Divvy to SV650 (or other suggestions)

[Swim41]

I've had my XJ600N for four years now and for most of that time I've enjoyed it, done some great European and UK tours, rallies, the Ring, etc so have had my money's worth out of it. Recently though, I've become really fed up with the feeble performance and poor brakes (especially noticable when loaded up for touring) and it's become quite a chore to ride. I actually prefer driving my hatchback, which is enough said surely.

I'm planning to get something with a bit more 'soul' and a better riding experience, but want to retain the Divvy's strengths of reliability and lowish running costs. I don't want an outright sportsbike but the SV650 seems to get praise for the character of it's motor, as does the DL650 which has a similar engine.

Main uses for the bike are touring, rallying and exploration. Outright speed isn't really what I'm after, but 'grunt' is, hence thinking about a twin. Ability to mount hard luggage would be a plus (this seems to be possible with the SV, using removable racks). When touring I only do about 65mph tops as I keep off the motorways. Have considered MT-03, XT, F650 etc)

Budget is £2250. Any suggestions?
____________________
Yamaha XJ600N

[iooi]

Having been a D6 rider myself and migrated on. i was happy to find that the bike I chose, was also the choice of a few other fello divvy riders.

Kawasaki Versys.

Slightly larger engine, with a bit more get up and go. A lot of options to add luggage.
Reliable as the D6, not quite as good on the mpg. D6 I got 60+ all the time V gives between 55 & 65 mpg. Think its the fact it likes to be ridden.
____________________
Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[bencav]

DL650 V strom was my choice after the XJ600s and I love it. I wanted a tall bike as I am 6'4 and it suits me really well.

May struggle with £2250, I looked at a cracker on a 06 plate with 8k miles for £2800, so you never know, you could get lucky!!!

[hornetmike]

I took the Versys for a few test rides when i was making my mind up and really liked it, but it was too tall for me to get it out of my garden(2 lots of steps to go up).

It had good torque, good visibility, very comfortable but wasn't happy over 85mph
____________________
87 Honda CG 125 - 97 ER5 - SR 50 -81 Z250- 96 CBR 600 F- 94 GPX600R 88- GPX 400R- 87 GS 125 - 2006 Honda CB600F- 2003 ER5 - Honda CBF 1000 2009 - Honda CBR 600 RR 2011
Current BMW R1200GS 2010

[Robby]

Why not the 900 Divvy, it you like the bike generally. I fancy one of those one day, after reading a despatchers story in UBG years ago about one.

As for your feeble brakes, ever had them apart to scrape the corrosion from behind the pistons seals? If not, that could explain it. Whenever mine feel a bit weak and wooden that makes them feel good again.

Don't go for a parallel twin. As much as I enjoy my CB500, the vibes between about 65 and 75 put your hands and feet to sleep.

[Paulington]

I currently have a '54 plate SV650S for sale at £1800. Only done 10k miles on the dot. Pretty much immaculate.

PM if you want some info on it. .
____________________
"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[Blue_SV650S]

I am not sure the SV (or any V-Twin) would make for a good tourer, of course it would do it all, but the IL4s are a lot smoother so bound to be less on fatigue!
____________________
The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[fiveus]

Don't the sv 650's also suffer from front cylinder problems.?Think they crack.......

[Paulington]

[Slacker24seve...]

[SuziCat]

I would also vote for the Divvy 900. Lovely and comfy and great for touring. Mine has the large Yamaha panniers, which is great for 2 up touring. Plenty of grunt, very flexible engine and no dirty chains to faff about with. These engines will easily do over 100,000 miles without needing anything doing to them.
Year before last I did 850 kms on mine coming back from South Germany and only stopped to fill it up and have a loo break.
I've toured all over on mine including Italy in a heat wave and it's never missed a beat. They are really a great bike.

The Versys is also a nice bike. Had a test ride on one last year. Very impressive.
____________________
Regular Rides:- BMW R1200R, Triumph Street Triple
Summer Toys:- Yam Virago 1100, Suzuki GS750 (1979)

[Paulington]

[Swim41]

[Swim41]

[bencav]

[Name_goes_here]

[0l0dom0l0]

What about a Fazer 600?

There are a fair few decent ones about.

I got my 2002, 8.5k miles t&t for £1600.

Great bikes. Really will handle everything you throw at them. Great for commuting, touring, the twisties. Whatever you want.

Also no worries about the brakes being poor. They are from the R1 on the Fazer and trust me they work very well .

Pic:

https://www.seiderer.co.uk/bikeimages/FazerFZS600.JPG

[Blue_SV650S]

[Paxovasa]

Honda cbr600F
____________________
Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[metalangel]

Naked or sport SV? I wouldn't buy the sport to go touring, I value my wrists too much

Something more upright would probably be a better idea, though if you're determined you can always fit some naked SV bits to a sporty one (like the bars and pegs) to make it more comfy.
____________________
Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[cb1rocket]

[Swim41]

[Swim41]

[0l0dom0l0]

Here is a couple of Fazers that are worth looking at:

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-Yamaha-FZS-600-FAZER-SILVER-/270707858074?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item3f07721a9a#ht_1336wt_1139

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/YAMAHA-FZS600-FZS-600-FAZER-2003-UK-DELIVERY-/120686636023?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item1c197bebf7#ht_500wt_1156

Hope that helps!