Pwalo
27th February 2007, 12:22
OK, confession time first. The SV has been a bit of a culture shock for me. This is the first bike that I've owned which has had:
Clip ons
Rear sets
Watercooling
Fuel injection
Alloy frame
Body mounted fairing
Over 50 bhp
Thankfully riding the SV has been a revelation as well. Although it tries to look like a full on sportsbike the SV is really more of a sporty all rounder, which is just fine by me.
I was a bit worried that I would find the riding position a bit extreme after the GS, but after a few ks it's actually really comfortable. The clip ons are above the top triple clamp, and the rear sets aren't too rear set. Ok it's a bit wristy if you're stuck in a queue and can't filter, but any other time it's fine.
Handling wise the SV seems to have the basics right. It's very stable, but quick and easy to change direction once you're used to the different inputs required compared to more upright, wide barred bikes. It also hauls up really well compared with the GS, as it should with the extra front disc and meatier forks.
Some reviewers have given the SV a hard time about it's pretty basic suspension, but I really haven't had any problems with the bike still on it's factory settings. Then again I don't really brake late, or accelerate really hard, and weigh under 70kg.
The SV's engine is a real beaut. I've only got 1.2k on the bike at the moment so it's still a wee bit tight, although the gear changes are getting better, and it seems to spin up a bit more freely now. After having carbed bikes previously FI is a real doddle. Turn the key, hit the starter, and wait for the engine to warm up a bit!
Performance wise it isn't going to threaten a 600 sports bike once you're past 120ks or so, but I reckon below that the SV would be pretty close. I really like the way that the bike delivers it's power. It's delivered in a linear fashion, and doesn't appear to have any noticeable dips or surges. The SV seems to be a bike that is best ridden as smoothly as possible.
Looks wise the SV is probably one of those bikes that you either like, or despise. I really like it (yes we all buy our bikes based on their specs now, don't we?). It reminds me of an insect, or one of those old Transformer toys that my boys used to love.
I haven't had a chance to ride at night yet so I can't comment on the lights, but they seem pretty decent. I haven't ridden in the rain yet so I can't comment on that either.
Well that's it for the moment. I've only had a couple of weeks on the bike so far, so I'm still finding things out. I've got a list of possible upgrades already though!
Clip ons
Rear sets
Watercooling
Fuel injection
Alloy frame
Body mounted fairing
Over 50 bhp
Thankfully riding the SV has been a revelation as well. Although it tries to look like a full on sportsbike the SV is really more of a sporty all rounder, which is just fine by me.
I was a bit worried that I would find the riding position a bit extreme after the GS, but after a few ks it's actually really comfortable. The clip ons are above the top triple clamp, and the rear sets aren't too rear set. Ok it's a bit wristy if you're stuck in a queue and can't filter, but any other time it's fine.
Handling wise the SV seems to have the basics right. It's very stable, but quick and easy to change direction once you're used to the different inputs required compared to more upright, wide barred bikes. It also hauls up really well compared with the GS, as it should with the extra front disc and meatier forks.
Some reviewers have given the SV a hard time about it's pretty basic suspension, but I really haven't had any problems with the bike still on it's factory settings. Then again I don't really brake late, or accelerate really hard, and weigh under 70kg.
The SV's engine is a real beaut. I've only got 1.2k on the bike at the moment so it's still a wee bit tight, although the gear changes are getting better, and it seems to spin up a bit more freely now. After having carbed bikes previously FI is a real doddle. Turn the key, hit the starter, and wait for the engine to warm up a bit!
Performance wise it isn't going to threaten a 600 sports bike once you're past 120ks or so, but I reckon below that the SV would be pretty close. I really like the way that the bike delivers it's power. It's delivered in a linear fashion, and doesn't appear to have any noticeable dips or surges. The SV seems to be a bike that is best ridden as smoothly as possible.
Looks wise the SV is probably one of those bikes that you either like, or despise. I really like it (yes we all buy our bikes based on their specs now, don't we?). It reminds me of an insect, or one of those old Transformer toys that my boys used to love.
I haven't had a chance to ride at night yet so I can't comment on the lights, but they seem pretty decent. I haven't ridden in the rain yet so I can't comment on that either.
Well that's it for the moment. I've only had a couple of weeks on the bike so far, so I'm still finding things out. I've got a list of possible upgrades already though!