New bike advice

[sturm]

Last week a taxi ran over my CBR600 while it was parked (the bike, not the taxi!) and my insurance has just told me the damage isn't repairable.

So... im in the market for a new bike (up to ~$8k).

I quite like the sv1000 and I've never had a twin before. I rode one in the weekend and it was a lot more jerky and vibration-y at slow speeds than I expected. I commute every day, and I'm not sure how easy it would be riding it through traffic around town.

I love the twin sound, but since the test ride I'm looking at other bikes (for example hornet 919). I'm looking for a bike with more mid-range than my cbr600 but not a full-on litre sports bike.

Anyone commuting on an sv1000 or can recommend similar-ish bikes?

[White trash]

Last week a taxi ran over my CBR600 while it was parked (the bike, not the taxi!) and my insurance has just told me the damage isn't repairable.

So... im in the market for a new bike (up to ~$8k).

I quite like the sv1000 and I've never had a twin before. I rode one in the weekend and it was a lot more jerky and vibration-y at slow speeds than I expected. I commute every day, and I'm not sure how easy it would be riding it through traffic around town.

I love the twin sound, but since the test ride I'm looking at other bikes (for example hornet 919). I'm looking for a bike with more mid-range than my cbr600 but not a full-on litre sports bike.

Anyone commuting on an sv1000 or can recommend similar-ish bikes?

Ummmmm, http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/130804-Crash-in-Wellington-motorcycle-Taxi-drive-Tory-Street-anyone-know-(9-November)?p=1129903849#post1129903849 , not you was it?

After riding a 600cc multi, it would take quite a bit of time to readjust to a 1000cc V-twin so I wouldn't discount it just yet. They do need a few revs on board before they smooth out and I see a hell of a lot of people commuting happily on them every day. I had the opportunity to use one to commute from Wellington to Upper Hutt and back a couple of times and they're freakin awesome.

[sil3nt]

Next obvious thing to look at would be the Firestorm which is Hondas litre twin.

[White trash]

Next obvious thing to look at would be the Firestorm which is Hondas litre twin.....best suited to homos.......

[sturm]

@wt - yep that was me!

I wasn't anywhere near it at the time luckily. I parked outside te papa about 9.30am, at 11 I got a call from the police that my bike had been involved in an accident. I work 2 mins away so I ran over and sorted it out.

The police said the taxi driver had (somehow) trapped his foot on and around the accelerator while the rest of his body was outside the car. It dragged him across the road, into my bike, over the kerb, through a couple of poles and a rubbish bin before stopping in the middle of that little street between te papa and the car park.

The bike didnt look too bad at first, but all the fairings were cracked, the footpegs had snapped off, the exhaust snapped off, back brake bent, so yeah in the end it was cheaper for the insurance to write it off.

I might try a different sv and see if I get the same feeling. VTR's on trademe are pretty cheap, the reviews I've read the sv comes out on top but I'll give one a ride and see :)

[White trash]

@wt - yep that was me!

I wasn't anywhere near it at the time luckily. I parked outside te papa about 9.30am, at 11 I got a call from the police that my bike had been involved in an accident. I work 2 mins away so I ran over and sorted it out.

The police said the taxi driver had (somehow) trapped his foot on and around the accelerator while the rest of his body was outside the car. It dragged him across the road, into my bike, over the kerb, through a couple of poles and a rubbish bin before stopping in the middle of that little street between te papa and the car park.

The bike didnt look too bad at first, but all the fairings were cracked, the footpegs had snapped off, the exhaust snapped off, back brake bent, so yeah in the end it was cheaper for the insurance to write it off.

I might try a different sv and see if I get the same feeling. VTR's on trademe are pretty cheap, the reviews I've read the sv comes out on top but I'll give one a ride and see :)

Holy shit man, what sort of clown would climb in/out of his car with the motor running and it in gear?! And we trust these muppets to drive us home when we're pissed:facepalm:

Glad you weren't involved.

Maybe a little bit older than you're after but take a ride on a TRX850 if you get the chance. Far smoother and less snatchy at low speeds than a 1000CC Vtwin.

[John_H]

I would have thought that the v-twin would end up being better at commuting that the IL4 once you get used to it as it needs less revs to get going. I'm no expert though. :yes::yes:

[sturm]

Everytime I tell the story we all wonder how on earth it happend.

Taxi = auto gearbox, so either it must be in Park or the handbrake must be on - my guess is the handbrake was on but only a little bit, so when he hit the gas it took off across the street :blink:

[imdying]

Shit town bike, the CBR would run rings around it. Buy the latest 600 you can and keep on smiling :sunny:

[sinned]

I quite like the sv1000 and I've never had a twin before. I rode one in the weekend and it was a lot more jerky and vibration-y at slow speeds than I expected.

Anyone commuting on an sv1000 or can recommend similar-ish bikes?
Having owned an SV1000 - it would not be my choice for commuting. I do love and miss the sound of a twin - however that doesn't compensate for the jerky and vibs you noted.

Is Speed triple or Street triple is in your budget? They are nice smooth as bikes for the commute.

[sturm]

I'd love a street triple - theres none on tradme at the moment - how much are they generally for a nice lowish kms example?

[Gibbo89]

I'd love a street triple - theres none on tradme at the moment - how much are they generally for a nice lowish kms example?

here are a few:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/browse/searchresults.aspx?sort_order=price_asc&searchType=0001-0026-1255-&searchString=street+triple+675&type=Search&generalSearch_keypresses=4&generalSearch_suggested=0

[BuzzardNZ]

those jerks and vibrations can be cured with a proper tune and a few well placed mods ( TPS and TRE ). I agree it sucks that suzuki let them out of the showroom running like this. I had mine TEKA tuned and that really smoothed it out around town. As for commuting, I wouldn't as the damn thing is a bit of a gas guzzler.

[Gibbo89]

a twin as a gas guzzler?! :shit:

[imdying]

I know, a litre bike with 500cc cylinders and 54mm throttle bodies chews gas... who'd a thunk it :shit:

[BuzzardNZ]

I know, a litre bike with 500cc cylinders and 54mm throttle bodies chews gas... who'd a thunk it :shit:

Still not as thirsty as the VTR though.

[sturm]

I rode a hornet 900 yesterday. Was really impressed - tons of low/midrange power compared to the cbr600 and a nice riding position. :)

[Owl]

I rode a hornet 900 yesterday. Was really impressed - tons of low/midrange power compared to the cbr600 and a nice riding position. :)

If you can stretch your budget a little, perhaps try out an 07 Speed Triple?

Alternatively, try out an 07 Speed Triple and then you'll want to reassess your budget:D

[tigertim20]

Still not as thirsty as the VTR though.

He speaks the truth . . .

[bsasuper]

An SV1000 with -1 on the front sprocket and +2 on the rear works better around town.

[BuzzardNZ]

An SV1000 with -1 on the front sprocket and +2 on the rear works better around town.

heard that too. How's it run on the open road? I know doing that throws ( the already incorrect ) speedo out. Probably going to do that mod when I get a new chain.

[frogfeaturesFZR]

I'd suggest an RSV, but then I could be a bit one eyed........

[waynzz7]

He speaks the truth . . .

I have a VTR1000 and it is a thirsty noisy jerky beast and kinda sucks as an around town bike..... just how I like it :Punk:

You don't buy a big V Twin to save the environment, reduce noise polution or to blend into the environment :innocent:

Think an inline four or triple would suit your needs better...A Triumph triple I have found to be a nice blend between the V Twin and inline fours..low down torque with nice top end... :yes:

Block your ears ronda ..cause a nice triumph will replace you one day...:gob:

[berg boy]

for commuting a motard of any sort is just the deal keep the big twin for the weekend if you've got the $$$

[Gremlin]

CB900. Endlessly reliable, just fill with gas and put her in for a service every 6000km.

Low down torque, and still a fun bike higher in the revs. Add wide bars for even more flickable handling :yes:

[racefactory]

I don't know what you're talking about, a Cbr600 is an awesome town bike. Turns loads of heads too, that can keep you entertained in traffic dont forget

[davebullet]

Suzuki fucked up the TPS and timing on all SV650s that came out the factory. It might be the same with SV1000s as well.

after I did the TPS adjustment and killed the timing retardation in the first 4 gears, the SV is now smoother than the Speed Triple.

I can let the SV run first gear at 11kph just on idle - smooth as. Also smoother off idle. No jerkiness at all.

[Juzz976]

After riding a 600cc multi, it would take quite a bit of time to readjust to a 1000cc V-twin so I wouldn't discount it just yet. They do need a few revs on board before they smooth out and I see a hell of a lot of people commuting happily on them every day. I had the opportunity to use one to commute from Wellington to Upper Hutt and back a couple of times and they're freakin awesome.

+1 I commute on a TL and the SV was way more behaved on low speed,
TRE mod it and it'll be sweet. Good bikes for their price

[firefighter]

I rode a hornet 900 yesterday. Was really impressed - tons of low/midrange power compared to the cbr600 and a nice riding position. :)

Good bikes mate, I really liked mine. Was great for commuting and definitely good enough for the weekend twisties. It was my only vehicle for quite a while and it never ever let me down-performance wise or reliability wise. For commuting they're very good due to the riding position.

If you like it they're a good reliable bike.

I'd go for a Triple if you can afford it though, just a bit cooler really, although I personally have'nt ridden one......

[SMOKEU]

You could buy an early model R1 or GSXR1000 for that price if you shop around a bit.