2004 599 or 2001 SV650s?

[sbaker33]

Ok, Last time I bug ya'll. I am seriously making a decision this weekend.

Which should I choose? I have been riding about a year and have 7500 miles under my belt. All of those miles on a 250 Ninja. I ride to and from work 70 miles round trip and fun rides on the weekends.

Without cost as an option, which would you pick and why?

Thanks and I promise this will be the last thread on the subject. ;-)

[Rocket_Cowboy]

Man ... that's a loaded question. Two totally different bikes ... the SV is a twin, so there's gobs of torque down low ... and it rides like a twin.

The 599 is an inline 4, so it's going to rev higher, and you're going to have to rev it higher to get into the power.

Both bikes are great bikes. The only complaint that I've heard about the 599 is that it's a Honda, and therefore has no personality, but then again, I'm Suzuki biased. :D

[kurt]

I voted for the SV, but if I were deciding between a three-year old SV and a new 599, I'd just take the plunge and buy a new and cheaper 2004 (and warranted) SV.

[Squeaky]

I'm Suzuki-biased too, and I agree with txmedic that the new SV would be the best option. I like the idea of having the warranty, even if you never have to use it.

[sbaker33]

The 2001 is new and will have a warranty, I don't like the ergos (or looks) of the new SVs so I was really excited to find a leftover '01 still on the dealer floor. The older SVs has a lower seat and higher bars.
Since I commute and this is my primary mode of transportation, new with a warranty is my preference.

[kurt]

The 2001 is new and will have a warranty,

End of the debate! Come get it tomorrow (Is this the blue one at Central Texas Powersports?) and I'll help you load it.

[sbaker33]

They told me the blue one is sold. They have a '02 in silver but I found a red '01 here for a few hundred less.

[Squeaky]

New with a warranty, absolutely a good deal!
They have soooo many modifications available for the '02 and prior, you can make the bike truly your own.

Congrats on joining the SV club!

[pdef]

I voted for the SV only because I think 599s are overpriced, had the 919 been an option I would have picked that. The black ones with some carbon cans on them look and sound top notch.

Hondas have personality! ....I think. Mine still refuses to talk back to me. :-?

[wczimmerman]

Since I just upgraded from a carburated bike (Katana 600) to an 04 VFR with FI, the only thing I would add to this is err on the side of fuel injection. You won't be sorry. The SV is fuel injected, the 599 is not.

I am a huge Honda fan.

[sbaker33]

The '01 SV is not FI. That came with the '03 models.
-sbaker

[wczimmerman]

Oops. Guess I shoulda read the original post more closely. My mistake.

[VFRinAustin]

Shannon,

Of course I voted for the SVS but I am a little biased. From reading your previous posts it sounds like your heart is really with the 599, and really I am all for going with what in the end will make you feel best. The SVS is a great ride and really if you have an option for a 2002 vs a 2001 I would go with the 02, but thats just me, I like the preload adjustment that much.

Good luck, and I hope the next time we meet you are on whatever you really wanted.

BTW, who is getting the little 250, the wife perhaps.

[AggieVFR]

While I'm admittedly a Honda man, I voteed for the SV. Having babysat my friend's SV on a few occasions, I'd have to say that it is a great bike. Easy to ride, an absolute BLAST in the corners, and tons of torque down low to make riding a whole lot more fun than the entry price would suggest. While the 599 should have Honda's trademark reliability, the SV has proven to be rock solid in that department, so that's not an issue. Basically it boils down to what you prefer. Personally I prefer a V-style engine over an inline. I was brought up from an early age with V8s in my blood, so the sound of an inline just doesn't appeal to me, nor does the buzziness at certain rpms. I know that'll start up some debate, but remember, that's just my personal opinion, not a professional observation. I love the broad torque curve of v-twins and v-fours, so the SV is a natural choice. If you can get the '01 new from the crate with the same warranty as a brand new bike, I'd say jump on it. You won't regret your decision. Enjoy. :-D

[strat1701]

cool, another kawasaki rider! I'm green biased, go with a Ninja ZX6R! More power than the Ninja 250, and not that heavy too.

strat1701

[02Silver]

I voted for the SV because the 599 is too high. I might be selling my FZ1 to buy a KLR650 or BMW 650 and they are cheaper than a 599 (new vs used but a lot more bike. For the money, I'd buy a used bike if you don't need to finance. If financing is in the pic, then the new one isn't so bad because of favorable interest rates...nothing quite like new :)

Unless you can't find a decent Yamaha dealer, I'd consider the FZ6 as well. I'm pretty much locked into Honda or Kawasaki now due to Dale's Fun Center in Victoria being the best dealer in this part of the world..I love Yamaha's but our Yamaha dealer is worthless. They (Dales) do have a 599 on the floor and have good prices.

[Anonymous]

Unless you can't find a decent Yamaha dealer, I'd consider the FZ6 as well. I'm pretty much locked into Honda or Kawasaki now due to Dale's Fun Center in Victoria being the best dealer in this part of the world..I love Yamaha's but our Yamaha dealer is worthless. They (Dales) do have a 599 on the floor and have good prices.

You're in Port Lavaca? Stop by and give me a holler some time. I'm the guy on Broadway with the little bikes out for sale and the driveway full of broke bikes I'm always repairing. :-D Next to Young's car wash.

[Jack Giesecke]

Oops, forgot to sign in. That was me. I've got an 01 SVS BTW.