Alternatives to the SV650 (first big bike)

[Derivative]

Hey guys,

I am back after trashing my 125 a year ago or so (taught me that practicing emergency stops on diesel littered industrial estates is a sub-optimal idea).

Nowadays I need something a bit bigger to make the 200 mile journey to/from University, with a proper budget behind me for training and gear instead of trying to cobble stuff together for £200 all in (ridiculous at the time, and after seeing the state of my gear after a 30mph off, dangerous too).

I had looked at stuff like the Ninja 250, or 400cc bikes, but the 250 looks a bit too small to comfortably cruise, and I'd rather have something younger than 10 years.

So I've sort of settled on the SV650 just because it's the done thing, but I'd like to know if anyone has anything similar to recommend.

Had a look at the Fazer - it's about 185kg dry vs the SV's 165, which worries me a little as I'm a runt and it needs to be walked around a small hilly garden to be locked up.

Any other recommendations would be great. Budget is less than £3000 but the lower the better really (mainly due to the drop factor).

Pillion use might be a possibility too, I've heard the SV650 can have problems with suspension 2-up, combined weight of me + passenger would be about 20 stone.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Hornet 600. Faster and better built than the SV. Suspensions at the plusher end of budget too. ER6 if you really are set on a 650 twin, but they seem to fall to bits even more readily than an SV.
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[CaNsA]

Check out pre-2000 CBR600f
And see what you think.

[Eddie Hitler]

Purely from my point of view, can't really go wrong with an older FZR600. Cheap to insure, cheap to buy, cheap to run (with a 200mile commute, that's the main issue), and easy to work on. Parts are also easy to get hold of.

Not the best motorbike by a long shot, well a massive one! But considering all factors it is what I have settled on from trying a few different bikes.

SV650 is a good choice also, but with a budget of £3k, I would see it as spending too much.

£1k on the bike, £1k for fuel for a few days , and £1k for maintenance.

[Derivative]

[Mikey3]

I had an SV, well, 2, loved them both, still got one, selling the other, Now got a Hornet. Glad I had the SV first IMO, find the Hornet definately has some get up and go above 7k whcih may have caught me off guard, however, the SV was restricted and ofc a restricted Hornet wouldn't take off like they do full power.
I'd go with the SV, its perfectly friendly and the power delivery is useable on a restriction, unlike the 4 which creates its power at high revs.
A fazer is also a good option, however, again, a 4, so power at high revs. I always found the SV still has a good spread of power, even with its restriction, because of its torque and the style of delivery.

Mike
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'99 SV650 Streetfighter Project - mid build
'Motorcycling is about what you do; not about what you own, or how much you spend on it'

[Eddie Hitler]

Nice. Well, I'm sure you know this but I didn't when I first bought a big bike. Stay clear from a single. Will be horrible for your commute. Hornet is a good suggestion, but has no wind protection. 200 miles, eugh, you will want something up front. Otherwise you will be knackered when you get to uni, and dread the commute home.

Inline 4's for commutes work best from my experience, any of the older 600 sports tourers would do nicely.

[1cyl]

SV, or Hornet

bandit?

If your really concerend by weight, how about something like this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-KTM-DUKE-2-Enduro-Supermoto-road-legal-625cc-/251034872857?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item3a72d82c19

i've never felt knackered after a 200mile run on my single
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[Derivative]

[Rogerborg]

What about the 500 twins? From my extensive experience (a whole day), a GPZ 500 will do motorway speeds comfortably and is a doddle to move around.
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GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Clanger]

There are absolutely loads. No need to be a sheep. Find a bike you like and buy it because you want it, not because 'it's the done thing'.
Bros 400
Hornet 600
CB500
NTV650
ER5
Fazer 600
Diversion
Bandit 600
Gladius 650
Monster 600
to name a few...
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[Derivative]

[Amreet]

[janner_10]

You need to sit on a few and ride them - if it were me (and it was) then I would go for either a fazer, hornet, SV or bandit - you will not have any problems with any of them.

All comfy, reliable, easy to work on with cheap parts available and one with a service history will be bloody solid.

Be prepared to do a few bits yourself to save some major ££ on servicing (oil change, filter change, pads, discs etc etc) all easy to learn with some tools and the service manual.


The hornet and the fazer seem to come out on top - more than enough power and bloody practical bikes. (although from what I can gather the hornets' tank range is only about 100 miles or so, you get double that on a fazer)

At the end of the day - you need to ride the damn thing - so sit on a few and ride a few and find out what feels most comfy to you.

Ultimately its what feels best to you.
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Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1

[carlosthejack...]

Hornet. All day long. Rides like a mountain bike and gets hilarious above 8k revs. I look for other bikes, but don't ever want to lose the CB...
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[Mikey3]

[junglejim]

[J.M.]

[Mikey3]

People give SV's much stick, and its not fair on it, it's a very good bike, and a very good bike to get used to.
I'd highly recommend it. Give it a go and try it. But make your own mind up in the end

Mike
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'04 Yamaha WR450F
'99 SV650 Streetfighter Project - mid build
'Motorcycling is about what you do; not about what you own, or how much you spend on it'

[hornetmike]

Cb500 or cbf500

Good bike , perfect for putting miles on
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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

[Rogerborg]

[Paris2]

Don't forget insurance prices.

My SV was a good £200 cheaper than all the '4s to insure. And on my commute I really don't need a screaming ~100hp bike, I'm happy with my thumping ~70hp.
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Current Ride: Daytona 600

[Blau Zedong]

Fireblade.

End of topic.

Even has a place to stash your lock / sammiches under the seat.
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[Sload]

Think interlinking is ok? https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=243289

You could probably get that off him for sub 3k as a start.

As to the SV650 or any of the 600s, I cannot see the point of buying the lower power ones personally. You are just asking to get bored quickly.
I'm in the same position that you are in and this is my list in order of preference from spending far too much time looking on the net. My issue though is hight at 6'3".

Triumph street triple - number 1 (dreaming) choice but I'm not spending that on my first big bike. If I drop it ill cry, lots.

CBR600F 98-2007 This is now my official choice, (subject to test riding) A 98 on a 2k budget or later on a 3k. Having sat on it I have found it pretty comfortable and according to everything I have read as well as speaking to people who have owned one, they are about the best ST you can buy for the value as well as build quality. Downsides, wrapped in an expensive to replace full fairing but not such an issue if you get a cheap one.

Thundercat - Yet to see one in the flesh but this was the one I was looking into before the CBR was suggested.

Fazer - My third choice and first of the naked, comfortable seating but poorer wind protection, plenty enough power.

Hornet - Plenty enough power, dull looks, not as yet sat on one so who knows.

XJ6 - My DAS bike. Really comfortable, still feels fast but I know I will get bored, nice engine and delivery, looks smart A little higher end of my budget though which would bring it closer to the triple, plus I found the engine noise to be very drone like when cruising. Nice bike though.

Bandit - Low power, felt cramped, pass.

SV650 - Low power again, felt cramped, pass.

That's my take on the ones I have been looking into, but as with everything, do your own research.

[P.]