[Imagin]

You cant go wrong with either bike. I will say that ive been reading more and more often about the praise the motorcycle mags are giving to the 650F as to how perfect the bike is for all needs. The SV has allways been in interesting choice that is a blast to ride. The new 650F is a kat. It does everything well. Commuter. Check. Hit some twisties. Check. Not kill your body trying to feng shui onto the bike. Check.

Honestly go sit on both of them and get the one that feels better to you. If the dealer allows test rides then take full advantage of it. I will say thought that it definitly is nice to not have to mess with carbs....

[On1wheel01]

I had a 99 sv650. And straight smoked a few katanas, both are good bikes. The sv handles awesome. Especially with a gsxr rear shock

[Süsser Tod]

To be honest I've yet to see the GSXF 650, but I do know it is a Bandit with fairings and, well, basically the same engine as the Kat600 but with 50cc more and watercooled.

What I do know is that the SV650 is more or less as fast as a pre-98 Katana 750, in a straight line, it will smoke the Kat on the twisties as it is way lighter.

As for what bike is better...

I would chose the SV650. It should be faster, lighter and the design is much newer than that of the Bandit.

[scottynoface]

Sv650

[cameron]

if i caught your weight right 280lbs. get a sv 1000 or bandit 1250. im at 240lbs and i have been on those little 600 bikes. trust me you will love the bigger bikes. i got a honda vtr 996 vtwin and the bike feels grate next to the sv650. and the torque of the big v twins is awsome. not to mention the big v-twins sound mean as hell with the right pipes. my 2cents

[ThAzKat]

2009 SV650SF, that is a awesome looking machine

[KenpachiZaraki]

SOME ONE GET HIM A SIDE CAR!!!!

well, I found out the wifey is prego....so it's either a total replacement now, or keep the Kat. I want to atleast upgrade to a post 98 bike now. We'll see!

[XKillerEliteX]

2009 SV650SF, that is a awesome looking machine

[GSXF]

I would go with the SV for more parts and upgrades available, and cheaper to replace. Do a ebay search and you know what I mean. Beside, SV have a unique engine sound as it's a "V" configuration.

[soulpatch]

well, I found out the wifey is prego....so it's either a total replacement now, or keep the Kat. I want to atleast upgrade to a post 98 bike now. We'll see!

Could always talk me out of my Kat so that I could go another direction and get a used SV1000 or TL1000 or Busa.....

Works out for everyone....

HA HA

[JasonChen]

after a lot research done I decided to go with a SV.... but couldn't find a gray one with fairing

now I'm on a gsx650f and it's a great "all-around" bike, but performance-wise I'd say SV will do better with its torquey v-configure motor. plus it's proven a track-able bike

[artyboy]

I've ridden both of them and ended up buying the GSX. I'm 5'11 200 lbs. The SV certainly feels light but to me it felt too light. It felt kinda cheap and it was really buzzy. Also, you feel like you're sitting on top of it and not "in it". It just didn't inspire any confidence to me. The GSX650F is a lot bigger and feels more substantial. It's also much more comfortable, especially for a bigger guy. It's not buzzy at all. It's got plenty of extra power to haul a bigger guy's weight around. Just look at how much crap some of these sport touring guys load up on the backs of theirs. I keep seeing the same argument about the SV's engine being torquier and having more pull. I couldn't tell much of a difference in performance between the two. I'd give the edge to the GSX all the way through the rev range unless you're down around 3k. That's the only time that the SV felt stronger. I'd feel OK about recommending the SV to someone as a good starter bike. I wouldn't feel OK about recommending the GSX. The SV might be more fun on the track or to throw around in the twisties but the GSX650F is still a lot of fun and it's 100x more practical. For the price you get a LOT more bike with the GSX.

[H-2 CHARLIE]

are you up grading or your first bike ??? first bike it wont matter but uping up maybe just a 2002 or up might help you feel better . but if i up for sure a 1000 cc. or a 750 true sport bike ..my 2002 kat 600 is fine has power to blast into the red line from time to time for the that feeling and smooth power for putting in traffic too .

[katanawarrior]

Im 6'0 ... 230 lbs approximately, the SV just feels like the katana, but a little more SS'ish in the S configuration. I bought an 03 SV650S with full fairings. First things you'll realise, is the power is all around different. It's not mind blowing, but it is spread through the entire range, instead of having to keep the 4 cylinder of the GSX strung up to tap into it. Secondly, the front wheel is very light, with my big self on it, it still like's to come up when i want it, or ... when riding sprited rides, come up over a little hump in the road, and the front wheel will keep on carrying forward & up till you come off the throttle. Another thing I like about the SV is the plethora of aftermarket options, although the GSXF 650 is most likely supported the same, their are more "practical" power options (since its considered a decent track bike) compared to that of the I-4 of the GSXF. Really, after you get used to torquing the v-twin up some, it grows on you. Also, add a PC-3 and a full exhaust, and the TRE mod, and the thing comes unglued, its pretty wicked. I am somewhat Biased, but having owned a Kat and an SV I can be fair both ways.

[olds_cool63]

Well...I seen and sat on a new GSX650F today. REALLY nice. Didn't get a chance to ride today, unfortunately.

First impression? I'd buy one...

Nuff said.

olds_cool63

DON'T BE A SQUIDIOT!