Next Bike? CBR600 vs SV650

[TJ213]

I know this should be in the motorcycle section, but nobody ever looks there, so I decided to post it here, and I'll move it down there in a few days. If you do not agree with this please send me a PM.

I'm finishing up with my Ninja 500, and am looking for my next bike, right now I am deciding between the:

Suzuki sv650s


and the

Honda CBR600F4i


The sv650 is a twin, and the CBR is an I4, I like the sv650, but think the suspension will be a bit soft for me (200 lbs before gear), and the front brake needs to be very powerful (only one finger on my right hand), so that swayed me toward the CBR.

Any thoughts on these bikes, or any other suggested bikes?

[8695Beaters]

I'd go for the Honda. I'm not a biker, but bikes is where Honda got its start. That and the Honda looks more badass.

[TJ213]

Thinking F4, it's got carbs, but its cheaper, gets better milage, and the riding position looks better.

[marcos]

i'd go with the honda dude
it looks more street than the Suzuki

[SiGirl]

I like the Honda one.

[peakaboost]

heres my .02 cents:

I used to own a honda VFR800 and a CBR600 f4i. Loved it. And thats where i get my experience with V-twins....

Whats your riding preference? Are you more of a back road,twisty kinda guy? long cruises? Looking for performance or comfort? All these play out into what bike is best for you.

The two bikes you mentioned,are from two totally different classes. First,the sv650, This is going to be a bike you can ride for hours and not feel fatigued. This is a bike you can ride long trips,or go site seeing with. Due to the heavier V-twin,this bike isnt going to be the best bike to take on the twisties. The CBR will outclass this bike on the turns by far.....

With the SV650,your going to have GLOBS of low end torque,something that the CBR is going to lack,extremely. Driving the V-twin then the I4 is going to be a night and day difference.Side by side,straight line,the 650 will take the CBR down low,hands down,no doubt about it. BUT!,this debate isnt over yet....

Now we go onto the CBR. Great machine. Almost perfect weight distribution,well balanced,and a well powered I4. This thing well eat the twisties for breakfast,and ask for seconds,and thirds. This bike isnt the best candidate for long trips (by far),but is a GREAT around town bike,or something to hop on,take on some back roads,and clear your mind.

The CBR comes with the high revving I4 motor. Though it lacks the torque that the 650 has,this thing rolls when it gets going. Remeber i said before that the 650 will take this thing down low? That is true,but once you get into the high gears,this thing will pull and pass. Thats all in a straight line though, dont even compare bike on the corners,this thing will show its dominance.

This bike is pure sport,from the ground up. Like you mentioned,the 650 suspension will be "sloppy" compared to this bike. What i mean by this,is your going to have a much softer suspension with the 650,which helps aid it in its "road trip stats",to where as the 600,your going to get more of a stiff,race inspired suspension,which helps performance,but hurts the riders ability to endure long trips.

With all this said, its ALL about your riding preference,Both bikes mentioned are in a class of their own.

Now my personal opinion,beeing a "sporty" guy,id definatly take the 600 over the 650 any say of the week. Now if you want the best of both worlds,honda has you covered still. The VFR series of bikes are sport cruisers, bikes you can tackle the twisties with,but yet still enjoy a nice trip,all with a torquey and powerful V-Twin. And if you want even more sport,but still stay V-Twin and have globs of torque,look up an RC51...My favorite and what i think is hondas best sport bike out there. Even with a V-twin,still damn near perfect weight dist.,sport inspried chassis/suspension,and a monstrously powerful 1000cc V-twin. This is one powerful bike.

But thats my .02 cents to chime in. All bikes ive mentioned ive had experience with,and loved everyone of them, But its all up to the rider,and what he uses the bike for.

Hope i have helped....

[HONDAS R US]

id go for the honda
hmmm... i would like to compare it with my ninja, jk a 250 vs a 600 i wonder who would win lol

[TJ213]

Originally Posted by peakaboost

heres my .02 cents:

I used to own a honda VFR800 and a CBR600 f4i. Loved it. And thats where i get my experience with V-twins....

Whats your riding preference? Are you more of a back road,twisty kinda guy? long cruises? Looking for performance or comfort? All these play out into what bike is best for you.

The two bikes you mentioned,are from two totally different classes. First,the sv650, This is going to be a bike you can ride for hours and not feel fatigued. This is a bike you can ride long trips,or go site seeing with. Due to the heavier V-twin,this bike isnt going to be the best bike to take on the twisties. The CBR will outclass this bike on the turns by far.....

With the SV650,your going to have GLOBS of low end torque,something that the CBR is going to lack,extremely. Driving the V-twin then the I4 is going to be a night and day difference.Side by side,straight line,the 650 will take the CBR down low,hands down,no doubt about it. BUT!,this debate isnt over yet....

Now we go onto the CBR. Great machine. Almost perfect weight distribution,well balanced,and a well powered I4. This thing well eat the twisties for breakfast,and ask for seconds,and thirds. This bike isnt the best candidate for long trips (by far),but is a GREAT around town bike,or something to hop on,take on some back roads,and clear your mind.

The CBR comes with the high revving I4 motor. Though it lacks the torque that the 650 has,this thing rolls when it gets going. Remeber i said before that the 650 will take this thing down low? That is true,but once you get into the high gears,this thing will pull and pass. Thats all in a straight line though, dont even compare bike on the corners,this thing will show its dominance.

This bike is pure sport,from the ground up. Like you mentioned,the 650 suspension will be "sloppy" compared to this bike. What i mean by this,is your going to have a much softer suspension with the 650,which helps aid it in its "road trip stats",to where as the 600,your going to get more of a stiff,race inspired suspension,which helps performance,but hurts the riders ability to endure long trips.

With all this said, its ALL about your riding preference,Both bikes mentioned are in a class of their own.

Now my personal opinion,beeing a "sporty" guy,id definatly take the 600 over the 650 any say of the week. Now if you want the best of both worlds,honda has you covered still. The VFR series of bikes are sport cruisers, bikes you can tackle the twisties with,but yet still enjoy a nice trip,all with a torquey and powerful V-Twin. And if you want even more sport,but still stay V-Twin and have globs of torque,look up an RC51...My favorite and what i think is hondas best sport bike out there. Even with a V-twin,still damn near perfect weight dist.,sport inspried chassis/suspension,and a monstrously powerful 1000cc V-twin. This is one powerful bike.

But thats my .02 cents to chime in. All bikes ive mentioned ive had experience with,and loved everyone of them, But its all up to the rider,and what he uses the bike for.

Hope i have helped....

Thanks for the info. How do the VFRs compare to the sv650 and cbr600 in the twisites? Is it kind of in-between the two?

[DriftMaster]

Honda FTW!