CBR900RR/919RR vs SV1000S

[SMOKEU]

I've recently passed my 6F license and I'm thinking about buying my first big bike. I have a budget of $5,000. I still can't decide if I want a CBR900RR/CBR919RR or an SV1000S. I haven't ridden either bike, but I like the look of the CBR and the fact that I've had such a good run out of my CBR250. I also like the full fairings and the straight 4 engine.

The SV1000S that would fit into my price bracket would be around a 2003-2004 model, which is fuel injected, and since it has half the number of cylinders as the CBR I figure there are fewer things to go wrong with it and tune ups and repairs should be cheaper on the twin. The SV will also be more modern than the CBR900/919RR which would be mid-late 1990's.

I want something that is easy to handle, easy to throw into a corner (for a big bike), something with safe, predictable handling and also something that is reliable as it will be my only vehicle and I can't afford to spend huge money on repairs. I don't mind an aggressive, lean over the tank riding position either. Are fully faired bikes more comfortable on the open road, and are they better when riding in cold or bad weather conditions?

[ynot slow]

I looked at a 04 CBR954RR,was nice to ride,comfy and grunty,then took the gixxer for run,and was interested in the SV1000S when on Suzuki fest pricing back in 07,(but none were available to ride then),I took an SV for a test ride when pretty much bought the gixxer to fix my curiosity,wasn't overly fussed with it,compared to my enthusiasm to buy when new models were at good price,out of the CBR/SV it would've been the honda,for all my thinking the SV was for me,it did nothing to excite me,mind you had made my mind on the gixxer at the time so maybe that clouded my thinking.

[ducatilover]

I'd say the 900RR is the better bike.
Thought about Gixxer750s?
Late 90's ZX6R, early R6? Good step up from a 250 and they all handle a treat. All have over 100hp.

[Sable]

SV1000 is a much newer bike.

[Usarka]

You need to test ride. Especially the SV and maybe one of the CBR's.

Twins feel a lot different to inline 4's and a test ride might be enough to cement the decision for you one way or the other.

[slofox]

The suspension on the SV's is far from "state of the art"...but you do need to ride both.

[imdying]

The blade. The SV is a shit heap. If you're not going out of town much then consider a 600, they're fun++;

[SilentDtH]

You said faired, but don't discount the hornet cb900. You can get older ones for about 5000 but look for 2005+ for adjustable front suspension. Fuel injected too.

[imdying]

Ignore him, naked bikes are for faggots

[blackdog]

Doesn't matter which one you choose, you'll have it impounded within a week.

Welcome back Smokey.

[SMOKEU]

Doesn't matter which one you choose, you'll have it impounded within a week.

Welcome back Smokey.

Haha yeah you're right, cheers!

[Kermit250]

Why the fuss over fuel injection? For reliability (read: more simple) and cheaper repair/tuning costs look to carbs.

[SMOKEU]

Why the fuss over fuel injection? For reliability (read: more simple) and cheaper repair/tuning costs look to carbs.

I've never owned an EFI bike but I've heard
that carburettor maintenance like balancing and cleaning them can be expensive. Especially when there's 4 of them. In saying that my CBR250 has been very reliable.

[bsasuper]

SV1000 is a much newer bike.

Not really, its just a second generation TL1000, which had a good motor but crap handling, nothing has changed in the handling department.

As for reliability, my 92 CBR900 did over 170,000k before the bottom end started grumbling, oil and filter every 3500kms, carb balance every 5000k, easy.

[SMOKEU]

carb balance every 5000k, easy.

Isn't that a bit overkill? I've done about 13,000km on my CBR250 and it hasn't had the carbies balanced since I've owned it. I don't know if any of the previous owners have had it done. The bike still runs like new.