Which is a better choice of bike?

[jasonu]

I also think that they should be similar money- kinda $6k to $6.5k type thing.

$6k for a BB with 100,000kms???? Seriously????

[blackdog]

I like the BB more, but under the circumstances I think the SV is the better bet for the OP.

The market for the SV is much larger when it comes time to shift it on, and the mileage makes it much more desirable to the average kiwi biker.

You'll get rid of AIDS quicker than you will the Honda.

Maybe something like this would be more suitable?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-400001658.htm

[raziel1983]

I rode a SV, and it was very vanilla with very little character, and the example I rode seemed to have quite top heavy handling traits. My brother in law has that model Blackbird, it is a nice bike with a bit more character than the SV. As long as the blackbird is in good order, it should last many more 1000's of km's. Assuming it is priced at market rates, It has already sunk about as low as it will ever go in the devaluation stakes, so very little money will be wasted when it comes to sell it on.

I moved from an 01 Bird to a 07 SV1000, And without a doubt the Bird was far far more top heavy (and everything else heavy) than the SV, And yeah the bird is fast as heck, but in reality I found all the power makes it a pretty un-envolving ride..

[sugilite:Me]

I moved from an 01 Bird to a 07 SV1000, And without a doubt the Bird was far far more top heavy (and everything else heavy) than the SV, And yeah the bird is fast as heck, but in reality I found all the power makes it a pretty un-envolving ride..

The SV I rode needed a good firm hand to initiate the turn, then kinda went plop into the corner, it felt top heavy, but could just be tyres etc, hence the reason I said "the one I rode". The blackbird just felt neutral in the steering department. No debating it is heavier, but did seem to disguise it quite well.

[T.W.R]

Hypothetically if there were the two bikes together with identical kms etc there wouldn't be any question about it and with what part of the OP mentioned about touring accessories on either bike he is obviously intending seeing some of the country not a scratch around the local stamping ground.

So the BB would win hands down.... better ergonomics for rider & pillion, better luggage carrying capacity, bigger fuel tank & range, superior build quality and it's designed as a hyper-tourer.
What exactly is the SV ? just a bike that doesn't know exactly itself.... it's just a large capacity entry level V-twin, neither here nor there ergonomics for the rider & almost sportsbike perch for a pillion, joe average fuel tank capacity, & a poor attempt at a UJM.

They're both going to chop tyres out at a comparable rate as a equal disadvantage.

Neither bike of the OP's original post are good buying but on a level playing field with two bikes with identical specs (price & Kms) the BB would blitz a SV

[Blackbird]

I'm a confirmed 'bird lover but although the engine will go on forever, the cycle parts will be tired by now and it's over-priced if it's around $6k. Furthermore, it's a carbed 'bird, not injected if it's '97. You'll always be fiddling to get them synchronised.

The SV is a clear winner!

[quattro]

Here's my old BB, just to demonstrate my affinity with them



Having said that, my head is telling me the SV is the winner (although that Bandit looks pretty swish). We don't get that properly faired one here. I know I've certainly never seen one.

Some other very good suggestions there. How come you can find those on TradeMe and I can't? Is the search function tricky? Must I search for every single combination of 'SV' '1000' 's' 'k3' 'k4' etc?

[Metastable]

Hypothetically if there were the two bikes together with identical kms etc there wouldn't be any question about it and with what part of the OP mentioned about touring accessories on either bike he is obviously intending seeing some of the country not a scratch around the local stamping ground.

So the BB would win hands down.... better ergonomics for rider & pillion, better luggage carrying capacity, bigger fuel tank & range, superior build quality and it's designed as a hyper-tourer.
What exactly is the SV ? just a bike that doesn't know exactly itself.... it's just a large capacity entry level V-twin, neither here nor there ergonomics for the rider & almost sportsbike perch for a pillion, joe average fuel tank capacity, & a poor attempt at a UJM.

They're both going to chop tyres out at a comparable rate as a equal disadvantage.

Neither bike of the OP's original post are good buying but on a level playing field with two bikes with identical specs (price & Kms) the BB would blitz a SV

You're right. The SV is neither here nor there, that's exactly why it is a great road bike. It can do a bit of everything well. It can be an excellent touring bike with some bar risers and lowering the pegs, and it can be a pretty decent trackbike with some suspension mods. Plus the engine is SOLID will last a long time.

As far as it being "top heavy" and flopping over... funny but that is the exact same feeling I had when I first got the bike from the dealer. When I actually checked the suspension settings they were SOOO far from what was suggested by the manual, that when I put it closer to the manual's settings and I adjusted for preload, things got A LOT better and the turn-in felt much more progressive.

[tigertim20]

A 1997 Blackbird with 100,000KM or a 2003 SV1000 with 40000KM? Both in good condition with some touring accessories.

... I ask mainly from the point of view of shifting it on, later. I've whittled my choice of bike down to these two. I've had a 98 Blackbird before and they're pure class. I have 2 Suzukis at the moment so neither choice would be a big departure from what I'm used to.

I've booked flights to Auckland for 01st of October and I'll be bike hunting immediately in that area. I really can't say how long I'll stay but I'll be there on a 1 year working visa. The question really is, if I get a mad notion to go home- which one will be easier to sell?

similar money, but one is half as old,and less than half the kays, you do the math!!

ID say the SV, but both pretty different bikes.

[quattro]

ID say the SV, but both pretty different bikes.

+1

similar money, but one is half as old,and less than half the kays, you do the math!!

But in lots of ways, it's twice the bike and therin lies the issue. The answer that's presenting itself to me at this stage, is stick to the commuter/ bandit/ SV class as they should be more saleable while still being up to the job. I'm sure some would disagree.

I'm kinda lucky too that I'm not that fussy about 'downgrading' from my current bikes. I take it handy no matter what I'm driving.

[tigertim20]

+1



But in lots of ways, it's twice the bike and therin lies the issue. The answer that's presenting itself to me at this stage, is stick to the commuter/ bandit/ SV class as they should be more saleable while still being up to the job. I'm sure some would disagree.

I'm kinda lucky too that I'm not that fussy about 'downgrading' from my current bikes. I take it handy no matter what I'm driving.

the SV is I think a more saleable bike which was your question. Id have a harder time deciding if you were moving here permanently, and I would ask more questions, but for a relatively temporary bike, the SV I think is the better choice, its probably a slightly better city/commuting bike than the BB, and many people have a thing in there head that when a bike gets to XXX kms,its fucked - not necessarily true, but you need to convince a potential buyer of that, and purchasers more often than not give a higher consideration to the kms on the clock than is deserved. NZhas some twisty as fuck roads, and i suspect tha while the BB willbe more comfy on the highways, the SV will be more fun in exploring the windy bits. But hey, your call!!!

[Metastable]

But in lots of ways, it's twice the bike and therin lies the issue.

Why is it twice the bike?

The SV is actually better in the twisties... heck it's better at the track... so it's better in the twisties. It is also a fairly easy bike to tour on as well with some minor mods.... BB is better for touring, yes... the the SV is pretty good. In terms of top speed.... ok bb is better, but you're better doing that at the track anyway.... so the SV is better for that.

[sugilite:Me]

Why is it twice the bike?

The SV is actually better in the twisties... heck it's better at the track... so it's better in the twisties. It is also a fairly easy bike to tour on as well with some minor mods.... BB is better for touring, yes... the the SV is pretty good. In terms of top speed.... ok bb is better, but you're better doing that at the track anyway.... so the SV is better for that.

I agree with you, A SV would be better in the twisties, but I'm confidant I'd do a better laptime on a BB at a track, as long as it was not a go cart track

[Metastable]

http://www.spike.com/video-clips/f3r...t-daytona-2008
talks a bit about the track limitations of the SV... they still beat out some Aprilias, Ducatis and BMWs.

[raziel1983]

Just to chip in on resale value, I just recently sold my 01 Bird with 73000k in top condition with some nice mods for 5.5k.. Took quite sometime to flick off, had to practically give it away in a $1 reserve auction!