Yamaha FZ6 vs Kawasaki Ninja 650R vs Suzuki SV650s?
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macktruckturner
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jmillheiser
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well here is my unbiased review of the SV650S after test riding one today.
Great engine, great handling, comfort is a relative term (this was my first ride on a real sportbike).
The engine feels a lot faster than you think it would be, the bike is so much faster than my old honda, and there is no work involved to get this bike moving, the clutch is as easy as can be, the power is there immediately, no flat spots, no sudden spikes in power, the power picks up so smoothly that there is no discernable hit when it comes into the powerband.
The handling is great, the bike is very easy to manuver at low speeds despite the aggressive riding position and clip ons, the steering only requires the lightest touch to make the bike lean, the brakes are great and provide good feedback.
this bike is supposed to be comfortable by sportbike standards. I would need to ride it for a good hour or so to get a real feel for its comfort. I felt a little cramped, but was able to get my knees into the tank easily so I didn't have to use my arms to hold myself up. As this was my first ride on a real sportbike it was a little weird being leaned so far forward.
Great engine, great handling, comfort is a relative term (this was my first ride on a real sportbike).
The engine feels a lot faster than you think it would be, the bike is so much faster than my old honda, and there is no work involved to get this bike moving, the clutch is as easy as can be, the power is there immediately, no flat spots, no sudden spikes in power, the power picks up so smoothly that there is no discernable hit when it comes into the powerband.
The handling is great, the bike is very easy to manuver at low speeds despite the aggressive riding position and clip ons, the steering only requires the lightest touch to make the bike lean, the brakes are great and provide good feedback.
this bike is supposed to be comfortable by sportbike standards. I would need to ride it for a good hour or so to get a real feel for its comfort. I felt a little cramped, but was able to get my knees into the tank easily so I didn't have to use my arms to hold myself up. As this was my first ride on a real sportbike it was a little weird being leaned so far forward.
I just bought my 2006 SV650S a month ago, I love it and wouldn't trade it for any other bike. Very comfy, and user friendly. It's definitely more powerful than the GSX. As far, long distance riding, its so comfy that it felt like I could ride way longer than I planned due to comfortable custioning on the seats. I just broke into 100 MPH this morning, and it felt very stable. This is just my opinion.
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macktruckturner
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Last night I finished a 2300 mile ride (8 days) on my 05 SV650S. It took everything, including a 40 minute downpour south of Nashville in stride and never missed a beat.
Things I'll address before setting out on another ride of this magnitude are as follows.
Bar end weights, thicker grips, and a throttle lock. After a few 500 mile days, my throttle hand was tingling. I do not advocate cruising with the throttle locked, but using one sparingly in a non-congested area for the opportunity to stretch and shake out your throttle hand is fine by me.
Stiffer seat - that's right, stiffer. The stock seat is too soft and my backside sinks into it, causing some uncomfortable hot spots. I may try to address that myself later today with some project foam from hobby lobby - provided I can find a block that is hard enough for my liking.
I would actually prefer the footpegs to be up about an inch, and about two inches back. That would make, for me at least, a more natural position for my legs. I'm not tall by any means (30 inseam pants, I'm 5'8" or about 172cm), and while I can flat foot quite easily at stops - my ankles are put in a rather tortured position when I get to gripping the tank with my knees.
The V2 Speedscreen I installed before the trip did wonders for my freeway comfort. The "clean" air pocket is much taller, and even the "dirty" air is less harsh when I'm sitting up at highway speeds. Another added benefit is that I'm fully in the "clean" airstream when I'm tucked in to pass big rigs and the like. With the factory windscreen, there was significant buffetting to the top of my helmet, even tucked in.
Things I'll address before setting out on another ride of this magnitude are as follows.
Bar end weights, thicker grips, and a throttle lock. After a few 500 mile days, my throttle hand was tingling. I do not advocate cruising with the throttle locked, but using one sparingly in a non-congested area for the opportunity to stretch and shake out your throttle hand is fine by me.
Stiffer seat - that's right, stiffer. The stock seat is too soft and my backside sinks into it, causing some uncomfortable hot spots. I may try to address that myself later today with some project foam from hobby lobby - provided I can find a block that is hard enough for my liking.
I would actually prefer the footpegs to be up about an inch, and about two inches back. That would make, for me at least, a more natural position for my legs. I'm not tall by any means (30 inseam pants, I'm 5'8" or about 172cm), and while I can flat foot quite easily at stops - my ankles are put in a rather tortured position when I get to gripping the tank with my knees.
The V2 Speedscreen I installed before the trip did wonders for my freeway comfort. The "clean" air pocket is much taller, and even the "dirty" air is less harsh when I'm sitting up at highway speeds. Another added benefit is that I'm fully in the "clean" airstream when I'm tucked in to pass big rigs and the like. With the factory windscreen, there was significant buffetting to the top of my helmet, even tucked in.
Ninja 650R
I must say I really like the FZ6 and the SV650 but when it came down to it I picked the Ninja 650R. My primary reasons were the ergo's of the Ninja 650R - I am vertically challenged (no jokes please) and I found the Ninja 650R a beter fit. In terms on long ride comfort, once again I prefered the Ninja 650R - but fit is a very personal thing. The Ninja 650R is really two motorcycles - below 5000 rpm it is a passive beginners bike but once you move over 5500 rprm (or so) it kicks butt. All three are great bikes - you really cannot go wrong. P.S. I found the Ninja 650R did not cause the end-of-day tingle - I average about 10,000 miles / year on motorcycles.
Honda ACE 750
Honda Sabre 1100
Honda Valkyrie 1500gl
Honda Magna V45
Victory Kingpin
Kawasaki Ninja 650r
Honda Sabre 1100
Honda Valkyrie 1500gl
Honda Magna V45
Victory Kingpin
Kawasaki Ninja 650r
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Scott Paeth
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Ninja Geoff
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- My Motorcycle: 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 650R
- Location: Leyden, MA
I went with the 650R myself. Based mainly off reviews of lashy chains and touchy FI on the FZ6, and the fact that it's sporting a tad more power than i was looking for in a first street bike (started on dirt, one would think i'd be used to lashy chains and notchy transmissions), i decided against it. That left it to the SV650/S vs 650R. Every review and comparo i read put the SV just slightly ahead of the 650R in balls to the wall performance. BUT they all also said the 650R was just more fun to ride, and easier to maneuver in traffic, and roomier. And although i didn't live in a high traffic area at the time, i did frequent them often, and was planning on moving to one at some point (which i have). Also, i'm a large fellow, so the roominess is nice.
Though don't let their mild demeanors fool you, they're back road blasters and can hang fairly well with the bigger bikes in the twisty bits. Good luck in a straight line though, with either the 650R or the SV, the I4's just destroy their top end acceleration.
Though don't let their mild demeanors fool you, they're back road blasters and can hang fairly well with the bigger bikes in the twisty bits. Good luck in a straight line though, with either the 650R or the SV, the I4's just destroy their top end acceleration.
[img]http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/3563/41350009.jpg[/img]
get whatever you want dont ask us! people will give you their own opinions on what looks good what sounds better or has better quality
here are the facts; they are all good quality, not everyone is comfortable on the same bike (if there was one bike that everyone would have it)
i bought my 2007 SV650 naked on feb 12 07 after many months researching these exact motorcycles, i originally chose the 599 because it looks awesome (especially the huge chunk of metal artwork under you), but what swayed me away was the fact that it was carbeurated and the 7400 price, then i looked at the FZ6 vs SV650, sure the FZ6 is faster, but it looks like an old mans bike, and sitting on one makes me look like a rapist for some reason
i looked at the ninja 650r, it looks pretty nice up until you look at it from the front...the underbelly exhaust is a nice touch and the engine sounds really mean with an exhaust
go sit on them, consider where you are going to be riding, for long trips or short stunts to some twisties, consider your price and the kind of financing they have
also sit on each one for atleast 5 minutes and see if you still like it and buy the one most comfortable to you not the one some guy on the internet tells you to buy
here are the facts; they are all good quality, not everyone is comfortable on the same bike (if there was one bike that everyone would have it)
i bought my 2007 SV650 naked on feb 12 07 after many months researching these exact motorcycles, i originally chose the 599 because it looks awesome (especially the huge chunk of metal artwork under you), but what swayed me away was the fact that it was carbeurated and the 7400 price, then i looked at the FZ6 vs SV650, sure the FZ6 is faster, but it looks like an old mans bike, and sitting on one makes me look like a rapist for some reason
i looked at the ninja 650r, it looks pretty nice up until you look at it from the front...the underbelly exhaust is a nice touch and the engine sounds really mean with an exhaust
go sit on them, consider where you are going to be riding, for long trips or short stunts to some twisties, consider your price and the kind of financing they have
also sit on each one for atleast 5 minutes and see if you still like it and buy the one most comfortable to you not the one some guy on the internet tells you to buy