The joys of lower power bikes

[Martin#30]

A colleage at work has got into biking fairly recently, and bought himself a 2009 SV650 that he's ridden all year round for 2 years.

He is thinking about upgrading, and being a kind fellow keen to see people continue to use two wheels as proper transport, I swapped bikes with him for a couple of days. He got to scare himself rigid on my ZX10R, I got his SV.

It has been a long, long time since I have ridden something with a mere 60bhp (hark at me sounding so snobbish and superior  ). I must say though, I had a whale of a time on it. You can keep it pinned almost everywhere, full throttle whilst leant right over, a need to move your bodyweight to overcome the soft suspension and slightly wobbly frame, and an over-riding feeling that it is the rider making it hustle rather than a team of very talented engineers.

I was very glad to get back on the 10, but I was surprised how much I enjoyed the SV.

Martin.

[O.C.]

Martin , tell him to try one of these 

http://www.ashonbikes.com/content/kawasaki-versys-1000-review

[Essex Boy]

MJJ you are absolutely right about lower powered bikes. I get a different buzz out of riding my DRZ 440CC to the thrill of my GTR. It's got a noisy exhaust, bounces off the limiter at 20mph, 30mph, 40 mph etc and my arse is numb after 45 minutes of sticking legs out for corners and balls hanging over the petrol tank.. But a Sunday hoon is just great, for when the GTR can't quite give you the back lane fun you want.
Essex Boy.

[zedmeister]

Got to admit i had an ER6N for 3 years, my work bike, had some awesome fun on it, never missed a beat and 55 - 60 mpg, and pi**ed off a few sport bike riders along the way, 70 BHP lots of useable torque, great bike, i would have one tomorrow for a commuter bike.