Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hello everyone, I'm new to motorcycling as of this weekend. I just bought a 2006 SV650. It's the first street bike I've ever ridden, and it’s great, I'm very impressed with it. Before I ask my completely mentally challenged question, I'll give you some background info. I've been a snowmobiler for about 18 years, so I'm familiar with similar power to weight ratios that motorcycles offer. In fact, my SV feels like it offers midrange acceleration on par with the snowmobiles I'm used to riding, no doubt the SV will wax my sled on the top end though. Snowmobiles have been my only toys until about two months ago, I bought a Polaris Outlaw(quad) and got bored with it VERY quickly, it's a great quad, but nowhere near as fun as snowmobiling. Not to mention, I hardly rode the thing. In 2 months I rode it 3 times, it had to go. Well, I always wanted a motorcycle, so I did a little research and bought the SV650. I've done a little lurking here over the last couple of days, and while I'm glad that I got the 650, it's completely undeniable that part of the reason I went for a bigger bike like the 650 can in fact be contributed to the "vanity" argument, whatever, I've got a sweet first bike that I'll just have be extremely respectful of while honing my skills. Ok, here comes the dumb "noob" question, I have no doubt you guys will think I'll be sleeping in a coffin in less than six months. My dad has been a motorcyclist since he was a kid(he's 55, I'm 31), he currently rides a 2002 Harley Road King classic with the Stage III screaming eagle big bore. Well here it goes(I cant believe I'm asking something this juvenile as my first post in a new forum), who's bike will win in a straight line? I realize that these motorcycles are completely different animals, but, my dad and I do this all the time. We talk big back and forth about who's (insert fun toy here) is faster. Please don’t think me an irresponsible individual, I'm actually quite responsible and I know my limits. I know he has a ton more experience than me, and that alone would result in my loss. But I'm not talking about riders, just the bikes. I need bragging rights. I've run down the numbers already, and the power to weight ratio is devastatingly on my side. His bike should be putting out about 85 HP with his set-up, but it weighs in at a portly 710lbs dry. My stock SV has approximately 73 HP, but at a svelte 363lbs dry. He has 8.35lbs/hp, I've got approximately 5lbs/hp. In my eyes, it's not even a close comparison. But, he's convinced that 1550cc worth of torque will prevail, what do you guys think?

rider skill would make a big difference.

what are you looking at, 1/4mile? top speed ? i'd think just based on the power to weight that you would win too. also you are going on stock numbers.

based on rider skill he should smoke you just because his shifts will be more natural and in tune with his bike...in a few months that might change to be more in your favor.

that all being said, i really don't want to know who wins (unless it's at the drag stip). the theory and speculation is good enough for me.

bok wrote:rider skill would make a big difference.

what are you looking at, 1/4mile? top speed ? i'd think just based on the power to weight that you would win too. also you are going on stock numbers.

based on rider skill he should smoke you just because his shifts will be more natural and in tune with his bike...in a few months that might change to be more in your favor.

that all being said, i really don't want to know who wins (unless it's at the drag stip). the theory and speculation is good enough for me.

We wont be racing any time soon, he lives 900 miles from me. As far as distances are concerned, 0-60, 1/4 mile, top speed. Obviously all I'm looking for is guesstimates. I went on stock numbers for my bike, and the hp number I qouted for his is in fact what his bike should be putting out with the stage III Harley kit. I know he would smoke me just based on his skill, but, all I'm concerned about is bragging rights, which bike has more capability.

it's kind of Apples to Oranges...like which would win a lincoln continental mk IV or a honda civic si.

i'm sure there are some top speed and 1/4 mile numbers out there for your bike even if it's factory blue sky numbers. your top speed should be about 125 or so stock (according to our own lovely TMW website) not sure what your 0-60 times would be but i'd guess somewhere in the 3-4 seconds range since the ninja 500 can do that.

Hands down you'll beat him, but it is comparing apples to oranges.

sharpmagna wrote:Hands down you'll beat him, but it is comparing apples to oranges.

EGO BOOST!!!!!!

Hope you enjoy the site. Don't forget to let your dad in on the big secrets here at TMW!

Thanks, it's seems to be a pretty good forum, I still have a lot to check out on here though.

your bike is faster. gotta look at the trannys in them though not just power to weight becasue power is worth nothing if not being delivered propperly.

I think these are the right overall ratios for each bike.

SV650:
1st 15.421:1
2nd 11.137
3rd 8.651:1
4th 7.570:1
5th 6.024:1
6th 5.337:1


Road King:
1st 10.110
2nd 6.958
3rd 4.953
4th 3.862
5th 3.150