SV650 vs ER-6F
Discussion
Having now passed my theory, completed CBT and got Mod 1 test booked in, all being well I hope to have my license in a month or so and I'm starting to think about buying my first bike.
Although I'd love to go out and buy a 998 I think I'm best off going for something a bit more learner friendly and have narrowed it down to the ER-6F (09 onwards) and SV650 (fully faired 08 onwards).....I think.
I'm led to believe that both these bikes are fairly light (so good for learning on?) and obviously being twins not too powerful but also not so slow that I will get fed up quickly.
Does anyone have any opinions on one versus the other for my situation or any suggestions of other bikes I might consider?
I like fully faired, angular sports bikes and looking to spend less than 4k on my first bike.
Although I'd love to go out and buy a 998 I think I'm best off going for something a bit more learner friendly and have narrowed it down to the ER-6F (09 onwards) and SV650 (fully faired 08 onwards).....I think.
I'm led to believe that both these bikes are fairly light (so good for learning on?) and obviously being twins not too powerful but also not so slow that I will get fed up quickly.
Does anyone have any opinions on one versus the other for my situation or any suggestions of other bikes I might consider?
I like fully faired, angular sports bikes and looking to spend less than 4k on my first bike.
If you like angular, fully faired sports bikes, why not buy one? Neither of those bikes is fully faired, and they're not really sports bikes either. Of the two I'd go for the SV650S though, they make a nice sound, they're pretty quick, a lot quicker than most things you'll meet day to day.
Make sure you test ride them both first, I had an old SV650, when I went to change it I test rode the ER-6F and thanks to the way I had to sit on it (I'm quite tall and the ER6 leans forward a bit) it was the most uncomfortable ride I've had! My triceps ached like crazy after a few minutes and the fairing blasted the wind at my neck making it a) not so easy to breathe and b) my ears started ringing very quickly (my SV was 'obnoxiously loud' so I was used to lots of noise).
I 100% put this down to how I'm built rather than the bike, but make sure you test ride them both first in case something similar happens to you (on either bike).
Not sure how the new SV is, but comparing the old one to the ER-6 I found the SV to be a bit softer and lazier, the ER-6 was a bit sharper handling and the engine liked to rev a bit more. But that's vs my old SV that was getting a bit tired.
I 100% put this down to how I'm built rather than the bike, but make sure you test ride them both first in case something similar happens to you (on either bike).
Not sure how the new SV is, but comparing the old one to the ER-6 I found the SV to be a bit softer and lazier, the ER-6 was a bit sharper handling and the engine liked to rev a bit more. But that's vs my old SV that was getting a bit tired.
LoonR1 said:
Isn't that an optional extra? Most SVs are definitely half faired
Google them and there's far more half faired.
I wasn't attempting to show anyone up.Google them and there's far more half faired.
However, whether it's an option or not, I'm buying second hand and would choose one fully faired personally. As I understand it the ER-6F is always fully faired, the ER-6N is a naked.
The reason I'm not planning to go straight out and buy 4 cylinder 600 sports bike is that while I realise that ultimately the power is entirely within my control, I'm a big believer in progressive learning and I fully expect my skills to take some time to develop, something I think will occur most easily on a lighter lower powered bike with a more comfortable riding position.
Appreciate the advice re. riding both but, how amenable are UK used bike dealers to letting newly qualified riders out on test rides?
LoonR1 said:
slevin911 said:
I would be careful showing LoonR1 up like that
Isn't that an optional extra? Most SVs are definitely half fairedGoogle them and there's far more half faired.
I'm wrong on the ER6, but I can live with that. A mate had one of the naked ones and hated it with a passion.
slevin911 said:
Ya would say it was an extra.What was wrong with the ER6? I remember reading reviews about them and always came out on top.
It is an extra. Certainly was when I had mine and it still is according to the Suzuki website as they're half faired. I've no idea on the ER6, it was my mates and he hated it. He swapped it for. Z750 within a matter of weeks.
LoonR1 said:
slevin911 said:
Ya would say it was an extra.What was wrong with the ER6? I remember reading reviews about them and always came out on top.
It is an extra. Certainly was when I had mine and it still is according to the Suzuki website as they're half faired. I've no idea on the ER6, it was my mates and he hated it. He swapped it for. Z750 within a matter of weeks.
Have you looked at the Yamaha FZ6 fazer (not fully faired but enough protection from the elements). I tried the SV, ER and then went for the Fazer, when I came back to biking, they are cheap as chips and great bikes. The engine is docile under 8k and then lift off. So you choose how you want to ride. If your new to biking you will find a sit up bike easier to get to grips with as well.
LoonR1 said:
It is an extra. Certainly was when I had mine and it still is according to the Suzuki website as they're half faired.
I've no idea on the ER6, it was my mates and he hated it. He swapped it for. Z750 within a matter of weeks.
There was a time recently when you could get fully faired ones straight out of the factory, but normally you could only get the fairings separately as an extra.I've no idea on the ER6, it was my mates and he hated it. He swapped it for. Z750 within a matter of weeks.
Personally, I prefer the bikini fairing look of most SVs - it looks a bit gawky, but I kind of like it - it isn't a full on sports bike, so why try to make it look like one? I also like seeing the engine, anyway.
I would recommend the SV as a starter bike. Light, easy to handle, enough power but always manageable. Had mine for a month so far and I'm really enjoying it.
FunkyNige said:
...
Not sure how the new SV is, but comparing the old one to the ER-6 I found the SV to be a bit softer and lazier, the ER-6 was a bit sharper handling and the engine liked to rev a bit more. But that's vs my old SV that was getting a bit tired.
That was also my take on the two, I had an SV650S at the time which I just never gelled with and in fact sold after 3 weeks because it bored me senseless. My mate had an unfaired ER6 which was just more fun to throw about.Not sure how the new SV is, but comparing the old one to the ER-6 I found the SV to be a bit softer and lazier, the ER-6 was a bit sharper handling and the engine liked to rev a bit more. But that's vs my old SV that was getting a bit tired.
I doubt there was a huge amount in them performance wise but the smooth V-Twin with a flat torque felt dull next to bike that rewarded using more engine revs.
Edit to add, both are fine starter bikes, it really comes down to which one suits you best.
Half-faired SV650s with a belly pan, more fruity exhaust, maybe a slightly taller screen...top bike right there. Good idea, if and when you can, to change fork oil (for something heavier) and grease up the rear shock linkage and swingarm pivot
and i would also add heated grips and a topbox rack, or even a full givi rack to take some small sidecases as well but then I like to ruin bikes with practicality
and i would also add heated grips and a topbox rack, or even a full givi rack to take some small sidecases as well but then I like to ruin bikes with practicality
LoonR1 said:
It is an extra. Certainly was when I had mine and it still is according to the Suzuki website as they're half faired.
I've no idea on the ER6, it was my mates and he hated it. He swapped it for. Z750 within a matter of weeks.
From 2008 there was an "SV Sport" model which came with lower fairings from the factory. They are still relatively rare compared to the half faired bikes though.I've no idea on the ER6, it was my mates and he hated it. He swapped it for. Z750 within a matter of weeks.
I rode an early SV650 bringing it back from somewhere for a mate who'd bought it and I thought it was great. Comparable performance to a sporty 400 4 stroke which is what I had at the time.
I remember the motor was lovely and linear, it did very good easily controllable wheelies (the best wheelies i've ever done) and i'd had my knee down on it by the 2nd or 3rd roundabout
I'm sure newer ones are even better, certainly look nicer
I remember the motor was lovely and linear, it did very good easily controllable wheelies (the best wheelies i've ever done) and i'd had my knee down on it by the 2nd or 3rd roundabout
I'm sure newer ones are even better, certainly look nicer
SMar said:
Have you looked at the Yamaha FZ6 fazer (not fully faired but enough protection from the elements). I tried the SV, ER and then went for the Fazer, when I came back to biking, they are cheap as chips and great bikes. The engine is docile under 8k and then lift off. So you choose how you want to ride. If your new to biking you will find a sit up bike easier to get to grips with as well.
I hadn't considered a fazer actually, how would this compare as a first bike vs the sv? Big difference or not much in it?Both lovely bikes, I'd go for the SV though as I've had 2. Amply fast for quite a long while. Actually mine managed 1.25 units with passenger, so enough to get you a big ban. Main thing is to just get a bike and enjoy it. The bike itself is less important than the riding. Although don't buy a shed.
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