To VTwin or Not To VTwin?

Ok so I have always lusted after a TLR but they're pulling $10k or there abouts for a good one so I am scouting a little lower down the food chain.
I'm thinking VTR1000 or SV1000s. I know they're old tech these days but I reckon the maintenance would still be less than a Duck.
Before Gus fires a shot Tuono's still command good $$$ too.
Anyone have any thoughts on either Japan bike. I know early Firestorm's had small tanks and early SV's had lower compression ratios but by all accounts both were good in their day. FWIW SV120hp VTR 109hp.

I would go the sv ................someone I know had the early firestorm ....sounded wicked , but bugger all distance from a tank

Yeah go the SV.....only if you must.

I dunno 2WA. I just happened to be browsing the other day and thought this one looked pretty good for $5400 ONO. How much did you plan to spend? At least they have some collector value which the VTR and SV do not (unless the VTR is an SP1 or SP2 of course).



I seem to recall Suzuki retrofitted a steering damper to all early models as a recall after some spectacular and deadly "offs". I have heard the rear rotary shock was a PITA but some owners deny this, saying it is no worse than any other shock/damper.

My brother (Ducati ST3 owner) has a mate with an old VTR and both he and the owner reckon it's a POS. Fuel economy and the small tank being the main issue on trips with a group with refills at 200kms (at the limit), so all stop.

There have been some nice SV's pop up now and then and I seem to recall having posted a few under "Tyre Kicking" - else why would I have this photo saved to the HDD:



or



Bet you have lots of fun looking!

Go the TL.

2wheelsagain wrote:Ok so I have always lusted after a TLR but they're pulling $10k or there abouts for a good one so I am scouting a little lower down the food chain.
I'm thinking VTR1000 or SV1000s. I know they're old tech these days but I reckon the maintenance would still be less than a Duck.
Before Gus fires a shot Tuono's still command good $$$ too.
Anyone have any thoughts on either Japan bike. I know early Firestorm's had small tanks and early SV's had lower compression ratios but by all accounts both were good in their day. FWIW SV120hp VTR 109hp.

The SV is a great bike, not only power but it is a light weight. My brother had to practically give his away even with the high mount Holeshot cans (sounded great), he traded the SV1000s and the TDM 900 on the VFR1200x.

The 17L tank was good for about the same range as the 19L on my GSF1200s. In the region of 270 to 300km.

BTW I'm getting 400km to the tank (22L) on the VStrom, I get 5.1 L/100km so should get more assuming the tank really holds 22L. I get nervous when the last bar starts flashing.

To be honest I don't like the look of the TLS so have ruled them out.
I'm leaning towards the SV and that bronze one looks nice Dave
Budget would be $6k and the FZ would go to make way for it.
Whatever I get wouldn't need a huge range and 200 - 250k sees me stopping on the Bandit anyway.

It's fun looking at this stage.

Yep, that bronze SV came up in Sep last year and I thought the same thing - quite nice. I can't recall the $$ but I usually don't post them unless I think they look good for the $$. As you're probably in no great hurry, you'll have the luxury of waiting until something that you really do like comes up.

PS: Don't let the FZ hear any of this - it might start sulking!

Yep.. SV1000 in blue would do the deal for me. An old mate at work has clocked up close to 100000k's without any problems with his 05/06. Sounds great too with standard gutted exhausts.

I've ridden a TL1000S and it was a heavy, slow pig.

Tuono . Your right ,prices seem to have gone up .

Cagiva raptor .has suziki motor and looks the ducks guts,

SV1000 for sure but they have really held their value because not that many were sold in the later years and people probably tend to hold onto them because there isn't many equivalent Jap bikes now.

SV all the way or do the lounge chair thing and get the DL

+1 for the SV

My last bike was an '06 VTR (fuelstorm), sounds awesome with twin yoshi's and handles OK for a leisurely ride ~220kms to a tank mix city/fwy. Go for a proper herb and I was lucky to get 150kms out of the 19L tank...front forks have the structural integrity of a couple of hokkien noodles and the factory suspension is imbalanced. Did get plenty of attention around town tho, drivers seem to pay more attention to big v-twins.

The minister for finance & harmony just said "why dont I get a ute?" WTF!

Is the minister revealing a long held secret plan?

We brought a new sv 650 and it was nice .Thats all "nice" .Sure you want "nice ?
Thought you might want "holly fucking crap ,this thing gives me a hard on ".

2wheelsagain wrote:The minister for finance & harmony just said "why dont I get a ute?" WTF!

Maybe then she will suggest a Harley for the back of it

paul wrote:

2wheelsagain wrote:The minister for finance & harmony just said "why dont I get a ute?" WTF!

Maybe then she will suggest a Harley for the back of it

Don't complicate things further

Get a JEEP !

Here's one if you don't mind the high k's. But at only $2,700.........

My VTR1000 used to suck gas at a phenomenal rate under 160 km's around town and maybe 190 ish if ridden like a nana on the hi-way (mine was a 16 liter tank newer ones are 18-19 i think )

On the track it could run dry as soon as 85-95km's and i only had a dyno jet stage 1 kit installed and yoshi pipes

BUT id would wheelie in first from 3000rpm violently enough to flip if you weren't on the ball 2nd gear power wheelies over small bumps no problems 3rd gear clutch ups easily possible (100 kmh + wheelies )

Front cam chain tensioner nightmares (15 tensioner part # upgrades from honda but they won't admit they have a problem as it would mean a recall )

without jet kit stock pipes it was 94 rwhp very flat response almost electric motor-ish

with jet kit + pipes it was 105 rwhp at 21,500km's with a torque curve to die for

the suspension was rubbish even new (made for a 80kg rider they need an ohlins rear and racetech fork kit and they handle really well )

Rear swing arm bushes fail easily so do head bearings but that could be all the wheelies

Quality of finish was good and lasted well but it was a bugger to clean properly as it has so much visible that is tightly packed

Never regretted that bike just never really fell for it either

2wheelsagain wrote:The minister for finance & harmony just said "why dont I get a ute?" WTF!

TO put the TL/SV/............. track bike in of course