Buell XB9S vs. SV650

[rubberdown]

I've had two XB's. No problems or downtime with either one of them. Easy maintenance and cheap to run, except they eat tires (probably due to my right hand spasms). Really fun on street or track. Great bikes.

[BMW4VWW]

If price was my main consideration I would go for the SV. If having the tricker, cooler bike was a priority it would definitely be the Buell.

[rsk173]

you can tell by your question that you know what everyone else does. the buell is bad ass. a suzuki should be a dirt bike or sport bike.

[tomk2]

Either way you can't go wrong. I prefer the XB but I'd be happy with the SV too.



XB9? Build quality, fit and finish on Buells is excellent & I found mine to be robust and easy to maintain.



SV-650? nuff' said, everybody knows what a great bike that iis.



Plenty of aftermarket for both, the SV is cheaper, the Buell is sexier and uses better quality components for suspension/brakes.



P.S. I don't think an SV-650 is quicker than an XB9



P.P.S. Read JBs comparison article of these two in the MO bike tests section

[03zx12r]

It must be a sad day for Harley/Buell when a 650 gets compaired with a 900. Yes, the smaller displacment bike wins.

[Mike_L]

It must be a sad day when you can't comprehend any aspect of an engine other than displacement.

[Tomas_P]

There is more character compressed in a single XB than you will find in a whole truckload of SVs.



Then again, I am biased, cranky, and don't give a hoot about resale values.



How about this clipping, written by ol' Burnsie a couple years ago:



[i]

If all you want is cheap, go with the SV. If you're like me, you also want a cool motorcycle. Twenty years from now, you'll be able to stand around your lovingly cared-for Buell, which will be somewhat rare, and you can `splain to the kids how it was the first bike to carry its gas in the frame, first with the perimeter front brake, how you and Ann-Margret used to bomb round `Vegas on it. In other words it will still be cool. The Guggenheim might call to borrow it. Meanwhile, you might see the occasional ratty SV650 parked on the street in a shabby neighborhood or over at KPaul's with a plastic milk crate bungeed to the back seat and duct tape covering the holes in the faded seat, smelling of cat urine.

[i]

[ddlewis]

The SV might look better on paper, but personally I'd go w/ the Buell. Kind of have the hots for a cityx myself. They don't seem to be holding their value too great, so I may actually have one someday. Fwiw I already have that suzuki 650cc in DL form.. It's a great motor.

[seruzawa]

Are you serious? Everyone knows that the SV650 is part of the Divine Triumvirate Godhood of Motorcycledom.

[tomk2]

buy used and somebody elses loss will be your gain



these bikes are so easy to work on and parts are cheap