Quote from: tigerstyle102

Quote from: BanannaManIf you want a bigger more powerful GS500....check out the Honda 599/hornet or the yamaha FZ6.
The four cyl. motors will be closer to the GS.

Do you mean because the SV's power is down low versus the four cyl.'s power being up high?

Actually it would be because of the torque of the v-twin requires a different riding style.
For example....to downshift  the SVS ( while slowing down) ...one must increase the RPM's (read more throttle) before engaging into a lower gear....or else hear the rear tire chirp as it locks up.
Similiar to the inputs you would give the GS to speed up.

4cyls (and all inline motors) make smoother power than a v-twin or V-4.


Although stonger than most 600's in the midrange..... like anything else the SV 's real power really doesn't come on untill it's in the top 1/4 of it's rpm range.

BanannaMan - I don't fully understand what you mean when you say "Similar to the inputs you would give the GS to speed up"??

I have never ridden a bike that has more compression lock-up ("rear tire chirp as it locks up") then the GS500. After 7 months of riding my GS500 from brand new I needed a new rear tire. I don't know if its due to the GS being light in the rear or gearing set-up or my riding style?

As for the SV Vs. GS debate, we should rename this site SV or GS... the SV is an all-round better bike, more power, better brakes, better suspension, a better learner bike unless your loaded with cash and don't mind forking out for a SV in a years time when you have outgrown the GS.

The SV is easy enough to ride for a beginner, a 36 y/o female friend of mine just got bought a SV as her first bike, and she loves it. She is careful how she rides and doesn't ABUSE the extra power. There is miles of difference btw an R1 as your first bike and SV... only a few yards between the GS and the SV. If your going to have trouble on an SV you will have trouble on the GS - its that simple.

Stay Safe  

I didn't know about not having a "reserve". I guess with the digital gauges and all the SV has a fuel gauge.

Cool factoid:
Not sure if anybody knew this, but the SV have a hydraulic clutch [edit: only the SV1000 has the hydraulic clutch, not the SV650]. Now, some say this is not really necessary (overkill), but it might be geared for beginner riders and females. Not even the larger, more expensive bikes everybody is riding nowadays have a hydraulic clutch.

Personally, I like the way the SV650/1000 looks

especially the full-fairing versions. I just wished Suzuki would get with the times and offer more color options for the SV650: only 2 colors to choose from (yellow?; the blue should be a darker tone) and the SV650 doesn't even get the choice of silver like the SV1000. What gives?  Even the GSX-R series have the tacky blue/white scheme.

Quote from: FlashI didn't know about not having a "reserve". I guess with the digital gauges and all the SV has a fuel gauge.

Cool factoid:
Not sure if anybody knew this, but the SV have a hydraulic clutch. Now, some say this is not really necessary (overkill), but it might be geared for beginner riders and females. Not even the larger, more expensive bikes everybody is riding nowadays have a hydraulic clutch.

Personally, I like the way the SV650/1000 looks, especially the full-fairing versions. I just wished Suzuki would get with the times and offer more color options: only 2 colors to choose from (yellow?; the blue should be a darker tone) and the SV650 doesn't even get the choice of silver like the SV1000. What gives?  Even the GSX-R series have the tacky blue/white scheme.

the new cbr 1000rr's have hydraulic clutches  

The TLR has a hydraulic clutch but a lot change it to the cable clutch from a TLS. They claim better feel for launching. I have a kevlar line and the feel is fine for me. The stock rubber line had a mushy feel.

Just get it. Everyone at the tracks will drool over it trying to get ona biek that they can actually manage. Not everyone can trail brake into turn on an RC51...

Even very experienced riders drool everytime they see a 650 on the track.

Quote from: FlashI didn't know about not having a "reserve". I guess with the digital gauges and all the SV has a fuel gauge.

Cool factoid:
Not sure if anybody knew this, but the SV have a hydraulic clutch

and the SV650 doesn't even get the choice of silver like the SV1000. What gives?  Even the GSX-R series have the tacky blue/white scheme.

Uh, nope. And although I'm legaly colorblind, I'm pretty damn sure the SV in my garage is silver.