Suzuki SV1000S vs Honda VTR1000

[Sensei]

Good friend had a MK1 850 with a 1000cc kit in it Le Mans ?? not sure any ways .Road it up the road & stopped at the corner & gave it a hand full to hear what it sounded like Fuck me nearly hit the heads on the road LOL . Went up my fav bit of road & put it into a bend which it was a bit fast for so dropped it down 2 gear then let the clutch out to find you don't do this as it locked up big time & tryed to spit me off . Still sounded the Bizz down changing from Revs Hummmm Lovely just about as nice as my Ducati's

[k1w160]

"its only a 5 speed"??? - Cajun, you possibly rode the only 5 speed SV1000 in the world, every one I've ridden is 6 speed.

I recently treated my self to a new bike, and when testing a few, both of the bikes your looking at were in the mix.

I tried both the VTR and SV 1K, as well as Buell XB12R, XB12S, new Triumph Speed Triple and the 1200 Bandit, and put the hard earned $$$ on a new 05 SV1000S (yes a 6 speed!!).

The VTR I test rode had 11K on the clock (I try to test bikes will a bit of use to see what the're like after a year or so of use) and a SV1000 with the same Kms.
Both bike had cans, but otherwise standard.

SV was tight, quiet engine and real fun power delivery all the way up to redline. Handled really well. The styling is a personal thing - personally I like it.

VTR in comparison was a DOG!! I realsie that this particular one I rode may have had a hard time by the previous owner, but this is why I test bikes with K's on if possible, I want to see just how they last.
VTR had a noisy gearbox, poor fueling down low and mid range, but was more comfortable seat wise, thought styling was a little boring.
The shop may have been able to swing me to a new VTR by providing a serviced example for the test, but they didn't really seem that motivated.

Buells were fun, and the Triumph awesome - but I couldn't justify another $4K - they weren't that much better in my opinion.

1200 Bandit - well I tested it 'cause of the low $$, but I'm just not a 4 cylinder fan.

Went back and bought the SV1000S and couldn't be happier. Have put F1 Engineering high bars on for a slightly less extreme riding position (am well into my 40's now), otherwise thats it.

I tend to use it in the weekend only, so 4000km since April is all it has on the clock.

As has been posted already, test ride both, and try throwing a few others into the mix just to keep it interesting, and which ever one feels good to you is the right one. Have fun testing, and let us know what you decide on.
C.U.

[vifferman]

i rode both, eventually settling for the TL instead, but the bike right up there was the VFR800 - much better than the VTR/SV combo

Yeah, she's a great bike alright.
Only marginally heavier than the VTR, but same power (albeit delivered differently), still has that V-bike character, more comfy (especially with a pillion), better for touring, much more economical, better looking, more robust, etc etc.
And you can make cakes, muffins, biscuits and stuff if you get the attachments.

Seriously, sometimes that gear whine is just WAY too cake-mixery.
So, I just whip the spud out, and drown it out with some Ferrari-like exhaust wail.

[marty]

some Ferrari-like exhaust wail.

and THAT, they have plenty of....

and i don't mind the gear whine.

[Morepower]

Interesting opinions,
I ride a 97 TL and in the real world the on road performance of the 3 bikes is very similar and it will depend on who has had the most brave pills as to who wins a race.
The VTR has a bit more grunt down low than the TL but then the TL ramps up in the midrange witha big lift in torque that can be entertaining mid corner.And thats what gives it its entertaining slightly scary nature.
But this is about the SV / VTR .
The SV is a great bike to ride , handles well , its fast and the engine is still a gem with just as much real world go as the TL , its just better natured.
The VTR is different , its well finished softer riding , more comfortable with good low down torque.

They are all great bikes, chose what looks and feels best to you.

Dave

[Kickaha]

Quick Summary of my impression of the both of them

SV1000 horrible seating positon, good gearbox,likes to be revved and steers quicker than the VTR

VTR nicer motor with more bottom end and better seating position,clunky gearbox and steers like a truck

Ideally I'd have the VTR seating position,and motor with the SV gearbox and steering

If I had to choose I'd take the VTR as I think it's nicer to ride even though it needs to be muscled around a bit more to get it to turn in on slow corners and the riding position is easier on the wrists

[White trash]

Quick Summary of my impression of the both of them

SV1000 horrible seating positon, ....blah blah blah.......to ride even though it needs to be muscled around a bit more to get it to turn in on slow corners and the riding position is easier on the wrists

What the hell would you know? You're a dangerous, dumb fuck and I for one will stay well away from you no matter what gaY-Twin you're riding.

[dangerous]

What the hell would you know? You're a dangerous, dumb fuck and I for one will stay well away from you no matter what gaY-Twin you're riding.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaa roger is a dangerous dumb fuk LOL..... had I knowen that he wouldent have gone anywere near my VTR....... ohhhh hang on, I did know that

*mutter mutter, call my bike a truck*

[Kickaha]

*mutter mutter, call my bike a truck*

I upgraded it from Artic

What the hell would you know? You're a dangerous, dumb fuck and I for one will stay well away from you no matter what gaY-Twin you're riding.

Thats fucking good coming from someone selling shit to hairdressers
have one of these to

[paturoa]

I took both for rides and for all practical purposes they are much the same. I got a SVs.

My recollection was that the suzi has heaps more real world grunt. Looking at the dyno chart below backs that up. I also remember that the suzi is lower geared as well. So with more power and lower gearing it not surprising.

The biggest difference between the 2 (3?) bikes is in the ergos. The SVS with clip ons will kill your wrists around town, Honda is in the middle and the "plain" SV is very upright.

The thing that put me off the VTR was low rpm acceleration, it had hideous chain snatch. My SV has it too, but only below about 1800rpm. (I checked the Honda chain tension with the dealer and he said it was set correct).

I agree that the SV styling is duh with the standard rear guard, mine has it removed and looks a lot better, sharper somehow. The down side is that crap sprays all over the rear when it rains.

The mirrors are all elbow as standard so I made up some spacers about 40 mm thick, got some longer bolts and all fixed.

I've done 6000 ks so far and not a problem, its even better on tyres than I expected.

As far as gas consumption I dont know about the honda but for the SV from the bottom of the filler tube (on side stand) to the warning light is always about 220k of 100% commuting around Auck, and about 13 litres for the refill (17km per litre). It has a 16 litre tank.

As far as the performance the SV hauls from low/mid rpm and feels flat after 10,000 rpm (11 red line). It also has as standard the thingie that stops full ignition advance in gears 4 and below. Plenty enough power for me. Any more and I'd get myself in deep shit.

check out

http://www.deeknow.com/dyno/index.ph...action=Dyno+It

Likes for SV; good grunt where I need it for commuting, low weight, fantastic headlights, brakes good, adj span levers.

Dislikes for SV; sore wrists with S model, shit over tail piece with rear guard removed, crap horn, no centre stand (don't remember if the VTR has got one?), and to put the side stand down your heel goes on the hot exhaust pipe and leaves shit to clean later.

Other than that, I'm very happy with it.

[moko]

One thing the press in the UK have always criticised the VTR for is heavy fuel consumption,same mistake Honda made with the 600 Hornet,crap fuel consumption and a small tank.Heard of camchain problems as well but only on the grapevine and not seen anything about it in the press.

[Dafe]

When I brought the SV in 2003, I'd checked all the reviews I could find.

All reviews at that stage pointed at the SV being the exciting and fun ride.
At the sametime, the firestorm - being labelled, the Fireyawn!

I still have the Two Magazines (PB and Two Wheels) with the comprehensive Twin comparisons.

If I get time I will scan them in for you to read.

[Dafe]

Just found the electronic version of one of the two reviews I was mentioning.

http://www.sv650.org/reviews/PB_mag_...B%20review.htm

This was very common to what I found in other publications reviews.

[Gonzo]

Ive owned an SV1000 for the past 18mths Bought it new with yoshi cans on .I have toured the sth island two up and solo and have put 25000 kms on it til now. Its brilliant! I had an RF(105000kms) and thought that the motor on that was good but this is the bomb.Its not a TLs but smoother like a TLR. I have ridden VTRs and found them to be good as well but different, you sit in a VTR and the power isnt as linear as an SV. Contrary to what someone else said SVs are 6 Speed boxes but fifth is all you need at highway speeds. I like the more aggressive look of the SV the VTr is dated. The SV does haul arse even 2 up. Dont be fooled It is as quick if not quicker than a VTR it likes abit of rev. Hold it in fourth and just ride its magic.
Besides the fastest bikes on the road are normally riden by the guys with the hugest nads.
Try them both its your call in the end.

[R-Soul]

I'm sure there were no changes to the motor.

They might say it's 110hp motor, but i don't think so. I've seen dyno charts ranging from 90hp to about 100.

The firestorm will always be the underdog, so no use defending it.

What are you talking about? hp at the engine (flywheel), or hp at the back wheel? One is generally about 20 hp less than the other due to inefficiencies in the drive train. so thats about right. Dyno graphs are measured the back wheel.