Deciding between a CBR600 and an SV650

[javawocky]

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

If you are referring to me it was one of these super slow brain fart moments where the bike almost stalled. I dabbed my foot on the road, but it wasn't need as there was more than enough grip. I used to do the MX thing so the foot goes out :P - I see Rossi is starting to catch on now as well.

But yes, dabbing the back brake on a slow right hander would be very silly. I have a big v twin anyway, the back brake is purely for show

[Mystic13]

Riden both. Both are great and it'll come down to personal preference.

The SV has a broad power band and torque so you can even been in too high a gear and still ride a corner. It's more forgiving. The CBR is bullet proof.

I prefer the 4's for sound and feel but we're talking personal preference. I prefer the twin for it's broad range of torque. I prefer a fairing.

People who own both bikes rave about them.

[325rocket]

you might want to look at the SV1000 as well.

[Mystic13]

If you are referring to me it was one of these super slow brain fart moments where the bike almost stalled. I dabbed my foot on the road, but it wasn't need as there was more than enough grip. I used to do the MX thing so the foot goes out :P - I see Rossi is starting to catch on now as well.

But yes, dabbing the back brake on a slow right hander would be very silly. I have a big v twin anyway, the back brake is purely for show

Yep, twas you. So dabbing the foot on the road was what you meant. Not a bad idea.

I've done that twice, on road. Once on black ice and I kept my leg down. From behind I looked like a tripod sliding sideways.

I've almost low sided at full speed around a corner. Loss of traction, time slows right down, the bike gets past that point of no return and you know you're going for a slide, make the decision to kick it up, the bike pops up, you're heading for a high-side, you glance across and look where you're going to land, think about how you might fly through the air, continue to hold on and keep the throttle on, the bike shakes violently and the shakes diminish as you continue riding off. Time returns to normal speed. I returned to figure out how I loss traction and discovered the strip of seal across the corner was in fact compacted metal packed to the level of the road.

Foot down can have it's uses. I ended up with a small bruise on my inner leg as it hit the bike.

Sturm - If you lived in Auckland I'd lend you a bike to try.

[sturm]

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like ill be hitting up some bike shops around wellington in the weekend

So having a full aftermarket exhaust system shouldnt cause any noticable reduction in the mid-range? Anything to look for when/if I go to see the CBR? Its the 1997 FV model. On paper it seems pretty similar spec to the ZX, but according to the reviews, more forgiving.

I bought the ZX in Christchurch. I rode down from welly on saturday on the 250, rode back on sunday on the ZX. The ride back changed my perception of space/time! Like pulling out to pass a couple of cars in a long queue behind a truck, and ending up passing the whole queue and truck and still having tons of straight clear road ahead. Crazy stuff.

[Kinje]

It probably depends a lot on whether you like the IL4 of V2 engine style.

My mate has a 02 CBR 600 F4I for sale in Wellington. It's a great bike that gets up and goes as well as the RR but is a bit more comfy riding position.

[sturm]

Oh yeah? Is it on trademe? How much does he want for it? Flick me a link/email address

[Kinje]

Not sure of TM address, can't get it at work

Try sending him a pm _intense_ and I'll tell him you're going to get in touch.

[CookMySock]

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.

This was happening a lot for me - sudden and scary tip-in during cornering. I was holding the bars too firmly, and leaning on them.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=70800

Once you bar-push firmly, especially at low speeds, you have to release the pressure and allow the bars to turn inward, or else you get a very sudden and alarming avalanche of tip-in.

That is, you must apply a positive pressure and then allow the negative displacement to follow. If you hold the bars rigidly, the positive pressure is applied more in the manner of "a positive displacement" and the bars will push back hard against you, and as you resist them you cause an additional and inadvertent dive inwards.

I had to sit further back and take all my weight off the bars, and steer gently with slack wrists or shoulders and elbows. Now it tracks nicely, and is perfectly stable leaned over. I can further add bar-pressure left or right, and steer comfortably.

HTH,
Steve

[Muppet]

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.

How do you find your SV? Have you ridden more powerful bikes etc Is the SV enough for commuting, touring etc How many km's do you get from a tank? I hear the 650 is a much better bike than the sv1000s. Can you let me know what you think, cheers.

[grbaker]

I actuallly had a 1999 SV650S and a ZX6R 2001 at the same time, but can't help you on the older CBR600 F3/F4... never been attracted to many Honda's.

For road use around the ever so bumpy roads in Wellington, the Hutt and the other place of the hill, the SV650S was much better. Hit a pothole mid-corner... so what, that is what suspension is for. In truth I had the local Suzuki dealer put heavy weight fork oil in the front suspension to stiffen it a little.

The ZX6R was great on the motorway, but it stiff suspension was a real pain on the rougher rural roads, holding a line whilst bashing into the corners bumps was quite hard.

As for performance the SV engine is really nice... it may not be the screamer the CBR or ZX6R are but the power is delivered strongly and can punch of the line once you know how.

My advise... test ride them both and pick the one you like.

[slofox]

How do you find your SV? Have you ridden more powerful bikes etc Is the SV enough for commuting, touring etc How many km's do you get from a tank? I hear the 650 is a much better bike than the sv1000s. Can you let me know what you think, cheers.

How do I find the SV? Usually I just open the garage and there it is.....(sorry, couldn't resist that...)

Seriously. I do enjoy the SVS. I have put race tech emulators and springs in the front to good effect. I have yet to do the rear but maybe one day. I have put a Two Brothers slipon on as well to make it sound more like a V twin and less like a sewing machine. Oh and Michelin PR2's made a dramatic difference to handling as well.

More powerful bikes? In fact, bikes I rode in the past probably had LESS power despite being rated "powerful" bikes in their day. Standards change...The V-Twin power spread is wide and very well behaved. The Two Bros can probably widens it a little as well but the OEM can is fine too. I have not ridden an IL4 in many many years...no experience of a modern litre IL4. Overall I would say that the SV's power to weight ratio is fine. It can certainly kick you up the arse if you ask it to.

Generally get 350km+ on a tank of gas. I have kept fuel records from new and can get anything from 58 - 64 mpg in old money (20 - 25 km/l). Depends on how you control your right wrist...I run it on Gull Force 10. You ought, in theory, to get even more mpg from a non ethanol blend. The Two Bros can increases fuel consumption a little (lose about 2 km/l)

Frame is excellent - cornering stability is tops compared with what I used to ride. No flex at all. As someone has said, hit a bump mid corner? No big deal. Have run through a diesel spill (small) with only a little sidestep as a result. Same with scattered loose metal on the corner - some sidestep but no dramatic stuff. Keep your nerve and it behaves very politely. Ridden (very carefully I might add) through road ice with no ill effects. Very nimble bike, light, flickable and responsive. Hard to break the grip with available power - you can wrap it on without fear. Unless the road is totally slippery I suppose but I have never tried that anyway.

I can commute comfortably on it and I have ridden it from Hamiltron, round Lake Taupo and back (465km) in six and a half hours without major discomfort. And I am old as buggery to boot.

I too have heard that the 650 is a "better" bike than the thou whatever that means. Not ridden the thou so can't say, but it was originally designed as the 650 so I daresay the package was originally the 650 so maybe better overall balance etc.

I've had this bike 17 months now and still think it's pretty cool to ride. As all the reviews say, it is totally fun to ride. Specially if you do the mods to the suspension.

[Sparky Bills]

Buy a Honda. Its that simple.

[javawocky]

For commuting my SV1ks will get about 180-200km before fuel light comes on - about the same as my old RG150 :P
Cost about $21-$23 to fill up, I haven't done a proper MPG yet.

Obviously open road riding produces better economy. Haven't done a long enough stretch of pure motorway to give you an idea of this, always riding B roads

[mister.koz]

From watching people ride the sv's and riding IL4's myself (zxr250, zx6rr, zx10-r) i don't think they can be compared.

Totally different benefits and downsides and the torque vs hp debarcle just makes it more complicated, don't worry about the stats or what the books say, it ALWAYS comes down to the feeling of a bike and how it's dynamic suits you.

Balance and turn-in are effected completely by the rider and how you ride and that effect varies from bike to bike. I found my zx10 way easier to handle than my zx6... it turns tighter, its progression in any direction is smoother and more predictable.. go figure?

There's also a massive diversity in models every year, aparently my zx6rr (2005) was nothing at all like the 2003..

All good advice aside, take them for a spin, its the best answer