Originally posted by: zixxer
Originally posted by: MaluMan
I was looking into either the zzr600, 650r, f4i or the sv650s as my second bike (I currently own a 250--been over a year). The 650 seems to be the most tame of the four which is fine as I wasn't going to race but what gets me are those handle bars ... they just see way to high. I know many ppl have swapped the bars for another set (which make the bike just about perfect), I just wish it came stock w/lower bars.
Nice bike, ride safe!
as mikemike said - the sv650s has the headlight fairing, a slightly shorter swingarm (better handling - worse on highway and less stable in general - not a big deal though, or that noticable), and clip ons which are shorter/lower. Also, a guy named srinath (AWESOME guy btw.. he's at gstwins.com) use to make bars for the normal sv that were lower.
Of the ones you listed, the zzr600 and f4i are competitors, and the sv650 and 650r are competitors. the zzr and f4i are inline 4 "sportbikes" (both were top of their class not long ago, the f4i in particular is not far off at all from the RR in most track times), while the sv and 650r are imo standards (both twins, the sv is a vtwin, the 650r a parallel. Most magazine review the sv650 as a better bike - but there really is nothing wrong with the 650r imo. I personally haven't ridden one so I can't tell you a first hand opinion.
f4i - very very smooooth motor. almost silent. This is good or bad - even with an exhaust they're kind of raspy ricerish. Comfortable for a 'true' sportbike - not as comfy as my zx6r though it seemed to take a lot to lift it up after a curve. could have been the tires on it.
zzr600 - I rode one for awhile - although it was an 00 zx6r.. which is the same bike. Noisy motor - typical friggin kawi chain tensioners. Not comfortable imo - at all. They may have changed the seat. The gauges were boring too
sv650 - I have one, an '03. It's okay. Being a twin, it's loud and the motor is 'throaty'. gobs and gobs of torque. kind of a wimpy looking rear tire (if you care).. a 160. Brakes are, imo, not that great at all. suspension is not bad. I like the gauge setup - easy to read. weight seems high up in the frame - kind of ackward sometimes parking because of it. Corners are fantastic.. you hardly have to lean at all - just 'point and shoot'. Tons of fun in the mountains, but not comfortable at ALL. I found a place that's going to redo the foam in my seat.
650r - never ridden one. magazines say they're very comfortable, not as quick as the sv and doesn't handle as well. parallel twins are good designs (similar to a suzuki gs500, etc), looks cool.
If I had to pick, I would get the f4i, sv650, zzr600, 650r - in that order, if I only had to have one bike. I really like the f4i's - proven reliability, decent ergo's, cheap to fix/maintain... just a good bike. If you like the 'split seat' (seperate passenger seat look) you can swap the rear from the older f4i's. they changed them to banana seats in '03 (I think?) when the RR came out to make it look 'tamer'.
With the sv, I personally prefer the '03+. Better brakes, better frames, much better replaceable sub frames, etc etc. Some people like the look of the older ones - to each his own. You can add the lowers and make it look 'sportier'.
Watch out with the sv's... a lot of them are 'ragged out'. Since they've become so popular many of them are abused. I looked at many before settling on mine.
ok im done w/ the huge posts for today