VTR1000 vs SV1000 vs XB12R

[Sanx]

The stock suspension on the VTR is crap. Basically, it's undersprung, overdamped and subject to compression lock under hard braking, which can make for pant-changing moments.
However, call up the inimitable Robert Taylor, get him to recommend someone near you and get a re-valve and re-spring done. Cost me about $800, and the difference was amazing. Not only did it actually work (better) on the track, but around town it was more comfortable and compliant. The other killer mod, in my opinion, is going down a tooth on the front sprocket. Makes town speeds a bit easier, improves acceleration and you might find, accidentally of course, that if you just happen to hold the bike at 3500rpm and snatch open the throttle in first, the front wheel lifts off the ground. As if by magic... !

[Ocean1]

i have heard that about the buell race kits but can you have the sound without the other fruit?? in fact what is in the race kit, Ocean1?? i thought maybe the ecu, pipe and airbox??

an xb9r maybe a consideration, just a few less cubes

Most of the things you can do to wring a few more HP from mid-revs up tends to make things rough and lumpy off-idle. Yes, Buell's race kit is pipe, ecu and minor intake mod, adds 10hp. I'ts not that bad around town, in fact the biggest issue isn't the engine, it's the weight on my wrists, and even that's ok for 20min.

An XB9 ain't a bad idea, same bike but the engine's got a few more revs and a tad less torque. You'd pay a grand or two less also.

what exactly is this chain snatch i hear about?

There's a particular speed/gear/throttle combination where a harmonic occurs in the drivetrain, the effect is that the whole bike jerks back/fwd. It's far more pronounced in twins, (although strangely not often in singles), and for some bikes it tends to happen at close to suburban speeds. Changing down a gear will fix it, so will gently rolling on and off the throttle.

you might find, accidentally of course, that if you just happen to hold the bike at 3500rpm and snatch open the throttle in first, the front wheel lifts off the ground. As if by magic... !

Not recomended on a Buell mate, not unless you have very very good reactions.

[Renegade]

ahh yes chain snatch,i have felt this, and i dont like it much, here i was thinkn the dam korean thing is about to snap.

dont see to many of the xb9r about though, mostly 12's.

im taking out a vtr 1000 this week so im looking forward to seeing how i like it, they are just so well priced.

[g-dawg]

I own a 2004 SV1000s. I bought it for 8k and love it. Even power, great looks and handling.

The VTR1000 is end of line this year and hasn't changed at all in since the 90's. Great sound but!

My advise is jump on trademe and buy an SV1000s

[dwnundabkr]

Be aware that many big V twins don't like town speeds. They're not smooth at either low revs or low loads. That does apply to my XB12, although they work better around town without the race kit, and on the other hand chain snatch isn't an issue.

that goes for the nine as well ,did not notice much difference between stock and race in traffic that is
bike is not smooth at all in traffic but i ride like a nana when it comes to auckland peak hour traffic

[Renegade]

well i rode an "01" vtr1000 tonight and didnt like it much at all.

power was good, that front wheel gave me the shits when it came up a few times, so much power was a crazy feeling.

gearbox was clunky, much worse than the hyo, probly cos it was tranferring more power i suspect.

lighter than i thought, easy weighted bike to control.

But the worst thing was the steering, as i lent it through the corners it felt like it was really twitchy, and the handle bars wanted to turn into the turn and pulsed a bit in my hand, made it quite hard work to apply counter steer, is this normal??? my hyo just flows through those same corners counter steering so much nicer.

at slower speeds the steering felt bad, really twitchy and felt like it wanted to do its own thing, although i dont have much to compare it to, only ridden 5 bikes all up, this is the first time i have felt this phenomina.

i thought maybe tyres, but it has pirella diablos, is it the weight of the bike? or is this what steering dampners are there to fix? anyone shed any light???

il talk to my mate when i take his bike back and ask him about it and what he thought of the hyo steering compared to his vtr, see what he reckons, im so disappointed with, i expected better things.

[Big Dave]

The Buell corners, brakes and steers better than the other 2.
Evidenced by how much easier to stunt. The mass centralisation really works.

The japs are 30%? cheaper new and have better ergos for someone over 6'.
They are also faster it terms of acceleration and terminal velocity. But the Vee of the Buell produces better low down 'street' torque - but then - it has shorter legs.

The Buell is as close to maintenance free as a modern bike can be - longer service intervals, belt drive, self adjusting valves, no bright finish parts. The parts and servicing costs are also regarded as industry best. Last I heard a blinker unit was under $10.
Parts availability on the Buells isn't brilliant. Can't comment on the others.

I prefer the Buell because the 'sweet spot' is somewhere around the speed limit. You're past it with the other two.

The Japs have a reputation for lasting longer.

'Funability' is a new concept I'm introducing to my equations for '08. That's the Buell too. It also wins the 'feelgood'.
It also has more rough edges - it shakes and vibrates more than some folks can deal with.

Common sense practicality - The Japs.
Silly Fun - See Patrick at AMPS for a test ride.

[vifferman]

well i rode an "01" vtr1000 tonight and didnt like it much at all.

power was good, that front wheel gave me the shits when it came up a few times, so much power was a crazy feeling.

gearbox was clunky, much worse than the hyo, probly cos it was tranferring more power i suspect.

The gearboxes aren't that great, but are OK (till the mileage gets high) except if the chain isn't properly lubed and adjusted.

But the worst thing was the steering, as i lent it through the corners it felt like it was really twitchy, and the handle bars wanted to turn into the turn and pulsed a bit in my hand, made it quite hard work to apply counter steer, is this normal??? my hyo just flows through those same corners counter steering so much nicer.

at slower speeds the steering felt bad, really twitchy and felt like it wanted to do its own thing, although i dont have much to compare it to, only ridden 5 bikes all up, this is the first time i have felt this phenomina.

Assuming the headbearings weren't ferkt, I'd be willing to bet the front tyre was underinflated, as what you've described is Eggs Zachary what happens when the tyre pressure is too low.

[Renegade]

The Buell corners, brakes and steers better than the other 2.
Evidenced by how much easier to stunt. The mass centralisation really works.

The japs are 30%? cheaper new and have better ergos for someone over 6'.
They are also faster it terms of acceleration and terminal velocity. But the Vee of the Buell produces better low down 'street' torque - but then - it has shorter legs.

The Buell is as close to maintenance free as a modern bike can be - longer service intervals, belt drive, self adjusting valves, no bright finish parts. The parts and servicing costs are also regarded as industry best. Last I heard a blinker unit was under $10.
Parts availability on the Buells isn't brilliant. Can't comment on the others.

I prefer the Buell because the 'sweet spot' is somewhere around the speed limit. You're past it with the other two.

The Japs have a reputation for lasting longer.

'Funability' is a new concept I'm introducing to my equations for '08. That's the Buell too. It also wins the 'feelgood'.
It also has more rough edges - it shakes and vibrates more than some folks can deal with.

Common sense practicality - The Japs.
Silly Fun - See Patrick at AMPS for a test ride.

if it was common sense i was after i would just buy a sv650, but i just cant bring myself to do it to myself, and with the servicing of the buell it just seems better.

[Renegade]

The gearboxes aren't that great, but are OK (till the mileage gets high) except if the chain isn't properly lubed and adjusted.


Assuming the headbearings weren't ferkt, I'd be willing to bet the front tyre was underinflated, as what you've described is Eggs Zachary what happens when the tyre pressure is too low.

yeah miles are high on the bike.

i told my mate about it and hes guna have it all checked out asap, still didnt like it much but will definately take a newer one out.

[Big Dave]

I just reread my thoughts there - I'd probably change the servicing cost statement about industry best - to amongst industry best - mines coming up to it's 32,000 service.
Be interesting to see if that remains as good as has been.

[Renegade]

I just reread my thoughts there - I'd probably change the servicing cost statement about industry best - to amongst industry best - mines coming up to it's 32,000 service.
Be interesting to see if that remains as good as has been.

isnt that about belt replacement time?? let me know how it goes cost wise id be interested

[flossiejayno]

Looked at the VTR 1000 about 4 years ago. Soft suspension, poor tank range etc etc.

Have a look at the new KTM RC8 http://www.ktm-rc8.net/. Checkout the video

Made to fit standard sized riders also.

[Grubs]

Ktm's, nice very nice bikes, my bro's raced motox and bears with theirs and My best mate is racing a Motard. I've always had Jap bikes, suzuki Rg, Honda cbr, then a suzuki gsx, all nice and well balanced, well kept me on the road at least.

I have just bought a 2000 Ducati m900 monster. Ive had more fun on my monster in the short time I've owned than I can remember on my jappers. Its nimble, extremely good brakes and excelleration faster and more controllerable. I will admit not the best town bike, in 1st and 2nd gears have heavy engine breaking and spirited throttle. But like the buell in street fighter styling it rocks.

[Renegade]

Ktm's, nice very nice bikes, my bro's raced motox and bears with theirs and My best mate is racing a Motard. I've always had Jap bikes, suzuki Rg, Honda cbr, then a suzuki gsx, all nice and well balanced, well kept me on the road at least.

I have just bought a 2000 Ducati m900 monster. Ive had more fun on my monster in the short time I've owned than I can remember on my jappers. Its nimble, extremely good brakes and excelleration faster and more controllerable. I will admit not the best town bike, in 1st and 2nd gears have heavy engine breaking and spirited throttle. But like the buell in street fighter styling it rocks.

havnet entirely ruled out a monster