How does the superhawk compare to a SV650?
 

Sorry for the noob question, but I'm currently looking for a bike with which to replace my beloved SV650. It was the most fun I've ever had on a bike, but I found myself wanting just a tiny bit more power. I'm set on getting a V-twin, so I'm pretty limited on the different bikes I can get. Yes, there is always the sv1000, but I don't like the styling... I had a first-generation SV650 with the cool curvy frame.

This might be blasphemy to some, but my intent (were I to get one) would be to pull of the fairing and put on some superbike bars and make a naked out of it. This is how I had my SV set up, and like I said, I just loved it.

So, all that said, I figure there must be plenty of folks here who have ridden both, and I'm very curious to learn how the two compare. I'd also be interested in hearing how a naked conversion on a superhawk was accomplished, and how it worked.

Thanks for any input!

hmm, I have ridden both SV650s generations and have a SH.
The SH is about as narrow as your bike, and narrower than the 03+ 650's. It has more power, but isn't quite as nimble. (though it is not a heavy bike like a hayabusa)

eg: I rarely lack for power with the SH, but on my friends SV I did feel it could have used a little more oomph getting onto the freeway, but her SV was far easier to throw into a corner with abandon knowing I could swing it about in a moment's notice.

A "naked" or "street fighter" conversion is quite popular, but remember it does have two side mounted radiators.. Just factor that into the looks, either replacing them or just letting that be.

Mine is streetfightered out. Previous owner droped it and took of the fairings. Looks cool to me.

click on my avitar for full picture.

I own both, the SV is a ss race bike and is much more nimble than the superhawk. I`m not sure of each bikes weight but the sv feels 100lbs lighter.(both have the same dia.forks!) The hawk has 40 more hp but feels more than double the sv`s 62 hp. If you like the sv`s power delivery you will love the superhawk, it`s alot more power everywhere.You won`t be disappointed if you buy a superhawk.

personally, (sorry to thread jack) sv650s i dont really consider ss race bike--the gsxr from suzuki fills that niche. (im gonna get flamed for this...) standard forks (rather than inverted) + rather "normal" swing arm + nothing jazzy about the clutch + relatively relaxed riding position (compared to gsxr), to me, make this a sporting street bike, not a supersport.

don't get me wrong--i had my head fixed on an sv650s + factory lower fairing for a longgggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg time. ended up with a 'hawk :]. i can't really comment on the performance of the sv1000, but it does come in naked from suzuki. most i've heard, the fuel injection isn't as, let's say, refined, as the 'hawk's carbs.

personally, i like the way the sv1000s + fairing looks. i've witnessed a few around here with aftermarket pipes, and damn, does it sound nice. i think the sv1000 makes a little bit more power compared to the hawk too, as it's a much much newer bike. im almost certain you can pick up a brand new one from a dealer for a really good price (they seem to be trying to get rid of them). brand new bike with 0 miles vs. minimum 3 year old bike. that's something you might wanna consider.

recap:
- hawks have more power than sv650's, but sv1000's have more than 650's
- sv's are fuel injected, hawks are carbed
(around here i think new sv1000s' can be had for a hair over 7k brand new--i THINK, not 100% sure)

hope that helps.

I should of said "my sv is a ss race bike and my hawk is a street bike."

haha damn i feel like a jack***. my bad. yeah, sv's make cool track bikes i hear--direct gsxr front end swap or something. swaps on a hawk arent even that ez lol. how is it anyways? i hear that the sv650's can tear up something proper on the track.

My wife rides an '07 SV650S and she loves it, I do too. But having said that, whenever I ride her bike, loving the nimbleness and more than adequate power, when I get back on my SuperHawk I go YEAH!!!!!!

BIG difference in low end torque. This can be noted by how much later you shift on the SH. The SuperHawk is about 50 pounds heavier and has slightly narrower and lower bars.

I think I could be happy riding an SV, but the torque of the VTR wins out, no contest.

Got both in the garage, hands down an SV650S with ZX10R rear shock (direct mount) and better fork internals with a good high pipe and PC is 10 times more fun than my VTR.

Don't get me wrong the VTR has more power is tuned nearly perfect for my mods and has no carb hesitation or air/fuel mixture needs, but the SV is way lighter, corners way better and will pull the front wheel in third gear with a little clutch lever actions.

Do your self a favor and stay with your SV650S FI, i know i would. If i had to sell one of the two bikes today, my beloved VTR that i have had for 9 years would be the one to go. I modified the SV-S to the Naked version bars as well.

It really depends on your kind of roads, if you are all about high speed riding the VTR may be better for you, but here in TN, smaller, lighter and quicker cornering is by far the better bike. That's why i am also riding a CRF450R Street Legal Supermoto, cause it weighs in at 235 lbs at 55HP and corners like nothing else i have ridden.

Before removing clip-ons and installing bars
Attachment 30478

Bars installed
Attachment 30479

you should totally buy mine.

I have one for sale on ebay right now, cheap....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motor...=1218632541031

Cool, thanks for the good info here guys! Keep it coming!

And ridingrules, I have actually already seen your ebay auction... Wanna trade for some surfboards? Ha, yeah I know... That does seem like a good deal, but I'm still in the money-gathering and information-gathering part of my new bike endeavor, so unless you want to work a cash/trade deal...

Oh, you didn't mention any cash with the trade....that, we can talk about, especially if it doesn't sell in the auction.

So I just flogged the wife's SV on the ride home from work. Then I jumped on The Hawk for a blast around the mountain. First the Hawk is more leaned over, even with Heli bars. Second, the power difference is profound. The SV feels like a boy-toy when comparing wide-open throttle. Third, as already stated, the SV requires much less effort to ride/drive. Turn in is very quick and light, but I personally feel more confidence on the Super when the lean angle and speed increase. Damn, I like both a lot. If I were to have just one, it would be SH hands down. The brutal torque seals the deal.
Attachment 30469

In my opinion. The SV650 is a great bike. The superhawk and the SV650 are very similar.

When I rode the SV, I found that I wanted more power. Compared to the SV the superhawk has more power all around.

Alright dood, here's the skinny.
Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that I get all mistyeyed when I talk about my beloved halfabusa. It was the best hooligan mount that I ever owned. The SV1000 is nothing like the 650 you own now. The closest thing that I have found to the 650 is an older tl1000S. I do however recomend the Hawk just because it is the perfect step up from the SV. Just as much fun, but far more refined.

Oh yeah, Thumper is one smart dood.