SV650 or similar?

[Gizzit]

I ride a SV650 naked and it's been a great wee bike. It's exceeded all of my expectations to be honest. The riding position is good for comfort but still allows you to "lean into it" if you need to. Mine is a 2003 and the seat is a bit on the uncomfortable side although I think that this was fixed on the 04 model onwards. The seat ain't all that low either but if you're not a dwarf then you will be fine. I've done all types of riding with mine from the long runs to rough gravel bush roads and it handles all of it okay if unspectacularly for a middle weight road bike.

Thanks for that Les. Yes I like the idea of sitting up rather than having to be bent over the bike as per most sports bikes.
I imagine if the seat is uncomfortable, you can always replace it. McDonalds Motor Trimmers in Tauranga do a really good job.
Well I'm 5'10" (179cm?) so the SV shouldn't be too tall for me. My DR, even lowered is still a little bit on the high side, but no problem as it is light.
Do you get good gas/milage out it ?
Any known issues with the bike ? Anything especially to look out for ?
Thanks.

[Bend-it]

Nope, you want a cagiva mate! Sure head-turner...

[Squiggles]

Yes they look great! I know the seat is lower on those than the SV, so was wondering if it cramps your legs up more? I'm 5'10" in the old measurement! Whats that .... 179cm ?
They are well spec'd bikes!

Old man has one of these now, he scored an 07 with 4km on the clock for $9.3k , he's 6'2" and hasnt found it uncomfy at all...

[svr]

I'm keen to here from owners of the naked version, or anyone who has an SV650S who has modified the clip on's. That's the only thing that puts me off the S version. The naked version is more of a sitting upright kind of ergo, which suits me.
Cheers,
Grant.

Easy. Get an SV650s (there's a new '06 black one - the best sv so far - going real cheap at Darryl August here in Taupo), and some higher clip-ons custom made by Flo at F1 engineering in Hamilton.

[forkoil]

SV650 naked K4. A lovely bike, only thing lets it down is the front susp (back not much better but acceptible). But that depends on your riding style a bit, if you like the twisties then the susp leaves them wanting. The fix is either GSXR front forks off ebay (US$200 odd) or springs/spacers/emulators from Robert Taylor (what I did). These latter come to about NZ$300?? maybe bit more. Also I now find the bars a tad high, want to get some flat ones, but bars with the Suzuki clamp width are not easy to find. I'm planning a long trip around Sth Isl this xmas with friends and the SV will take me not the GSXR 600 which is reserved for fun weekends. But want to get those bars... Good luck, I would go with the SV, plenty around and good market for them

[zeocen]

ER6-F would be my pick, but of course it would be.

For your consideration I am 6'1 at about 93kg.

I've had nothing but pleasant experiences on my 6F. I actually had an SV650 loan bike for a few days while mine was getting a service and I can see why they are direct competitors, I think you would be better with either bike but in MY opinion, out of the box the ER6F comes out slightly on top. I wasn't too keen on the SV650's suspension and the ergonomics were something I couldn't get used to, whereas the very (VERY) thin tank and seating ergonomics of the ER6F makes you slightly ooze into the bike and makes it very manageable around the corners. You literally don't have to do any work, if you don't want to.

Power wise I would say the SV650 has more top end game than the ER6F, I could well see it pulling away on a long stretch of road, but we don't buy twins for that, do we I find the ER6 has great power in low and mid, which is an absolute stunner for around town, but also allows you to click right up to 6th and be manageable without shifting down in most scenarios on faster roads.

Along with the ER6's mass centralisation ala buell (but, not as well as the buells), it really makes it a superb pleasure for corners.

I could literally go on for days about the pro's of the ER6, but I've said enough so far! So I will give you a run down on some of the cons.

Seat: Pathetic, while it wasn't as bad to sit in as the SV650, it is *HARD*. Like, 20 minutes and you're sitting on plastic, hard.

Mirrors: If you're getting one new, get some OEM kawasaki mirror extenders thrown in for free, they are $80 which is ridiculous for 2 pieces of fabricated metal, but they are required unless you plan on doing suicide checks every 5 seconds or so.

Apart from that, it's a straight out of the box - do it all bike. I tour, commute, back road blast and even been caught by stretches of road works and the bike just smiles along and asks for more. I have done plenty of mods on my bike just for personality and making it "my" bike, none of them would be called performence mods because quite honestly I am straight up perfectly happy with the bikes power.

Had I not bought this bike, and wasn't a Kawasaki fanboy, I would have gone for the Hornet 900, that bike is LUCIOUS, so cheap and you get SO MUCH BIKE for the price. Not to mention it is incredibly comfortable and smooth to ride!

I'll attach some various pics, in no particular order! Hope this helps somewhat with your decision, honestly though there are so many satisfied riders with the ER6F and the SV650 that you'll be happy on either one (don't forget to consider the Hornet 900!), so go get one that suits you the best! (I actually have faux clipons on my ER6F now, as I love the clipon feel and gives far better front end feedback, now it is *so* me )

[slofox]

I'm keen to here from owners of the naked version, or anyone who has an SV650S who has modified the clip on's. That's the only thing that puts me off the S version. The naked version is more of a sitting upright kind of ergo, which suits me.
Cheers,
Grant.

I have the SV650S and have not modified the bars - I have no problem with riding position at all. When I first bought it I thought I might have trouble with the forward seat but not so in practice, either round town or out on the highway. It is not that tilted anyway. Just use ya abs a bit and the hands are sweet.....

Overall I love the bike - light, responsive engine with great flexibility, great handling. Front forks are less than they should be is the only negative.....

[RantyDave]

You should try a (Triumph) street triple. It's a few k$'s more than you're looking at, but buying one now is going to be cheaper than buying an ER6, then trading it in for one later.

Get a ride, at the very least. I don't have the energy for the whole fanboy thing right now so all I can do is suggest you ride one

Dave

[zeocen]

If you're going to spend more money, then I would also agree on a street triple, they just grow, grow and grow on you the more you look at them. Have never ridden one but sitting on one gave me the smiles just thinking about it.

[phantom]

I am more than happy with my ER6f, just didn't like the styling of the ER6n - my problem I suppose. I havent had any problem with the seating or the mirrors but being just a little fella ( why waste all that growth on height ) at 5ft 9 ish and about 70kg I am probably closer to the designer's idea of average size than some of the big boned lads on KB.

[AllanB]

Street triple is sweet but quite a bit over the budget.

There is a new model Hornet 600 landing very soon but i think this is going to be $14 ish so too expensive.

The Suzuki 650/4 is a very nice bike and you may find a few deals.

SV650's are highly under rated and good value - in many ways sweeter than the 1000.

Hornet 900 - find one fast if you are interested as the new model is due in a few weeks (and the new one is $19k).

I'd go the 900 but then I a bit biased.

[zeocen]

I am more than happy with my ER6f, just didn't like the styling of the ER6n - my problem I suppose. I havent had any problem with the seating or the mirrors but being just a little fella ( why waste all that growth on height ) at 5ft 9 ish and about 70kg I am probably closer to the designer's idea of average size than some of the big boned lads on KB.

Quite right!
Us tall blokes need the mirrors out a bit otherwise we get a screen full of elbow!

[slofox]

Quite right!
Us tall blokes need the mirrors out a bit otherwise we get a screen full of elbow!

Short arses like me have the same elbow problem....need to modify your elbows - replace with transparent ones.....

[Gizzit]

Thanks all you guys for your constructive input.
I rode an 06 SV650 this afternoon, and it was pretty quick for a 650, but the ergo's didn't suit me even with the regular bars. Suspension was a little bit under par for some of the fast and bumpy twisties, but overall a very good little bike.

I am going to try the ER6F or N now, and maybe the Z750 while I'm at a Kawasaki franchise.

And yes I will try a new old model 900 hornet if I can. They are obviously a lot of bike for the money.

Perhaps the new GSXF650 may be worth a look, but I sat on one and found the ergo's were a little bit to far forward. Maybe it's better when riding with a bit of wind pressure on the chest ... ?

The Street Tripple sounds like a good bike from all the reviews, but it is definitely out of the budget.

And no ..... I haven't got see through elbows either, and do like to see whats behind me without having to crane my neck around every 5 minutes!

Cheers guys. Any other comments welcome.

[AllanB]

One thing to remember on the 'standards' is if they have normal handlebars (not clip-ons) its a easy job to change them for something a few cm's lower or taller than stock to get the position you desire. Most bikes have enough freeplay in the cables to do this. I've put lower ones on my Hornet.
The same applies to mirrors etc.