**Wrecked XB9SX--SO: SV650S? Firebolt?

[Fin]

Hey all--

Well I'm healing up enough from my Labor Day weekend accident (see prior post) to start looking @ bike's again.

Unfortunately, my '09 XB9SX was totaled. I loved her--may she R.I.P.


As much as I loved it, thought it might be time for a change & I have a question:

Anyone ever gone with a 1/2-faired 'Zuk SV650S? Likewise, I was wondering if anyone went from a Lightning to a Firebolt & how they felt about the switch (or vice-versa if anyone went 'Bolt to Lightning).

There's a local 2007 SV650 as well as a 2004 'Bolt, both for sale & look good.

I know we're Buell-biased here (as am I), but I was just looking for different perspectives from people who have ridden or know owners of both these other types of bikes. I was a one-bike dude until my CityX was killed. Grieving continues, but I'm thinking about a "new relationship."

Many thanks in advance for your thoughts & safe riding,


--Finny

 

[twoguns]

teh sv650 is a great bike. good gearing and has no worries performing well. a good set of staintune pipes or the like makes for an awesome noise. upright position like hte lightning. i personally had a sv1000. my missus had a cagiva 650 (same engine) and i have a mate now with the sv650 cause here they can be learner restricted.

the firebolt is my fav. i like hte sound, and i like hte bike. i like the look and how easy it is to change colour etc if you want a change. the riding position is a little more forward, but not like a japanese sport bike. i like it better than the lightning, but i can understand when i hear mates on lightnings who are happy sitting up. my lady has both a xb9sx and a xb12r. she loves how smooth and 'lazy' the 12 seems. nice power etc, but she likes sitting on her lightning.

hope that helps. if you like the love of buells then get another buell, but if you like twins, then there are a lot of options.

 

[oh9bolt]

SV's are not bad bikes. My buddy had a naked S before it was totaled.

He now has a 08 S that we recently did a full GSXR suspension swap and added a GSXR rear wheel with a 180 tire.

My vote is Buell, but it is your bike and your money.

 

[Fin]

Thanks TwoGuns & Oh9Bolt. Just the kind of feedback I was looking for.

I'd love to go with the 'Bolt, but the Zook has a lot going for it as well (not the least of which is parts/service are readily available. Wth, Harley?)

Great photos!

Is it easy to fit bar-lifts/risers on the 'Bolt to achieve more upright ergo's, or does that diminish the fun/capability of the bike?

 

[J20tD]

I had a sv650 for a long time, it was a good bike and probably one of my favorites next to my bell of course. All in all i would definitely get another one. They are super comfortable and are closer to the naked crotch rocket look, however my buell is everything ive ever wanted haha, but they are nice bikes.

 

[Zeroflat24]

I had 06 SV650s for a little over a year. It was a lot of fun for a light, relatively cheap bike. I would say it would pain me to go back to the SV after the buell. Obviously the SVs run a billion times smoother but they dont have as much power (duh) but it is neat looking and very rider friendly. I would suggest the sv1000 if you can find one.

 

[go cytocis]

It's been a while since I have been on either an XB9 or an SV but my recollection is that they are pretty close in terms of 1/4 mile acceleration. The XB will offer more low end grunt whereas the SV will like to rev a bit higher.  The SV is more refined and will be bullet proof. 

If you are looking to switch it up, why not go for the SV? Life is long, own lots of different bikes!

 

[stensg]

I've got a sv650 and its rather boring compared to my Buell but I do have a 1125r so its kinda hard to top

 

[Dingo]

I was driving a 2000 650 N with a lot of Mods...... then i got my Firebolt and sold the 650....
go back to a 650..[confused] no thanks!

 

[NSEGE]

I have an xb9sx, and had the chance to ride a friend's sv650 last week.... they're kinda the same in a different way. The SV is rated at 73 hp...'bout the same as the '9.... its redlined at 11,000 and turns 6k at 70mph, but is as smooth as the Buell. Obviously not the torque, and requires a couple of downshifts to keep up (the sv has a 6 speed trans) Its a bit longer, but the riding position is about the same (the Zuke had the naked, upright setup).

I felt a bit more confident in the Buell in the twisties, but they're very similar.... I love the Buell for its uniqueness, handling and brakes, but if I didn't have the '9 I'd strongly consider a SV.

 

[Fin]

It's good to hear that discussion of the SV is tolerated, even encouraged on our Buell site. I'm partial to Buell's too (hence considering a 'Bolt this time around) but there are more SV's out there for the taking & they seem like nice bikes. Riding one was a dream. Tough choice. Keep the comments flowing; you guys are helping shake the apples out of the tree.

 

[crawfo]

It seems to me that my xb9sx is slightly quicker than my buddies sv650, just my 2 cents. I think a Buell is WAY more fun to ride, i've ridden both.

 

[Rhino1]

My neighbor (and good friend) in Seattle has an '07 SV650S, with sorted suspension and a Yoshimura slip-on. It is an exceptionally fun, flickable bike to ride. It wheelies well, and handles superbly. I really like it. But I don't love it. It doesn't have the character/je nes ses quoi that the Buell does... And that about sums it up.

 

[stellio78]

I had a 2007 SV650N before I bought my 2010 XB12Ss and the only really bad point about the SV was the suspension. If you get an SV upgrade the suspension before you spend money on anything else.

 

[BuellRiderX]

Believe it or not, given the choice, I'd buy an SV. With upgraded suspension and a nice exhaust, it'll be a sick bike.

I really miss mine

 

[iman501]

I've put seat time on a sv1000. Great engine, tranny and very comfy. I didn't like how it was in the corners at all though, I imagine a gsxr susp. Swap would help. That was the only issue I saw with the Sv

 

[d_adams]

If any amount of commuting is involved, I'd skip the sv. I had one about 4-5 years ago and had to move on once my commute hit 25 miles one way. Getting tossed around on that by wind buffets sucked. If it's all back roads and track use, it's a competent bike and easy to get parts for. Mine had an Ohlins shock, racetek front end, the M4 exhaust, properly jetted, Woodcraft rearsets and some other bits on it when I picked it up. Stable as anything I'd ever ridden, up to 130+ mph. Just no wind protection and it was pretty light feeling in crosswinds, in a bad way.