That looks familiar
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Honda Rebel 500 or latest Gen Sv650 or ???
- Thread starter Slono
- Start date
boyoboy
Well-known member
great notes bastak. for me a slick shifting transmission is a must have...its a deal breaker issue for me....again, great notes by @bastak.Visordown has a good comparison of old vs. new (3rd gen) SV650 (Long-term review: Suzuki SV650 old v new)
I picked up a new 2019 SV650 earlier this month. My thoughts:
- Low seat height makes it more cramped in the legs but still completely comfortable for me at 5'10".
- The seat is uncomfortable. At 2 hours I'm done. I think it is a downgrade over the old SV. Corbin makes a seat that looks good and comes highly recommended by others but is expensive.
- Throttle response is jerky at low revs (I hear that it's common old gen or new gen). Lots of torque down low to blast away from traffic lights. The engine is punchy. Perfectly linear throttle response at mid to high revs.
- Windblast doesn't bother me much, but it might be something to consider if you're used to the fully faired SV.
- The gearbox is flawless.
- The front brakes on the 2019s are new four-piston brakes (the website is not correct). They are definitely an improvement over the old two-piston brakes (2018 and earlier). I don't feel like I need any more braking power on this bike.
- The suspension is budget and more on the sporty side than relaxed. Feels OK and not too much brake dive. It's miles away from the suspension on a GSXR for example. For everyday riding, it works just fine.
- I like the display. Simple and clear.
- The bike is built to a price point and it shows. Exposed wiring, hoses, that radiator, massive exhaust, lights etc...
- But who cares about all that... It's a blast to ride!
- In summary:
- Good: engine, gearbox, brakes (2019), reliability
- Bad: seat, built to a price point
I used to own the Ducati Scrambler. My thoughts in comparison to the SV:
- Overall fit and finish is better on the Ducati. Somehow it feels like a more mature bike than the SV.
- The gearbox took a few thousand kms to bed in and feel smooth. Even then, I definitely prefer Suzuki gearboxes over Ducati ones.
- The brakes are great.
- The suspension was OK. Didn't like the dive on harder braking up front.
- The air-cooled engine runs hot. Especially on hot and humid days, I found the heat bothersome... The 800cc is worse than the 400cc.
- I didn't like the high and wide handlebars on the Sixty2. The lower handlebars on the Full Throttle worked better. The Desert Sled ergos were good too - lots of legroom on that.
- For an expensive bike, the footpegs across the range are garbage - very slippery when wet
an easy swap but worth mentioning
- 17" front wheel on the Cafe Racer, 18" front wheel on most across the Scrambler range, 19" on the Desert Sled. Something to consider for tire choices / riding style.
- No fuel gauge or gear indicator until 2019 I believe.
- People like the Scramblers. Lots of thumbs ups, comments, pics from the general public. No one seems to care about the SV...
- In summary:
- Good: looks, fit & finish / build quality, simplicity
- Bad: gearbox, runs hot, footpegs
congrats on the new bike.
bigpoppa
Well-known member
Most of the used market is flooded with the S version with aggressive clipons, if one can find the elusive N version they are probably really comfy,
or just buy the new ones which are modeled after the N with the proper upright handlebars
Mad Mike
Well-known member
I guess it depends on where you sample.
| HP @ RPM | 3000 | 4000 | 5000 | 6000 | 7000 | 8000 | 9000 |
| CB500X | 13 | 20 | 25.5 | 32 | 37.5 | 44 | 39 |
| SV650 | 23 | 30 | 39 | 50 | 59 | 72 | 72 |
| Incremental HP | 77% | 50% | 53% | 56% | 57% | 64% | 85% |
With respect to fuel usage, they are much closer than that, you have to ride the pants of an SV to hit 45mpg. Realistically you comparing averages of 60mpg to 70mpg. That said, fuel comparisons between light and medium bikes are not all that simple. Higher performance bikes will economically sip fuel when pacing a smaller bike - I've run my DL650 at 3.7l/100 when dodding along with a group of Southern Cruisers.
Should I choose a more spirited romp, I can drop that to 5.5l/100km. A CB500x can't do that.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
I'll get a CB500 if I mature.
Slono
Well-known member
I had a fully faired 2010 SV650s for a long time and I got tired of the riding position. I can say this bike has vastly improved ergonomics for somebody like me who is looking for a more relaxed ride without going full arm chair mode.
These ergo measurements are taken from
cycle-ergo.com. The pictures speak for themselves and are based on a rider who is 6.0 feet with a 32” inseam.
These ergo measurements are taken from
cycle-ergo.com. The pictures speak for themselves and are based on a rider who is 6.0 feet with a 32” inseam.
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Mad Mike
Well-known member
1) Yes I get the learner bike thing. Europe and Aus make you ride a restricted bike in their graduated programs. I actualy like the idea but it's irreverent here, we have lots of nanny rules, that's just not one of them.
2) Speaking of sluggish, I've ridden a CB500x and it's not easy to sit at 130. With a 200lb RIDER and a 35lbs of kit, the 34HP the bike makes at that speed doesn't leave much -- it takes more than to 15 seconds to overtake a vehicle at WOT, vs about 3 seconds on a Wee. Now, that may not be bad here, but lets say we are touring in the USA where interstates speeds are posted at 75mph. The last time I had that feeling was driving a Trabant.
Slono
Well-known member
There are two things I miss about the 250s I’ve had in the past.
1) The ability to flick it around like a bicycle
2) how easy it was to push it around off the bike
Other than that, my SVs (new and old) have outdone them in every way. Sure the 250s can squeeze out 130-140km/h all day long but it’s not fun...
In the end I suppose it comes down to running costs and storage (insurance, bike purchase) if you’re not a new rider. Ideally I would like another (smaller) bike in my stable but storage is an issue.
1) The ability to flick it around like a bicycle
2) how easy it was to push it around off the bike
Other than that, my SVs (new and old) have outdone them in every way. Sure the 250s can squeeze out 130-140km/h all day long but it’s not fun...
In the end I suppose it comes down to running costs and storage (insurance, bike purchase) if you’re not a new rider. Ideally I would like another (smaller) bike in my stable but storage is an issue.
Ever heard of shifting Mike ?? - ffs I've owned 3 Vstrom 650s and the CBX and one of the complaints with the 650 is the tall final - Both bikes need to dropped a gear to pass easily above 110-120.
2013 Suzuki V-Strom 650 Adventure vs 2013 Honda CB500X Comparison Test
You've ridden what ??? a few hours....don't even pretend. The CB500x is more stable than the Vstrom at speed.....even the article mentions the Wee's uncertainty above 85 mph. Riding in the BC mountains most of June with a full load of luggage, and I'm no light weight ...I never once felt the lack of power or any instability even in speeds over 140 going downhill with traffic. That was and is the biggest surprise. Might be in part due to the winglets on the Madstad.
But then I'm also happy to shift if needed...
An unloaded Vstrom is indeed quick and agile but the CB feels lighter and more nimble.
Two up the Vstrom is preferred but many then opt for the 1000 which pulls from much lower rpm.
The CB is designed as a world bike to perform well within the limts of the Learner programs and it does...whether Ontario has an L class or not is irrelevant.
?? - ffs I've owned 3 Vstrom 650s and the CBX and one of the complaints with the 650 is the tall final - Both bikes need to dropped a gear to pass easily above 110-120.2013 Suzuki V-Strom 650 Adventure vs 2013 Honda CB500X Comparison Test
You've ridden what ??? a few hours....don't even pretend. The CB500x is more stable than the Vstrom at speed.....even the article mentions the Wee's uncertainty above 85 mph. Riding in the BC mountains most of June with a full load of luggage, and I'm no light weight ...I never once felt the lack of power or any instability even in speeds over 140 going downhill with traffic. That was and is the biggest surprise. Might be in part due to the winglets on the Madstad.
But then I'm also happy to shift if needed...
An unloaded Vstrom is indeed quick and agile but the CB feels lighter and more nimble.
Two up the Vstrom is preferred but many then opt for the 1000 which pulls from much lower rpm.
The CB is designed as a world bike to perform well within the limts of the Learner programs and it does...whether Ontario has an L class or not is irrelevant.
ScorpionT16
Well-known member
Just to chime in, Sold my SV650N after having it for 2 years - Naked version, upright ergos and last year got the CB500X.
SV was just too uncomfortable for me, no wind protection, I was always left tired, and if it rained, I was soaked due to no fairings on long rides. My legs would always cramp and after 400kms I was suffering, not enjoying. Plus I was always fueling and when up north with scarce stations scurrying to find one. Just me, still loved it for what it was. I tried the V-Strom and didn't like it, looks wise and weight wise.
The CBX is way more comfortable. That's it, comfort. Power wise, once loaded and touring, its not that fuel efficient, it champs along, I can do 800km days before getting tired, double the SV. It also does gravel and the occasional off road jaunts much better. I love it for now, though its a place holder till the Yamaha T7 comes out.
The whole 15 seconds to overtake and USA interstate thing Is a stretch. I just came back from a 2 week trip with the CBX to North Carolina, Pennsylvanian and back, had no issues over taking, keeping up, or getting tired from the "lack of Power". I was loaded with camping gear too.
SV was just too uncomfortable for me, no wind protection, I was always left tired, and if it rained, I was soaked due to no fairings on long rides. My legs would always cramp and after 400kms I was suffering, not enjoying. Plus I was always fueling and when up north with scarce stations scurrying to find one. Just me, still loved it for what it was. I tried the V-Strom and didn't like it, looks wise and weight wise.
The CBX is way more comfortable. That's it, comfort. Power wise, once loaded and touring, its not that fuel efficient, it champs along, I can do 800km days before getting tired, double the SV. It also does gravel and the occasional off road jaunts much better. I love it for now, though its a place holder till the Yamaha T7 comes out.
The whole 15 seconds to overtake and USA interstate thing Is a stretch. I just came back from a 2 week trip with the CBX to North Carolina, Pennsylvanian and back, had no issues over taking, keeping up, or getting tired from the "lack of Power". I was loaded with camping gear too.
@jemlinus same for me...it just got tiring on the CB500F and the Rebel 500 to be on the highway for extended periods of time. Once the Rebel is sold I'll be looking squarely at the Ninja 650 and CB500X as they seem to be around what I'm looking for in terms of comfort and highway capability with some reduced wind blast.
Slono
Well-known member
It depends on how often you ride on the highway and what matters to you most about riding motorcycles.
I went from a fully faired sv650 with a Puig bubble windscreen to the new SV and the difference is big. But would I go back to riding something that’s full of plastic and reminds me that I’m not into sport bikes? No...
I wanted something with usable low end power that had an urban street fighter look with a V-twin and didn’t cost me a fortune. Anything else wouldn’t have checked off the boxes. If I really wanted wind protection on my new SV I would buy an ugly as **** touring windscreen that’s 24” tall.
Many of you are speaking of the utilitarian do-all motorcycles. If that makes you happy then that’s all that matters but just because somebody else disagrees with you it doesn’t mean they’re wrong. That’s the beauty of this world, choice is freedom to express opinions without the obligation of coming to an agreement.
I went from a fully faired sv650 with a Puig bubble windscreen to the new SV and the difference is big. But would I go back to riding something that’s full of plastic and reminds me that I’m not into sport bikes? No...
I wanted something with usable low end power that had an urban street fighter look with a V-twin and didn’t cost me a fortune. Anything else wouldn’t have checked off the boxes. If I really wanted wind protection on my new SV I would buy an ugly as **** touring windscreen that’s 24” tall.
Many of you are speaking of the utilitarian do-all motorcycles. If that makes you happy then that’s all that matters but just because somebody else disagrees with you it doesn’t mean they’re wrong. That’s the beauty of this world, choice is freedom to express opinions without the obligation of coming to an agreement.
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