05 VFR vs Suzuki SV1000

Hello all,

I'm lookin to move up from my current Ninja 650R. I have always like the
V-twin configuration for the torque they make. Have been lookin at the
SV1000 but have recently been attracted to the VFR. I really like the lines of the Honda and a V-Four. I'm hoping for any comparisons. Do have similar charateristics (Sv1000 & VFR). Also how are the 05 VFR's, any querks?

I would really appreciate any feedback or direction any members of VFR World can provide!!

Thanks

 

You really can't compare the two bikes as they are in a completely different class.

The VFR is a Jack Of All Trades bike & the SV is basically a standard with a V2 in it.

The VFR is going to be way more comfortable but the SV will out handle the VFR any day of the week.

The VFR is a much more refined ride but the SV is way cheaper.

The VFR has virtually no aftermarket following. You can build a SV with spare parts purchased on the internet.

The VFR can be had with OEM hardbags. The SV, not so much.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

This is exactly the type of information I am looking for...
After reading another review on the 6th gen VFR, it's sounds like a bike that can still have fun in the canyons yet be comfy enough for longer than average rides. I don't think the SV can do this...

Thanks!! Keep em coming :biggrin:

Any major differences on the years within the 6th gens? Also, if looking at used bikes what is acceptable mileage?

 

What kind of riding are you looking to do? It's all about matching a bike up with your needs. I bought my 2004 VFR for touring on the two-lane blacktop. I use it for 400+ miles days day after day. It's perfect for me. The SV would be worthless for that type of riding. But the SV is a great choice for a different rider.

 

You sound like the kind of rider that's into bikes for the same reason I am, a workhorse machine for daily commuting, exhilarating when asked, economically priced.

Personally, I would love to get a new(er) gen VFR, but they're expensive compared to other options, when an Yamaha FZ6 or FZ1 (if you're dead set on litre bike) can be had for relatively cheap (off the dealer lot).

Try one on for size at a dealer, the ergos are amazing (I'm 5'8").


FZ1



I like the 6 for the undertail exhaust and 2 grand price difference.

 

No, you guys have nailed my riding needs! I looked at the FZ6 early on but there's something about the I4 configs that doesn't appeal to me, they all sound the same. I could be wrong but it seems you have to really wind-em up too.

Not to mention the VFR is pretty sexy

 

If you're used to V-Twins any other motor config is going to feel like it needs to be spooled up. It's not that hard to keep it in the powerband though. I've ridden a FZ6 and FZ1 at my old job, the amount of clutch/gas action necessary to get things going isn't a put off (for me).

Though personally, the sound of a bike doesn't really play into my consideration of them, I like how a bike feels more than its aesthetics and grumble; once you become used to the sound of a bike you don't really 'hear' it unless you're consciously focusing on it.

I don't know what it is, but something about the FZ6 just clicks for me, if it doesn't do it for you... well, that's why there exists variety!

Motorcycles are more personal than any car/truck/etc. could ever be, find what just clicks for you and :rockon:

 

Trust me, the SV will be way more fun to ride than the FZ. Inline 4's are boring & buzzy. I've never ridden the FZ's but then again, I don't really care too. I have ridden both the SV650 & 1000. On the 1000, it was next to impossible to keep the front wheel on the ground. The 1000 had Arrow cans on it. Few things in this world sound better than a 90 degree V2 with good cans on it. When I rode the SV650, my friend & I switched bikes for a few miles. After jumping off the VFR & onto it, the bike was so much smaller & lighter, it felt like getting on a moped. My friend said switching to the VFR was like switching onto a Cadillac.

Another thing to consider here, how big are you? One of the fellow MSF coaches on base has a 2006 Yamaha R6. When he parks next to my bike, it looks like a Ford Ranger parked next to a F250. VFR's are not good small people bikes.

As far as differences, I think they tweaked the VTEC slightly in either 06 or 07. Aside from that, they are all pretty much the same.

As far as mileage on a used bike, Honda V4's are quite well known for being totally bullet proof & last forever.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

I have never ridden a bike that is as easy to ride hard as my VFR. So smooth and predictable! The 6th Gen is a bit of a Jekyl and Hyde bike though - keep the revs below 6800 (in my case with a 2004) and no ruffles - but not very thrilling and very little torque. Great for the commute. Crank it above 7000 and it has plenty of power! But the gas gauge drops noticeably! Still, it's a lot of fun above 7000. I can match my brother's Ducati 748 with a lot less effort than he's putting into the ride. But the liter bikes dump me in the straights. After all, I am making about 100 hp to their 130+ hp. No comparison there.

Avoid riding at the VTEC transition point and all is well - the transition isn't jerky or unsettling or anything like that, but the character of the engine changes at that point. It is annoying to ride at that point and have the engine switch back and forth from 2-valve to 4-valve operation. But that's what the transmission is for. And it's a very smooth transmission!

However, I do not belong to the Church of the 6th Gen VFR. There are lots of great bikes out there. It all depends on what kind of riding you want. And then there's the personal preference thing. You don't like inline-4s. That's great. Don't buy one. What I hate is when smartasses try to tell me what I should like or shouldn't like based on THEIR personal preferences. As if they knew what I like . . . .

 

Interesting, I have a riding buddy who has a 2003 SV 1000 S. We switched bikes (mine's a '99 5th Gen) and we offered this feedback on our bikes:

Honda VFR:
One word that can sum this bike is pure. The powerband is very wide and linear. You can haul some serious a$$ even only shifting at 9K rpm. Oh and you can ride for hours and hours without needing a chiropractor. The bike is a bit on the heavy side though at around 475 pounds. At low speeds the bike feels sluggish and the weight shows. But the bike is really stable and doesn't show any sign of squirrely behavior. Turns aren't as quick as the SV 1000 and do require a little more effort.

SV 1000:
What a fun bike! I couldn't believe how easy it is to take off. You can even take off without twisting the right hand. Just feather the clutch out and you'll start moving with all that torque. Only thing is the constant vibration from the V-twin gets really old. If you lug the engine the bike turns into a paint shaker. But the bike is really light and makes for some easy turns. After driving the bike for about 40 minutes I needed to take a break because my right wrist was seriously sore from the awkward leaning forward position.

KC-10 said that the SV 1000 can outhandle the VFR. Well, it may be just me but I can keep up with my SV 1000 buddy even when he tries to "lose" me he he! I'm a firm believer in that it's the driver not the bike. However, I do have to work harder to keep up with him. Sometimes I'm dragging my footpegs and he's not even down that low.

One interesting thing I noticed about both bikes is they offer different perspectives on speed. The SV 1000 makes you feel like you're going faster than you really are. The VFR makes you feel like you're going slower than you really are. When I first got my VFR I accidentally got way over the speed limit without realizing it many times. It's just so smooth and refined that going fast feels like you're just hurrying along instead of launching to warp speed.

True story, I was at a toll booth and I saw a Ferrari 360 Modena taking off and I only wanted to speed up a little so I can take a close look at the car and I ended up outrunning him and getting in front of him without really trying that hard. I seriously didn't feel like I was going warp speed at all.

Because of this the VFR can be a little on the boring side and if you just want pure adrenalin the SV might be a better choice for you

One other thing is if you're planning on taking a passenger onboard the VFR is a much better choice because the seating is more comfortable. My buddy's wife doesn't like riding the back on the SV 1000 because the seat's hard and way up there. I took his wife on my VFR (buddy wanted to take his Mom along and teach her to ride) and she was really surprised at how comfortable it is for a sport bike.

In summary, if you want just plain raw fun and don't mind having to take a break every hour, get the SV 1000. Otherwise if you want to be able to ride across states and still have energy left to carve twisties get the VFR.

As a side note, I strongly recommend looking at the 5th gen VFRs (years 98-01) You can still find good ones for sale. The 6th gen VFRs are nice but the VTEC leaves much to be desired plus it's note quite as sporty as the 5th gen.

And I'm spent... hope that'll help out!

 

Curious, I really wonder what that transition point would feel like. Currently I ride a 650R Ninja, fun bike but I want more... S2R Monster was appealing but the price and maint of a Duc... well need I say more? I really like the idea of low end torque but want something fun yet practical. It seems like the VFR could do what I want. Too many bike, not enough money LOL!!!

 

Just to throw my 2 cents in. I currently own an 04vfr. I've had the bike 8 months and put about 8k miles on it. Before the vfr I had an 06 honda 599. Yes it's an inline 4 and a naked bike, much like the sv. In the year I had the 599, I put 11k miles on it. One thing is to agree with the great feedback you're getting from everyone. Both bikes have been used on numerous 600 mile weekends. The big difference in the two is their freeway abilities, and passenger comforts. The naked bikes aren't very comfortable on the freeway for more than an hour. The vfr is very stable and smooth on the road. Even at high speeds down the freeway, the vfr has the illusion of cruising along in the slow lane. The vfr seems to have plenty of torque, even carrying a passenger, it gets up and goes. The sv would be quite a bit more fun on the back roads, and a little easier to manuver. These are the only two bikes I have owned. So not a lot to base my info on.

 

You make a great point here comparing the VFR to a naked bike. A fully faired bike will almost universally be more comfortable on the long haul compared to naked bikes.

My wife is almost afraid to go fast on the Hawk GT. It weighs about 360lb & has 42HP so it shouldn't scare anyone. When she rides the VFR (515lb & 100HP), she said she's much more comfortable & therefore rides faster & harder. I usually have no trouble keeping up with her when I'm on the Hawk since she is a very cautious rider & I basically ride the Hawk like I stole it. I flog the ever loving crap out of that little bike & it leaves me smiling each & every time. I've yet to find a street scenario where I was able to completely flog the crap out of the VFR. The Cherohala Skyway would be the closest so far.

No matter what Ducati says, Honda invented the naked sport bike catagory with the 89 NT650 Hawk GT but they never take any credit for it.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

You guys have been great with the information, I really appreciate it!:biggrin:

 

Dlan, where are you? I've got a sixth gen VFR and a 04 FZ6 is you want to compare the two. The FZ6 is naked though, I had to rebuild it after the previous owner wrecked all the plastic.

 

My .02 cents & no I'm not going to rip on the 6th Gen

I've owned both, as well as the TLR 1000 (raced it, but later replaced it with a 998 Duc & RC51) there is no comparison to the VFR & the SV, although I'm a twin lover, the SV1000 (SV 650 & your current bike is a better bike than the SV1000) would not be my pick over the VFR

VFR is just all around everything better in every department (especially with some improvements).

That said, I love my little Hawk (little Chicken) & like KC, ride it like I stole it & is just Sh_ts & giggles when I'm on it track or street & teaching .

Now if you are still interested in a fun, comfy twin, there's the Honda SuperHawk (SuperChicken:biggrin: ) that I liked a hole lot more than the SV1000, & can be set up as a sport-tourer/canyon runner/commuter easily, as well as more comfortable.

there is other Duc's, but you already noted the lack of interest of higher maint., so I won't go there :wink: .


Good luck with your choice

 

my buddy has a sv650...so from my experience from that and my 98vfr...I'd have to say go with a 1998-1999 Fifth Gen VFR800. The 6th gens are nice, but they are more show than go if you ask me. More touring oriented than the 5th gens. The 5th gens have a good balance of sport and touring.

But your choice all depends on your riding. The sv650 is a nice bike, don't get me wrong, and it's loads of fun to ride, light and nimble, but for my money and how i ride...the VFR is the best choice hands down. I mostly commute but it's also my toy on the weekends and it can handle pretty much anything except the liter bikes. But, it's unique and doesn't have that inline-4 rice burner sound that gets real old, real fast. Plus, it's got comfy ergos for me. I'm 6'4" though. I have laugh at all the guys 5'10" and under on here... The power is decent too if you do a few mods ( I have +2 on the rear sprocket, K&N air filter, PCIII USB with an available map and will get a custom tune later this summer). It's great, even with 300lbs it can power wheelie...even if it's just a little lol.

And for touring, you can't beat the vfr when compared to the sv. I have a ST windscreen, full set of givi bags, and a backpack if needed. Works great! Thinking about getting a rear seat bag and tank bag for those short trips w/o the givi rack and for the long trips when i need more stuff.

The only thing besides nimbleness and flickability that the sv has going for it if you ask me is maybe the gas mileage may be slightly better...depending on your riding ofcourse.

 

Man, I really appreciate the offer. Nothing like first hand experience to answer
these types of questions but I'm in So Cal, Temecula area. Thanks for the thought though!!

A friend of mine tells me I over analyze things such as this question that you all have been helping me on. I just like to think I'm doin my homework:wink:

 

What a great opportunity. I stopped by a dealer today and he had these two bike sitting right next to eachother, go figure! I sat on both and there is no comparison, the VFR is much more suited to my needs. They both were used, the VFR is an 02 going for $4299 but has 80K miles. That seem like a lot of miles.

What type of mileage can one expect from a VFR???

 

No need to say anything, good ole KC said what I'd say. also as mentioned by Taz a Vt1000 super hawk isn't a bad way to go either.