SV400S vs XJR400 vs XJ600S

**Hillbilly** · 18th October 2006, 01:22

I've gotten involved with the importation of used bikes from Japan. Three bikes have gotten my attention as, well, a possible replacement for the GS500F. They're all cheap, near mint, low km's etc, but I don't know anything about them.

Sure there are specs available, but never having seen let alone ridden one, I'd like some straight up opinions.

I'll also be getting my hands on bikes like the FZR400SP, TZR205's, ZXR400's, VFR/RVF400's etc, etc, but this will be for everyday commuting & road use. The pics are below.

**Pwalo** · 18th October 2006, 07:44

As you are no doubt aware these are all Japanese market only bikes. I can't see that there would be anything wrong with any of them, other than perhaps the usual hassle with getting spares.

I've only read a review of the SV400, but it seemed to be pretty good (much like the 400Bros cf the 650Bros). One of the chaps I work with has an XJ400S and that has been reliable. The XJ600S has been around for about the same time as the GS, so is pretty well sorted.

I'm not sure that you'd get much of a performance, or handling, gain over your GS with any of these bikes.

**insane1** · 18th October 2006, 07:49

so when are you bringing themm in country will want to have a look at these.

**Hillbilly** · 19th October 2006, 03:53

I live in Aussie, so you won't get to see them.

**Bonez** · 19th October 2006, 19:02

Personnally I'd go for the Diversion.

**FROSTY:Me** · 19th October 2006, 23:15

Id get the diversion no question--itll be easier to resell cos its a locally available product

**Blair-SV** · 21st October 2006, 08:29

My GF has a SV400S and I can only say good things about, just like the 650 but with less power really, still goes pretty well though, no problems loosing cars at the lights. I spend a whole weekend on it while I was testing for bigger bikes and it rode very similar to the old shape SV650. It lacks a bit of top end but otherwise it's a very capable bike.

**duncan_bayne** · 21st October 2006, 20:13

Originally Posted by Hillbilly

I've gotten involved with the importation of used bikes from Japan. Three bikes have gotten my attention as, well, a possible replacement for the GS500F. They're all cheap, near mint, low km's etc, but I don't know anything about them.

Sure there are specs available, but never having seen let alone ridden one, I'd like some straight up opinions.

I'll also be getting my hands on bikes like the FZR400SP, TZR205's, ZXR400's, VFR/RVF400's etc, etc, but this will be for everyday commuting & road use. The pics are below.

I've ridden a couple of SV650s - I really liked them actually, especially the courtesy bike from Holeshot with the open pipe (Remus, IIRC). I must admit I revved the hell out of that just to hear the sound :-)

Anyhoo ... unless you live in Japan where it's easier to obtain a license for a 400cc bike, why would you go for the SV400 over the 650? It'd have to be a lot cheaper, IMO.