Researched my way out of an SV and into an FZ-1

[Heath3n]

Well...I don't know what to say.&nbsp; I love the bike...it handles and rides great. But I've been hitting the many forums repeatedly and I am seeing the same mentioning of problems all over. Granted...Suzuki will fix it under warranty (maybe), or might even have a recall, but I won't buy a bike knowing one of these things will happen. And it truly does have to happen....'cuz it's just way too common for comfort. So i went and tried out a Yamaha FZ-1. I am just as impressed with the FZ if not more so. It handles and rides great, it looks great, and is considerably more comfortable than the SV. The FZ has a strong respectable history and lots of satisfied owners. I am soon to be inclused in that group. &nbsp;So I wish you guys the best of luck with your bikes....and I will probly be lurking around here to watch the outcome of all of this. I have no doubt this site will grow to many members as this is a great bike and this site is one of the best ones on the web for info on the SV1K. However...this time next week I will be sitting on one of these. Good luck and stay safe!<BR><BR>-Rob <BR>

[karbonblack]

Did you ride an SV? If yes, did you ride one with modified or aftermarket pipes? I have been there (thinking an in-line 4 makes sense) but at the end of the day, you can't beat a V twin. You'll be back!

[Heath3n]

I put about 50 miles on a demo SV1kS (no mods). Like I said...I have no complaints about how that bike rides....it's a dream to ride around on.&nbsp; But believe me when I say the FZ has some bite of its own. I was never a fan of aftermarket exhaust by the way....sure you may get a little performance gain....I don't like the noise though. I must be old. :) &nbsp;I do lots of highway/backroad &nbsp;riding as well.....gotta go a long way from Iowa City to get those curves we all love so much...and I try to get there as often as I can.&nbsp; So the FZ actually fits my riding style better.

[BJAM]

Respect, you know what you want and have gone for it - best of luck with the new bike. Let us know how you get along - we won't say "I told you so"!

[Heath3n]

Originally posted by BJAM666@5th June 2003, 02:39 AM<br /><br /> Let us know how you get along - we won't say "I told you so"!
Hehe...I'm counting on the fact you won't have to. :)

[mose]

Good luck Heath,

If we all rode the same bike it would be truly boring! B)

mose

[moz]

Almost the direct opposite happened to me. Went to my dealer to order a new FZ1 and had a test ride on a s/h one he had. And sure enough it had that R1 engine and great brakes and a comfy seat... and not a lot else. It felt a bit bland and soft to me. Sure, you could tour all day and commute quite comfortably on it, but I was looking for a bit more. Something which would do all of the above and also be able to handle backroad scratching and the odd trackday. I felt that the FZ1 would not be up for this (without replacing the rear shock).
The SV1000s fits the bill perfectly IMHO and I'm glad I held out for it. As regards problems, I have not seen or heard any problems on my SV after nearly 2k miles (except for a rad hose which needed tightening).
But we all have different tastes and needs which is cool.
Enjoy the bike mate, it's not far behind the SV :P

easy now,
moz.

[fugaziiv]

to each their own, good choice.

[tojoh]

Heath,
I can see your point. We have a bit in common. Your atana is called a GSXF750 down inder and I, or should I say my wife, has one. I owned it for one year, it was my first roadbike, and I must say they are very under-rated, both for their sports ability, ease of use, and touring comfort. My first ride on the bike was 450 kilometres from Brisbane, north to Bundaberg and I never developped one ache or pain!! I then done a 1500 kilometre trip, with my missus on the back and grew out of the bike.
All of my research led me to the Fazer FZ-1 but, when I seen the a picture of the SV1000s, I went to my dealer, bought one out of the crate and it turned out to be the first one sold in Queensland. My reasoning was the looks. While I liked the Fazer on paper, it never realyy set my heart racing. Maybe I'm too young, it was a case of want, need, gotta have with the SV.
I am slowly getting used to the less comfortable ergonomics, and now only find it uncomfortable going slow in town and I just pulled my longest wheelstand ever on any kind of bike.
Ther is nothing like the controlable surge of a big V-Twin. It's like the difference between a two-stroke and four-stroke enduro bike in the hills or tight tracks. Sure the more powerful two-strokes and in-line fours have the go, but unless your experienced or on a track, I think you realy are going to fast to use the power to spin the back wheel or lift the front wheel on an in-line four by the time its ready to act. My fathers GSXR1000 proves that for me.

Anyway, that's just what I found and fingers crossed Suzuki don't let us down with the niggles like oil leaks. These days any bike is going to satisfy, and the Fazer is certainly one with a reputation for doing just that.
Cheers
Tony

[Heath3n]

Originally posted by tojoh@6th June 2003, 04:49 PM<br /><br /> &nbsp;and I must say they are very under-rated, both for their sports ability, ease of use, and touring comfort......<BR>
This is too true....I really wish more people would actually get on a Katana to experience it, instead of just jumping on the bandagon to trash it because of what all their buddies (who have never rode one) think.&nbsp; Thanks for all the positive comments guys. You all are going to be the foundation of this board and it's nice to see that alot of you are class acts..just try not to get into too much trouble on those torque monsters!:P

[WHOrU]

Hope you have better luck with that FZ than Im haveing with mine ; anybody have a match? :angry:

[Heath3n]

What kind of problems are you having with yours?

[jdmiller123]

The FZ-1 is the only other bike I was considering. It is really a toss up. The Yamaha is a bit faster, but you have to rev the shit out of it. I really consider it a standard. It doesn't look half as good. It really is the same as the Ford Vs. Chevy arguement. It is closer to a Bandit than the SV. That is not a bad thing. The FZ1 is a great bike. The complaints about the knocking from the SV is the same we have been hearing since 1997, from the TL, and I have yet to find anyone with a broken motor or clutch. Amazing. I'll take the annoying knock any day, for a better handling, better looking bike any day. If you don't like the knock at idle, pull the clutch in.

[speedo66]

I'm still awaiting delivery on my SV1000N. What are the problems everyone seems to know about but me?

[Heath3n]

Originally posted by jdmiller123@8th June 2003, 04:06 PM<br /><br /> ...but you have to rev the shit out of it. ....... I'll take the annoying knock any day, for a better handling, better looking bike any day. <BR><BR>
Actually...i've ridden one...you definitely do not have to rev the sht out of it to get it to pull. It pulls hard and steady from about 4 grand. Looks are in the eye of the beholder...and i think they both look great.

Neither one of us will probly touch the handling capabilities of either of these bikes....so that's a moot point.

My other main sway was i do commuting and long distance trips sometimes and the FZ is infinitely more comfortable than the SV.

[SV1-guy35c]

Originally posted by Heath3n @ 6th June 2003, 07:24 PMThis is too true....I really wish more people would actually get on a Katana to experience it, instead of just jumping on the bandagon to trash it because of what all their buddies (who have never rode one) think.* Thanks for all the positive comments guys. You all are going to be the foundation of this board and it's nice to see that alot of you are class acts..just try not to get into too much trouble on those torque monsters!:P
Thought my 1997 katana 750 was great, good power comfortable,on another not my last bike was a vtr firestorm found it not so comfortable horably gas range not as much top speed as kanatuna,love the V power thou and sound.......

[sabby]

Hi guys. Firstly I will just like to say this is an excellent site with good feedback from SV riders. I am just looking for some opinions.
I have been riding a sv650s for about 2 years now and am presently thinking of upgrading. Here comes the dilemma. I love how the SV1000S looks and am anxious to feel the power of the 1000. But I am not too sure how a SV1K would look like with a box. I need one because I use this bike daily for commuting and a box is necessary.
Thats why I am considering a Fazer 1000 because it wouldn't look too ugly with a box. But I am afraid that I might get bored with an inline 4 engine. The V twin engine is amazing.
Does anyone here own a SV1K with a box attached. If you do, could you add the pics. At least it would make it easier for me to decide as I cannot imagine a SVS with a box.

Thanks Guys

[BJAM]

Here is my SV1000S with a box . . . of my favourite red wine ;)

Sorry couldn't resist :rolleyes: There are other threads on this forum where a tailpack is discussed including this one Tail Pack Thread (http://www.sv1000.zyns.com/forums/showthread.php?t=463)

[flipper]

Best of luck with the Yam. there seems to be guy's here with other than an SV so why don't you hang around.................we're all bikers at the end of the day............... :niceone:

[sabby]

Good one Bjam. :P . I saw the thread on tail packs but personally I think that a SV does not look good with one. Well that is my opnion anyway.

Flipper I actually have not decided on the Yam. I think a V-twin engine is awesome and the Fazer wuold not come even close to the SV when it comes to the fun factor. (w00t)

[BJAM]

sabby, we are all entitled our opinions, mine concur with yours on the tailpack/box issue. A quick release mounting system is required to you can add the box at the last moment and then take it off the restore the bikes looks and lines.

[HiPo]

Hi Fellas.
I've been reading the board for a few weeks and decided to sign on and contribute a bit. As a current FZ1 owner, buying a SV is something I've been toying with for when it comes time to trade. Make no mistake, the Yam is a fun bike to ride. It will come down to priorities and preferences. I've ridden the SV and it is a sweet, if flawed, bike. (Much as the Yam has its strong points and areas it could be better.) Either way, you will get a good bike.
I read with interest the complaints of noisy clutches (all FZ1s have that one too), but when it happens and the type of noise is not clear from reading the posts. The complaints of oil leaks and melted dash leaves me more concerned from a quality point of view, however.