Touring, Which one SV650 vs GSX650F?

[omega8]

I just want to through this out there. Currently I have the 2010 sv650, got it new and so far it still runs solid without any troubles at all. However, so far this season, I have ridden more KMs than previous years thus far. I find that when going out on long rides in rural area, that I get leg cramps and stuff (First two hours is ok, then I stop every hour or so). Not an issue when riding in the city, since there are lots of stop and go taffic.

I know the GSX650F is heavier than the SV650, especially with the centre stand that I'm thinking of getting along with it. How would it perform on cornering? I heard that there may be some issues of that. And the fact that braking distance would be increase due to the heavier weighted bike.

Would you stick with the SV650 or GSX650F. For those who had a chance to ride both, please do add your thoughts. I would consider the Ninja650R, but had bad experience with a Ninja250 in the past. Another one that I had thought about would be the Yamaha FZ6R, although this doesn't have the ABS braking, although I know the pros and cons about it, but more incline to have ABS braking unless there is a compelling reason not to have one.

In the upcoming season of 2012, I'm looking to go on more longer rides than shorter ones, this is in terms of distance-wise.

[rollnhot]

Forget those girl bikes, get a FJR. Just sayin'.

[Cheddarhead]

Before bailing on the SV...Have you done any mods to improve rider comfort?

Bar risers and lowered foot pegs go an awfully long way toward easing rider comfort...especially on a bike with a somewhat cramped cockpit such as the SV has...

[Giaka]

The SV can be made to be comfy, our is all day long comfortable. I would pick which ever bike has the largest gas tank. Having to plan ALL your stops around refueling sucks. I wish there was an aftermarket tank for the SV that gave it 5 gallons of gas.

[KodiakRS]

Not to derail the thread, but what were your issues with the Ninja 250?  Most people who have them seem to love them.  

[sprk_sprd]

The #1 comfort mod for the SV is to replace the seat.  The stock is downright painful thanks to the ridiculously sharp angles.  You have a choice of Sargent, Corbin, custom.  I have a Sargent.  My only regret is not having it when I did a 1400 mile trip in 4 days last summer.  The stock seat had me in pain after only an hour.  I can ride all day on the Sargent seat with no discomfort.

[NoGear]

I've ridden both and bought the gsx650f for the wife. I have a FJR and do a lot of long range  multi-day trips so I wanted her to have a bike that is comfortable and can keep up.  I love the SV650 in twisties but not for hour after hour of riding. Others are right it CAN be made to be a comfortable bike but I prefer to start with one that already is.

On the gsx650f the only thing I added was Givi racks and bags. The wife has spent all day in the saddle on the bike and never once complained about it. She says it is more comfortable than the passenger seat on the FJR.   I even like to take her bike to work on days she doesn't take it. It can be a fun bike in the corners and I've never had a problem with it scraping.

[Frankienuckles]

Don't some of the parts from the naked sv bolt right up to the s model? Lower pegs on the naked model, or are they the same? Another way to go is adjustable rearsets or lowered pegs. These combined with a thicker (and more comfy seat) would give a little more leg room. I went the adj. rearset, thicker gel seat route with my Gsxr with pretty good results.

[phoenix]

is this a naked SV650 or the fully faired SV?

And how tall are you?

I have a naked SV, I'm 5'11" and find it pretty comfy. I don't care for the wind blast at 75+mph for longer than 20 minutes, but I have not taken it on any long trips.

[LENSMAN]

I have an '04 sv650 naked:  I put higher bars on it from an XR100 dirt bike, new brake (steel) & clutch cables, lower pegs from a Buell  XB9 or 12 I think, (will have to fit-just need a hand drill). That makes it comfy. Go to National Cycle for an aftermaket wind screen.  Also, you will need to revamp the front shock, since you won't put as much weight on the handle bars with the Honda ones. The front end may feel loose. I used Race Tech. I also have a spare clutch cable in place as a backup. That's the essentials.

Next, I went to SWmotech for engine bars and a center stand (you'll need a shop, since the kick stand has to come off) and Renntech for a rear rack.  To reduce weight, I put an aftermarket muffler on, which is a BIG weight saving, and will more than make up for the bolt ons. A Kisann headlight pulse module, brighter bulb, Hornet deer siren, and bright LED strips for the rear and sides rounds it out.  I also recommend getting a mannual, and adding a power block to make installing power for accessories easier. Rider Warehouse carries a nice one.  Sorry, no time for pictures.

[omega8]

Not to derail the thread, but what were your issues with the Ninja 250?  Most people who have them seem to love them.  

The problem I had with the Ninja 250 was the fact that it had trouble starting in cold temperature. But having said that, I did notice that other Ninja 250 had no issues, so I guess it would have been that my bike was made on a Monday or Friday. There were other problems associated with it, all in all, 2 other issues aside from being not able to start on cold weather even though the choke was on full.

[omega8]

The SV650 that I have is fully faired.
I'm about 5'10.
The handle bars is something that I know can be adjusted, the seat can easily be changed out. But I'm not aware that the pegs can be adjusted, aren't those things fixed to the bike? The most discomfort that I get are leg cramps.

[Frankienuckles]

The stock pegs cannot be adjusted ,but they sell aftermarket adjustable rearsets that can be adjusted lower than stock or as earlier mentioned (and cheaper) just put those buell pegs that are a little lower.  

[LENSMAN]

   I forgot to mention this:
With the Buell pegs, I had to LOWER THE SHIFTER. To do that, I needed a longer linkage rod. What I did was buy a  length of brass rod and two threading dies, 6mm, I think. One  side is a right hand thread, the other is a LEFT hand thread. Check out Grainger, MSC, and, McMaster-Carr for the parts needed.  You need around another 35mm on the rod.

BTW, posting this has made me aware of how much time an money I've put into the SV, and that's w/o fancy bodywork or changes to the engine. All this little stuff adds up!  

[NoGear]

Once again, why not start with something that fits you better then go from there? You can farkle a bike to death and still not be happy with it and you aren't going to get your money back to you put into it.

[bassjones]

Once again, why not start with something that fits you better then go from there? You can farkle a bike to death and still not be happy with it and you aren't going to get your money back to you put into it.

QFT... Get one of the last generation vfrs with abs...

[veefer800canuck]

I personally would generally prefer four cylinders to two, for long distance travel, displacement being equal.

Ergos of the two bikes also come into play, but since I've never owned or ridden either, I can't comment.

[NoGear]

QFT... Get one of the last generation vfrs with abs...

VFR is another good choice.  That'll probably the wife's next bike (just a bit too sporty for her first bike).  I've only rode one once but I liked it and the engine it has is bullet proof.

[jadziadax8]

Forget those girl bikes, get a FJR. Just sayin'.

Maybe omega8 is a woman?

I would not rule out a Ninja 650 or a Versys just because you didn't have a good time with the baby Ninja.  My Ninja is all day comfy stock, and I have done several long-distance week-long trips on it.  I can't wait for my son to get bigger so we can start doing some rides together.

My ride:

[NoGear]

Maybe omega8 is a woman?

I would not rule out a Ninja 650 or a Versys just because you didn't have a good time with the baby Ninja.  My Ninja is all day comfy stock, and I have done several long-distance week-long trips on it.  I can't wait for my some to get bigger so he can ride with me and we can start doing some rides together.

My ride:

Although I love my FJR not everyone wants a bike as big or heavy as an FJR.