[SafetyFirst]

Anyone have anything good to say about it?

I’m not leaving the Ninja 250 anytime soon, but man does that look like a nice next bike.

Bigger engine, same torque as a I4 600cc sportsbike, less HP though probably for the best to keep the squid factor lower, heavier than the 600cc bikes though, but I think a much better and comfier bike from for daily rider. And it has fairings, and you guys know how nuts I get over fairings.

MPG is kinda a bummer, since my 250 gets probably 60 just riding around town and the twisties. Interstate sucks like anything else, though.

I kinda dig the ABS on front and rear. SafetyFirst likes safety features. Only thing I worry about is that I might forget everything I know about standard brakes, but then again, when the @#@# hits the fan, would I rather be alive or be picking myself off the pavement because I was either too lean on the braking, or locked it up to next week?

How do V-twins perform? Do they have a narrow powerband like the Ninja 250, or is it more linear?

[Munch]

I am kinda wondering if your confusing the results between torque and horsepower. Or maybe it’s just that we are from 2 different areas. The squids here want the torque. It’s what gets that front wheel off the ground and gets them outta the box quick. Remember, torque more easily put, is what throws your butt back against the seat horsepower is what keeps you there. You can have all the horsepower in the world but if you don’t have the torque to utilise it is not gonna mount to much.
As far as ABS goes…..most reviews on any bike that I have seen have left the editors with a feeling tha tyou have to try really hard to get it to activate. Meaning I wouldn’t worry too much about forgetting how to brake properly. Remember ABS’s only purpose is to modulate the hydraulic pressure quickly and at a calculated maximum braking point to help deter prolonged wheel lock up. The only thing I could see that could mess with you is if you went to an integrated braking system like Goldwings have.
As far as the difference between I4 and V-twin….. I am too old and like seeing the scenery I am riding through to worry about it.

[SafetyFirst]

So basically the only time ABS would help any is a situation where there’s no escape route, such as, “oh shit, a heard of deer just ran in front of me, and they’re taking up the whole road” or “oh shit, why’s there a semi blowing his red in front of me in the intersection.” Am I right?

I’ll be honest with you guys, my baby Ninja is still enough torque for me at the moment. It’s gotten less so the more time goes on. I’ll have to be honest, I haven’t been riding much as of late since my valves need adjustment and I’m too strapped for cash at the moment to get it done, and too big of a wuss to try to do it myself without someone who knows what’s going on standing by. You’d think with all that time away from the bike I’d ride like crap, but I took it for a spin the other day after a two week vacation, and I actually think I’m riding better. I think I was pushing myself too hard to get better. Sometimes maybe it’s OK to step back for a bit and go at it again, sort of like writing a paper in school? The 10 page paper written in the heat of the night before it was due was never as good as the one that was worked on piece by piece over a week.

[briderdt]

You’re looking at a newer model, obviouisly, but I’ll comment on the mpg…

I’ve tracked it all year, with a break in July (the last time I actually calculated it). At that point my overall AVERAGE was 60 mpg. And that was up from an overall average of 57 from February through May, so when my highway riding kicked in, the mpg went UP. BTW — that 60 number is the average that went February to July, so in the May-July time it was well above that.

I’m not a speed demon, but I’m not a granny either. No squidly riding. No hypermiling.

And it’s the only bike I’ve ridden, so I can’t compare it to an I-4 600 weight wise or handling wise. And I can’t comment on the ABS at all.

[WeaponZero]

V-Twins such as in the SV (I own one) have an EXTREMELY linear powerband.  Basically it doesn’t matter what gear you’re in, ever.  Downshifting?  What’s that?  You mean I can’t pass in the gear that I’m cruising in?  Says you!

Basically with an SV650 as long as you’re above 3k RPM it doesn’t matter what gear you’re in, you have the power to do whatever is needed/wanted.

[megaspaz]

I got me a 2007 sv650s abs model. I like it. the abs doesn’t bother me. i let other people ride the bike and some people like the abs and some people don’t. i myself, prefer to have it just in case. although, the object of the game is to not get into these pants soiling moments and/or to lock up the brakes in the first place.

[A]

I have a 09 Gladius, same engine as the SV650, it is a very easy rider, but also very capable in the twisties.

My approach to avoid accidents have always been: look for a way out before braking, go off-pavement if you have to.

I feel ABS just add more weight to the bike, more item to go wrong, more item to maintain.

I’ve ridden many bikes with ABS, never actually got to experience them other than parking lot tests to find out how they feel. I don’t use my brakes all that much, regular brakes have served well and I’ve never ran into things because of lack of brakes or skidding.

[megaspaz]

7 lb difference between the abs svs and the non abs svs. negligible difference.

[briderdt]

Most likely the rider could stand to lose at least that much… And it would be a better place to lose it — higher up.

[A]

Have you removed the ABS on your SV and wiegh out the difference?

7lb. that’s like carrying a spare tire, right?

[megaspaz]

and you feel this difference when the bike’s moving? doubt it. I’ve ridden a non-abs svs. You in no way feel this 7 lb difference. You say, you’re worried about another maintainence point or something else to go wrong, yes, valid reason for you. but weight difference? weak sauce.

[A]

Next time you ride on a track day, try carrying a spare tire on your bike somewhere… see if that makes a difference.. weak sauce it maybe, still potent enough to spoil a track day, no?

[megaspaz]

what’s with this carry spare tire? I ride my sv650s abs on the track. it is my track bike. I’m already carrying this “tire” you talk about. And you forget one thing. it’s where you place the weight on the bike that matters. So please come up with valid arguments for not wanting abs, like your maintainence worries, and not some weak sauce excuse about carring some extra tire because it’s equivalent in weight but not in shape or placement on the bike. there’s pros and cons to having abs, let the questioner decide based on valid pros and cons and not some weak sauce bull crap. You WILL NOT feel this 7 lb weight difference between the svs and svs-abs.

[WeaponZero]

I like the idea of ABS but I worry it might add too much maintenance to the bike.  Not sure what maintenane is involved tho.

[megaspaz]

i imagine, it’d be like any other failing part. but just because the abs fails, does not mean your brakes are failing. all it means is that you’ll be running with standard braking with no lock up protection.

[Author]

Posts