Calling all SV & VTR 1000 riders

**Babelfish** · 22nd February 2007, 20:14

Got my vitter about 6mnths ago, and I love it, really nice balanced feel and I prefer the look to the SV which to me looks a little too sharp. I'm not a hard rider so I couldnt tell you about the limits on the bike. Range wise, mine is a 98, so shyte...but I've found NZ handily has things called service stations spaced fairly close together. Since you're going for a newbie this wont be an issue.

I love the fact you're looking at twins and all the inline4 freaks come out with advice for you though.

Good luck on the weekend, would love to hear your feedback next week.

**Paulus** · 22nd February 2007, 20:30

Originally Posted by far queue

I would expect a GSXR to be a better performance bike, but I don't know that I'd be the one to extract all the extra performance from them.

That's not what it's about. As Ronnie (RIP) from Performance Bikes used to say a sports bike should be exciting and should blow your skirt up. Hardly any of us can extract the full performance from a big sports bike but we sure finish every ride with a big smile on our faces! For me that's what it's all about.

Neither the SV or VTR are very exciting but they'll get the job done. Haven't ridden a VTR for a while but the SV suspension is pretty dire. I guess it's hard to explain until you've owned one but certainly take those other guys advice onboard and at least try some rides on something else.

**Babelfish** · 22nd February 2007, 20:45

comes down to what kind of rider you are, what riding you want to do etc...the bike will be as exciting as you want it to be and I heard plenty of great exploits from both sv and vitter.

Just to put the whole inline4 thing to bed, why are you looking at twins?

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 22nd February 2007, 20:54

Originally Posted by TempBJ

comes down to what kind of rider you are, what riding you want to do etc...the bike will be as exciting as you want it to be and I heard plenty of great exploits from both sv and vitter.

Well said that man... bling

**Spyked** · 22nd February 2007, 21:14

Both are budget big capacity allrounders that provide a heap of fun for the money. Can't go too wrong with either really.
I settled on the SV because I preferred the styling, like the fuel injection, the suspension is at least adjustable so although both bikes use cheap components the SV is easier to taylor to your needs.
Didn't like the instruments on the Honda, too fussy.
The VTR does have a better finish, but I don't mind waxing the SV a bit more often. The seat could be better, but there are plenty of options as other folks have pointed out.
Overall comfort comes down to which fits you best.

**Fatjim** · 22nd February 2007, 21:47

BTW, after riding both the VTR and SV against the gixer thou the old argument of low down vtwin torque is pretty much mute. If you want real gixer eating torque you need to go for a more tuned vtwin. the VTR/SV will still outpull the R1 and ZX-10 down low, can't comment on the CBR but must see if I can get a demo out of Sparky.

The VTR isn't as "savage" as the SV because the the CV carbs, maybe someone less ignorant than me can explain why.

I've riden a stock RSV-R and the low down was disappointing. But someone said that a new pipe and a remapping would make a world of difference

To date, the bike with the greatest low down punch I've ridden is the 998 (my one at least). That things the shiz when you crank the throttle open. It pisses all over the VTR everywhere in the rev range.

**far queue** · 22nd February 2007, 22:17

Originally Posted by TempBJ

comes down to what kind of rider you are, what riding you want to do etc...the bike will be as exciting as you want it to be and I heard plenty of great exploits from both sv and vitter.

Yup, too right. If one bike was the best then everyone would be riding it. But we're all different with different likes, dislikes, wants, and needs.

Originally Posted by TempBJ

Just to put the whole inline4 thing to bed, why are you looking at twins?

mmm OK, you'll need to put up with a bit of rambling for an answer to that. There's a couple of reasons. I've had an IL4 (GSX750F), I've now got a single (DR650). Completely different sort of power. The GSX was a fun bike on the road and I loved the twisties, but it got to the point where I wanted more power overall and I wanted more lower down especially. Especially, when 2 up with gear. When the TL's 1st came out I liked the look of them, like the stories I was hearing about the power they made and loved the sound they made. Then one of the guys in our group sold his GSX750F and bought a VTR - I never got to ride it, but rode with him heaps. I liked the way he handled it, liked the power it obviously had and loved the sound. I wasn't in the position to be able to upgrade at that point. Out of interest for you the others in our group were riding CBR1000F, Blackbird, GSXR1100, CBR750, GSX600 etc - all IL4's. We were a fairly quick group and usually caught up to and passed everything else in the twisties.

One by one my mates dropped out of riding and rallies for various reasons, and the cops were making life more difficult on the road. So I didn't ride as much and eventually ditched the GSX and got the DR to sample the back blocks. Much less power than the GSX but I love the low down grunt, and still get a blast out of the twisties, and still manage to catch and pass plenty of road bikes. But the lack of a road bike has been nagging at me for a while and seeing what’s out there and the low prices has got me wanting to go and play on the road again with some more power. I still love the sound of the V twins and I know I'll be able to punt one around just fine. As a bike to live with everyday, it's got to be something that I like the look of, and the sound of, and it’s got to have usable real world power. I don’t want a screaming IL4 that I have to work at to keep in the power and pay big bucks for the pleasure. From the reviews I’ve read, the V twins sound the way to go for me, they’re certainly value for money, I like the look of both the VTR and the SV, and I listened to an SV1000 with aftermarket pipes the other day – it still does it for me.

I guess buying a bike is an emotive thing, and the sound is a big part of that. How many Harleys are sold because of their sound – must be a few, the manufacturers have gone to a bit trouble to keep it that way.

Some of you may think this is all nonsense, and that’s cool, but that’s my view.

Originally Posted by Fatjim

BTW, after riding both the VTR and SV against the gixer thou the old argument of low down vtwin torque is pretty much mute. If you want real gixer eating torque you need to go for a more tuned vtwin.

To date, the bike with the greatest low down punch I've ridden is the 998 (my one at least). That things the shiz when you crank the throttle open. It pisses all over the VTR everywhere in the rev range.

I'm not worried about gixer eating torque and I'm not spending bucks to beat someone. From what you say here, you are reinforcing the value for money to be had from the VTR and SV. The only GSX I'm comparing to is my old 750F.

**Babelfish** · 22nd February 2007, 23:04

Originally Posted by far queue

I'm not worried about gixer eating torque and I'm not spending bucks to beat someone. From what you say here, you are reinforcing the value for money to be had from the VTR and SV. The only GSX I'm comparing to is my old 750F.

Yep, sounds like you know what you are after, and after the weekend you'll have decided which one is you. I think you'll bloody enjoy em mate, and I all for listening to another twin on the road, whichever brand it is.

There's certain aspects of the SV I like, like the arse on em, with the tail that looks like a praying mantis belly, the more modern approach to a v twin. But like I said before, the lines are to angled and sharp and for some reason that I've yet to figure out, I prefer the sound of the vitter. The vitter has more rounded lines too and with a bit of a tidy the arse can look good on them (alright, Im an arse man, but only on women and bikes, right?!). To me its a hairier bollocks approach in comparison to the SV which is more clinical.

Note I havent really mentioned the performance stats as tbh, they arent THAT much different unless you're really pushing em, which it sounds like you're past. Im picking one will feel right on the day, and I'm looking forward to hearing how it goest....its a game of two cyclinders and twins are the winner on the day

**Paulus** · 22nd February 2007, 23:05

Originally Posted by Fatjim

BTW, after riding both the VTR and SV against the gixer thou the old argument of low down vtwin torque is pretty much mute. If you want real gixer eating torque you need to go for a more tuned vtwin. the VTR/SV will still outpull the R1 and ZX-10 down low, can't comment on the CBR but must see if I can get a demo out of Sparky.

Possibly an 04-06 R1 as that is weak in the low end but certainly not a ZX-10R. One thing that surprised me about the SV1000 was its reluctance to pull from low rpms. It also signed off early - disappointing.

**Fatjim** · 23rd February 2007, 06:43

Originally Posted by Paulus

Possibly an 04-06 R1 as that is weak in the low end but certainly not a ZX-10R. One thing that surprised me about the SV1000 was its reluctance to pull from low rpms. It also signed off early - disappointing.

It's all relative. The ZX-10R may pull better than the R1 down low, mate even peewee hermin does that. But I don't remember it pulling as good as the VTR. I'm talking about how "savage" the thing is when you yank open the throttle, not rolling it on and building the revs up till you think the thing pulls from down low.

Anyway, the 04-05 ZX10R's not on debate here, it's almost a bike in it's own class.

Originally Posted by TempBJ

There's certain aspects of the SV I like, like the arse on em, with the tail that looks like a praying mantis belly,

I've always thought the tail light looks kinda a feminine, if you know what I mean wink wink nudge nudge.

**Fatjim** · 23rd February 2007, 06:47

Originally Posted by far queue

I'm not worried about gixer eating torque and I'm not spending bucks to beat someone.

No your not....... yet.

BTW, if you buy an SV and don't like it, and want a VTR, come and see me, although mine's got 58k on it now.

**Deviant Esq** · 23rd February 2007, 07:46

If you're looking for bang for buck brand new the Honda CB900 Hornet is a compelling buy (around $10,995 new). One major drawback from your point of view, though: it isn't a V twin. Torque in spades though, and they look pretty cool IMO. Just thought I'd add another option

**BarBender** · 23rd February 2007, 08:36

Aprilia Tuono. Fantastic twin that'll wipe both a SV and VTR

Comfortable as its a little more upright. Good looking (it aint bland) and has got plenty of go-go.
Mt Eden Motorcycles has a 05 with 0ks on the clock. Id go for it as a second bike but I'm already floating on thin ice on the home front.

Its a steal at 19K.
Try one (and get real confused) before you decide on the others.

**Toaster** · 23rd February 2007, 08:43

I had a VTR once.... brakes were utterly poo if pushing it. Fuel economy was pretty poor, nice enough budget v-twin bike though. Blue looked good too. Basic technology. I considered the SV similar, but less appealing to the eye.

**imdying** · 23rd February 2007, 09:24

Originally Posted by BarBender

Aprilia Tuono. Fantastic twin that'll wipe both a SV and VTR

Comfortable as its a little more upright. Good looking (it aint bland) and has got plenty of go-go.
Mt Eden Motorcycles has a 05 with 0ks on the clock. Id go for it as a second bike but I'm already floating on thin ice on the home front.

Its a steal at 19K.
Try one (and get real confused) before you decide on the others.

Yeeeshh..... I could buy a brand new SV, put a brand new Ohlins shock on it, and get JHS to build me a motor with 140rwhp and still have change over a 2 year old Tuono. Enough change to buy me some sedatives to stop myself giggling about the Tuono owners who pay that much

Or I'd just spend another grand and buy the GSXR1000, and enjoy that 186bhp