Suzuki SV650....

[Stu_666]

Just had a test ride on one of these and was expecting good things of it but have to say that I found it to be pretty bad. First thing was that the riding position just didn't seem comfy. Prob. used to the riding position on the RS but the tank just felt too bulky and pushed the legs out a bit. Then the tyres and brakes felt bloody awful. Going around corners did'nt really feel like I could commit the bike 100% as it felt a bit slippery. Also locked the back wheel up once under hardish braking which was a knicker shitting moment

Only good things I would say is that the v-twin felt nice and meaty and also it'd be handy for pillions. Definately preferred the ZX6R which I tried a few weeks back.

Anyone got one on here? Just interested on peoples opinions on them. Chap at the dealer's did say that it was a newish bike which I tested so maybe it was'nt run in fully yet.

[instigator]

Yeah, was just thinking that mate, might have been new tyres on it and brakes wouldn't have been at their best also.

Nearly bought a new faired one today, if it weren't for the fact that they said it would be two weeks until it would be ready (even though they had one round the back, in a crate). I wanted to ride off on it. I'd of bought one as well.

[Sparks!]

If it had stock tyres on it then it'd handle like a bag of shite!

The stock tyres are practically wets transform the bike though if you stick some decent tyres on it.

Brakes are improved with braided lines and a fresh bleed.

The motor is tops puts a smile on my face every time I ride it anyway, even if it's just cos I'm making lots of noise

Shame to sell it really but alas, things we must do.
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Stu_666]

They were pretty good value for money as well. The chap there said that they can do them for about £4,500 if you arrange your own finance, which was'nt bad.

[Dom]

You getting one of new/old shape SV's, instigator?

Unless it's already been sold I'm off to look a '99 bike tomorrow which sounds pretty good.

[instigator]

No.....£4500 IS bad. If you#re referring to faired bikes, then its a pretty crap price, if you're referring to NAKED prices then it's shite.

Join up to www.sv650.org and find out what deals people get, then you'll see if they're fair. My "local" was doing £4450 with NO extras, which to be honest, is utter shite.

[instigator]

[Dom]

[Robby]

I have one. Nice bike.

No complaints whatsoever about the brakes, couldn't comment on the stock tyres because I've never tried them.

I'd like it to pick up more cleanly from lower revs like my old VX800 used to, but I doubt I can remove the chugging so I'll just use a lower gear.

[epz]

stock tyres are shit beyond words, they have almost no grip and are probably better on a heavier bike, i was happy when i got a nail through mine.

brakes never bothered me and a big vtwin has nice engine breaking.

please remember you are compairing a budget sv against the top of the class model for kawasaki with about £3000 price difference.

you could put progressive forks, braided lines, new calipers and better pads to sort most of the issue for about £200 doing the work yourself and spend the rest on petrol/track days/wheely schools.

as for riding position well it personal preference not much can be said but bigger bikes do take more petrol.

[Flip]

Sv = Bad.

Sv brakes = Good. Brakes are sharp as f*ck mate. Doesn't get much better than SV brakes!

[hairychipstic...]

same feelin i got when driving the sv for the first time
engine is nice
then at 80mph i hit the brakes
garbage central
crap forks, awful brakes
dont get much better than sv brakes??????? u must have not driven anything
theyre gabrage
two huge flaws that wud put me off ever ownin one
and its a shame
cos its a good engine and they look nice

[Liono]

I've got a curvy SVS and really like it for what I need it for (as an all-rounder first bike). The trouble is, anything would seem amazing as the only basis for comparison I have is the 125 I used to own and the bikes I rode on my DAS training!

The bloke who owned it before me had done a few odds and ends to it which seem to be aimed at sorting out the common failings of the SV, such as uprating the fork oil, putting better hoses on and putting a pair of 020s on. The front can seem a bit 'soggy' sometimes when cornering, but I've no real issue with the brakes other than the fact that they have a tendency to seize up quite easily so I have to keep on top of cleaning them carefully. The riding position seems to me to be quite comfy. I'm about 6 foot and I don't really feel cramped or stretched on it, even after 150 miles. From what some people were saying about the SVS, with a longer reach than the SV, I was expecting to be having to make stops every few miles to uncurl myself but I find the riding position to be fairly upright and comfy unless I decide to slide back a bit on the seat and crouch a bit more. The Double Bubble screen does help deflect most of the wind over me, even at speed though.

As others have said, remember that in some ways it isn't an equal comparison to put the SV up against sports bikes costing a fair bit more. However, I like the fact that the initial purchase price is quite low but you can do a lot of work on it to improve the handling/performance and pay for this more gradually as you go on. Oh, and it sounds great if you put a race can on (next on my list)

[Chr!S]

[Dom]

Subject to a test ride, it looks like I've just bought a new bike.

Black curvy model, 20k miles, fsh, recent bridgestones with tonnes of life left in them, db screen. Basically all standard but seems to have been well looked after + cared for. £1800 overall and I'm happy with that.

Tbh I wasn't expecting to like it that much (wanted a blue one), but the black looks lovely in person.

[instigator]

Good on you dom. I've been wanting a curvy black one for ages, think I'll just hold back and get one instead of buying new.

Seems like a good deal, you get it from ebay/sv650.org or soemwhere else?

EDIT - I want this one but it's jsut that bit TOOOO far away. Infact, I'm not sure it could be further away.

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9808&item=4554047695&rd=1

[Dom]

I think I saw it on adtrader. I say think cause when I went to look up the ad yesterday evening I couldn't find it anywhere, presumably because it was at the end of the 1/2/whatever week long advertising period.

It was advertised for £1895 and he said he had a willing buyer at £1850 who still needed to sell his bike. I offered £1800 cash within a week and he was ok with that. Probably because the bloke offering £1850 never existed but I don't really care as I'm happy with the price as long as it runs nicely when I test it.

That ebay one looks pretty nice, not really sure what I think about red ones but I do like the fairing lowers. You're right about it being a bit far for you.

[jayluvmito]

wel ive just picked up a new shape for £200...

shame i gotta wait til august before i can ride it! bought some r an g crash protectors for it at the paddock wood show (and a new lid) an finally sorted my remus shorty today. looks lovely!

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/yellowmito/IMAGE_009.jpg

(im waiting for the new tank, it will be blue)
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one day...

[Liverpoolrobb...]

that SV looks lovely!

carnt wait to pass me test

[Gazdaman]

£200 SV650? Is it a touch warm?

And Stu_666, do you actually have a full licence? Your sig says you passed your theory test, and you ride an RS125..

Gaz

[Dom_]

[instigator]

Dom_, you on sv650.org forum as well then?

Might be going to see one down in liverpool next weekend...27k miles, £1600 or thereabouts. Seems mint. Just needs a remus revolution can

[Liverpoolrobb...]

[instigator]

The best I hear. Take a listen to this....

https://www.sv650.org/audiovisual/remus_revolution_carbon_baffle_out.mp3

How could you buy any other exhaust??

[Dom]

That does sound nice, for sure. I have no idea what can was on the SV recorded in the attached clip or where I got it from in the first place but it sounds fantastic as well. Can't wait to get a new can on mine. I think the bloke I'm buying it from may well have had a remus can on there but annoyingly is selling it seperately. Could make him an offer but tbh just buying the bike is going to drain me of all cash, so I'd probably better not. Standard still sounds fantastic compared to the rs.

Don't know which Dom you meant, but I am on the sv650 boards. Haven't posted yet, just registered a little while back to PM someone about the SV they had for sale. Probably will post quite a bit when I get it, plus it seems they have quite a lot of rideouts all over the place.