suzuki sv650 1999 model any good?

[Kwakki Si]

Yes she's an old girl by now but I've seen a good one in descent shape with 28000 on the clock... Im still trying to get my 1st bike and am wondering what these are like? Im guessing their a good 1st bike but are they fun to ride swell or should i just keep holding out for that bandit 650s which would mean saving a few more bob... PLEASE HELLLLLP!
____________________
MOD1 passed 26/01/12... MOD2 passed 08/02/12
My current ride: ZX6R NINJA G2, The GREEEEN one!
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a mother fucking motorbike!

[G]

Overall a boring bike with inadequate suspension and brakes that need a lot of maintenance.

However, I'd still take one over the small bandit.

Makes more sense as a 'first bike' than a 500 commuter to my mind.
The lacking suspension you probably won't find an issue; and can actually be sorted fairly cheaply.
A good chunk lighter than the bandit, too.

If you're not used to better bikes, you'll probably find it good fun.
In reality, I didn't find the suspension too lacking for the road. I do dislike the engine character a lot, but again, if you're not used to fast bikes, it'll probably seem amazing.

[Clanger]

I upgraded my suspension, forks, and got braided hoses as well as a few other tweaks...enjoyed my ride 2001 - 2010.

Sold for an absolute song...needed a fair bit of work doing to get her singing and dancing and back into decent spingley spangley shape though...

I don't think they are a bad ride if you don't intend on going so fast, but do intend spending a wee bit of money upgrading shoddy Suzuki finishes though.
____________________
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

[Frost]

99 is now a 13 year old bike and it should be judged and treated as such. The finish isn't great but i have a 99 one parked outside that only really looks a few years old. Reliability they're not bad and parts are easy to come by. Speed and handling are more than sufficient for the average biker let alone a newbie.

[Mikey3]

The SV would be better restricted for the low down grunt which you could still used as opposed to the high up power of the 4 which the restrictions will significantly reduce access to.
Also the SV will be more than substantial for you, like frost said. Mine has bog standard suspension and I've had experienced riders ride it and be very impressed with its handling, so it's not like its just me, I'm restricted and after a year and a half I'm only considering getting another bike because I have 2 of them.
Most of the people who gave me positive info on the SV were people who had come from high performance bikes or moved up to, but still enjoyed the SV, and complemented it enough to make me get it.
To a sports bike owner the SV will seem slow, but to you i'm sure it'll be easily enough to put a smile on your face.
Have a buy of bike magazine this month, they've got a test between all '99 spec SV, Bandit, Fazer6, and Hornet, very good test , and it will give you some good info on all 4 bikes, which are ideal for your situation

HTH
Mike

*edit* I think 'slow' is incorrect, 0-60 in <5 seconds isn't 'slow', it's just not as fast as some other bikes
____________________
'04 Yamaha WR450F
'99 SV650 Streetfighter Project - mid build
'Motorcycling is about what you do; not about what you own, or how much you spend on it'

[G]

First off, the SV doesn't have "low down grunt" - it's just that it doesn't make decent power at the other end!
Secondly, at 33hp, which bike will be making more power?
Then at 15hp, which bike will be making more power?


It will be geared lower than sports bikes as stock - I'd always suggest re-gearing a 100hp+ bike if restricting it to 33hp.

[Sako]

[Mikey3]

Thats just an opinion though... the fact is the SV produces its (i'll use inverted comma's to reduce pedantic sh*t) 'power' low down and midrange, which on a restricted bike is much more useful than power at 18000000000 revs (more about 7-9k>) which on some restrictions the bike won't rev past, and if it does, will do f.a.
My restricted SV has beaten mates restricted bandits and a GSXR 750, too restricted, which I rode and was nothing short of gutless restricted. The SV will go as soon as you twist the throttle, restricted and derestricted, the other bikes need to rev up before they bullet off like a scoulded cat, and the restriction either prevents or significantly reduces said effect

Mike

*edit yes the bandit would be a perfectly fine first big bike, but the SV will also be perfectly fine.. Job done
____________________
'04 Yamaha WR450F
'99 SV650 Streetfighter Project - mid build
'Motorcycling is about what you do; not about what you own, or how much you spend on it'

[Kwakki Si]

hmmm mixed reply on this one lol, remember its my 1st bike dudes so i just need something for a year or two and not worry if i drop it, and need to learn how to do oil change, clean chain etc just general maintenance on a bike.
____________________
MOD1 passed 26/01/12... MOD2 passed 08/02/12
My current ride: ZX6R NINJA G2, The GREEEEN one!
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a mother fucking motorbike!

[G]

Note I'm still suggesting it's a decent enough bike for what you want and probably the one I'd choose - but that doesn't mean I like the bike myself (despite having recently got another track one).
It has it's purpose and it does it ok.

Anyway, for mrredhead:
I'm glad you used inverted commas, because that's certainly not "a fact" either .
I've attached a power graph showing a 99 SV650 and a 99CBR600 superimposed.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/99sv650vs99cbr600.jpg

Would you say either look particularly different? The basic 'graph' is actually pretty similar - the 4 cylinder bike is around 1k rpm behind, but is probably geared a bit lower per rpm, so in the real world will offer similar go at a similar speed in first gear - but will of course make more and power when the speed gets up, while the SV will have to change up.

However, even that's not really the point.
At peak power, both restricted bikes will be making 33hp.
It's likely that they will both make 15hp a similar point below that.

Why does it matter that the 4 cylinder bike has to rev to 12k rpm to hit 95hp, when a restricted bike will only be making 33hp?

The difference, in my experience, comes down more to the gearing. The more powerful bikes tend to make their 33hp over a bit shorter range, but not enough to compensate for being geared a fair bit taller.
The SV handles it better because the gearing is already pretty short as it's a relatively slow bike.

Out of interest, what bikes have you ridden in both restricted and full power form, for the same model.

[MarJay]

I loved my 2002 SV...

Sure, the suspension is cheap and low tech, but the engine is willing and tough, the frame is very stiff and light. The bike is comfortable and practical, and fitted with decent suspension could be a real weapon.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[h00dwink]

i had one as a first big bike after cbr400, loved it. if you haven't ridden something newer and more refined they're really good. you'll think it's got great suspension, race style positioning, endless power and superb brakes.
all of which is a bit of a lie but when you don't know any different it's great.
get one with a decent exhaust on it and that has been looked after.
____________________
Sahf East Winnah 4LYF
https://bikepics.com/members/h00dwink/00sv650s/
www.youtube.com/h00dwink updated regularly

[Blau Zedong]

Absolute crap. Wouldn't have one for free.


____________________
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

[pits]

[Ol]

I had an SV"s" and have to say i thought it was a great bike to learn on. i genuinely believe i learned more on the SV than i did on the ZZR6 i had before, despite the ZZR being a lot faster.

I changed the rear suspension to a Hagon Monoshock (cost about £250 i think) and had the front forks serviced and re oiled and it was fine... quick enough to have fun on, felt planted in the corners (had Qualifier RR's on) but when not in the mood to play the "Kamikaze Filtering Game" was great for plodding along and did verything it ever ad to do. I used it to commute for 18 months and couldn't think of a better bike to have done it on.

I've now got a GSXR and Tuono 1000R - The SV isn't as quick in comparison, but was light enough to throw about and have fun on, and as a first big bike you'll think it's amazing, i'm sure.
____________________
Previous: Cub50, NRG50, TS50, YB100, CB125, NSR125, ZZR600, CBF1000, SV650s, ZX6R B1H, XT250, Mito Powered Crosser, WRF450, , FZ600, VN800, GSXR600 - Currently CB1000R

[Alex_B]

Watch it and weep, haters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyMayvl2iA
____________________
My Lane Position is always AWESOME!!

[G]

[P.addy]

[pits]

[Dean-J]

Ignore the hate for the SV, its a VERY good bike for a newbie.

As a first big bike you will not notice the cheap suspension, or under spec'd brakes for a long time to come. You will learn an awful lot on an SV, and i guarantee you this, you will not think it is slow!

I couldnt possibly comment on restricted bikes as i did Direct Access, but as a "full" power bike, the SV certainly put a smile on my face everytime i rode it.

On an average rideout you wont be that far behind anyone of the same kind of skill level whatever mid bike they are on, except on the straights, which isnt where the fun is anyway! The SV is a great bike to throw around, and is very very forgiving should you get it wrong. Granted it is not as fast as a GSXR600 or R6, CBR etc, but you wont notice that until you get to the point where your actually using all of the bikes potential.

I have just got rid of mine last month and replaced it with a YZF600R thundercat. Yes the suspension is better, brakes are better, and its a damn sight quicker than the SV was, but was the SV any less fun? No!

Ignore the Super sports elitists, as a commuter/tourer with a sporty look, cheap insurance, cheap running costs and cheap maintenance and repair costs, the SV is hard to beat tbh.

[G]

[Kwakki Si]

would they be able to keep up with a 600 bandit?
____________________
MOD1 passed 26/01/12... MOD2 passed 08/02/12
My current ride: ZX6R NINJA G2, The GREEEEN one!
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a mother fucking motorbike!

[Mikey3]

[Ben.]

I used to own a 99 sv and I now own a 55 sv650
The only down side is they rust to nothing very quickly.
Let be honest its perfectly capable for the road. It can do 140mph, it can brake well if you fitted braided hoses. The only downside is the suspension is a little cheap but what do you expect for the price!? Its not bad, it is what it says on the tin.

Ive raced an sv650 last year and with sorted suspension its a lovely bike.

For the road they are blinding. Easily fast enough to get you into trouble.

Ignore everyone saying theyre slow and handle like shit. I have yet to think my sv is slow or bad round a corner and I could ride circles round most people on here, and im used to lovely smooth tracks with ohlins suspension.
____________________
follow my racing season
Race bike - R6
Road bike - sv650

[Mikey3]