Difference between SV650S and a Naked

[glade]

I can't seem to get out of the wind without getting into an extreme riding position, practically lying flat on the tank! For normal riding the wind hits me in the chest and if i duck down it hits me straight in the face.

I really like the look of some naked bikes but if i was going to buy one I'd be put off by having no wind protection...

... but is it really that different??

I'm really tempted to go for a Superduke or FZ1 next year, with a FZ1 Fazer if I decide i need a fairing.

Originally Posted by glade

but is it really that different??

Yes, without a shadow of a doubt. Even a fly screen on a naked can make a noticable difference. The bikini fairing of the SV650S makes it a different bike. Cruise at 100 mph on the SVS comfortably all day, 90 mph is not a sustainable cruising speed on a naked unless you've got neck muscles like Tyson. Obviously a rider using a naked on the motorway daily, will have less bother, 'cos they've developed neck muscles like Tyson! I'd say 80mph is about a max comfortable crusing speed on a naked.

I assume you are quite long in the body? Try a double bubble screen if you can't get comfortable on the SVS. Also go and test ride a naked and you'll see the difference.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Yes, without a shadow of a doubt. Even a fly screen on a naked can make a noticable difference. The bikini fairing of the SV650S makes it a different bike. Cruise at 100 mph on the SVS comfortably all day, 90 mph is not a sustainable cruising speed on a naked unless you've got neck muscles like Tyson. Obviously a rider using a naked on the motorway daily, will have less bother, 'cos they've developed neck muscles like Tyson! I'd say 80mph is about a max comfortable crusing speed on a naked.

I assume you are quite long in the body? Try a double bubble screen if you can't get comfortable on the SVS. Also go and test ride a naked and you'll see the difference.

Bang on the money there. My naked K3 was awful above 80mph until I stuck an Impala screen from M+P on it that someone gave me (I didn't pay for it, cos I'd never buy anything more from the tossers that are M+P). Now I can happily sit there at 115mph plus if I like, without having my head ripped off.

The easiest solution is to buy a faired S model, unless you think the riding position is too radical. Having jumped off my Daytona and onto a used SV650S that I'm thinking of buying, I thought the SV was a proper touring bike and not at all sporty feeling, which is just what I want for my daily commute. Mind you, I thought the Daytona was an armchair after riding around for a year or so on a Gixer thou with Gilles rearsets.

Hi Lozzo
Whats wrong with M and P? They`ve always been ok with me.

Cheers Wild Bill

I commute one my naked K3. I am a headbanger so neck muscles aren't a problem, but it still is no fun at all going for anything longer than 10 minutes at 90 mph or so. It's noisy and blustery and you get a headache from tensing your head and neck muscles. I really want a fairing now.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Yes, without a shadow of a doubt.

+1

Whilst SV in for repairs, they loaned me a Honda Hornet (naked bike).
Anything more than 80mph and you WILL develop Tyson-esque neck muscles.
On the SV I could quite happily cruise at 110mph less happy about the fuel consumption at those speeds though (they don't seem to build petrol stations close enough together!)

As for which bike ... depends what you wanna use it for.

I use mine for commute, and playing about with. So a naked isn't really an option IMO. Even though the Hornet was good fun for a while, its just nowhere near as comfortable for the motorway cruising (although some would argue against the SV's riding position for that - granted - but ya get used to it - well I did ).

My 2c worth
Pete

[Mark_h]

I have a naked and for a while had a little screen on it. didn't think it did a lot until I took it off. Basically it does nothing for your head but takes all the pressure off your chest. These days I remain naked apart from DL650 hand guards in the winter (look naff but work really well). I like the idea that it keeps your cruise speed down to about 90 so less likely to get a ban if caught. Still able to go 120+ in the right places but any more than 10 minutes and you can feel the helmet digging into your forehead and the sunglasses cutting into the bridge of your nose.

I've tried a few fully faired sports bikes and tend to find cruise quickly ups to 100+ which is prime ban territory if you get caught.

80-90 is normally quick enough and the odd quick blast gets it out of your system along with an annual testride on some nutter sports bike to remind yourself what really quick is really like.

NOTE.
any childish comments about naked riding or helmets hitting you in the face have been thought of and dismissed already.

[G]

I remember learning on a naked GSF500 and thinking how the hell do people ride at a sustained 70mph let alone 100mph + without being blown all over the place.

On my fully faired SV650s its more than 10000000 times more comfortable at 70mph+ than the naked bike I learnt on.

[Stu]

When I had a naked loan bike for a month I couldn't help riding it 10-20 mph faster than my own just for the effects listed above.

[G]

I agree it would be fine and possibly could be described as great short term or for the odd blast.

For a 200+ mile ride out and regular commuting it would be a pain in the **** (neck)