Suzuki SV650s, any good?

[ayfy]

I was thinking of buying a SV650s but since I've not ridden one just wondering if you would recommend it. I currently ride an NSR125 but want a bigger bike, originally I thought about a CBR600 or R6 but quite like the look of the SV and it's cheaper, smaller for my little legs, cheap on insurance and probably less likely to kill myself on.

I want a fairly sporty bike and from the looks of it, it looks like a sporty riding position, compared to say a Fazer, but with 72hp would that be quick enough. I'm not bothered about having the fastest thing on the road, but I would like to keep ahead of cars and overtake easily on country roads.

[G]

The SV isn't that sporty a bike as standard.

The CBR-RR and R6 are a whole different level. However they are /very/ fast bikes, while compared to cars the SV is still 'fast', it doesn't quite come up to the sports 600s.

The SV is probably a better bike as first 'big bike' as it should be a bit more forgiving.

Note that the new CBR-RR has a very sporty position - no where near the NSR position which is like a tourer in comparison!

Saying that, in race trim they aren't far off some of the sports 600 laptimes - but that doesn't mean much (There were 25hp MZs doing faster laps than me on my R6 at Brands Indy I think ).

[sv_cath]

I'd certainly recommend them - I'm on my second one!

I've done everything from touring to Spain to a track day at Castle Coombe, and plenty of commuting in between.

It doesn't excel at anything, but is a good comfortable forgiving bike, capable of doing anything you ask it to at a more than acceptable standard.

The engine's really strong and pulls nicely in lower revs, which makes it great for overtaking. The suspension isn't great but the later models have more adjustment. The finish overall is really good quality, given the price.

Any questions, pm me, but I'd definately recommend it as long as you don't want an all out sports bike - I don't stand a chance of keeping up with my other half on his R6 for instance!

Hope that helps

[MarJay]

I used to own an SV650S.

Part of me wants it back. It was light, and sporty enough (similar sort of riding position to my TT600 - if not sportier.

The engine never felt weak, it just ran out of puff at hight revs. After the NSR it will feel like a rocketship. It handled well, but erred to the stable side rather than sharp steering, but that is as much to do with tyres as it is with chassis set up.

It was very economical to run, and reasonably cheap to insure, and I was never beaten off of the lights by a car! Overtaking was a doddle because on a bike like the TT6 you need to be between ten and fourteen thousand revs to get anywhere, with the SV it was open the throttle and go really.

It wheelied well too, and the brakes were OK but not eye popping.

The main issue I had with it was that I bought it new and watched it corrode to death in front of my eyes. I get the feeling that once they have got to a certain point they can't really get any worse, and thats the sort of state you'll find a two year old machine now.

The fasteners were all furry and the starter motor casing was rusty.

However, if you can cope with a small amount of visual tarnishing, a two year old machine shouldn't get any worse. They can be got very cheap. I know that Robby got a half decent old shape unfaired model for £1500.

My advice is;
as a first big bike they are a much better option than a sports 600.

Also if you get decent crash bungs (R and G) then you won't do any damage when you drop it!
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Sparks!]

They're shite!














lol well not that bad, but far from the best, cheapo everything but GREAT fun to ride, v-twin, not the fastest but deffo very rideable IMO.. with some mods to the suspension, brakes and some decent tyres improves it a lot but it'll always be a cheapo bike.

But great fun at the same time and very practical, I'd definetly reccomend one.
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[kawashima]

V-twin motor is good feeling when cruising. I think.
more torque in lower revolution.
I regretted that I bought CB400SF 02 spec. I should buy SV400 instead.(I like touring and cruising)
I sold CB400SF. As many say, CB didn't have any typical faults, it was boring for me. V-twin Motor is more tasty in cruising IMO.

[Jamie_ducati]

Of the original shape the 2002 on are better - they have better and adjustable suspension.

Then of course there are the newer shape models...

There are people who ride them as novice, improver and expert-

I have ridden one and found it to be fun in a non head banging way- certainly a good bike as first big bike.
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Jamie
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Time for eDUCATIon

[G]

[Stu_666]

Was really keen on these, and was quite tempted to buy one, until I test rode one. F*cking awful

Negatives I found were that the riding position meant that one's legs were sprayed out a fair bit. I guess this could be comfy on longer journey's but the position did'nt really suit me.
Also found that the traction on the bike seemed really sh*te, even in the dry conditions I went out on it. Could be remedied with a different choice of tyre but did'nt really give me confidence going round roundabouts.
Back brake also seemed a bit snappy as well and even nearly skidded off the road when braking fairly hardish after overtaking a car. Again could just take getting used to.

Positives were that the engine was really sweet. Shove a sports exhaust on it and could even be mistaken for a Ducati . Finish on the '05 I tried also seemed good.

Like I say not really the bike for me but only way to see if you'll like one is to get a test ride.

[Suzuki]

https://www.sportbikes.com/UBBimages3/856391-svhottness.jpg

[extreme3d]

I've just bought one and get it next weekend!!

Will everyone stop comparing them to a sports 600 - the SV is just not competing for the same market, its a ROAD bike designed purely to be flickable in the corners, have decent acceleration and yet still be cheap to run with low insurance. All in all its just about having fun and thats whats its all about in the end. Just what more do you want for only £4200 new?

If you are going to compare it to anything, then compare it to the other road bikes, Fazer, Bandit, Hornet etc and here it makes these all seem bland and boring and thats why I personally chose it over them

[Robby]

I've got one, must be my 6th or 7th bike now.

Best bike I've ever owned by a mile.

They do corrode as marjay said, but it does seem to be up to a point. Mine has some furred fork stantions and other furry bits here and there, nothing terminal. It would probably all clean up then, but then it'd just corrode again.

I paid 1600 for a 99 unfaired model with 15k km on the clocks.

More than enough power for a new rider, more than enough power for me. A much better idea than hopping straight onto a sports 600.

[kawashima]

[G]

[chinupkneedow...]

I had one as my first bike 2 hours after my test and I loved it so much I went back to one after owning a Fireblade for 2 years.

I love the twin, it is light, flickable, and as a new rider, it will do more than enough for you.

I had the S version (faired one) as I prefered the sportier riding position. I test rode the unfaired one too, and found that too upright for me, and much more easy to wheelie!!

Anyway - suggest you test ride one first.

I love em!!
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Where there is a wheelie there is a way....

[extreme3d]

[dodsi]

You can get a much newer CBR600 for £4000 than 4/5yr old.

But tyres, servicing, parts, brake pads are all more expensive.

Let alone insurance, the SV is a very low on insurance.


For someone of my age, I cannot afford yet a 600 sports.

[extreme3d]

yes, insurance is perhaps the biggest thing to consider between a sports 600 and an SV

For an under 25, A typical 2001 4 year old cbr600f at group 14 will be in the region of £1500 tpft

An brand spanking new SV650s at group 10 is only £350 tpft...

Plus if you drop an SV result? no damage

Drop a cbr and you will wish you have paid the £3000 to upgrade to fully comp

Now tell me which you will enjoy more......

[Flip]

Sv's are OK if you like V twin road bikes. After an NSR it will scare the shit out you.

After riding a GSXR750 and a ZXR400 the SV lacked something but for a first big bike it's probably a very good choice. Loads of torque in them so it'll overtake very easy and are easy to ride.

Not my cup tea but is an honest hard working bike and it doesn't pretend to be something it isn't.

[G]

[doggone]

I've had one a couple of years and really it does all you ask.
It is good fun if you have a more 'touring' mentality.
If you want to go out with mates who all have 600 sports bikes you will have trouble keeping up.
You will be more likely to keep a clean licence though

[fuzz]

I moved from an NSR125 to the SV a couple of months ago, and it feels great. True, I'm thinking of which sports 600 to go for next, but I am in no way bored of the SV - I'm just looking for something with more customise-ability. There's little point in buying a £350 rear shock, £250 rearsets, a Remus can and uprated forks when I could get all that from a standard sports bike, and it could actually lower the value when I come to sell.

Still, as a first big bike it's great. Power delivery is so smooth: roll ons are consistent and comfortable, getting you past that Volvo quickly without scaring you shitless. It's good two up aswell. I take pillion quite often and they feel more comfortable than the sports bikes they have been on.

I'm paying pretty much the same amount on insurance for the SV as I am the NSR, it's damn cheap So I think I'll stick with it until next year when I can afford something else.
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https://www.bikepics.com/members/fuzzbcf/
Bikes: '99 NSR125R, '00 SV650S, K1 GSX-R600, '97 CB500, K3 SV1000S, '16 VFR800

[kawashima]

Oh I forgot that SV650 did model change. Pipes are not round ones.
SV650 is most favorite bike if I get big bike licence(over401cc) sometime.

[Chriss]

[Jamie_ducati]