No replacement.

[Phoenix]

So I was searching last spring for a good deal on a Buell XB when a super cheap gen 1 SV650s came up for a price I couldn't pass up on. I figured they where pretty well reviewed and still had a V-Twin so why not.

I was kinda up in the air as far as liking it but I put new tires on it, cleaned the carb's, replaced some busted up parts from when the PO ran out of talent and ran it for the entire year.

And after a full year of riding it, I can't really describe it, but the SV just gives me no pride of ownership. It realy feels like a cheap generic piece of souless Jap Crap. I don't even want to spend another dime on it. I really don't get the attraction with these SV's. If I pull up to a stoplight on it next to other bikers I want to hide and not even be seen on it. It's like I can feel my testosterone getting drained. The exhaust sounds like a dang Honda Del Sol with a fart can on it.

How can there in all honesty be people who claim that the XB's are unrefined and sub par in comparison to the SV's? I just don't get it...

 

[Loki]

Ive never heard anyone say that and they did it is just because they are jealous of what they dont have.

 

[mar67655]

I owned a first gen put gsxr suspension wheels all the goodies .i bought my buell Sv was sold your right no personality there super reliable
But visually just another boring. I don't miss it.

 

[Zeroflat24]

I had an 06 sv650s and it was a great bike. Obviously my 12r is far better but for a cheap quick, well handling bike that never breaks down sv650s are a good buy.

 

[Dave A]

I thought I could ride a 500r as a commuter. It looked great, ran great, but it had no soul. Sold it and bought a T100 and then a Vmax. If its not different I'm really not interested.

 

[captain chaos]

......If I pull up to a stoplight on it next to other bikers I want to hide and not even be seen on it. It's like I can feel my testosterone getting drained. The exhaust sounds like a dang Honda Del Sol with a fart can on it.

How can there in all honesty be people who claim that the XB's are unrefined and sub par in comparison to the SV's? I just don't get it...

Who cares what "other bikers" think when they see you on it? I quit caring what other people thought (especially fickle image conscious "bikers" ) a LONG time ago. Their opinions aren't worth me putting forth the effort to care about 99% of the time.

If you don't like it just sell it. Tax returns will be coming out before too long, you can probably unload it then and start looking for a replacement. [up]
I think the Unrefined/ sub par opinion stems from the fact that an SV matches a 9 in performance (straight line acceleration anyway) with an engine that's over 300cc's smaller. The SV1000 is a better match in terms of engine size and it will flat out blow a 9 away. That being said, I enjoyed the 9 I had immensely and would chose it over an SV any day because it's the better package.

Anyway, if you don't like the SV just move on. there's lots of great bikes out there and lots of Buells to still be found. [up]

 

[FlaXB9R]

I think the Unrefined/ sub par opinion stems from the fact that an SV matches a 9 in performance (straight line acceleration anyway) with an engine that's over 300cc's smaller.

I beg to differ I have a friend with an 06 sv650 and my 9 will smoke his bike . I've rode it also and there is no comparison in power/speed any where . Unless he has a lemon but from my personal experience I call BS

 

[BuellRiderX]

Hey now .. I happen to love the SV650. The 2nd gen only though.

Bought this for 1600.

Mods

Lifted tail
Muffler (sorta)
Two stacked round lights in front.

I lowsided it and busted the radiator hose. Patched it up with duct tape and rode 30 mins home. Did I care all that much? Nope. Then I sold it for 1800. Fun bike.

 

[oh9bolt]

Here is my friends GSVR650, he likes it I hate it I call it a msf bike. We just did the gsxr fork swap, rear shock and wider rear wheel so he can run a 180 rear. I like the looks of the bike I dont like the riding of the bike.

 

[Phoenix]

The GSXR suspension is almost a requirement on these things. The front suspension is so underdampened on this thing it's rediculous. I did swap the fork oil for some heavier weight oil and it seemed to help though.

Oh9Bolt, that's the same HJC helmet I have sitting there in your pic BTW.

I know I can sell it and swap to an XB that was kinda my point. Just striking up an interesting conversation/comparison, that's all.

Chaos, If we all really realisticly stopped caring what other people think then we would all be riding around looking like spokes people for "The People of Walmart" website.

Honestly I think I'm spoiled on these Buells.

 

[captain chaos]

I beg to differ I have a friend with an 06 sv650 and my 9 will smoke his bike . I've rode it also and there is no comparison in power/speed any where . Unless he has a lemon but from my personal experience I call BS

As per MCN testing:
03 XB9R- 1/4mi [email protected] speed 127 (“S” models will be similar)
03 SV650s 1/4mi [email protected] speed 126
They have another 03 SV quoted as running an 11.63 but that seems like a bit of a fluke so I chose a slower one to compare.
I’d say the SV matches the Buell pretty nicely, especially considering the 300+cc deficit. Now, on a curvy road there is no comparison, the Buell has the FAR superior chassis, suspension and brakes. The Buell will probably feel faster because of the much stronger bottom end but in reality they should pretty much be a dead even match given equal riders. You know what they say though, "individual results may vary".

Chaos, If we all really realisticly stopped caring what other people think then we would all be riding around looking like spokes people for "The People of Walmart" website.

I couldn’t care less what people think and I’m FAR cry from looking like THAT. I may be homely and unstylish but I sure as heck haven’t gone THAT far!
My original point was that there is no sense in caring what other people think to the point that it influences what you like or dislike. If you like something then do it proudly regardless of what anyone else thinks or says. If you dislike something, then stand by that opinion and don’t pass it off as being because someone else said they didn’t like it or because you were made fun of. That’s all I was sayin’.

 

[kab]

I love my buell!!!!!!!!! Enough said

 

[anrkizm95]

the sv is a 12 sec bike low 12 if your good high 12 if your not.all the 11 sec stats are corrected et

 

[oh9bolt]

Oh9Bolt, that's the same HJC helmet I have sitting there in your pic BTW

Yeah that is the sv owners helmet, it is a cool helmet other than it NOT coming with a chin curtain or breath guard [confused]. He bought the optional breath box (which is pretty cool) and a chin curtain.