Calling all SV & VTR 1000 riders

**far queue** · 22nd February 2007, 15:17

I’m thinking about getting another road bike and the SV1000S and VTR1000 are top of the list at the moment. I’ve done a search on here, and elsewhere on the web, and everyone with these bikes seem very happy with them. There’s a couple of things I want to know though – what sort of range can I expect from a tank and what are they like comfort wise on a long haul to a rally, up to say 400-500km a day.

I’m taking each of these for a ride on Saturday, but only short rides – I’m only allowed 30 minutes on the VTR and 1 hour on the SV - so that wont tell me much about the long distance stuff.

I’m swaying towards the SV at the moment, but want to keep an open mind until I’ve tried them both. I’d considered a Blackbird too, until I sat on one – too big and heavy for me thanks, but the SV & VTR both seem good.

**bungbung** · 22nd February 2007, 15:20

Hiya,

First do a search, there are several threads about each. Then go and ride. They're both good. The SV has the edge on range, but otherwise they're pretty similar. I assume we are talking new? because the early VTRs have crap range and poorer suspension than the later models.

**SpankMe** · 22nd February 2007, 15:22

Check out

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=36901

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=10730

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=21087

or you could have just searched yourself

and of course: http://www.sv-portal.com

I'd go with the SV, but I'm biased.

**Edbear** · 22nd February 2007, 15:24

Have a look at TL1000R's bike, too. It's in real nice order and he's selling it to go to Aus. He wants me to buy it but I don't think my geriatric old bones would last too long and the Missus REALLY wants a cruiser for pillion comfort! However if you want a very quick, great sounding bike, you could do a lot worse!

**Fatjim** · 22nd February 2007, 15:25

I'd go with the SV as well, and I'm not biased.

But ride them both and choose the one that fits best. If you prefer the VTR then go for it, put some decent rubber and brake pads on it and save for some fork internals.

**GMGirl** · 22nd February 2007, 15:33

Well for a woman's perspective and you should all know we all go for comfort but without having had a VTR1000 I recommend the SV1000S. (check out mine in my profile). It's an awesome bike and I went from a VTR250 to this and man it's definitely a confidence booster that's for sure. I love riding it, it's the best. It looks sexy and goes really well. Also I recommend putting some great sounding pipes on too then everyone can hear ya coming. Good luck with the choice.

**Fatjim** · 22nd February 2007, 15:36

Come on girl, get your tight leathers on and post us a piccy of you on your bike. If it's good I'm sure Far Q will buy one. If you don't I will and no-one will look at this thread again.

**Chisanga** · 22nd February 2007, 15:42

From my ignorant (only ever ridden a 250

) point of view, the SV1000s looks heaps better than the VTR1000, however I have heard the finish on Suzukis is rather crap.

**paturoa** · 22nd February 2007, 15:50

Originally Posted by far queue

what sort of range can I expect from a tank .

K3 SV1000s commuting in AK, 220ks from full to light on with a 13 litre fill, varies bugger all. Travelling on trips at 120kmh speeds I always get 260 / 270 ks for same 13 litre refill. At light on there should be 4 litres still in the tank, but I've never drained it too see.

Originally Posted by far queue

and what are they like comfort wise on a long haul to a rally, up to say 400-500km a day

I did the Brass Monkey from AK last year and in reality was quite confortable. Seat is a little firm, and I'd recommend a sheep skin for longer distances.

From all of the threads I've read, including on other forums, SV owners will always recommend SVs and VTR owners always recommend VTRs - go figure!

Have you had a butchers at a VStrom?

**bungbung** · 22nd February 2007, 15:55

I have low fuel light on at 150-160kms with normal cruising (11 - 12l fill). This is a '97 model with the small tank.

VTRs are thirsty.

**Eric** · 22nd February 2007, 16:34

I bought a SV650S and get about 275Km out of a tank. Good overall performance with plenty of low down grunt.

This is after my last bike back in 1978, which was a Beema.

Love it

**Grahameeboy** · 22nd February 2007, 16:38

The SV is more uptodate but the VTR still sold more than SV in Aussie....maybe price is the motivator.......not sure if VTR is fuel injected as my mind is slow today..............

**imdying** · 22nd February 2007, 17:06

Do not buy one without trying a GSXR750 of similar $$$$$.

**far queue** · 22nd February 2007, 18:20

Originally Posted by bungbung

I assume we are talking new?

Yep, new

Originally Posted by SpankMe

… or you could have just searched yourself

and of course: http://www.sv-portal.com

As I said, I did search and did find some threads, but was looking for bit more info. But thanks for the sv-portal link, I hadn’t come across that one.

Originally Posted by GMGirl

Well for a woman's perspective and you should all know we all go for comfort but without having had a VTR1000 I recommend the SV1000S. (check out mine in my profile) ... Also I recommend putting some great sounding pipes on too then everyone can hear ya coming.

Thanks for that, and yep some new pipes to bring out the great V2 sound will be on the shopping list, and a tail end tidy up – yours looks great.

Originally Posted by Fatjim

Come on girl, get your tight leathers on and post us a piccy of you on your bike. If it's good I'm sure Far Q will buy one.

Sounds like an idea – another tail to check out

Originally Posted by paturoa

K3 SV1000s commuting in AK, 220ks from full to light on with a 13 litre fill, varies bugger all. Travelling on trips at 120kmh speeds I always get 260 / 270 ks for same 13 litre refill. At light on there should be 4 litres still in the tank, but I've never drained it too see.

Thanks, that’s what I was after. So that’s 20km/L and 320Km to empty, just what I was hoping for.

Originally Posted by paturoa

I did the Brass Monkey from AK last year and in reality was quite confortable. Seat is a little firm, and I'd recommend a sheep skin for longer distances.

Again, what I wanted to hear. That was a good effort you guys put in to come to that rally with some loooong days, so if you were happy with the ride that’s got to be a big tick for the SV.

Originally Posted by paturoa

SV owners will always recommend SVs and VTR owners always recommend VTRs - go figure!

Yep, to be expected and that’s cool. I’d rather be hearing the good stuff from the owners of both bikes than the silly slagging off of rival brands that normally goes on. Happy to hear about any genuine faults too, just not the slagging off stuff.

Originally Posted by paturoa

Have you had a butchers at a VStrom?

Yup, doesn’t do it for me. Whatever I buy has to look sexy to me when it’s sitting in my drive as much as it has to do what I want.

Originally Posted by bungbung

I have low fuel light on at 150-160kms with normal cruising (11 - 12l fill). This is a '97 model with the small tank.

VTRs are thirsty.

Christ, that’s around 13km/L and 256km to empty with the current 19L tank.

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

The SV is more uptodate but the VTR still sold more than SV in Aussie....maybe price is the motivator.......not sure if VTR is fuel injected as my mind is slow today..............

Both near enough the same price at the moment – SV=$12500, VTR=$12995. SV=injected, VTR=Carbs

Originally Posted by imdying

Do not buy one without trying a GSXR750 of similar $$$$$.

Nah, GSXR’s a good bike but I don’t want one. BTW, was that your SV parked outside cycle treads yesterday lunchtime? Looks good – I bet it’s bloody loud. Where did you get the full fairing from?