[rteichman]

I have been wanting a new bike for a while and yesterday I cam across a beautiful 2004 SV650s with full fairings. The bike looks magnificent, but when I rode it I didn't think it was as great as I had expected. Currently I have a 95 Katana 750 which on paper is heavier and has the same horsepower as the SV650. The previous owner modified the Katana so it might have more power and I am very used to the Katana but it seemed to me that:

My Katana is seems faster. When I snap my wrist it takes off. The SV was no slouch, but it didn't seem to have the same "kick". This is my biggest complaint. Based on the stats, it should have had the same "umph" as my Katana.

Second my Katana while much heavier seems more fun in the turns. This really surprised me since the Katana is top heavy and more of a "beast"

So from all you SV owners out there, do you agree with these finding or is it just my unfamiliarity with the bike? I really love the way the SV looks and being 10 years newer is so much smoother than my Katana. I really want to buy it. However, if I can't get the same thrill, I figure I should save my money.

 

[Louis]

I cannot compare since I never rode a katana. However, I just love mine and handles very well.

By the way, is it blue or yellow?

 

[Freakinout]

i've ridden my buddies sv650s and it was a hoot.... but it is actually a little bit slower than my ninja 500r.

I've also ridden my buddies katana 600, and my other buddies katana 750. the 750 is the fastest out of all of them, the 500r is even with the 600, and a little bit faster than the 650.

And with the modifications on my 500r, it turns in a lot quicker than all of the rest.

 

[rteichman]

Its blue. Since you can't compare let me ask you this. Do you feel you could pop a wheelie with the SV650? I have no intention of EVER doing that but I want to get a "feel" comparison. While I don't think the Katana could do it (because of its weight), it FEELs like it can. When I snap the throttle I get the feeling of being pushed back by the bike taking off. I didn't seem to get that feeling on the SV

 

[rteichman]

i've ridden my buddies sv650s and it was a hoot....

And with the modifications on my 500r, it turns in a lot quicker than all of the rest.

Ok, please tell me what made it a "hoot" Also what modifications did you do on the 500r? Could the same sort of things be done to the 650 to give it more power? Again, I'm not looking to race or anything, but every now and then I do like that kick in the rear acceleration feeling.

Finally, why when the bikes have the same HP and one is lighter than the other does the Katana feel faster? Could it really be due to the unrestricted racing exhaust the Katana has?

 

[Freakinout]

The "hoot" is the broad powerband on the sv650s. Lots of torque! :mrgreen:

Here is my list of mods.

Woodcraft rearsets
Jardine header and midpipe
V&H SSR2 carbon fiber can
Shortened dogbones 3/8"
lowered front end 1"
clip-ons
'01 gsxr 600 steering damper
Pirelli Diablos - 120/70 Front
Metzeler M-1 150/60 Rear
K&N air pods
Stage 3 rejetting
Fender eliminated
Targa full lower
DID 520 Chain
Custom paint job, '96 Ford Mustang Metallic silver, with extra metallic added and blue pearl sprayed in with the clear coat.

Basically I changed the geometry on my 500R to make it handle a LOT better. Racing rearsets plus clip-ons makes a world of difference.

The inline 4 bikes are going to go faster (top speed) than any 2 cylinder bike. inline twin or vtwin.

The 500R is the lightest out of all 4 of those bikes. The 750 and 600 are identical on weight and the 650 is the mid-weight bike in there.

 

[rteichman]

OK, thanks. I just read a road test review on a SV650, in which one of the testers (a lay person) complained about the SV650 saying she would never buy it nor recommend it. It seems she came from riding an inline 4 bike and had the exact same experience I did.... no burst of power in the higher RPM range, and easily redlining it. The article continues to state that she talked to the other testers and modified her shifting style to better suit the V-twin and she got more enjoyment from it (though it never mentioned her "changing her mind" about recommending it).

Maybe that's my problem, and with a different shifting pattern I could get that kick in the pants feeling? Someone please say yes, I SOOOO want to buy that bike :-D

 

[Clint]

I was going to suggest that your riding style might not take advantage of the SV's power curve. It usually takes a while to adjust to a new bike. After a few hundred miles you could probably make it move out a bit faster than you first did.

 

[mikesvsix50]

Dude, I love my SV, it's a sweet ride, it shouldn't have a problem keepin' up with the 600s. Until they leave you in the dust after you top out...but who the hell's that nuts?

 

[rteichman]

OK, I know this is herasy but.... what do you guys think of a 2001 Triumph TT600 the dealer said it weighs just under 390 lbs and it has 98hp (seems high for a 600 no?). Its priced less than the SV I was looking at and has all service records. Should I get it instead? I will ride it on Tuesday when they are open again and I have my gear with me, but I know nothing about these bikes. Sitting on it, it felt real nice, but the proof will be in the ride. However, the question is still which is better (at least on paper) and how reliable is a Triumph

 

[stevie c]

The "hoot" is the broad powerband on the sv650s. Lots of torque! :mrgreen:

Here is my list of mods.

....Pirelli Diablos - 120/70 Front
Metzeler M-1 150/60 Rear....

Freakinout, have you noticed any handling problems by mixing tyre types? I thought it was a big no no..?

 

[LayinLo]

Do you feel you could pop a wheelie with the SV650? I have no intention of EVER doing that but I want to get a "feel" comparison.

I learned wheelies on a 2003 SV650!!!! They are so easy on that bike because of the torque.


About the Triumph. 98hp is not a lot for a 600 these days. You ought to notice a difference in the "snap and wheelie feeling" you get from your Kat as soon as you ride that Triumph.

 

[Freakinout]

Freakinout, have you noticed any handling problems by mixing tyre types? I thought it was a big no no..?

The tread pattern is the only thing different from the metzeler and the diablos. Made in the same factory, also they are the same SS compounds. Different brands but still super sport tires ya know.

 

[axel_2078]

OK, I know this is herasy but.... what do you guys think of a 2001 Triumph TT600 the dealer said it weighs just under 390 lbs and it has 98hp (seems high for a 600 no?). Its priced less than the SV I was looking at and has all service records. Should I get it instead? I will ride it on Tuesday when they are open again and I have my gear with me, but I know nothing about these bikes. Sitting on it, it felt real nice, but the proof will be in the ride. However, the question is still which is better (at least on paper) and how reliable is a Triumph

Unless I'm mistaken, most Triumph bikes have 3 cylinders instead of 4. I don't know how this impacts power or performance though. I don't know anyone that has ever owned a Triumph, so there's not a lot I can say about it.

 

[inspiron]

The Triumph Speed Triple is a nice looking bike ... and gets some good reviews. The 3 cylinder engine offers some of the advantages of an I-4 and keeps some of the 'bite' of the V-2 ... it is, as you would guess, a good comprimise.

 

[stevie c]

The tread pattern is the only thing different from the metzeler and the diablos. Made in the same factory, also they are the same SS compounds. Different brands but still super sport tires ya know.

Ta for the reply mate, you learn something new everyday. ;-)