Well, I just hafta share this. I just spent some vacation time in Texas visiting my daughter and her husband. She has just purchased a 2003 SV650S, full fairing and Hendle high mount. Really nice looking bike, sounds incredible. So we all go for a long ride in what passes for Texas countryside roads. There's four of us and we trade bikes as we ride (I borrow a friend's YZF600R...nice bike), stopping to get gas...trade bikes. Stop to eat...trade bikes. I end up riding the daughter's SV home, about 45 minutes ripping down I20 towards Arlington. Now, I don't think she visits this site, so I hope I don't crush her feelings too much here, but I was really disappointed in the bike for anything approaching long distance. Give me my Katana anytime!!
Why? Well, for starters, the riding positions are very different. The SV, for all the talk about comfort, was horrific on my upper arms and neck. After about 30 minutes I wanted OFF! The power and handling was as advertised, but jeez, if you can't sit in the saddle for more than 30 minutes...what's the point???
Also, the turn in was a little sluggish and "over-the-top", like a cam profile, as compared to my Katana. I attribute that to the wider wheels and tires on the SV. My Katana still rolls on the stock 140 rubber in the rear, and it leans into a corner with a lot less initial effort.
So all those hours I've spent sitting on SV650s at the Zook dealer didn't tell me anything about how the bike fits me in the real world. Now, my daughter and her husband have both riden my Katana and, compared with the SV they love their new SV, so I was careful to avoid dissing their toy too much, but it sure made my Katana look good when I got home...
Why? Well, for starters, the riding positions are very different. The SV, for all the talk about comfort, was horrific on my upper arms and neck. After about 30 minutes I wanted OFF! The power and handling was as advertised, but jeez, if you can't sit in the saddle for more than 30 minutes...what's the point???
Also, the turn in was a little sluggish and "over-the-top", like a cam profile, as compared to my Katana. I attribute that to the wider wheels and tires on the SV. My Katana still rolls on the stock 140 rubber in the rear, and it leans into a corner with a lot less initial effort.
So all those hours I've spent sitting on SV650s at the Zook dealer didn't tell me anything about how the bike fits me in the real world. Now, my daughter and her husband have both riden my Katana and, compared with the SV they love their new SV, so I was careful to avoid dissing their toy too much, but it sure made my Katana look good when I got home...
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