Honda 599 or suzuki SV650?????

[nghthwkct]

Ok guys I know that I asked your opinions on the honda 919 but I think that might be a little to much bike for me at this point and after talking to a couple of 599 owners it seems that that might be the better route for me. Now I am trying to decide wether the honda 599 or the suzuki SV650 would be the better choice. I love my honda I have now and I might even keep it but I have heard nothing but good things about the SV650 and it is about 1500-2000 cheaper than the honda. I will probably have this bike for a while so I really want t make the right choice. What do you guys think about the suzuki as opposed to the honda. Any advice is greatly appreciated as always.

[ZooTech]

Well, would you prefer a torquey 90-degree V-Twin or a racey inline four? They're both great choices, but they go about the job very differently. If you live in one of the magical areas that allow test rides, take each out for a spin. Otherwise, pick one and don't look back!

[nightingale]

Both awesome bikes. like zootech said, if you can ride them, do it and buy the one that fits you best. you can't go wrong with either of those bikes. the bottom line is choose the one that is best for you. people can say which one they like better, but its your money, and your bike. don't choose the one that someone else says is better. get the one that is the best for you.

[Toyuzu]

You have a nighthawk 750 now right? I'd guess the SV 650 will be about equal to that in power, or a bit weaker in some areas of the powerband. The 599 will feel docile at lower RPM's, but will feel LOT stronger than your nighthawk above 7K or so. The 599 in spite of lower displacement is a diffinite step-up performance-wise.

Both will handle significantly better than a nighthawk and both are much lighter. Both are very reliable as well. Pick what you like and ride the wheels off of it.

[Coffee357]

I am also eyeing the 599 as my next bike (definitely want a standard). My main question is that all the other bikes I've narrowed it down to (the SV650, V-Strom 650, and the Ninja 650R) are all fuel injected. Are the 4 carbs on the 599 more likely to give problems or require maintenance or is it a non-issue? Any one with experience on these bikes is more than welcome to pipe in !

[nyrblue35]

even cheaper than the honda with good reviews is the 06 yammy FZ6.(well the 05 got very good reviews) i thought about the 599 honda and you might want to also look at the kawi Z750S. the FZ is around 6500 while the kawi is around 7k like the honda. im hoping this is my next bike, a step in a different direction in addition to my cruiser

[Shiv]

Personally I think you should go with the 599.

That way there's a greater chance of me finding a SV650 for myself

[Gilfy650a]

Heh, i was going through this whole conundrum a bit earlier, i had a nighthawk 650, Currently bikeless... but i was looking at a 599 for a while but decided on an SV650 because it would be cheaper and it sounds like it would be more fun to ride, with more power where i usually ride at in the RPM range.

that and they sound sweet!
you can hear em at http://www.sv650.org under the goodies section.

i was looking at the 599 for a while beforehand though. but i'm poor and the SV won out.

Talk to Sev about the 599, he has one...

[icariz83]

I've got an 05 SV650S and I love it. I was looking at the 599 FZ6 and the SV and for many reasons I chose the SV. However there isn't really a bad choice, all have their pitfalls but the SV fit me best.

Biggest gripe I hear is the suspension is too "cushy". I weigh in at 150 so I haven't noticed it. It fits my frame as well (6'3"). Now if I could only ride the damn thing life would be great.

[Coffee357]

Icariz83,

Can you give some of the reasons you picked the SV over the 599? Just looking for input...