My new SV650 makes VTR feel porky
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MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,452
From: San Clemente, CA
Plus, the stock SV650S comes with a 120/60 front tire (which actually slows turn-in), and a 160/60 rear tire. Anyone who is running the OEM size rear and has no chicken strips, is a very good rider or just plain has huge huevos.
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Back Marker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 243
From: Toronto, Ontario
^^ That would be me! 
its got a 120/70 front mounted on a GSXR rim and the stock 160 in the back...no chicken strips. Then again the VTR doesnt have any either. but like i said, taking the SV to the limit feels easier than the VTR.
we'll see if the GSXR 1000 front end i'm putting on the VTR will help over the F4i
its got a 120/70 front mounted on a GSXR rim and the stock 160 in the back...no chicken strips. Then again the VTR doesnt have any either. but like i said, taking the SV to the limit feels easier than the VTR.
we'll see if the GSXR 1000 front end i'm putting on the VTR will help over the F4i
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Back Marker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 213
From: Pac NW
I guess everyone sees it different. My VTR is now naked. I had an '00 naked SV650. I like the VTR better hands down. I had clip ons on the SV for a short time. Not long enough to really appreciate the experiance. I DO have chicken strips so I have more to learn about riding. But I love the Hawk and the TBR cans sound sooo sweet.
Thread Starter
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MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
The sv makes a great race bike. I have done every event so far in Loudon & New Jersey on it. No real mods, just ohlins shock & race tech front. Only a filter & pipe so I can do production classes. You can just flog lightwieght bikes more on the track & have more fun. The front wheel still comes up with my knee down on some crested turns. Really a blast. I still prefer the hawk on the street......
Thread Starter
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MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
Re visiting this post because I finally put a shock spacer in. Feels less porky. Alot more like the SV now. Feels like the bike lost 50lbs!. If you haven't done this yet you gotta try it..
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MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,452
From: San Clemente, CA
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 210
From: Toronto
I don't get you guys.
You're compairing apples and oranges.
Go test ride an SV1000 and tell me which bike feels porky.
Of course any smaller displacement bike will feel smaller and lighter than a litre bike???????
My wife has a 2010 SV. When I ride it, it feels like any underpowered bicycle to me.
The horsepower difference is huge.
And of course the SV handles better.
The SV is one of the best handeling bikes coming out of Japan for years.
With that said, the VTR is fantastic for a litre bike.
You're compairing apples and oranges.
Go test ride an SV1000 and tell me which bike feels porky.
Of course any smaller displacement bike will feel smaller and lighter than a litre bike???????
My wife has a 2010 SV. When I ride it, it feels like any underpowered bicycle to me.
The horsepower difference is huge.
And of course the SV handles better.
The SV is one of the best handeling bikes coming out of Japan for years.
With that said, the VTR is fantastic for a litre bike.
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Squid
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 15
I've just put a 120/60 tyre on the front of my storm, allows it to turn quicker, also reset the forks to standard in the yokes(triples), has the racetech stuff inside anyhoo, front end feels lighter as well, I have an sv650 as well which actually a pretty good bike, storm more stable in the corner and oodles more power also got loads more character!!
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SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,978
From: thorold ontario
i had a drag race at the track against a lighter rider on an sv last season. i came out of a corner behind him and pulled him pretty hard. im sure theyre a bit more nimble likely being a good bit lighter. but then again the vtr is a heavy bike especially when you have something lighter to compare it to. when i push it around my garage its like moving a fridge vs the lighter zx6r i have sitting there
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SuperBike
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Big Lick
Out of my mind, back in 5
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Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
i had a drag race at the track against a lighter rider on an sv last season. i came out of a corner behind him and pulled him pretty hard. im sure theyre a bit more nimble likely being a good bit lighter. but then again the vtr is a heavy bike especially when you have something lighter to compare it to. when i push it around my garage its like moving a fridge vs the lighter zx6r i have sitting there
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MotoGP
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From: Montreal
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SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,978
From: thorold ontario
yeah but were not all ocd like you are, lol. i wonder what mines at. with the fiberglass tail and the aluminum subframe i must have saved a pound or two.
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Squid
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 27
From: NYC
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Squid
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 25
hi all, I finally have my bike road-legal, and will likely start-modding/tuning it once I feel the need for something to further its capabilities in the suspension area. Tuning the stock set up is fine, and will be for the foreseeable future, but what are the options I can look for , in the way of forks ? I've heard that upgrading to a 929/954 fork is a good route to go.And what front brake combo works well. My weight is 175lbs, and my riding ability is average aggressive...this is a streetbike,that may become a trackday bike,at least once. I have rode SVs, but this is a 1K, and hence no comparison. Honda made a mini-Hawk for that ...one must wonder how an upgraded chassis,"new release" FI 650 Hawk would do against the omni potent "mighty" SV650 ...
Retired- but not tired!
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,481
From: Pittsburgh
Is there a specific fork brace you recommend? I am currently considering exactly what you suggest but I have not seen a currently available fork brace for a Superhawk.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,871
From: Phoenix, AZ
Maybe these?
Honda - SuperBrace - The Ultimate Fork Stabilizer
Max MC Direct
or ebay...
I dunno really though, I did the CBR 929rr swap, other members may be able to help out more...
Honda - SuperBrace - The Ultimate Fork Stabilizer
Max MC Direct
or ebay...
I dunno really though, I did the CBR 929rr swap, other members may be able to help out more...
Sanely riding since 1975!
Squid
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 61
From: Seattle
Had a SV 650 for 3 days.
HATED IT!
Whoever said the EFI was "flawless" must be crazy or only have ridden EFI bikes.
Hate the way the gas is either on or off. No in between, no throttle feel, no lag for the carbs to kick in.
Felt like some electric scooter.
I'll keep my carbed Superhawk forever if all EFI systems are as artificial feeling as the SV650's.
Best,
Gunny
HATED IT!
Whoever said the EFI was "flawless" must be crazy or only have ridden EFI bikes.
Hate the way the gas is either on or off. No in between, no throttle feel, no lag for the carbs to kick in.
Felt like some electric scooter.
I'll keep my carbed Superhawk forever if all EFI systems are as artificial feeling as the SV650's.
Best,
Gunny
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SuperSport
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 834
From: Nooksack WA
Riden both the 650 and the 1000. The throttle is more abrupt but I found it quite easy to adjust my throttle hand accordingly. I do prefer the linearity of carbs and mine are tuned quite well, if I do say so, myself.
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MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,452
From: San Clemente, CA
Had a SV 650 for 3 days.
HATED IT!
Whoever said the EFI was "flawless" must be crazy or only have ridden EFI bikes.
Hate the way the gas is either on or off. No in between, no throttle feel, no lag for the carbs to kick in.
Felt like some electric scooter.
I'll keep my carbed Superhawk forever if all EFI systems are as artificial feeling as the SV650's.
Best,
Gunny
HATED IT!
Whoever said the EFI was "flawless" must be crazy or only have ridden EFI bikes.
Hate the way the gas is either on or off. No in between, no throttle feel, no lag for the carbs to kick in.
Felt like some electric scooter.
I'll keep my carbed Superhawk forever if all EFI systems are as artificial feeling as the SV650's.
Best,
Gunny
Where I would enter a corner on my Superhawk with the tach at approximately 5k rpm, on the SV I enter corners at 7k rpm. At that engine speed I find the throttle quite manageable.
It is however a much higher compression engine, and it has an 11,000 rpm redline. So there is more of a top end rush, similar to an I-4, than we get with our Superhawks. And there's no comparison when it comes to low end torque... Superhawk wins.
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SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,015
That why they sell Power Commanders, my 05 SV650S rocks and will run circles around my superchicken. Lil-SV is lighter, turns better, Wheelies the same, stops better and has a bigger grin factor.
Shame Honda didn't capitalize on mid-size v-twin like Suzuki did. Suzuki has sold a ton of the SV650 bikes. Honda has lost their way. Sure they make great race bikes and racing engines, but they are not making the bikes i want to buy.
Shame Honda didn't capitalize on mid-size v-twin like Suzuki did. Suzuki has sold a ton of the SV650 bikes. Honda has lost their way. Sure they make great race bikes and racing engines, but they are not making the bikes i want to buy.
