Rode an SV (and compared to the Bandit)

[Ant]

The other day I got to ride an SV650; the delivery guy with my new tyres hadn't arrived at the dealership when I got there in the morning so they gave me a test bike so I could go to work. The funny thing is that my mate and I both bought our bikes within a week of each other, he got the SV and I got the Bandit so it was nice to feel how the bike he'd got rode.

The SV is so goddamn flickable and light, it feels like you could lift it with your little finger; despite being unfamiliar with the bike I found myself flying into corners just as fast (if not faster) than the Bandit just because of the difference in weight. I LOVED the sound of that V-twin engine, absolutely wonderful - however I found myself bouncing off the rev limiter more than I was accustomed to, the I4 of the bandit just seems to report its speed better. Not sure why it was just a feeling, probably due to how fast it racked through 1st gear? Who knows!?

The bike just plain responded, you could feel what was happening everywhere on the bike - I can see why it is the mutt's nuts on the track.

However for what I enjoy my bike for I'd far rather have my Bandit; on the open road the SV just felt plain nervous, a twitchy mother who if you farted would cause it to lean over. Again - an awesome trait on the track but a bit much for a relaxing ride. The weight of the Bandit also feels a bit more "touring" orientated (which is of course why we're here at STN!) and stable. You can throw a lot of shit at the Bandit and it will just keep on going, the SV felt like it might snap! (exaggerating slightly but you get what I mean).

First and foremost though was the riding position; I just don't think I could be comfortable on that bike if I was riding all day (8 hours+) like I do on the Bandit. I think it was my freaky proportioned body - tall body, stumpy legs - that just didn't quite "fit" the bike but something didn't quite work for me.

Am tempted to get an SV for getting into track days and really flicking around twisties but I'm very very glad that I went for the Bandit. It really makes a difference buying a bike for what you use it for rather than what other people tell you is great. The SV is an awesome ride - the Bandit just suits my style of riding so much more than the SV could.

Its interesting riding other bikes to appreciate how different bikes can be, shame its such a pain finding the bikes to test!

[pearsonm]

..shame its such a pain finding the bikes to test!

Ain't that the truth? I don't buy bikes, I buy extended test rides.

The SV's a bike I've always wanted to try for the same reason you emphasized - it's so damn light. I've also always wanted a twin. I'd probably own one if it didn't have such a cheesy suspension. Could you imagine one punched-out to a 750 with a fully-adjustable suspension?

Nice report.

[Johnny Monsoon]

That's my golden rule for motorcycles:  Buy the bike to meet your needs.  Do that and the bike will be a real pleasure.

[Mr Sunshine]

Ain't that the truth? I don't buy bikes, I buy extended test rides.

The SV's a bike I've always wanted to try for the same reason you emphasized - it's so damn light. I've also always wanted a twin. I'd probably own one if it didn't have such a cheesy suspension. Could you imagine one punched-out to a 750 with a fully-adjustable suspension?

Nice report.

I'm debating on if I want to do that to my street SV650.  Gixxer 750 front end with the 648cc kit.  It'd cost me around $6-$7k to do it all.

[prez]

All the SVS needs to be more touring oriented is: taller bars, lower pegs, centerstand, taller gearing, taller winscreen, and your personal choice of luggage options.

In the last yr I've :I'm 5'11" so I swapped stock clip-ons for some Hawk GT bits $125 incl longer brake line; installed LP V360 adjustable pegs $70, and changed the final drive from stock 15/44 to 17/45 (using a DL1k cs & SVN rear). The only other things I'd like to change: windscreen to MRA's vario-touring screen $130 =s&h; and SW-Motech centerstand $150. Not an expsensive conversion really.

It's the 4th bike I've owned and 6th I've ridden regularly, the most fun of them all. I came to realize, about a year ago, that I wanted to be able to do more exploring. That, at the time, meant riding alone more often, so I needed luggage for the 1st time in 8+yrs. I can say with confidence, it's accepted the conversion nicely, and the few hundred dollars was way less than $10-15K the average ST would've cost.

[pearsonm]

It'd cost me around $6-$7k to do it all.

And that's my beef with the SV and why I've gravitated towards 600's. Shoot, by the time you dump that much into even a used one you easily could've bought something Italian. Sorry - it's the finance background in me.

I've never heard of a 648 cc kit. What is it?

[Mr Sunshine]

And that's my beef with the SV and why I've gravitated towards 600's. Shoot, by the time you dump that much into even a used one you easily could've bought something Italian. Sorry - it's the finance background in me.

I've never heard of a 648 cc kit. What is it?

Opps...I mean to say a 748cc kit.  648 is the stock displacement.

And I agree on the italian thing which is why I'm leaning towards a st3s when I replace my street sv.

Anyhow the 748cc kit includes a billet crank to help keep it from breaking (something the SV's do often on the track).

[pearsonm]

...the 748cc kit includes a billet crank to help keep it from breaking (something the SV's do often on the track).

That sounds interesting. Do you have a link where I can learn more?

The more I read about Ducati's and Aprillia's the more interested I become. If I had a dealer closer by I'd be very tempted to pull the trigger.