SV1000 or FZ1 or something else?
Discussion
Howdy BB gang, after a 3 year break I think I'm going to buy another bike...
To give you an idea of bikes I've previously owned: CBR600, R1, Bandit 1200, Hornet 900, Z1000.
The Z1000 was my favourite all rounder, great for days out, comfortable enough 2up and could handle the odd track day.
My next bike will be used for 80% commuting, 10% with a pillion and then the odd track day.
The 2 that have caught my eye are the SV1000 (never owned a twin) and the FZ1 (similar to the Z1000 which I loved)....
I imagine that the SV would need rear sets to enable decent cornering angles, but there appear to be loads to aftermarket parts for the SVs so that should be a problem.
The FZ1 is obviously a newer design and clearly has much better suspension etc, so I imagine that any advice on here would suggest that there's no competition between these two.
Anything else I should look at around £3.5k?
One thing that I've not yet looked in to is insurance: I guess my NCB has lapsed so will I get screwed on the premiums?
To give you an idea of bikes I've previously owned: CBR600, R1, Bandit 1200, Hornet 900, Z1000.
The Z1000 was my favourite all rounder, great for days out, comfortable enough 2up and could handle the odd track day.
My next bike will be used for 80% commuting, 10% with a pillion and then the odd track day.
The 2 that have caught my eye are the SV1000 (never owned a twin) and the FZ1 (similar to the Z1000 which I loved)....
I imagine that the SV would need rear sets to enable decent cornering angles, but there appear to be loads to aftermarket parts for the SVs so that should be a problem.
The FZ1 is obviously a newer design and clearly has much better suspension etc, so I imagine that any advice on here would suggest that there's no competition between these two.
Anything else I should look at around £3.5k?
One thing that I've not yet looked in to is insurance: I guess my NCB has lapsed so will I get screwed on the premiums?
I can only comment on the SV1000 but the tank range is about 120-150 miles, the pillion pad is ok for occasional use like the 10% you suggest (2 up York to Southampton wasn't luxury, but wasn't crippling).
The motor is older tech and needs an aftermarket set of cans and a power commander to get the best out of it (including increasing the fuel range).
They are however cheap and fun to ride (and if you're interested in a K7 Classic for cheap, get in touch
).
Cheers,
Tom
The motor is older tech and needs an aftermarket set of cans and a power commander to get the best out of it (including increasing the fuel range).
They are however cheap and fun to ride (and if you're interested in a K7 Classic for cheap, get in touch
).Cheers,
Tom
I had an ST1050 for two years. Was a great do it all bike. Great midrange power makes riding it fast very easy (I.e. better than revving the nuts off an inline 4) Standard exhaust is waaay too quiet, so I fitted a mid pipe back system. You will probably need a remap if you do this...but can all be done at home with the tu eecu software.
Suspension is fine as standard, but lots upgrade the rear shock... especially for touring with a pillion and extra weight.
Very reliable, only the usual regulator problems that many manufacturers have. Also the sprag clutch if your battery is knackered due to low turnover when starting.
Other than that, the engine and box are bullet proof...the whole bike feels very well engineered.
I would get another (newer) one tomorrow
Suspension is fine as standard, but lots upgrade the rear shock... especially for touring with a pillion and extra weight.
Very reliable, only the usual regulator problems that many manufacturers have. Also the sprag clutch if your battery is knackered due to low turnover when starting.
Other than that, the engine and box are bullet proof...the whole bike feels very well engineered.
I would get another (newer) one tomorrow
My brother owned an SV1000S for years putting 20,000 miles on it.
Keep in mind even the newest example will be getting on now.
His had the m4 system, pipercross airbox, power commander, ohlins shock and ohlins fork springs, barrat clutch plates.
With that it made 110 at the wheel.
It wore out rear tyres but taking into account the weight of the machine and the torque, not surprising really.
That was on pilot road's what ever the latest version was at the time.
Fuel range was the same as the R1 and R6, he could do 4 days commute needing to fill up on the 4th day coming back.
We have a power commander for the r6, so i think that will get better after its mapped.
It weighted 230kg with a full tank.
R1 on the same scales was 195kg full tank.
You could feel that riding it, however a mate had a sprint 1050 for a while, it felt much lighter than that, to the point that after going on the SV back to back down the same road as the sprint it got part ex'ed for a 675.
Engine in the sprint was good, even from very low down.
The sv will do fine for what you want, with the right parts fitted.
The sprint find a good example as the one i rode was poor with high miles, give it a test ride and if you like it game on.
Keep in mind even the newest example will be getting on now.
His had the m4 system, pipercross airbox, power commander, ohlins shock and ohlins fork springs, barrat clutch plates.
With that it made 110 at the wheel.
It wore out rear tyres but taking into account the weight of the machine and the torque, not surprising really.
That was on pilot road's what ever the latest version was at the time.
Fuel range was the same as the R1 and R6, he could do 4 days commute needing to fill up on the 4th day coming back.
We have a power commander for the r6, so i think that will get better after its mapped.
It weighted 230kg with a full tank.
R1 on the same scales was 195kg full tank.
You could feel that riding it, however a mate had a sprint 1050 for a while, it felt much lighter than that, to the point that after going on the SV back to back down the same road as the sprint it got part ex'ed for a 675.
Engine in the sprint was good, even from very low down.
The sv will do fine for what you want, with the right parts fitted.
The sprint find a good example as the one i rode was poor with high miles, give it a test ride and if you like it game on.
Quick update on my browsing progress and I can't ignore the R1 5PW. I've also got some insurance quotes which have come out surprisingly reasonable
I know it's perhaps not the perfect commuter tool, but having owned an original R1 back in the day, I'd love to own another albeit slightly newer one and I always thought the 5PW was a particularly well executed model. Are the ergonomics much different to the original one? My 4XV was one of the most confortable bikes that I've owned.
Going back a couple of years, I read OCD's thread (on here) where he ran one for a daily commute and I remember it fairing very well.
I've pretty well talked myself into a 5PW so now just need to find the right bike...
I know it's perhaps not the perfect commuter tool, but having owned an original R1 back in the day, I'd love to own another albeit slightly newer one and I always thought the 5PW was a particularly well executed model. Are the ergonomics much different to the original one? My 4XV was one of the most confortable bikes that I've owned.
Going back a couple of years, I read OCD's thread (on here) where he ran one for a daily commute and I remember it fairing very well.
I've pretty well talked myself into a 5PW so now just need to find the right bike...
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