Deciding between a CBR600 and an SV650

[sturm]

Hopefully this is the right place to post this. I am trying to decide between a CBR600 and an SV650. Ive been riding for ~5 years, the last bike I had was a 2000 zx6r which felt too race focused for my riding. (I lowsided it around a roundabout, and haven't ridden for a couple of years).

Im now pretty keen to jump back on, and I've narrowed it down to either an older CBR (the F3/F4 should be a bit more comfy than the ZX), or a newer SV650. Theres tons of great reviews of the SV, but im worried about the lack of windscreen, and the 30hp less power than a 4cyl 600.

Ive seen a CBR600F3 on trademe. It has a full akropovic exhaust (incl headers) and a k&n filter. What effect would that have on performance (would it kill the mid-range torque?)

Has anyone ridden either of these bikes?
cheers!

[popa griffin]

It doesnt matter how much horsepowers you have. You can only go as fast as the speed limit anyways.

Id pick the CBR over the SV simply for the looks.

But thats me personally.

[javawocky]

Mmmm, what is the really problem here? If you low-sided is it because the turning circle on the ZX6r was too big? Did you hand slip and unleash the fully power of the mighty quacker? Did you hit some oil or was it raining?

'Cause although both the SV650 and CBR are no match for a ZX6r I don't think they are that much different for general every day situations.

You need to identify what the problem was and fix it with the right bike. If a more commuter friendly bike is what you need, then take a look at something like this perhaps... http://www.suzuki.co.nz/Motorcycle/Street/GSX650F/

An alternative might be to get the SV and put high clip ons to give you better control at low speeds.

Your thoughts?

[CookMySock]

I am trying to decide between a CBR600 and an SV650. Ive been riding for ~5 years, the last bike I had was a 2000 zx6r which felt too race focused for my riding. [....] Has anyone ridden either of these bikes?

Have you not ridden a vtwin? If you do, the difference between the bikes will be instantly clear to you. There are SV650s everywhere (or other mid-range vtwins) so get on one right away and you will see.

Steve

[R6_kid:Me]

Try a Yamaha TRX850. Feels like a 400cc bike but with 80N/m of torque to push you around. Rev's like an inline four but with the rumble of a v-twin due to the 270 degree crank setup on the twin cylinder engine.

It doesnt matter how much horsepowers you have. You can only go as fast as the speed limit anyways.

Once you've had more than 100hp it's hard to believe that sentiment. You may settle for less, but you'll do anything to avoid going back to anything that will now feel underpowered. Torque is where it's at... horsepower is simply an engines ability to convert torque in to power by way of rpm. Lots of torque means good ridability, if you're low on torque then your engine will most likely make up for it bay way of high rpm's in order to achieve a decent peak amount of 'horsepower' usually distributed over a short engine rpm range.

Also, the sign doesn't stop your bike exceeding the speed, your right wrist does.

[Maki]

I thought a CBR600 is "race focused".

[slofox]

The SV is a LOT more economical than the CBR...it is also capable of ~ 200km/hr if you really want to go that fast despite its lower power rating.

I have the SVS with the clip-ons and rearsets and think its pretty good for what I want. I will find it hard to replace when the time comes.

[sturm]

javawocky - Ever since I got the zx6r it felt unstable. Like when turning in, it would immediately feel like it was about to tip over. It wasnt progressive, it was a sudden lurch. Round the roundabout, going slowly, it tipped over too far and the front skidded out. Luckily a rider on an old BMW helped me pick up the pieces and get it started again

Maybe the previous owner had jacked the suspension up at the back? I probably didnt have enough of a test ride before buying it. I did a good amount of 'fast' twisty riding on the fzr250r I had before, and it never felt like that.

No, i havent ridden a vtwin yet. Its on my todo list though Whats the best way to get some test rides? Im looking private sale but feel a bit dodgy going and riding someones bike unless theres a chance I might buy it.

[Morcs]

The SV650 will seem slow compared to an F3/F4 CBR.

Both the F3 and F4 are sports tourers and very comfortable.

[javawocky]

javawocky - Ever since I got the zx6r it felt unstable. Like when turning in, it would immediately feel like it was about to tip over. It wasnt progressive, it was a sudden lurch.

I haven't ridden a zx6r but I rode an old zx 900 (can't remember the model exactly). On a slow left turn I almost pooped myself when it felt like it was going to low side. I thought it was just my inexperience at the time.

Fast forward to my SV1kS and it feels completely stable under all situations. I only once had a near oopsy moment the other day on a very slow right hander of camber when I wasn't concentrating on my riding and tried to take to corner with too much lean at a slow speed, I dabbed my foot for safety and pulled it upright. Would have been one of those true Doh moments if I had come off at 2km/h

I also test rode a GSXR600 and that was also very stable at any speed. If it wasn't for the cramped up style I might have bought one.

[p.dath]

I haven't ridden an SV650, but I do have a CBR600F.

It has plenty of power for me (not that I have ever got close to unleashing it). I've found it a pleasure to ride. It is very forgiving of mistakes.

The CBR's have a history of being very reliable bike's, tend to last a long time, and getting parts for them is easy.

[javawocky]

I haven't ridden an SV650, but I do have a CBR600F.

It has plenty of power for me (not that I have ever got close to unleashing it). I've found it a pleasure to ride. It is very forgiving of mistakes.

The CBR's have a history of being very reliable bike's, tend to last a long time, and getting parts for them is easy.

At the risk of sounding gay I had a cbr600f for a day as a loaner bike. I really enjoyed it as well, very user friendly.

[Mystic13]

gay.

[Mystic13]

If you found the ZXR too raced focused then it seems either of the bikes you mention will be less so.

I'd wander out to a dealer and take the bikes for a ride.

After coming off I would have preferred to have continued riding till confident again.

Some bikes are really well balanced and others not so great. Having said that a quick turning bike can be a good thing.

Someone here spoke of pressing the foot (I assume brake) when they were too low.

I would think you'd want to;

a/ hit the throttle because that'll pull the bike up.

b/ countersteer it up.

A quick ride on either isn't going to let you know what the bike is like after a 2 year break.

For what it's worth I'd practise riding skills when you get the bike;

- counter steering,
- practise increasing turn in speed, you should be able to dive the bike down quick to the point you shoot around the corner at and pop it out quick.

From what you are saying it's not so much the bike but your lack of confidence in taking a corner and controlling the bike through the steering and accelerator. I wouldn't have considered using brakes in that situation.

Sounds like the low side was not a loss of traction due to speed and road surface but more you took the bike down past the point of no return. If you were decelerating you would also be loading up the front which wouldn't help.

After a crash I find it useful to reflect on how I did what I did and then making changes so that doesn't occur next time.

[phoenixgtr]

Sounds to me like it wasn't the sportyness of the ZX that was really the problem. I have a 99 ZX-6R and to be honest, as far as sports bikes go it's on the more comfortable road-going end of the scale. BUT I know what you're saying with the roundabout thing. The ZX is not confidence inspiring at low speeds at all. I've low-sided mine. They seem to be quite top heavy and seem to fall into the low speed corners, requiring a special riding style.

As for a CBR F3 vs a SV, you just need to ride some. The CBR will be quite alot like the ZX, but the SV will be completly different, especially the engine. A v-twin is a different kettle of fish. You may find it boring. You may love it. My better half has a SV650S. I find it dull...