2001 sv650 advice

[ClaireBear]

hiya,

been looking at a sv650 s thats for sale- its a 2001 version. I have had a good look at the specs, but the thing that matters is also people's experiences!

So..

is the 2001 version a nice bike to ride?
and is the lights on it good? (rather random I know lol)

Thank you in advance for any replies

Claire

[mr_s81]

Hi Claire

Good first bike to learn on. Had mine for about a year after I passed my test. Mine was a 2000 not 2001 model but they're both the same ("curvies").

* The suspension on mine didn't inspire much confidence. (Only really became an issue when I had the bike a good while and was able to up the pace a bit. Can become 'pogo-like' on bumpy-ish roads!

* Really good on fuel if you're racking up the miles - (circa 60mpg+ is possible if you keep the revs down).

* Lights are 'ok'. Not the best I've ever experienced but definitely not the worst either. Apparently a decent aftermarket bulb will help.

* Brakes again are ok for the type of bike.

* Seat is relatively high. Not an issue for me (I'm 6ft), but not sure if you've ever tried one for size.

* The riding position I found quite uncomfortable - putting a lot of strain on my back and wrists. Again how you find the bike for comfort will depend on your size. It just didn't really fit me that well on longer trips

Not sure what else you're needing to know really

Watch out for rust at the rear shock if no hugger has been fitted. If you do buy an SV it might be an idea to invest in a front fender. In wet weather the front tyre is good at aiming streams of water in the direction of the spark plug behind the radiator. Can lead to misfiring and all sorts of fun!

Hope this is of some help .

Ian

[ClaireBear]

Thanks for your reply, it was very helpful! Certainly made me more aware of things to look out for.

The only thing I am 'concerned' about is the riding position, its slightly more forward compared with what I am used to and I will be doing a few 50 miles trips with it so I need to make sure its comfortable lol

Thanks again!

Claire

[Blau Zedong]

Really poor bike, crap suspension, zzzzzzzz inducing power delivery.
____________________
18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[ThoughtContro...]

I've had a 2001 faired SV for about 5 months or so.

The riding position gets uncomfortable after a good few hours. For an hour or so blast it's not too bad. When your whizzing along a motorway you don't notice it, nor on country twisties at a decent rate of knots.

If you're piddling around town, a city with lights every 50 yards or scamera infested 20/30mph zones with shitty potholed roads, it's pretty miserable and your wrists will hate every pothole.

I don't rate the mirrors. Your blind spot is a dirty great big black hole where cars disappear into. Lifesavers are a definite must. And mine has mirror extenders on so god knows what it's like without em.

The fuel consumption is pretty good. I can get 63mpg out of mine easy, but then I don't rag the crap out of it.
____________________
Prize cunt
--
"In a world of universal deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act" - George Orwell

[ClaireBear]

Thank you all for your replies.

I keep reading in reviews about the suspension not being good which is a shame.

I am looking for my first 'big' bike and so as long as its more comfortable than a yamaha sr125, then Im happy lol

[amnesia]

[Blau Zedong]

But for the price of an SV you could buy a far more capable bike which will actually hold your interest for more than 5 minutes.
____________________
18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[mr_s81]

[G]

The suspension is better than 'commuter' bikes like the ER5, but not as good as sports bikes. A hell of a lot better than the SR125!
If you find the suspension is an issue, no need for swapping front ends, some new fork internals and a GSXR shock shouldn't be too expensive.
Despite what mr_s81 suggests, if you look at the lap times of top minitwins riders that have barely touched their engine and played with the suspension a bit, you'll see they're often not far off the top riders in supersports classes, suggesting the SV has 'enough' power at least . I've certainly 'embarrassed' bigger bikes on one on track, as well as been left for dead by what should be relatively slower bikes - skill is sadly much better than power for going fast .

The engine I (and many others) find pretty flat/bland, however coming from a SR125 will probably seem amazing and the fastest thing ever (certainly the first big bike I had, a KLR650 did and that was from a 2 stroke 125 too.)

For me the SV650s feels a bit too 'perched' and the naked model a bit to 'middle of the road'. Have to try it for yourself, though.

If you want good lights, a ZX6R J model is worth looking at, also has better suspension, but quite a bit more peak power.
Or, you could just get some HIDs for the SV .

[doggone]

That would be an earlier model, easy to put on a more throaty exhaust.

One of the best things about them is the sound they make, very sweet when you slow and accelerate just right through bends.
I'd go for it even though it will bore you after a year or two.

Lots about for spare bits in case of minor prangs and a 'well known' model that will always sell on well.

[G]

I found the sound annoying as it's quite hard to differentiate the different tones. While on a revvy four cylinder it's quite obvious as the revs rise the sound changes distinctively, while the aural output from the SV only has very subtle changes, which means you have to really train yourself to hear exactly what is going on.

More of an issue racing, where I often hit the rev limiter when first riding it, but still useful on the road where you still don't want to be looking at the clocks all the time.

[Clanger]

I have a 2001 curvey unfaired sv...what would you like to know?
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[MaybeGuy]

[Clanger]

The lights on them are more than adequate. I've never had a problem with my suspension, but then I'm not a fat git

I've replaced all the nuts and bolts and washers before they have corroded, I've had the down pipes professionally cleaned and polished, along with the front forks. I replaced the lower yolk completely.

I had the standard exhaust chopped in half so it sounds sweet.

And that's it. I've had her for 8 years now. And apart from tidying up the bits that have got a bit shabby from general wear and tear, and changing the swinging arm completely (as I think its fugly!), there isn't much else I would do.

Every time I've 'talked' about replacing her, loads of peeps have gasped and said 'clanger without the evil raspberry....noooo!'

I don't have a next bike lined up, so will sit tight, until someone comes along with a cash price I cannot refuse.
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[WishayKillie]

[Numptie]

Definitely go for the SV650S - faired version.

There are a number of aftermarket fairings manufactured; even M&P were selling OEM fairings which were easy to install with about 3 bolts on each side. The bikini version is better geared - and not just for going faster. It makes riding more interesting, than the sedate upright one. Seating position is generally important in deciding between the two.

However the problem is.... the quality of the metal parts. They will rust to bolts within two winters if you don't keep it clean. They will rust easier on the unfaired version. You really need to work hard to maintain it by spray cleaning with ACF50 anti-corrosion and doing the clutch/seals/brakes, especially if you don't have a garage.

I'd go for the SV650S because of the faired protection and more sporty look. Get a Penske rear shock and Mivv exhaust or if you're taking a trip to Portugal, visit Jorge at Renegade Exhausts and get him to custom fit twin high mount Renegades. Then throw on a black iridium screen and you have one of the most fantastic little budget track day racers that will whip GSXR600s around the corners and twisties

As for the SV650....well....be careful with the arthritis. It's a good bike for older aged non-pensionable riders