[SeanAlexander]

Thank you MO....



I am touing with the idea of a bargain bike for taking girlfriends on rides, commuting to work, etc..... I've been considering both the SV-650 and the ZR-7 one other bike that I saw a lot of interest in on your last budget bike feedback, was the Suzuki Bandit 600. I have to agree as the Bandit 600 would be apropriate to add into the fray with it's sibling and the ZR-7.... What are the chances of Suzuki giving you TWO test bikes for the same test?

 

[hackfu]

While we can't say for sure whether or not Suzuki would let us have two test bikes, you can at least read our Bandit 600 story.

 

[MartialStax]

Why do you think the M900D would be unfair? Because of the bigger engine? The Dark has 78 hp and is $9995. The Kawasaki website doesn't list a horsepower figure, but I'm sure it has to be in the range of 78hp, but the price is only $5999. Or do you think MO should run a smaller Monster because the prices would be more comparable?

 

[SamBlob]

Well, I guess I can forget about seeing a Bandit 600S vs. ZR-7 vs. Nighthawk 750 shootout...



What's next? A Bonneville vs. W650 vs. Nighthawk shootout? Two twins and a four, why not? Two mimic old bikes and the third is one...

 

[SamBlob]

Right: M900D vs. ZR-7S vs. SV650.



Hmm...what else would work in this mix...



Please contact the Milwaukee manufacturer and see if they could send down a XL1200S Sportster Sport and a Buell M2 Cyclone to add to this list.



And maybe a MZ Skorpion too? No, it doesn't have the power of the SV650, but it just might have the moves, especially the Replica or whatever has replaced the Replica (I remember a version called the Sport Cup?) If it's a Sport Tourer shootout, maybe the Traveller?

 

[SamBlob]

Re: Excellent

I thought that was Wayne from Wayne's World...

 

[2850]

Re: How about...

Well squid, you've really got them mixed... hehe. I've always had a soft spot for beamers and have considered them a class of their own. But may I suggest the new R1150R instead of the R1100R? I'm just curious how does the F650GS fit into this shootout? It's a great bike, I've had a chance to ride it for a week or so in the fall and it is sweet but it's so different from the rest of the bunch... .

 

[SamBlob]

Re: Maybe not the Skorpion...

...the Skorpion would probably be better served in a comparison between the MZ Skorpion (Tour or Sport Cup), the Buell Blast, the Suzuki GS500E and the Kawasaki Ninja 500.

But definitely try to include the Sportster Sport and the Cyclone in this comparo with the M900 Dark, the ZR-7 and the SV650!

 

[Zakman]

Upgrade the front forks of the SV650 with the Racetech Gold Valves and springs when you do the test. This is the best improvement for the money and puts the front forks up to a more current technology. It makes the SV650 handle so sweetly as you look in the mirror and see those "crotch rocket bikes" dissappear behind you on the twisties.

 

[052]

The ZR-7 and SV make about 70 BHP on a good day and cost less than $6,000. Of course, MO will screw up the review with a $10K/80 BHP 900 Monster.



Why don't you put the Honda Nighthawk back into the line up and dump the Monster????



The first place these squids will want to go is the track...another huge error. "Just say NO" to the track!



Ride the bikes two-up with some real sized riders for a few weeks and the outcome will change....



Philip

 

[052]

That comparo would be worth reading!!!!!



Philip

 

[052]

OK! Modify the ZR-7 will a Muzzy pipe, progressive springs and a Ohlin damper outback. Don't forget the braided steel line on the brakes and race tires for the Kawasaki...



What is the point on $6K bikes...? Buy an expensive sportbike if that's what you want...



Philip

 

[SamBlob]

Re: How about...

I believe y'all are thinking of the R1150GS.

The F650 could probably go straight up against the Aprilia Pegaso 650 (which is available in the US unless they've stopped selling them there recently) and the MZ Mastiff or Baghira.

 

[motorpsycho]

Isn't the Monster 900 a little large/expensive for this test? The Monster 750 would be a better fit. How about a test on the SV650S?

 

[SamBlob]

"Why don't you put the Honda Nighthawk back into the line up and dump the Monster????"

'Coz a lot of folks were asking for the M600D, and others were asking "Why the Nighthawk?"

The Nighthawk isn't really competing against the SV650, although it does go up against the ZR-7 (not ZR-7S).

 

[motorpsycho]

The Bandit would be good. The Nighthawk 750 is too...zzzzzzz.....whoa, is it narcolepsy or thinking of the Nighthawk that put me to sleep?

 

[SamBlob]

Re: Maybe not the Skorpion...

Erm, this wouldn't be a thumper test exactly; note the mention of the GS500E and the Ninja 500, both P-Twins...

But the BMW F650GS, Aprilia Pegaso and KLR650 might be welcome, I guess... OTOH, those three are probably better matched to the MZ Baghira or Mastiff than to the Skorpion or the Blast.

 

[Zakman]

Gold valves aren't that expensive or difficult to put in, It fixes the only thing slightly lacking in an otherwiise fantastic motorcycle

 

[SamBlob]

A M900 wouldn't be much bigger than a M600, but I agree about being more expensive. A M750 would probably be a better compromise for the purposes of this test..



Since the ZR-7S has a fairing and the Monsters have "fly screens", the faired SV650S would be more suitable than the naked SV650. BTW, whose bright idea was it to have S = faired model? Kawasaki and Suzuki both seem to have listened to that guy...

 

[SamBlob]

Don't sleep too much, you might just have a "Motorpsycho Nitemare"! Any plans to revisit Highway 61? HA! I kill me!



If the Nighthawk 750 puts you to sleep, I wonder what you think of the late, great PC800 Pacific Coast. Now THAT was an Accord on two wheels; a concept I like, even if you don't....