bored very quickly. however, if put in the same position again, i would still buy the sv, as i cannot afford to insure anything else. i also like my body breathing, which if i hopped onto a bigger/faster bike it probably wouldnt be. the first thing i did on the sv was see if it would power wheely.......it didnt. if it did, i think my answer would have been very different. the bike does have good manors tho, uuntil the engine blew up!

i will definately keep it for a bit.....once fixed. but could be looking for a change next year. money permitting.


Paul.

Originally Posted by Peter Henry

Tom....Give your mouse a tap,there seems to be an echo! :P

i'll get the sound crew to fix it

[quote="northwind"]

Originally Posted by Saint Matt

Couldn't agree more... But I think the smaller, slower bike generally encourages the best from its rider- bit of a generalisation this but I think a smaller bike teaches you more. If you have someone who got on a CBR6 straight after DAS, compared to someone who got on an RVF4 or an SV650 or similiar, they're much more likely to have learned lazy habits IMO.

Even a suitably sorted SV without the suspension handicap can't match the 600s out of the corners if they're having their necks wrung... But fairly few riders can really make the 600s sit up and beg.

Exactly. This is why I returned to an sv after selling my old one 7 months ago. I seemed to have a hunger for speed, thinking speed = enjoyment. And it does. But not for long. And there's too much at stake. After selling my sv, I got a ninja and everyday on the run back from Uni it was a top speed test, trying to crack 160mph. Only touched 140 but then again, it wouldn't go any faster than that.

The firestorm had power everywhere but I wanted to be able to attack corners better and get a better feel for being in the powerband so got another wee sv to play with. 33bhp as well. Now I feel like I'm learning a lot more than I did with the big bikes (the yzf750r was just TOO quick for me, I couldn't do a thing with it in all honesty - that was my limit. Easy to ride slowly, very difficult to go quick)

I'm happy with this 33bhp sv. A big step down from *ahem* maybe 120bhp but strangely....it's more fun.

Hi guys,

Some of you may remember me from about 2 years ago! I had my SV for 2 years (Black naked curvey!), sold it and have had 3 IL4's and have now just bought another SV! (A curvey of course!) I'm more excited about getting back on an SV than I was riding my R6. Even test rode the new R6 last weekend and still decided the SV is more fun!!

Hopefully meet up with some of you soon, I am hoping to make the annual ride out this year!!

Em

I still love it
It's my first big bike and has taught me so much in the time we have been together. I thought about the GSR600 but since seeing it in the flesh have decided it looks like a slug monster from the front. Compared to my SV, there is no competition. I know it has it's little problems but it's still a very capable machine and I know there's a lot more I can learn on the SV.

It's such a handsome thing, i still go out to the back yard just to look at it

Originally Posted by instigator

Exactly. This is why I returned to an sv after selling my old one 7 months ago. I seemed to have a hunger for speed, thinking speed = enjoyment. And it does. But not for long. And there's too much at stake. After selling my sv, I got a ninja and everyday on the run back from Uni it was a top speed test, trying to crack 160mph. Only touched 140 but then again, it wouldn't go any faster than that.

The firestorm had power everywhere but I wanted to be able to attack corners better and get a better feel for being in the powerband so got another wee sv to play with. 33bhp as well. Now I feel like I'm learning a lot more than I did with the big bikes (the yzf750r was just TOO quick for me, I couldn't do a thing with it in all honesty - that was my limit. Easy to ride slowly, very difficult to go quick)

I'm happy with this 33bhp sv. A big step down from *ahem* maybe 120bhp but strangely....it's more fun.

Wait, why are you riding it restricted?

Anywhoo. I have a 636 now as well as the SV. The 636 is awesome, but I still love the SV.