Opinions: Z1000 vs. SV1000S vs. 919 vs. FZ1 vs. Speed Triple

[Alphamazing]

So, I'm considering upgrading in about a year or so, and I like to do lots of reasearch beforehand so I know exactly what it is I would be getting in to.

I'm looking at bigger bikes because I don't want to be forced to flog it all the time just to get it around quickly, as I do the GS. Yeah I'm smooth, but it's still flogging the bloody thing. I want to be able to relax more around town and be able to open it up when I go for more spirited rides.

Two bikes I seem to not be able to get my mind off of are the Kawasaki Z1000 and the SV1000S. I don't really like the SV650 because it seems that EVERYONE has them. They aren't very unique anymore. They're almost as popular, if not moreso around here, than the 600cc sport bikes. The SV1000S and Z1000 on the other hand are a bit more unique, a bit more rare.

I'd like to hear your opinions about these, and others that you think of as well. My only requirements are that they be somewhat cheap used (both of these can be had for around $4500 right now), easy to maintain, reliable, and not portly.

[VTNewb]

Z1000 is much sportier in equipment, but it's TINY. It's built with a new diamond frame and it's parts come from the ZX9R. Being an inline 4 it's all about high revs. SV1000 is a V twin so it's torque curve comes it much lower, also I'd imagine handles more like a tourer.

[Jace009gs]

mmm good question...I have not seen the SV1000 up close and in person YET but I will before buying one :lol: I've already made up my mind :lol:  but:

the Z is something like a GS with a HUGE 999cc fuel injected super sport zx-9 motor stuffed inbetween the frame of a GS. Then throw on some tacky but drop dead sexy tail pipes and that's the Z's attitude.

The SV is muce more relaxed cosmeticly but it has the heart of a Grisley Bear. It dosn't rev or slice corners like a cookie cutter compared to the Z but it certantly holds it on as I've read from a number of online reviews.

In all retrospects this is like the Big Q GS500 v. Ninja 500 their close but not equal

[Alphamazing]

I love the looks of both, and the tailpipes on the Z are to DIE for. I love them, seriously.

The SV, being a twin, has that sexy sound I love so much and the down low torque I like around town. However, the Z has the ziiiiiiiing! of the I4 that sounds absolutely killer when it's revved high. And it's got the top end power rush that can't be matched. The I4 power just keeps coming and coming.

I really don't mind small bikes so long as I can get some lower handlebars to ease the awkwardness from my long arms. The SV comes with clip-ons, so that's taken care of.

The twin's power delivery around town would make it ideal, being able to squirt in and out of traffic and around corners without having to downshift. The I4's, however, would be great on the back roads I'd imagine. I keep the revs pretty high when I'm doing back road riding, and the I4 would keep the power up there, rather than dipping off at 9k.

Damn. I think I really just want a triple. Anyone know how reliable Triumphs are? If only I had enough for that 675...

I sat on a Ducati Supersport 800 and I really liked it. Long reach to the bars was nice with my tall torso, as it kept me out of the wind. VERY sporty riding position. But I don't think they are as reliable as I need them to be, nor as cheap as I'd like.

[PSUDUG]

Hey.
I haven't been around much since I sold my GS, but I can vouch for the SV1000S.  It is an absolutely amazing bike.  Gobs of torque and plenty on the top end to.  The bike just plain hauls a$$.  It is comfortable and exceptional around town.  There is just nothing better then that vtwin revved up to 11k rpms!!!  and I have only seen one other SV1000S in person which makes it unique.  I get compliments from everyone that I come across.
Good luck on your decision.  PM me with any questions you have about it.  

[Alphamazing]

Let's throw a few more bikes into the mix here. I want to hear your opinions on any or all of these, be it from what you've read or from experience yourself. Let's add the Triumph Speed Triple (the old one that isn't as ugly), the Yamaha FZ1, and the Honda 919.

They all go into that streetfighter, semi-naked/naked streetbike category. I do realize that the FZ1 and SV are more sport-touring oriented compared with the Speed3, 919, and the Z, but I'd still like to hear your opinions.

I really love the sound of the SV with open pipes, that low rumble is something that just can't be beat; possibly matched by the scream of the inline 4 at 15,000RPMs, though.

Let's hear what you've got.

[jiggersplat]

the speed triple is on the short list of bikes i'd hump.

[VTNewb]

Speed triple wins all, but I think the z1000 out races and out handles all of them due to its parts bin.

[vtlion]

Have you considered the new Sponge-Bob 1000?  I hear it is the best handling 1000 out there... very flickable :lol:


Seriously, the SV1000S looks like an awesome bike.  I'll bet it will eat about a rear-tire a month if you are riding it like you mean it, though.

The Honda 919 in the Uranium Green color from a coupla of years back is drop-dead gorgeous.  I bumped into a guy riding one at my local bike shop.  I have to say that I was impressed.  He had alot of good things to say about it.

If it were me, I would go for one of those two.  The triple and the Kawi just don't do it for me.  Personally, if I were going for a Triumph, I would be on the new 675 triple faster than you can say "damn, that's a narrow chassis wrapped around a KILLER powerplant that would smoke any bike of comparable displacement into last century in the twisties".

[Alphamazing]

So I told my father of my intention to possibly upgrade to something along these lines next year. He sounded really pissed off. Kept saying I should ride the GS for 4 or 5 years, and then maybe think about upgrading to an SV650.

I am already taking the GS to its limits (and beyond, per my recent track mishap :lol:) using stock equipment. I've put 2500 miles on the '04 in the 3 months I've been riding it, and it's been the school year and winter time, too. By next year I should have over 10,000 miles on her. I don't intend on selling the GS, but instead I intend to turn her into a track bike.

Do you think I should forego getting a new bike in favor of upgrading the GS to accomidate stickier rubber (wider rear rim), lower bars (more sport oriented riding position), rearsets (same as previous), and better suspension (to prevent wallowing and front end dive during heavy braking and hard cornering)?

[Roadstergal]

You'd have to do that to the SV eventually, too.  My SV650 dove drastically under braking at the track, and I've heard that the suspension on the 1000 is just a little less good than the 650.  Your "big" choices are all going to be compromised-for-street bikes.

I hope you're kidding about crashing meaning you're riding at the bike's limits.

[Alphamazing]

I hope you're kidding about crashing meaning you're riding at the bike's limits.

Yes I was, but it was more of a joke along the lines of tractional limits... because I lost all of it . But yeah, I ride the hell out of the GS all the time.

I realize I might have to change the suspension on the bigger bikes, but that's pretty much a given with any bike nowdays. The SV has fully adjustable suspension from the factory.

Can you think of a middleweight bike that isn't the SV that doesn't cost half the revenue of a 3rd world country to insure?

[Roadstergal]

Traction loss can happen when you push any bike on any tires, but riding to the bike's limits mean that that loss is under control, as well; the rider is paramount.  Someone posted a video of Rossi on an R6, and every turn, at exactly the same point, the rear would drift and hang out through the corner, and he'd lock it back in place and rocket out of the turn.  That's riding a bike to its limits - pushing it until it's about to go, and then keeping it perfectly on that edge.

I don't call liter bikes middleweight, so I'm not sure what you're asking...

[aaronstj]

And far as weight goes, the SV1000S barely weighs more than the GS.  The SV650 weighs less.

[Alphamazing]

I don't call liter bikes middleweight, so I'm not sure what you're asking...

Well, I couldn't think of any middleweights that fell into my desired categories, only the literbikes I mentioned here. If you can think of a middleweight, I'd be more than happy to hear. The middleweights handle better and are lighter, which is nice, but there are just so many of them. I want something that not everyone has.

Like I said, I don't exactly intend to throw the GS out. On the contrary. I'd use it as a track bike to increase my skills.

And according to your definition I guess I'm not taking it to the limit then, but I am pushing it pretty damn hard.

[cobalt135]

You'd have to do that to the SV eventually, too.  My SV650 dove drastically under braking at the track, and I've heard that the suspension on the 1000 is just a little less good than the 650.  Your "big" choices are all going to be compromised-for-street bikes.

I hope you're kidding about crashing meaning you're riding at the bike's limits.

The 650 are only adjustable for preload front and rear IIRC, while the 1000's are fully adjustable preload, rebound, and compression front and back.  On the 1000 I think I have seen most gripes with the front suspension from the heavier riders.  A few have reported issues with the rear shock getting hot from the rear cylinder exhaust.  Easily fixed with a heat shield if you expierence problems.

[Roadstergal]

Thanks for the 1000 info - I was never in the market for one, so I only know what other people have told me.

X5, from what I'm hearing, you want to progress at the track but want to cruise lazily with lots in reserve and turn heads on the street.  In that case, muckity with what you find suboptimal on the GS (suspension, clipons, rearsets), and get something bigger and head-turning for the street.

[Alphamazing]

Thanks for the 1000 info - I was never in the market for one, so I only know what other people have told me.

X5, from what I'm hearing, you want to progress at the track but want to cruise lazily with lots in reserve and turn heads on the street.  In that case, muckity with what you find suboptimal on the GS (suspension, clipons, rearsets), and get something bigger and head-turning for the street.

Turning heads isn't the issue so much as just wanting something unique. The SV1000S looks similar to the SV650, but it's still different. I also want to be able to lazily cruise if I need to, but be able to tear up the backroads as well. Around town it gets somewhat tiring having to concentrate on keeping the revs up or downshifting twice in order to pass a car. There is only so much you can do on the street while still maintaining legal limits. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's possible to improve skills more on the track than you can on the street. I'm able to do about 4-6 track days a year or more with the way I've got it worked out right now, and that's just for me.

[pantablo]

I want something that not everyone has.

I did too...and ended up with a Honda of all things. It fit best and was the best tool for what I wanted to do.

If you want to be unique...definitely go with the speed triple. they're not seen often, have a bit of a cult status, and kick ass. The z1000 is trick, but its still a kwak. and the sv1000 LOOKS like an sv650 until you see the second pipe.

Dont give up on the ducati though. My buddy had a 95 or 96 900ss and it was a nice ride. reliable too. bought it used for $5500 I think. Sold it for same, and bought a fz1. he's terrified of it and doesnt ride much anymore.

[Roadstergal]

I haven't heard anything bad about the reliability of modern Ducatis (I joined the local Ducati group when my brother started lusting after them).  What I do hear, consistantly, is that the maintenance will quickly run you more than the bike if you don't DIY.

They had a 999R Testarasetta at the dealer today - a thing of unequalled two-wheeled beauty, all business... and a used bargain at $23K.