SV650 or CBR F4i?

HiImBrian · 05-05-2012

I've had my SV650 for not quite a year and put around 3000 miles on it. I like the bike, but catch myself trying to lay down on the bike so that I don't get blown around so much on the highway. This causes me to get sore after long rides. I love the torque down low, and the rumble of the 90 degree V twin, but I'm not sure if this is enough to keep me from switching over to a cbr.

My roommate has a 2001 cbr f4i and I've ridden that a fair amount. The bike feels about the same weight and isn't much harder to turn/lean with. I really like the fact that it's lower to the ground which makes it more comfortable when I'm at a stoplight and can sit flat footed. The cbr doesn't have the torque that the sv does, but it shines a lot more at higher speeds. One of the biggest things I like about the cbr is that it's 4 cylinder motor is much smoother than the Vtwin.

I'd like advice on what stands out to you guys. The cbr is selling for about $3000 w/ 3700 miles on it. I feel pretty confident I could resell the bike and make a couple bucks if I change my mind later on.

vs

tpunx99GSX · 05-05-2012

Ive always been a fan of the CBRs, i almost got a 600RR before i left for california. Love the look of those.

HiImBrian · 05-05-2012

You got that right! I can't help but feel a little "less cool" when I pull up by a rocket or ride up by one even though the SV is a pretty quick bike.

93gtpeater · 05-05-2012

I would buy that cbr f4i. Thats a really good deal if you look at cl they go for more. I rode a friends cbr and loved it for an older 600. I bought a cbr 929rr and I love it. I know its bigger then the f4i but its a honda and runs forever. I say buy the f4i and put some miles on that bad boy.

1999Gst · 05-05-2012

Yea that's really low miles and a awesome price, I would buy it in a heart beat .

blackawdtsi · 05-05-2012

That bike's just a baby. Make sure the seals / hoses / any rubber isn't rotting since it's sat it's whole life. And where is the front sprocket cover?

Other than that it appears to be a nice bike.

ETA: Just looked again, it's also missing the chain guard.

Super Bleeder!! · 05-05-2012

You know you can lower the SV right? Lowering links are your friend.

HiImBrian · 05-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackawdtsi

That bike's just a baby. Make sure the seals / hoses / any rubber isn't rotting since it's sat it's whole life. And where is the front sprocket cover?

Other than that it appears to be a nice bike.

ETA: Just looked again, it's also missing the chain guard.

Already found replacement parts for $40 locally. This does however, raise a flag to me. I'll be asking plenty of questions and looking over everything is close detail.

blackawdtsi · 05-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiImBrian

Already found replacement parts for $40 locally. This does however, raise a flag to me. I'll be asking plenty of questions and looking over everything is close detail.

I'd only go to yellow at this point. He may have had different sprockets on there (which is very common) and brought the bike back to stock gearing to sell. The front rotors are not stock and it has a steering dampner also if you hadn't noticed yet.

I just bought my 02 F4i three days ago. And looked at plenty that were no where near this condition and had zero aftermarket on them for more than this guy's asking. You might've found one of those great deals but try to get a back story for why he's selling it. And remember, bikes go down all the time. Even if this one was down once or twice, as long as it was fixed right (and everything else checked out), I'd still buy it for $3k.

The one thing I wish the state did, since they require engine #s; is to have a way to ask if what's on the bike is what they have without having to call and wait an hour on the phone. Because if the motor was replaced and you don't have a receipt, you're screwed. This isn't related to your purchase, just something that came to mind.

HiImBrian · 05-05-2012

The bike was a bust. It looked like the bike had been down on both sides, and the muffler was all crunched up and there was a huge kink in the exhaust. The grips on the side of the tank were all nasty and there were lots of marks where there used to be duct tape or something. I rode the bike up and down the block and it felt nothing like my friend's cbr. I was initially going to offer $2800 for the bike, but didn't even do that. I'll stick with my sv and maybe get some more aggressive handle bars or something.

I thought it might be too good to be true, and it was. I'll probably bank up some extra cash and buy something a little nicer next summer.

**JET** · 05-06-2012

I would recommend riding some other bikes too. Hondas didn't get remotely exciting until pretty recently. Yamaha's and Suzuki's are much more fun to ride, along with certain Kawi's. Yamaha is usually more twitchy with quick turn in and the Suzuki and Kawi are usually more stable, but take a little more effort to turn in.

t-revzr · 05-06-2012

I would stay with the 650... I love my vtwin power! Granted im on a 1000 but nothing beats the tq! I know what you mean about the wind but i look past that because tq is so much fun! I dont know about your bike but my naked handles like a dream on the track! I use to own a gsxr 600 and after riding both I know that tq is just way more fun. Depends what you like more tho.. For me its the tq.. If youd like to try my bike out to see what a 1000 vtwin is like no prob you can take it for a ride. And I personally think any 600 besides a kawi is a good bike. Kawis are known for power, but they just cant get it to the pavement like the other bikes. Ive personally road a 636 and they are weak IMO and shitty to trun. Honda use to be the team to beat in motogp until 2005 or 2006 I believe. Then yamaha took over with Rossi and he developed the yamaha bike into a beast.

HiImBrian · 05-06-2012

^Yea I've thought about the sv1000 a little bit, but I think at this point I might just throw on some sport bars and call it good for a while. I'll pick up a nicer bike when I've got a little more capital built up.

Oh and I appreciate the offer to ride your bike, but I live in CO now so that'd be quite the trip haha.

HiImBrian · 05-06-2012

fml...Right after I told all the ppl that were interested in my sv that I was going to keep it I found this...

2002 R6 w/ 22,000 miles for $3400. Kinda nervous about the mileage but I'm gonna go look at it tomorrow and see how she moves.

blackawdtsi · 05-07-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiImBrian

fml...Right after I told all the ppl that were interested in my sv that I was going to keep it I found this...

2002 R6 w/ 22,000 miles for $3400. Kinda nervous about the mileage but I'm gonna go look at it tomorrow and see how she moves.

22,000 is pretty much nothing for a bike ten years old. Unless a grandma was riding it.

IMO, it's carb'd, run. Try finding an 03/04 with FI. If you do buy it, ask if the valves have been adjusted. It's due. If they haven't, take an instant $300-$400 off his price.

HiImBrian · 05-07-2012

awwwwwwwww i was thinking cbrs and thought that R6's went FI in 2001, but nope...that's the cbrs. fml

I did find a 2004 r6 with 12000 miles for $3100, but I haven't seen any pics of it. I wont keep my hopes up.

thanks for that!

blackawdtsi · 05-07-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiImBrian

awwwwwwwww i was thinking cbrs and thought that R6's went FI in 2001, but nope...that's the cbrs. fml

I did find a 2004 r6 with 12000 miles for $3100, but I haven't seen any pics of it. I wont keep my hopes up.

thanks for that!

Haha you sound like me a couple weeks ago. If ya got the bug, sell your SV. The right one will come along. Trust me when I say, you will find bikes you want for your price. But they will be gone within days now that summer's almost here. You're gunna need the cash then and there if you want it.

HiImBrian · 05-07-2012

Got the cash in this envelope next to me

**JET** · 05-07-2012

Remember that anything with over 15k miles is going to need the suspension rebuilt, should probably be done to any bike that age if it hasn't been already. I am looking at rebuilding it on my '05 with 8k miles. It definitely doesn't handle like new any more.

HiImBrian · 05-07-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by JET

Remember that anything with over 15k miles is going to need the suspension rebuilt, should probably be done to any bike that age if it hasn't been already. I am looking at rebuilding it on my '05 with 8k miles. It definitely doesn't handle like new any more.

When you say suspension, are you just talking a new spring or shocks as well?