iLude

Alright, so I have the itch. I want a sport bike. Badly. In the past week I've ridden my various buddys' EX500 (fun), FZR600(very fun), and GSXR750(scary fun). Let me just say it's a slightly different experience then my 22 year old standard. I also rode my uncles Vulcan around, and that definitely got rid of any desires for a boring cruiser

I've been thinking of a SV650 for awhile. I love the looks, I liked the idea of a better mid-range powerband. TORK! However, the more I've ridden sportier I4s the more I like them. (Note I have yet to ride a SV650, I would obviously try to do this before purchasing one). Therefore I have recently looked at the F4i. My brother had one, but it years ago. I could see myself riding one.

Overall, I like the looks of the half-fairing SV over the F4i. Other than that, what are the pros and cons of both of these bikes? What would you choose?

rdblckSV650S

both are comfortable. F4i has more top end pull. It feels really fast, and frankly is.
The SV has torque everywhere so it can pull you around from any RPM whereas the F4i feels dead below 8k. Both take 87 octane, get good gas mileage. But the SV650 is way easier on insurance because less people buy them and do silly reckless things.
SV650s have a much bigger after market. Meaning you can do way more stuff to them.
SV650s have more character because everybody and their mom (including me) has(d) an F4i.
They both handle fine, but the SV650 is more flickable, and skinnier. Passenger carrying ability is about the same between the two.
The half fairing makes changing the oil and generally working on the bike easier. I hated taking the fairings off the F4i, it was a pain.

What do you plan on using the bike for? I guess it doesn't matter, cause either way i'm going to say SV650, because they're good at anything.
Don't expect it to feel as fast as the other I4s you've been riding though. Constant torque feels different then progressively increasing torque. I just got tired of riding around above 8k to get any pull out of the F4i. Now i can go WOT at any rpm on the SV and take off. Plus, you gotta love the vtwin sound.

iLude

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rdblckSV650S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What do you plan on using the bike for? </TD></TR></TABLE>

I figured you'd chime in, but I never noticed you owned a F4i before.

Bike will be mostly used for commuting and hopefully a few track days. I've been leaning towards the SV for awhile, I just want to get the most advice possible before I commit to anything

.RJ

They're both great bikes - I dont think you can go wrong with either one. If you're leaning towards the SV, then go for it

I inline 4's

I also old skoo h-t emoticons

moores55

I became and SV ***** when i found out how long her stroke was .

knockout

It's a real toss up between these bikes. It pretty much comes down to insurance payments and what you find pleasing to the eye. Either one is great around town, the f4i has great midrange for an i4 but the sv being a twin is obviously is at an advantage. The top end from 8k on up on the f4i feels great though. I'm biased towards honda so I'll leave my final decision out of it. But either one won't disappoint.

bad-monkey

i really dislike the look of the half fairing, so i'm all for the f4i.

i've got an sv and an f4i in the garage. maybe it's not fair b/c it's a carb'd SV, but frankly i think the f4i is more fun. i'm sure mods could make the SV just as fun, but i use the SV to run errands, and the f4i is becoming the track bike...

Quiks66

You don't have to remove the fairings to change the oil on the F4i

The SV's grown on the me in the past few months, but I'm a Honda guy and I love the inline four setup. I'm sticking to I4's for a while, but if you like the SV then get one. If I had enough money the SV would be my other bike

.RJ

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Quiks66 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You don't have to remove the fairings to change the oil on the F4i
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I find it a real pain to get the filter off without the right side fairing off... is there a better way? What about all the oil that drains out of the filter?

that one guy

both are good bikes, but if you dont buy an sv650 rdblcksv650s wont get his commission check from suzuki this month

thehondabuddy

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by that one guy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">both are good bikes, but if you dont buy an sv650 rdblcksv650s wont get his commission check from suzuki this month </TD></TR></TABLE>

lol. nice.


i :heart: SV's. The thing that I like most about them is that there is sooooooooo much to do to them other than blinkers and fender elims. You can make it YOUR bike. Go to SVRider.com and check out all the nominations and winners of SV of the Month. That will give you an idea of how differently the bike can be set up. Heard its a joy on the track (Ill find out soon ) and it really does make street riding a joy with all the torque.

Either way, they are both excellently manufacurted bikes that will stand up to a beating if they are maintaned well. Unlike my spelling. Good luck!

LSintegra

[QUOTE=rdblckSV650S]both are comfortable. F4i has more top end pull. It feels really fast, and frankly is.
The SV has torque everywhere so it can pull you around from any RPM whereas the F4i feels dead below 8k. QUOTE]

he is right, i have a f4i and under 8k it has no pull. but above that till 14k it is pure fun. however, taking it that high you will be going way too fast for the local streets. it is not only dangerous, but surely cops will take notice.

rdblckSV650S

sv+mods= the sex.
F4i+mods=Everyone's bike.

The difference is that the SV can become incredibly personalized with some mods. Whereas with the F4i the mods are mostly cosmetic and in the end you've still got the same bike as everyone else.

I'm a vtwin guy now. I dont' know if i could go back to riding a 600cc inline. I just love having torque.
And for what you say you'll be using it for, i say go with the SV650. I love bombing around with torque, whether it's in town, or out in the twisties.

*EDIT*
I'll try and refrain from posting pursuasive pictures for a couple more posts.

thehondabuddy

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rdblckSV650S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sv+mods= the sex.
F4i+mods=Everyone's bike.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

i think i pretty much just said the exact same thing in a lot more words on another thread. lol.

and hes right.

crxgator

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I find it a real pain to get the filter off without the right side fairing off... is there a better way? What about all the oil that drains out of the filter?</TD></TR></TABLE>

i got the filter through the front with a oil filter cap and an extention...

rdblckSV650S

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thehondabuddy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

i think i pretty much just said the exact same thing in a lot more words on another thread. lol.

and hes right. </TD></TR></TABLE>
i think you said it on this thread as well. Consider my previous post the same thing as "+1"

rol1in0n20s

Threadjacking---

Is there any appreciable difference between the SV650 and the SV650S besides the half-fairing and the price?

rdblckSV650S

The non S model has +1 tooth on the rear sprocket to make up for wind resistance.
The pegs on the naked model sit lower. And i believe that's it.

rol1in0n20s

Super. Thanks bro... Sorry to interrupt, carry on

iLude

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rol1in0n20s &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Super. Thanks bro... Sorry to interrupt, carry on </TD></TR></TABLE>

I encourage all discussion about said bikes in this thread! for all.

Anyone living in the Chicago area with a SV want to let me take it around the block a few times?

rol1in0n20s

i live in the chicago area and i have a 81 cb400t, we could go on a non-modern bike ride some time, haha

thehondabuddy

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rdblckSV650S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The non S model has +1 tooth on the rear sprocket to make up for wind resistance.
The pegs on the naked model sit lower. And i believe that's it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i did not know this. good to know

rdblckSV650S

Can't hold back anymore. Gratuitous photo whoring.
F4is



Of course all F4i images are of 01-03 F4is because of the split seat design. I'm not a huge fan of the banana seat.


SV650s
(stock)

(Unstock)








Of course, i'm biased. But i honestly had a much harder time finding nice F4is then nice SV650s. I once saw an F4i with RC51 forks and swing arm. I know you can do a 600rr swingarm on it with a little bit of work at home. But the SV has more options in my opinion. And i think having a large aftermarket helps to keep things interesting.

that one guy

well....these pants are officially ruined, pass the paper towels please

thehondabuddy

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rdblckSV650S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is the look im going for with my SV. But white body work, black everything else, bronze levers and rims.