SV650 or CBR600 or...?

[Pigeon]

Hello,

I've been looking for a replacement for the 125 commuter, for the 10 miles per day to/from work, trips to the dump with oil in the back and the weekly shop.

Something where
* I can do 90% of the servicing
* Is light weight when it gets a bit icy
* Can carve through tight traffic with ease
* Does circa 80mpg
* Can stick a 40l top box on
* Can take a hit at a roundabout without costing fortunes
* Is reliable.

Basically a CB250 or CD250. But the ones local are fairly tatty, the good ones go quickly.

Then I was looking at the Pulse Adrenaline 250 £2100, or more recently the Sinnis Apache 250 for £2500
But that's a lot of money for a commuter.

So have looked at what is available rather than what I'd like. There's a couple of SV650 from 2000 and a couple of CBR600 form 1996-2000.

I did a bit of searching and have gleaned that perhaps the SV650S has a more cramped position than the regular SV650. But the limited mileage means I'm not fussed.
So the MPG isn't great, but its ok.

Question is. this bike is available just down the road. Would it be suitable? I can service a single 4t ok, is there any reason to think the SV650S is a royal PITA to do? Is the V-Twin engine going to be snatchy and a bitch in slow traffic?
As a cheap (£1,200) and basic workhorse, does it make sense?

Appreciate your experience, thanks for any thoughts/advice........unless it involves getting a pedal bike for the short commute

EDIT:
Links to the local CBR's
one

two

[Clutchy]

I'd go with the cbr personally.


Check the insurance difference though as it's double for me to insure that cbr vs my sv.

Neither will do around 80mpg, from personal experience the sv does 50-65mpg and is easy to service apart from the CCT IIRC?

Not snatchy at all, very easy to ride. I imagine the cbr will be more exciting though.

I do prefer the torque of the SV to IL4 600 as they take a while to 'wind up IME'.
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Malaguti F12 Phantom-Dead, Suzuki AY50- Dead, NRG power DD LQ, CBR125.
*33 BHP restriction up on 10/12/14* Current bikes/car: SV 650 S/ MKIV GOLF
Guide to pass your test with no lessons!

[Pigeon]

Thanks Clutchy. More than happy to go for something with lower MPG, the 80's was for the 250's. But I'm not getting a good choice of 250's round here, so a 600 is fine, if its easy to work on, reliable etc

[instigator]

Whilst I do recommend the SV650 as a good starter bike, if it's minimal hassle you're looking for then I would recommend the CBR over the SV. In my experience, if all of the normal 'issues' occur when you own either bike, the one causing the least amount of hassle (by a significant amount) will be the CBR.

Get an older FX model with a givi rack & top box fitted already and I dare say, you'll be quite happy. Not going to get anywhere near your 70-80mpg but it'll be the better out of the two.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[MeatHelmet]

I got between 40-45 on my 97 CBR600F. Comfy bike to commute on, just got bored of chasing the electrical gremlin around it!
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Bike - 2003 Kawasaki ZX6R 636 Ninja (A1P)

[Pigeon]

[Rogue_Shadow]

I came from a YBR to my SV650s and I think it's a brilliant first big bike.
I've found it great for getting more hands on mechanically, other than an MOT I've covered most service items & basic fault finding.
Fuel range is good, not 125 good but I can get 150+ miles to a tank.
Nothing has really gone wrong without good indication as to why (no gremlins), I've rode from Cornwall to France & plan on doing the same in a few months. So for reliability
It's definitely not SLOW either

The only real negatives

The V-Twin engine braking does take getting used to, especially at slow speeds. If your performing a U-turn or any other slow manoeuvre you have to maintain a throttle input, no coasting. The second you let off the throttle the engine braking bites and you become a dead weight.
Great for stopping from a good speed, but tricky at the slow stuff. It's an engine trait not a negative really.
The riding position however is very ... Marmite. Yes it can feel a little cramped at first, but you eventually learn to adapt to it. I wasn't crippled getting off the bike after my weekend touring France. The riding position for me is the only think I dislike about my SV, but having owned it for sometime now I tend to forgive it.

I have no idea how the CBR600 compares, less engine braking & cheaper tax is all I can comment on

[Bubbs]

Has the SV and it was fun but I got bored of it within about 6 months. Friends of mine who bought a CBR kept them a lot longer.

CBR's are nicer looking too.

I'd go with a CBR if I had the choice.
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[sidewinder]

How about a 600 fazer or a tdm?

[Shaft]

If you want a workhorse, CB500, ER5/6, both of which are much closer to the 250s you wanted.

One of your concerns is what happens when you throw it down the road, I would avoid anything covered in acres of plastic, in that case.
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Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[G30]

CBR600

ezmode
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KTM RC390 -- Kawa ER6f -- Yam YZF R125 -- Yam YBR 125

[c_dug]

I've got an sv650s outside at the moment, I've been using it for about a month. I'm getting the train to work this morning.

I did around 25,000 miles on my 1993 cbr600f, with the exception of when it was stolen I can't think of a time when I couldn't use it if I needed to.

I'll be glad to see the back of the sv.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Pigeon]

Well, I've ended up with an SV in the garage, time will tell if it was a good choice or not. The CBR I liked had sold, although there was also a 2001 Triumph TT600 for £2k, but that was more than I wanted to pay for a commuter to get scratched and dented in the free bike parking at work.

The SV was a budget bike when new, so 14 years and 38k miles and I was expecting a wreck. But I was pleasantly surprised, yes its a little tatty in places, I'm never going to get the exhaust off without drilling it for example, but in the round, not too shabby. It started easily, ran fine, everything works it's got a new MOT. Tyres and pads look barely used as are the chain + sprockets. Rear shock seems ok, although front could definitely do with some attention.
Engine + Chassis numbers are all legit and the vehicle check came up clean.

What was even more surprising was how much I like it. There's definitely a bit of shove low down (although it runs out of puff quite quick).
It rides + brakes in a straight line and holds a bend surprisingly precisely. It seems narrow with a very low centre of gravity, perfect for snarled up traffic and being a traffic light hero.
Thought it was very comfortable to begin with, felt right at home. After 90mins my knees weren't happy with legs being hunched up, but my commute is only 15mins, so no worries. It's a compliment to the bike I was out on it for 3 hours!

Got the bike for £1,200 and insurance charged £17 to add it to current policy for 3.5 months. Happy days

https://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w559/pigeon35/140316%20-%20SV650/20140316_160615resized_zpscbc30c19.jpg

https://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w559/pigeon35/140316%20-%20SV650/20140316_160637resized_zps58f6f045.jpg

Now I just need to sort out a fugly and cheap top box for it.

[Muscle Bike Rider]

Nice mate, good everyday bike you got there, keeps the street triple in tip top shape for pleasure runs. My lads just traded his GSX F in for a new speed triple lovely bike, got some good extras as part of the deal as well. If you don't fancy a top box just stick a tail pack on, plenty big enough for carrying work bits.
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Previously Known As A5tra_G
Old Bikes :2010 Kawasaki ER6 F & 2000 Honda VTR Firestorm
Current Bike : XJR1300

[RhynoCZ]

Why does one even have to ask?
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Pigeon]

[Muscle Bike Rider]