I want a SV650s

[Seth]

I really wish they had carried the dual exhaust of teh sv1000 over to the new sv650's as well, I personally really like the high dual pipes that you can get on the monster and the sv.

[Black Snowman]

I got the chance to ride a friends F4i and I can't even imagine needing more power than that. I remember back when I was a kid hearing about bikes breaking 80hp and weighing less than 600 lbs and thinking "That's INSANE!" Now, that's kinda sad for a sportbike.

I'm leaning tward getting a Buell XB9S or XB9R for my street bike in a few years when I'm ready to hit the track with the GS. Should be some used ones available by then and they have a really friendly power band and are supposed to handle like nothing else. Totally made for the streets.

The "real" superbikes have so much power and are so set up for racing that they don't even seem like they'd be fun until you're braking the law or could get them to a track. I'm also considering an SV650S, SV1000S, V-Storm, or some sort of Kawi. I just love Kawi green. I'm sick like that. Maybe it's just nestagila for the KDX-80 I learned on as a kid.

[Jonathan]

Ya, I rode a cbr 600 f4 that my friend had for a weekend.  He works at a dealership around here and on occasions gets to take a bike home.

That thing destroys my bike in every way and is so easy to ride.  I also felt as if I was going a lot slower then I actually was.  The thing was so stable and it was a pleasure to actually have a fairing!

[Seth]

Yeah I went from the GS to an F$i (as stated in a previous post) and now I"m thinking of going to the 954rr.  Its the same bike except alot more power.  The F4i was was so nice to ride and handled so well, the only thing I wanted believe it or not was more low end grunt hence the desire for the 954rr.

[giraffe]

Jonathan,

Please post some pictures of your bike and advise on your choice of tyres !

[juggernaught]

I read the Cycle World article on the SV650 and they really gave it a nice review.  I definitely may not mind one of those in a couple of years but we'll see.  I always prefer the naked look on a bike and apparently so did the writers.

[Jonathan]

Jonathan,

Please post some pictures of your bike and advise on your choice of tyres !

I'm going to be taking some pictures next weekend when I go for a ride with another board member.

[Arpee]

Many people actually have difficulty with the larger bikes on those small, slow parking lot-type manuevers.  Lots of dumped bikes in the slow stuff as well as the fast.

The SV 1000 is only about 35 lbs. heavier than the GS believe it or not, and have a wonderfully usable power band as WELL AS fully adjustable front and rear suspension (the SV 650 lacks this).  Too bad you can only buy a new, expensive one...sigh....if I ask the wife nicely??? Doubt it..

[JohNLA]

The SV is old and boring
I like the new Ducati Multistrada a do it all bike for 12 grand.
Single sided swing arm and have you seen the exhausts. I am drolling just thinking about them. I am still going to need another job if I am going to get one before the next decade but until then I am dreaming big.

[Argon5W]

I personally like riding the SV650 over the SV1000.  The 650 is lighter, it handles better, it's cheaper and it's almost as fast.    The SV650 is the only competitve bike in it's endurance class.  The SV1000 and the TLR1000 use the same under powered motor.  

Going from a street GS to almost any other modern street bike is a big jump.  The SV650 makes great usable power and is the perfect next bike for a GS owner.

[Black Snowman]

I've seen the new Buells for under $9000. That's $3000 to cover insurance I'd definately take it over the Ducati. Also the Buell motor is much simpler and parts are inexpensive realative to the Ducati. The Duck is a great bike but has loads of performance where I would never use it. Plus I think the perimiter break on the Buell looks wicked  :mrgreen:

[Argon5W]

If you do any serious amount of riding the Buell will eat you up in maintenance, actually the Ducati will also.  Riders have gone without any work on their GS for years and years and never had problems.  Remember the article about the delivery rider in Britain?  He had over 200,000 km on his GS and never put a wrench to the motor.  You would be lucky to get 15,000 miles out of Buell.


98% of the Harleys are still on the road, the other 2% made it home.

[XfitsofrageX]

I dont know how you can even compare a ducati to a buell!  Ducati's are beautiful, Buells look like they should be ridden by and super hero.  I would take a monster that was broken down over any HD crap.  But thats just me.

[Black Snowman]

The Harley motors have come a LONG way since the AMC days that gave them their bad reputation. The early Buells had more chassis issues than motor issues and the few motor issues I know of (I've been following the Buell boards for a while) are realtively minor and inexpensive to fix.

Plus the new Buells aren't really even made by Buell. The motor is made in Brazil, the chassis in Itally, fuel injection from Japan, the suspension is all Showa . . . or is it Ohlins? I forget, but a real brand. Only the very final assembly is done stateside so they can slap "Made in the USA" on it.

The bike is far more Italian and Japanese than it is American. The reason I want it is that it has all the properties I want in a street bike. If Honda or Triumph built it I'd still want that bike.

PS: I saw a Monster S4 on street the other day. SWEET bike.

[Argon5W]

I admit that the HD motors have come a very long way in reliability.  That still doesn't help the fact that they can't hold together when really pushed and don't make real horsepower.  The Buell would be a great bike if it wasn't for the push rod motor.  The supension is top notch and the handling faster and easier than most production bikes.  The problem is reliability and maintenance.  Buell tried AMA road racing but dropped out saying "It is pointless to continue."  They are allowed to use 1200cc bikes against 750cc four cylinders that weigh more and the Buell still can't win.

[Black Snowman]

Ya, fortunately I'd never take the bike to the track. For me it's just what I need. Low end grunt for fun. I doubt I'd really push the motor much and I get nervous about getting pulled over if I pass 10 over the limit.

When I get a new street bike the GS is going on a diet and be relegated to track use only. Maybe when I get comfortable enough I might take my "big" bike to the track a few times but I don't really see myself ever wanting to push the top speed limits of a 100+ HP 6 speed bike. I'm just fine with 70 lbs-ft of torque and 5 gears to bang through.

There are plenty of more powerful, more reliable, and cheaper bikes out there. But I LIKE the Buell XB9 chassis despite all it's shortcomings like a "poor" top end of around 140 mph (a good 40 MPH faster than I ever plan on taking it) short range (I don't do roadtrips) and possible maintence issues (I love working on my vehicles). Yes they are issues, but for me they're not big issues.

Most likely I'll end up on something like a tame 600, SV1000S, or SuperChicken because of financial reasons. I doubt I'd ever get a Ducati just because of the $$$ it takes to get, insure, and properly maintain one. I've also considered something more plush since I mainly seem to be commuting like a Kawi Concurs. I still do like the damn Buells though.

[Jonathan]

i'd take a TL1000R or VTR 1000 Superhawk over a buell or ducati.

[Argon5W]

The SuperHawk has a relatively low top end of the around 155 mph with after market pipes.  The bike is seriously over weight and the stock tank is too small for long country road trips.  The bike hasn't been very popular mainly because it doesn't have a full fairing.  Despite these faults the bike is incredible to ride on the street as it is probably the most comfortable performance street bike.  With 77 lbs. ft of torgque you don't need to down shift to accelerate.  Ridden hard the SH will go into 2nd gear around 80 mph.  The SuperHawk is the best street bike that I have ever owned.

[pantablo]

Ya, I bought my first gs500 two weeks after my 16th birthday.  Been riding ever since.

Last year in the fall I started dragging pegs constanly and finally started getting my knee down in turns.  I'm basically at the limits of a gs500, unless of course I got rear-sets and did some suspension work.

I am just in love with the sv650 and I don't really need a 600ss bike.  Sv is enough and you can't beat that v-twin roar!

I want an sv650 now...

[Black Snowman]

All it takes is money man, all it takes is money