[Farmoboy83]

never ridden 8s or gen3 sv650 (have a 2004 gen2) but 8s should be a better 2 wheels vehicle, more modern, lighter feeling, better suspension, tech and brakes. Sv650 is an icon and a piece of art when compared to modern transformers like bikes. One or another is a good choice, ride both and let your heart choose because there is no spec chart that will show how you feel riding them.

 

[St.Dusan]

View attachment 67152

A bigger loan. 🤑

Those headers are beautiful.

 

[Farmoboy83]

finally did a test drive today and my conclusion is not completely towards 8s.
Bike feels lighter than gen2 sv650 but was the test ride bike was almost empty of fuel so it may have influenced my perception. It is lower than my bike. At 173cm 80kg beautifully proportional i can plant both feet on the ground while on 2004 sv650 with a seat cover i can just flat one foot with a slight bike angle. Brakes are simply amazing and almist way too powerfull for road use. It is another world compared to my bike. Engine sound was mehhhh. Sv650 any generation wins sound wise any day! Cornering i was expecting this new bikes to be a lot better. I am far frm a pro rider but have 15 years of daily experience. This 8s is a lot easier to insert at the corners but sv650 feels a lot more planted and easier to lanesplit at low speeds, probably due to vtwin motor centre of gravity. Gear indicator was slow to react but a good addition to no indicator at all. Motor felt a lot stronger in mid range, a lot more than 82hp. I don't know if it is a lot faster 0-140kmh than my sv650 with a few kg chopped but at least it felt stronger. Engine heat was more noticeable in a 20min test the fan kicked in while in my sv650 never heard the fan once (and its working). overall no doubt is a better performer but i am not sure if it is a better riding and owning experience than the sv650 and absolutely not as good looking.

 

[Straticus]

Funny you mention ,"Engine Heat". I know loads of riders who complain in Summer over here if stuck in traffic how hot Triples and Parallel fours make them sweat. The old slim V-Twin SV is lovely and cool even when trapped behind traffic and as you say can slip through traffic nicely

The cooling system on the SV650 is exceptional IMHO and mine lowered by another 5 to 8 Deg C using the new fangled OAT coolant

 

[golden chicken]

Funny you mention ,"Engine Heat". I know loads of riders who complain in Summer over here if stuck in traffic how hot Triples and Parallel fours make them sweat. The old slim V-Twin SV is lovely and cool even when trapped behind traffic and as you say can slip through traffic nicely

The cooling system on the SV650 is exceptional IMHO and mine lowered by another 5 to 8 Deg C using the new fangled OAT coolant

The one pitfall to my 890R being a perfect upgrade to my SV is the heat it throws sitting in traffic. Whoo! The exhaust routes back up inside of the swingarm, rather than out from underneath and I think that has a lot to do with how much heat I feel.

I'm sure Panigale owners would tell me I'm being a wimp, but it's a significant change from an SV.

 

[Farmoboy83]

The one pitfall to my 890R being a perfect upgrade to my SV is the heat it throws sitting in traffic. Whoo! The exhaust routes back up inside of the swingarm, rather than out from underneath and I think that has a lot to do with how much heat I feel.

I'm sure Panigale owners would tell me I'm being a wimp, but it's a significant change from an SV.

if you use your bike daily and commute all year round and your summer is hot, heat is something a lot more important than power specs or riding modes. So its a major point when choosing a bike. I have a scooter, sh300i and engine heat feeling is zero so even less than sv650😂. This super machines that get super hot are good for track days or posers that do 10km and stop for a beer at the closest pub😁 Nothing wrong with that but many bikes are far from practical for daily use.

 

[Bobbyg123]

if you use your bike daily and commute all year round and your summer is hot, heat is something a lot more important than power specs or riding modes. So its a major point when choosing a bike. I have a scooter, sh300i and engine heat feeling is zero so even less than sv650😂. This super machines that get super hot are good for track days or posers that do 10km and stop for a beer at the closest pub😁 Nothing wrong with that but many bikes are far from practical for daily use.

That’s great information and something I wouldn’t have considered as a new rider. Do larger displacement bikes typically run cooler? I would assume they would. I know Kawasaki is a polarizing brand to many people, but I’ve heard great things about their Z900. It’s also on special at my local dealer for less $ than the new GSX-8S.

 

[Farmoboy83]

That’s great information and sometimes wouldn’t have considered as a new rider. Do larger displacement bikes typically run cooler? I would assume they would. I know Kawasaki is a polarizing brand to many people, but I’ve heard great things about their Z900. It’s also on special at my local dealer for less $ than the new GSX-8S.

Not necessarily. My oil cooled bandit 1200 was an oven and had 4 cylinder. Luckily the heat was only in the legs and the seat was always cool. There is no rule in engine displacement and size vs heat. Also, due to design, some engines are further from your legs and royal jewels and even if they run hot you dont feel it. Then, some engines dont produce too much heat but transfer it to the bike frame or under seat and become really unconfortable at low speeds. Also, nakeds tend to run cooler than supersport because of low engine tunning and mainly lack of plastics that allow heat to dissipate. Just make a test drive in different conditions and test by yourselfe

 

[Puddles]

The sv650 wins on classic good looks. The 8s just goes too alien face for me. Consider a cb650r?

 

[mininsx]

That’s great information and sometimes wouldn’t have considered as a new rider. Do larger displacement bikes typically run cooler? I would assume they would. I know Kawasaki is a polarizing brand to many people, but I’ve heard great things about their Z900. It’s also on special at my local dealer for less $ than the new GSX-8S.

I've got a '17 Z900 in addition to my '19 SV650. You can't go wrong with a Z900. (decisions, decisions.)

 

[Salty Sway]

Opinions - everyone has them. My problem is walking up to a motorcycle, so many of them are not visually appealing to me, again an opinion. I am fortunate we can afford most any vehicle we want, choose to drive Toyota, plentiful parts and service. I can afford most any motorcycle and could sell a couple and buy whatever I want, chose an SV, I have Ducati Monster money in it with all of the modifications but parts and service are plentiful. On top of that I enjoy the process of finding/making/installing modifications. When I got the SV said I would leave it stock, in hindsight that's laughable. Currently thinking about a new Kawasaki ZX4-RR, limited edition, only a few in the USA. Thinking I could keep it stock but know I wouldn't and current thoughts are +$6k in mods for it. Graves Ti high mount Ti pipe is over $2k.

There's always faster, better braking, better handling. Find the one you're comfortable on with acceptable performance, and is appealing to the senses.

 

[PatricksDad]

Buy a 2021 Tuono 660.

 

[Flash Yellow]

SV650

 

[VFR4Lee]

Roast your right thigh at a stop light. Even with leathers on.
Trust me you will not give a rat about the heat. You also may not like the maintenance bills.
But if you can afford them, you may not care. It was that good.

 

[ziffusion]

Roast your right thigh at a stop light. Even with leathers on.
Trust me you will not give a rat about the heat. You also may not like the maintenance bills.
But if you can afford them, you may not care. It was that good.

You seem to absolutely adore this machine Between this and the Tuono - what are your thoughts?

 

[VFR4Lee]

The back brakes all sucked. Must be an Italian thing.

The Monster 1200 was awesome. Handled great, insane torque and accel. But expensive to maintain, and Ducati does not sell you a service manual for recent bikes. The indy shop I used to go to could change the oil, but the dealer had to reset the service light. You can maybe get a tool now to do that for $400! I heard. Other reason I sold it was there is no dealer closer than 150 miles from where I now live. But I wanted one for 20 years so was glad to get it and love it.

The 2003 Tuono was also a bike I wanted for a long time. Got it used from that indy shop. They sorted the electrics for the prior owner. The Rotax 1000cc V twin had a lumpy power delivery, a rowdy engine. It was comfortable and fast and I loved that one too. The 2007 Tuono was second gen, and an Aprilia V twin. I liked the styling better but it was smoother and more refined, and I found I liked rowdy better. Prior owner sorted the electrics on that one. I never had much trouble with either one. Very fun bikes. Also no dealer less than 150 miles away.

If you like them, get one. Great bikes.

Just beware it may not be easy to re sell when you want to.

 

[ziffusion]

If you like them, get one. Great bikes.

Gorgeous bikes, both. Getting my fill of the 2023 SV650 at the moment. Maybe after that.

 

[Kiwi Rider]

The back brakes all sucked. Must be an Italian thing.

Yep and nothing's changed, back brake on my '21 Tuono is weak as a weak thing.

The GSX-8 has finally arrived in the show rooms here, pricing is $16K NZD. By comparison it's the same price as the Honda Hornet and a MT-07 is $14,400. It looks quite good in the matte black but they all do in that color when they're brand new!

 

[Kiwi Rider]

Was just reading an Australian magazine review of the bike. Generally favorable, about the only thing they picked on was that the rear shock felt a bit soft compared to the front. They did mention it’s lardy weight but reckoned it felt OK on the move. I can’t see where the beef is on this bike, and it’s got an aluminium swing arm as well. My Tuono is 20kg lighter as a comparison. Mind you it’s not that much heavier than the ABS equipped gen 3 SV , so maybe it’s the steel frame.

 

[VFR4Lee]

Even a 900+ pound Hog feels OK on the move, they say.
Just curious, which Tuono do you have? I think you said 2021? But 660 or the V4 beast?