Ok, this would probably constitute a thread-jack... so I'm starting a new one instead
jag69, I LOVE THIS BIKE!!!
Ergos: SVS ergos are great for '04. '03 was a little too far to the bars for me, but the '04s are awesome. The tank is incredibly tall, so you will want to get a tank-pad or bra to protect it from the inevitable bumps from jacket zippers or belt buckles. I rode 250 miles from State College, PA to DC a few weeks ago. Took the highway down and the backroads back as a sort of R&D mission for comfort. I never had any problems with comfort. I'm 6'3" and I can quite easily ride sitting straight up if I'm willing to only have my throttle hand on the bars (read: highway riding). Besides feeling like I'd been kicked in the nuts for 4 hours by the end of the ride, I felt great . A gel seat may help... but I think 4 hours in the saddle of a sport-bike is gonna cause some discomfort no matter what.
Handling: Ok, I have to tip this one to the R6 just slightly over the SV by virtue of its better front suspension. With the proper power going to the rear wheel it was phenomenal in the turns, however, the SV puts power down more evenly, and so is easier to hold a line with. Also, the SV is SOOO easy to toss back and forth because of the narrow V-twin engine.. so its a tie I guess. My skills in the twisties have developed so much since the GS that I don't dare compare it to the others.. I really sucked on the backroads when I had the GS.
Power: the SV RULES downtown. Snappy from the get-go... its torque curve is very level from 4k to 10k rpm. It pulls like a beast to 100mph, which is as far as I've gone (or am likely to ever go). The roll-on power leaves a bit to be desired for high-speed passes, but if I wind it up good before I execute the pass, its very quick and stable. The R6 owns the top of the power-band, but I grew tired of the peaky power delivery quickly.
Town: As I said, the SV OWNS downtown. Awesome. The GS comes in second... hey that's what it was designed for. The R6 was a pain in the arse at 30mph. 2nd gear is so tall that at town speeds I was either HOWLING in first, or doggin' it in second... no fun.
Long distance: Toss up. GS had the ergos. SV has the right power and comfort combo. The 1/4 fairing offers plenty of wind protection, too.. I never noticed a difference between the SV and R6 from a wind protection standpoint. The R6 was the most confidence-inspiring on the highway because lets face it, the engine, chassis and suspension were built for those speeds. I should also note that the R6 has a wider seat than the SV. I have no a$$, so it really didn't factor in for me, but for those with a more robust back-side, the R6 might offer more comfort in that area. :dunno:
I would HIGHLY recommend the SV as a second bike. It puts down just as much torque as the R6, but in a different, more usefull way IMO. The SV is a real road-bike. Its designed for the streets. To put it another way, the SV is a road-bike that some people race... the R6 is a race bike that some people take on the road.. ya know? You can use nearly all the SVS has to offer without having to go to the track (notice I said "nearly" all it has to offer ;) ). It is smooth, not nearly as buzzy as I thought it would be. I really can't say enough about how happy I am with the SVS so far... 950 miles and counting
Excellent review. The SV650S is the original bike I was going to get before I bought the GS. I am glad I purchased the GS. It is the perfect beginner bike IMO. I have been riding the GS for a year now and as soon as I finish remodeling the master bathroom I will be purchaseing another bike. I am in love with the black SV650S that they have in Europe. You can see it on www.bikepics.com/pictures/129971/ . I hope they bring this color scheme to the U.S. for 2005.
Thanks ..... keep me updated.
The black color is awesome.
I'm not sure how well the yellow ones are selling, but I saw one not too long ago new for 5,550 at the dealer. that cheap, you could afford to buy it and have it repainted and still come in under MSRP ;)
hell, around here they're selling the SV1000 for $6500!
Good write up on the bikes. I can see the sv being a better around town bike. My 600rr wouldnt be good around town either but all I do is twisty roads and the stretch of freeway to get there so its the perfect bike *for me*.
Glad you're enjoying the sv. Dont forget to check out svriders.com adn socalsvriders.com , both good forums. The sv has a ton of aftermarket too...
vtlion --- Did you consider the FZ6 or YZF600R at all in your purchase choice? I just got off the phone with my insurance agent and he highly recommended the SV650S over the FZ6 and YZF600R when it come to insuring the bike. Is their a big difference in insurance for the SV650S from your R6?
Thanks
glad to see someone on an svs. Definitley my next bike unless they downgrade it. Are you gonna work on the front suspension at all or is it good enough? :cheers:
Yes the SV 1000's are selling around here for 6499 for the naked and 6999 for the 1/4 fairing... 2K off from retail... Those damn things just aint selling.
Cool.
Srinath.
Quote from: seshadri_srinathYes the SV 1000's are selling around here for 6499 for the naked and 6999 for the 1/4 fairing... 2K off from retail... Those damn things just aint selling.
Cool.
Srinath.
'
That might change, there's a great review in cycle world of the sv100s - the "forgotten twin" this month.
I also bought an SVS recently. Its a 2002 with only 126 miles on it. I paid $3500 which I think is a good deal for a bike thats basically brand new. I've had problems with heavy vibrating/shuddering when in low rpms. It looks like the fuel has turned to gunk in my carbs as the bike had sat in a garage for quite some time so I am next to clean them out. Already cahnged the oil and filter, antifreeze, tire pressure and lubed the chain. I'm finding the SVS an easy bike to work on.
So far after doing 100miles the bike feels great besides the shuddering but then we know the V-twin likes to be over 3,000rpms generally. Cornering is very easy, very much like the GS500, the acceleration is amazing, i can't take the bike past 5,000rpms yet as I still have to do the break-in but throttle response is quick, clutching is smooth and the ride is very comfortable. Suspension feels very good, the stock GS500 always bottomed out on me, I'm 5ft8 140lbs but the SVS takes the same bumps in the roads and I can hardly feel them. I won't be upgrading my front suspension anytime soon, it feels very comfortable for me.
I always wanted the SVS, i bought the GS500 as it was my first bike and wanted to learn the right way without going in over my head. The SVS is a fantastic second bike. I'm only writing this because the beautiful florida summer is giving me nothing but rain and storms today so I'm sat inside aching to get out and put some more miles on my new steed.
Quote from: jag69vtlion --- Did you consider the FZ6 or YZF600R at all in your purchase choice? I just got off the phone with my insurance agent and he highly recommended the SV650S over the FZ6 and YZF600R when it come to insuring the bike. Is their a big difference in insurance for the SV650S from your R6?
Thanks
I originally had those on the short-list back when I bought the R6. I did get to test ride a 600R last fall. That was a great bike. I have state farm and my agent tells me that a sport bike is a sport bike to them... my liability premium on the SV is actually a little more than the R6 because all State Farm sees is a '600cc sportbike' vs a '650cc sportbike'. Still, their rates are the best around so I'm with them. There may be a difference with some companies, though.. just not mine.
For now I'm going to leave the forks as they are. I'd say for all but the most aggressive twistie riding they are fine stock. I just cranked up the preload and the bike is much more stable than with the factory settings. The forks rally aren't aren't that bad, but they certainly are the first place I would go for better performance. Much like with the GS, better springs can be had relatively cheap (so I'm told)
hehehemann... let us know how your carb problems work out.