ZX9R or SV1000S?

[Renton]

As the title suggests, any recommendations to one over the other?

I'm looking for a second bike to commute through winter, general shopping trips (no car), and the occasional 2hr slog to visit family.
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[RhynoCZ]

ZX9R = wooooooow, so much power, so racing!!!
SV1000 = expensive, dull and poorly made, with terrible MPG.

/thread.
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[Renton]

I already have a K5 for power so I'm not after that, but I'm currently being loaned a Deauville and it's sucking the life out of me! Joking aside, yes it's comfy and offers wind protection on the motorway, but it's too 'bouncy' and cumbersome for filtering.

Duly noted about the SV's MPG, I had (wrongly) assumed they would be pretty good.
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[Irn-Bru]

No it's a big V twin, it's crap on petrol. My mate has one and I wouldn't call it a dull bike at all Poorly made, hmm, not sure of that either, the clutches are dodgy on them but apart from that it seems ok to me. Lovely power and sound, but for me it's far too sporty of a position but I'm used to SM's anyway. I know 2 lads with ZX9R's and they love them to bits. Had a go of one a few weeks ago and it was quite comfortable, effortless speed, very smooth etc. very different bike from an SV. I'd go with the ZX personally
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[RhynoCZ]

A mate had a SV 1000 and the build quality was just poor. I mean, it was a 3 years old motorcycle, always parked in a dry garage and the paint was peeling from every bit. The MPG was hilarious, I'm not even sure he could do 100km per tank, well that might be an exaggeration, but still, terrible MPG. The power delivery/engine feel was just sad, it's no TL, that's for sure.

Expensive, well back in the day you could have more than a plenty of nice motorcycles for far less money and the SV prices are still sky high, imho.

I'd go for a ZX, as it's better value for your money and better motorcycle in general.
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'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[tom_e]

You can pick up a decent SV1000 for just over the 2k mark I wouldn't call that sky high.

Most of the people I know can get 150 miles to a tank, again not bad for a 1000cc vtwin.

Them falling to bits is not something I've really heard of either, my sv650 lives outside is 11 years old and for the most part still looks brand new.

Sounds like your mate had a Friday afternoon special.

[RhynoCZ]

You might be right Tom, but still, 2k gets you some very interesting motorcycles with far better performance and MPG.

On a different note, for a winter commuter I would go for something rather different. You won't need 100kW motorcycle in winter.
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'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[garth]

I own a zx9r and have ridden an sv1000s.

The zx9r would be my choice every time. I can't think of a single thing the SV does better than the 9r.

Beware of c1 gearboxes though. I had to transplant a z1000 box into mine.
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[chris-red]

Suzuki built quality has been shit from at least late 80's on anything but GSXR's.

They rust so easily. I met a guy with a V-Strom it has his pride and joy, spotlessly clean, it was half the age of my TDM (which gets washed once a year if it is lucky) and had a third of the milage. Yet the frame/swingarm/fixings/exhaust were covered in rust my TDM didn't have any.
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[jjdugen]

Maybe not the SV, but that engine is a peach and has been used in loads of other models. The ZX9 is a little bit 'lardy' even by 90's standards, but it does have smooth, very accessible power. But for a commute? Maybe look at the V-Strom or the Kwak version KLV. Nice and slim, real low down grunt (if a bit jerky at very low engine speeds).
If you really want to go off-piste, I have a Cagiva Raptor. Apart from the 'unusual' styling, its everything the Suzuki isn't. Low, light, eminently chuckable, very reliable. And they are becoming a bit of a cult thing.... Dare to be different?
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[Kris]

Had both, a ZX9R-E1 and a 2004 SV1000N (nekkid).

Both had finish issues so I'd rate them the same in that regard. The 9R was an awesome missile but ran hot in summer traffic. Mucho fast though. The naked SV had quite a few aftermarket additions but was great for wheelies off the throttle. Handled bloody well too (see << avatar) and was one of my all-time favourite bikes!

So IME they're both great.

[edit - to whore pics]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=64618
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[Snowdonia Rider]

I've got the SV650 and I'm having a whale of a time on it, it's a very fun bike, the torque delivery, the sound. I'd imagine the 1000 would be even more fun. I am disappointed with the mpg on it though and it's the baby one

Never ridden a ZX9R but never heard of anyone who was disappointed with one.
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[Alpineandy]

IMO You may be wiser to consider something that's more of a sports tourer like a VFR. But if you want a twin then an SV650 is a very useable bike (whilst keeping the K5 for fun).
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[Renton]

[Renton]

[notbike]

Just wanted to chime in, my mate owns a 2005 SV1000 and from what I've seen on national speed limit roads he can overtake/pull away past anything in any gear.

It doesn't even sound like it's remotely "trying" to speed up when he does it.

They also sound mentally loud with some asbo stubby cans on.

[redeem ouzzer]

Which SV are we on about? The pauper model or the K5? The K5 is more powerful and has decent suspension and should easily beat a 9R on the average road providing you don't ride like an autist.
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[garth]

[SBDJ]

I get around 40-42mpg from my C1, which includes very little dc/motorway usage. I usually fill up after around 130 miles to be safe.
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[Alex A]

Of those, I'd choose the SV1000 for a second bike / runaround. Not quite as fast or focused, but not far off, and more fun at sedate speeds because of the big V-twin (I'm not a fan of standard IL4s). Of similar bikes, I'd probably choose a very tidy, late model, Firestorm instead. Better build quality and aesthetics than the SV IMO. Better still, a Falco, but that's probably not as dependable.

I definitely wouldn't choose a sports tourer (such as a VFR) because IME they're usually unnecessarily complicated and overweight. Most Japanese sports bikes (and half faired bikes like the SV/VTR) of that era are a pleasure to work on, and in many respects, they're just as practical and durable as sports tourers.

[Billy Balthorpe]

[Polarbear]

Didn't the SV1000 come with an absolutely terrible rotary rear shock?
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[Alex A]

No.

TL1000

[c_dug]

Having never ridden either, and for an only bike, I'd be after a zx9 without a doubt.

But you're after a second bike, and I suspect the ZX9 would be similar to what you have already? Personally I enjoy a bit of variety.
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[G]

K5 1000 I presume?

If so - keep an eye out for another one cheap Cat C/D or similar one over winter?