SV650 vs. 400's

Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :

I was looking at a 400 for my next bike after my 2 years is up, mainly becuase of the cheap insurance and nice handling. But then I found out that the SV is 2 or 3 groups lower than most 400's- so why go for a 400? do 400's have better performance than an SV despite less cc's? the 400's are cheaper to buy second hand aren't they?- but not an RVF?

Which would you buy and why?

Mole · Scooby Slapper Joined: 23 Feb 2002 Karma :

HI Keen,

I had the same dilema a couple of months ago, and I settled for an NC30
VFR400. I glad I did cos the handling is superb "A True Race Rep!"
Fantastic performance! Superb handling!

The SV is a Twin, nice bike, very relyable, but hasn't the magic and
excitment and adrenalin buzz that you get from the Honda V4's

Its horses for courses M8 Smile

Good Luck

Mole
____________________
V4's R Us!!!
Mole, the oldest 18year old on the block !

Mole · Scooby Slapper Joined: 23 Feb 2002 Karma :

Sorry mate forgot to mention!

The 400's that are the least expensive are the V Twins ie CBR400 etc,
The NC30 and the later model the RVF are both V4's Razz

Mole
____________________
V4's R Us!!!
Mole, the oldest 18year old on the block !

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

errr.... the cbr is a parrellel 4 as are most of the race reps/retro/tektros
the only v twin 400s I can thin of at the mo are the (rare) sv400 and the bros 400

Milo · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Feb 2002 Karma :

oh, i thought the bros400 shared the super four engine.
there needs to be more 250-600cc V-twins. inface more bikes of that size in all styles! most are limited to japan and importers. My GPz550 is more powerful and out accelerates the sport 400's dunno about top-end (130 on mine)
It hasn't got the peg-grinding ability of the spprt 400's (*cough* unless i'm sliding *cough*) but it's a hell of a lot quicker through 95% of the roads i'm on-through rush hour.
____________________
Shaft drives rule. Razz

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

I'd say that it depends on how tall you are...I know a few people who decided against the Honda V4s 'cos they were too tall!...I'm only 5'9" and I find the RVF tiny, but in a good way!...I am very comfortable on it, and I think that's what counts...

I had a look at some SVs when I was buying my RVF, and they seemed huge in comparison...but then again, I never actually sat on one...

I can't comment on the "performance" reasons though...

Tin

minesweeper · Whoah there! Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

sliding across a busy main road and into a kerb doesnt count as getting your pegs down milo Smile

been told it looked damn impressive through!

matt

Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :

I think I'm about 5'9" as well- and the SV I saw in newcastle looked small to me- not much bigger than my planet, so the RVF must be tiny! I was almost sure that I'd get a 400 next but the SV appeals more and more- I'll probably just do what I did with my bike at the moment and see what deals there are nearer the time. I would like to use it as my primary transport as well- so that would make an SV more sensible wouldn't it?

Annabella · Like a person, only smaller Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

The SV is a lot bigger than the RVF, size of bikes becomes pretty important when you're as small as me. The NC is more of a pure sports bike, the SV is a lot more well....squidgy if you know what I mean. Its up to you which you go for, personally the Honda 400 rule.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

I know someone that's pretty short who's got an SV so I assume the seat's quite low... he couldn't touch the floor properly on my flat mates r6 but is okay on the SV. They only weigh a *little* more as well.

If you're gonna be using it for comutting the SVs vtwin will definatley mean less left-foot work.