[MaNjA]

I'm going to buy my first street bike in the next week or so.. I have been looking to buy either a 03 Katana 750 or a 03 SV650S, I think they are both great looking bikes I just dont know which one to buy. I'm just curious if anyone has any pros or cons on either bike, I'm looking for something that I wont get bored of and I want something with some power and a hi fun factor. (I cant afford the insurance for a gixxer or I would have one by now) I know that the 750 has more horsepower but also has about 100 lbs more weight to lug around..
If anyone has any info on which bike I should buy it would be of great help to me..

 

[Clint]

Hey there.

We can't really help you until you tell us about you. Size? Riding intentions? Passengers? Terrain? Budget?

You can get volumes of info from reading reviews on those bikes, but you're asking questions specifically about you. Fill us in.

 

[gsxrjeffro]

I WOULD GO FOR THE SV... MORE AFTERMARKET PARTS FOR THE SV.

 

[Hoomgar]

Both are great bikes. It's going to be hard to go wrong.
I would say the bigest choice is if you want v-twin or inline 4.

 

[Guest]

if your looking for looks, i would go for the sv. i like it alot too.

 

[RookWV]

After you account for what kind of riding you're going to do....

SV is fuel injected, Kat has carbs
SV is liquid-cooled, Kat is oil/air cooled
SV is 372lbs, Kat is 465lbs
I think the Kat's rear suspension may be more adjustable
The Kat has a larger fuel tank

I don't think you'll go wrong with either one. I've no experience around an SV but figure it's slightly better simply because it's newer technology.....but the Kat has proven technology and is pretty much bulletproof.

The simple answer is......buy both :lol:

 

[MaNjA]

(We can't really help you until you tell us about you. Size? Riding intentions? Passengers? Terrain? Budget?)

I'm 6.0 ft tall 190 lbs I intend to ride this thing until I get enough experience to move up to a super sport I may have the odd passenger on board, the roads that I will be riding on are actually pretty rough in some sections until I hit the main roads, I live in a rual area where the roads are pretty rough, my budget is about 8000 Canadian I can get the SV with 2600 km for 6000 and the Kat with 1500km for about 6500 Canadian dollars..both are 03's..
Thanks for the info so far guys

 

[GS750ED]

The key words were mentioned in your first sentence- FIRST street bike. Buy the SV, it will be a much easier bike to learn on. It is light and torquey with an easily managed powerband. It will be a blast to ride. I started on a 450 at age 18- you will learn much in the first 2 years. Too many young kids now all want to start on a 100+hp rocket, With no license restrictions, this is why the salvage yards are full of late model sport bikes and insurance is so high. You will not need an inline 4 for a couple of years. Ride safe, Ed.

 

[RookWV]

I wouldn't want something torquey as my first bike.

I have a Kat and while heavy I think it's by far the best 600cc bike you could start on, it's very forgiving.

But certainly true is that fact about everyone wanting to look cool than actually learn how to ride safely.

 

[GS750ED]

What I meant by torquey was that the powerband on most V-twins is very linear- they are very smooth in power delivery. Compare the TL1000 to the GSXR1000. The TL is much easier to ride on the street because it makes useful power as low as 3000rpm and is very linear in delivery-there is no sudden rush of power in the upper tach ranges. Most modern 600cc sport bikes are made for very experienced riders in that they have to be tached up over 10,000rpm to make power-how many riders are experienced enough to use this on the street. A light torquey v-twin is very easy to ride- I know because I have owned and ridden everything from the 1987 GSXR 1100 to the 2001 TL1000S. Good Luck, Ed.

 

[tlwisner]

I'm going to buy my first street bike in the next week or so.. I have been looking to buy either a 03 Katana 750 or a 03 SV650S, I think they are both great looking bikes I just dont know which one to buy.

They are both good bikes. Go with the one that makes you feel happiest! You want to be comfortable and enjoy the bike, both of the bikes you mention are good. Sit on them and see how they feel. How much stuff will you want to carry along when you ride? See which bike will accomodate the gear you wish to carry - what accessory luggage is there? 8)

 

[Uncle Bob]

I wouldn't want something torquey as my first bike.

Torquey is good ! twitchy isn't, torque will make the bike more forgiving taking off from a stop or riding in too low a gear not stalling as easily.

 

[el barto]

Well, I wouldn't get an '03 model as a first street bike. You WILL drop it. It's probably more expensive to repair the KATANA because of the fairings and the difficulty in finding frame sliders. The SV650 has more torque and is lighter (to pick up when you do drop it). You'll be happier with the SV650 I think, plus I think the Katana is ugly as can be (but then again I ride a 1st generation bandit).

 

[zleviticus]

I just bought a '04 600 Kat and I love it.. I am 6 fett 270 ish (stocky build) the weight is something you have to get used to but other than that. i have no problems gettign in front of traffic from a start (most bikes shouldn't) In reality the SV is what got me started in looking at suzuki but after sitting on one and a kat I liked the kat better it just felt better. So i would go and sit on each and find out which you like sitting on more...

 

[pitbull76]

About all I can add is that the Katana would be better for longer trips/rides. It is a bit more comfortable. If most of your rides are going to be short, I would get the SV. If you want to tour with it, get the Kat. Since you're talking about wanting an SS bike eventually, I get the feeling that touring is not something you plan to do.

 

[LoneWolf]

I have a 2001 Katana 750 and I love it. I honestly can't compare to the other as I've never driven it but my thoughts on the Kat...

At 5'8" and 135 lbs., she is very comfortable. Heavy, yes but not unmanagable and takes the twisties beautifully once you learn to trust the lean on such a heavy bike. The comfort factor is also a big plus for taking on passengers. One good thing about the weight is that it is difficult to "accidently" bring the front up. Suspension is nice, looks are IMHO great (although more expensive to fix if she's layed down...you have to cut the fairings for frame sliders as far as I know.) Also, the gas tank is about 5 gallons, quite large for a bike. She does have power and torque but yet tame enough to where even someone with little experience like me doesn't have a difficult time keeping a handle on it. I am thrilled with my kat. I think the biggest drawback is the weight at 465 lbs dry (about 520 wet.) Other than that, I can't say enough good things about them. Just my .02!

Good luck with which ever bike you choose...either way, I think you'll be very happy.