Super Naked as Second Bike

[KieranM26]

Hi All,

I am looking at getting a new bike over winter and getting rid of my trusty SV650 now that Im 24 and have my full license. I've had the SV for two years now and have done about 6000 miles, 90% of those miles have been on the twisties. The SV is a great bike but I want something quicker and a bit bigger- Im 6ft 2 and the SV feels a bit cramped at times.

I am pretty much set on wanting a naked bike, I ride motocross and supermoto so the flat bars of a naked and the hooliganism of them just seem perfect. I was looking at a MT09SP or Street Triple 765RS but as always when I start looking at bikes things start getting out of hand and before I know it I am looking at MT10 and S1000r instead.

Obviously the power increase from 65bhp to 160bhp will be mind blowing but will it be too much? Is it a wiser decision to just get a middle weight bike for a year before stepping onto the craziness of super nakeds?

[kingb]

Na you’ll be fine - just take it easy to start with a respect that right hand.

[airsafari87]

No it won't be too much.

Unless you're a complete buffoon with a right hand that only moves in 45 degree increments then you will be absolutely fine on any of the current supernakeds.

They will all be as easy to ride as your SV.

I have a S1000R and an older SV650.

[Kawasicki]

You'll be fine, just never use the additional power.

[airsafari87]

Kawasicki said:

You'll be fine, just never use the additional power.

Shirley that's defeating the point though isnt it?

If you're never going to use the extra power you may aswell get something like the STR or MT09?

[Soloman Dodd]

Before you set your heart on a bike, get an insurance quote. At 24 it might be a bit spendy.

[dibblecorse]

Also worth taking a look at the Hypermotard and KTM Duke.... I'd have either of those over the 2 you are looking at.

[Makn]

Show it a bit of respect and you'll be grand. Covering 60k on the SV should mean you have a reasonable grasp of throttle control. Take your time getting a feel for the bike on roads you know well and progressively start to explore the additional performance.

I would argue that in some circumstances the super naked might be safer than the SV - most of them now have a fairly decent electronics package, ABS, traction, anti wheelie, slipper clutches etc etc etc. You should never rely on this sort of stuff or take it for granted but there is a bit of a safety net there while you make the transition from one bike to another.

Not quite up there with today's kit but I went from an XJ600 diversion to a ZZR1100. The first time I properly opened it up in a straight line it made me re-assess what I thought was fast.

The SV650 would make an ace track bike if you have the space to keep both......

[Ho Lee Kau]

I test-rode 765RS (updated version) and Speed RS back to back again this year. I bought Speed RS.

I think I would be riding reckless and faster on Street RS, in fact.

I love the Speed RS (except for the gearbox which is nowhere near as sweet as the one on my L7 GSXR1000).
When jumping directly from GSXR1000 to Speed RS there is a brief moment where I notice that Speed has a tiny bit more torque at lower revs, but otherwise GSXR is much faster and more aggressive.

Therefore Speed RS is more of a "grand turismo" ride for me.

Of course, Speed RS is no Tuono or 1290, so maybe does not qualify as a super naked anymore.

In any case, it feels super stable and sweet, not unhinged or overpowering at all, but can overtake in a split second, 119Nm torque at 7k after all.

Summary: I do not think going from 600cc to supernaked (1000+cc) is a big deal at all.

[Kawasicki]

airsafari87 said:

Kawasicki said:

You'll be fine, just never use the additional power.

Shirley that's defeating the point though isnt it?

If you're never going to use the extra power you may aswell get something like the STR or MT09?

I reckon 98% of riders are overwhelmed/worried with big power. A friend bought a BMW S1000XR, it “only” has 165 bhp. He has ridden it for 10k km. I asked him what the top end is like, he said it is “scary” and he has only used the top end performance twice, because it freaked him out. A fairly normal response I think.

[airsafari87]

Kawasicki said:

I reckon 98% of riders are overwhelmed/worried with big power. A friend bought a BMW S1000XR, it “only” has 165 bhp. He has ridden it for 10k km. I asked him what the top end is like, he said it is “scary” and he has only used the top end performance twice, because it freaked him out. A fairly normal response I think.

Given that instance, I agree with you, if someone is scared by a bike like that then they are better off on something smaller.

There must be something that niggles at the back of these peoples minds that the bike they own scares them and they really aren't getting the best out of it.

[FK]

It will be absolutely fine. I only rode my SV650 for 4 months before moving up to a 1000cc Super naked (an Aprilia Tuono). You soon get used to how much (less) you need to move your right hand to get the desired motion. Still pulled the odd 'accidental' wheelie but certainly never felt out if control. Being aware of the danger, to me, is half the battle won.

[Hungrymc]

Kawasicki said:

I reckon 98% of riders are overwhelmed/worried with big power. A friend bought a BMW S1000XR, it “only” has 165 bhp. He has ridden it for 10k km. I asked him what the top end is like, he said it is “scary” and he has only used the top end performance twice, because it freaked him out. A fairly normal response I think.

I found the down side to these very fast bikes with the brilliant electronics, great chassis and tyres, quick shifters etc is that it makes the insane performance not scary at all. I got rid of similar because it was making crazy performance feel normal.

[the cueball]

Wasn't there a test done with a range f bikes about availability and use of power, I’m sure I seen it linked here before..

basically it showed that all these "big power" bikes never get used at all at their full potential on the roads.

Even when someone says and thinks they are WOT... the data showed that it wasn’t, and they were fooling themselves?

It was something like a SV or Pan European that came out "on top" as it used most of it's range, most of the time...arguably a more enriching riding experience I guess.

So superstar matey in his awesome 200bhp machine with 86 modes used 16% throttle even though he thought he was going as fast as possible AKA Street Rossi.

Old SV/Pan with 60/100 bhp and no modes used 86%.

Not saying anything is better or worse... just something I always remember when talking about bigger bikes and the "scary power" etc.

[Eatpies99]

My first bike was a 765RS. Do it.

[trickywoo]

I sold a 765RS and got a SV650. Still happy with it two years on.

I've already scratched the big cc itch and realised I don't need 1000cc to have fun.

That being said as a young man I think you should experience it now while you can and want to.

Have a ride of a MT10 and S1000 and I'd also recommend trying a GSX S1000.

If you don't find them too fast they are either broken or you aren't opening the throttle fully. They won't be hard to ride just try not to get too carried away before you get some decent seat time.

[Kawasicki]

Hungrymc said:

Kawasicki said:

I reckon 98% of riders are overwhelmed/worried with big power. A friend bought a BMW S1000XR, it “only” has 165 bhp. He has ridden it for 10k km. I asked him what the top end is like, he said it is “scary” and he has only used the top end performance twice, because it freaked him out. A fairly normal response I think.

I found the down side to these very fast bikes with the brilliant electronics, great chassis and tyres, quick shifters etc is that it makes the insane performance not scary at all. I got rid of similar because it was making crazy performance feel normal.

I think you are probably one of the 2%!

I rode a Ducati scrambler desert sled at the weekend...it’s not light, it’s not aero, it’s only got 75 bhp...but it’s torquey enough. I’m not a skilled rider, I rode it on fairly twisty country roads. Every time I glanced at the speedo it was indicating illegal speeds, and not just slightly either. It was so effortlessly capable...

[Scobblelotcher]

I went from a GSX-R600, K9 (first bike) to a S1000R and what struck me is how easy it was to ride the S1000R. The low down torque means you can crawl at low revs and the bike so well sorted (suspension, brakes, electronics etc) it’s easy to exploit the power although it’s a monster compared to the GSX-600.

I think you’ll be fine as long as you’re able to exercise some self control.

[Jas D]

I'm in similar boat to the OP. My bike is a 2011 Honda CB600F, that I have owned for 5 years. It's got 100hp so a decent amount of go and it's really easy to ride. It's got ABS but no other gizmos.

I've convinced myself that I would like a bigger bike, both in terms of engine and physical size (I am 6ft 3). Got a soft spot at the moment for either a Ducati 848 or 2010-2012 CBR1000RR, but like the OP I'm worried about the power hike. After reading this thread the S1000R is on my radar too!

[MrGman]

Jas D said:

I'm in similar boat to the OP. My bike is a 2011 Honda CB600F, that I have owned for 5 years. It's got 100hp so a decent amount of go and it's really easy to ride. It's got ABS but no other gizmos.

I've convinced myself that I would like a bigger bike, both in terms of engine and physical size (I am 6ft 3). Got a soft spot at the moment for either a Ducati 848 or 2010-2012 CBR1000RR, but like the OP I'm worried about the power hike. After reading this thread the S1000R is on my radar too!

You won’t go far wrong with either the fireblade or S1000r, both have very nice smooth power delivery, and are pussy cats to ride, obviously open the throttle wide and they’ll soon show their true colours.

Not sure what others would say but I think the MT10 is the only one that could catch you off guard, it’s got a real punch of torque and the throttle isn’t all that smooth which just exaggerates it’s aggressive nature.