Yamaha Fazer v Suzuki SV 650

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Mon 20 Oct 2008 14:36
Yamaha Fazer v Suzuki SV 650 - apm
Hi all,

Some of you may have seen my thread on BMW F650CS v Honda Firestorm.

Well, I've ruled out the Firestorm as not commuter friendly, being a real stretch to the bars and a bit big to move about comfortably for me (only 5'5")

I saw a 650CS, but it was a shed. Nice enough, but there aren't any other near me (a rare beast).

Anyway.

I did have a sit on a 2000 MY Fazer- seemed to be just the ticket. Short enough for me to paddle around, nice and upright, faired, fuel gauge (this is still unusual on a motorcycle), and nearly 100bhp to play with. The one I saw was way overpriced, but I'm off to see a more reasonable sounding one on saturday (2000W, 18k, 12m MOT & tax, good condition, £1700). But, at a dealer, I also had a sit on an unfaired 2007 reg SV650 (3300 miles), which was up for £2995. Seems like a bargain (compared to others I have seen advertised), and I do love a nice V-twin (Micron pipe legal but 'fruity'). No MOT to worry about for a while, looks fantastic in red.

I will test ride both on the weekend, which should help my decision, but might well not be definitive.

So, what I have to do is find enough reasons convince myself (and the Mrs) to spend the extra £1300 or so on the SV, or just get the Fazer (assuming it's decent) and have enough left for a tooth implant (instead of a bridge)..



Thoughts appreciated!

Many TIA,

Alex.

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Mon 20 Oct 2008 16:04
Yamaha Fazer v Suzuki SV 650 - cheddar
The Fazer is faster, bullet proof engine (I know of one worth over 230k miles on it), great handling and brakes, the SV is pretty unique, the only other middle weight v-Twins being Ducati Monsters and is also good handling though without the top end rush of the Fazer. Also Yamahas are much better finished.

You are not comparing like for like, you could get a 2003 Fazer (the last of that model) with very low mileage for a lot less than the SV, also a much newer FZ6 (or similar Honda Hornet) for three grand.
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Mon 20 Oct 2008 16:25
Yamaha Fazer v Suzuki SV 650 - NARU
I have a 2001/X-reg Fazer in my garage with less than 2000 miles on it; I don't get to ride it that often but it always starts first time and runs well (perhaps because it does get its annual service even though the miles don't warrant it). I think they're a great bike, but I'm probably biased!

My dealer tells me there's quite a market for the early fazers; they were one of the best all-rounders, before bikes got caught up with the tighter emissions control standards.

I'm planning to keep mine for a while yet.
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Mon 20 Oct 2008 18:41
Yamaha Fazer v Suzuki SV 650 - SteVee
My username should suggest what I think of the SV ...
I did like the Fazer 600 on carbs - I didn't like it so much when injected; the engine had the wrong tuning for the style of bike (IMO).

Take a look at the UK based forums for both bikes - the SV certainly had an active forum when I had mine. I think Yamaha dealers are better than Suzuki dealers generally - but I don't use bike dealers much.
I still miss my SV - it was just so much fun.

I don't think you could go wrong with either bike, in good condition.
Good luck with the viewings.
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