Suzuki SV 650

[spence70]

Anyone ride an SV 650 what are they like and would they make a good first bike ?

[Blau Zedong]

[doggone]

Probably good as a first bike yes.
They are moderately powerful, moderately good handling and relatively slim, easy to park and filter.
A good way to get some experience for a year or two.

The downsides are uninspiring build quality and not that good economy.
You will be overtaken by other bikes a lot, and even by cars.

There's loads about so any minor mishaps will be easily sorted.
If you keep it tidy it will sell on well.
There's a dedicated forum SV.org or something with more than you would ever want to know about them.

I just described a boring bike - OK though.
With a slightly louder silencer on the Vtwin sounds gorgeous

[Clanger]

Owned and rode one for 9 years. It suited my needs until the day I sold her.

So many new riders get the sv as their first bike after passing their test, which ultimately means many sv's have been binned and helped create a stock-pile of spares. Standard build quality of an sv is poor, so you will be spending money on changing engine bolts and keeping exposed parts clean/polished; but as it's your first bike, thats probably a given.

I personally would advise you to learn your road craft on a smaller bike, say a sturdy 400cc. But it's your personal choice.
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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

[Slacker24seve...]

Hoooooooooooooooornet.

That is all.
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Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[Oldie]

You can pick up a new one for under £4,500 with 0%. Got to be worth thinking about?

[P.addy]

I've given my opinion many times on this bike... its my OWN opinion.

I thought it was ok for the 2 weeks I had it.

More power than a 125, not as revvy as an IL4 obviously, which I think killed it for me.

It is a good first bike, but I found it very boring after a while, had its top speed in the first day and figured it would keep me fairly legal until I had enough to buy another bike.
It must have read my mind though as it broke soon after But if its your first big bike.. and you havent sampled any of the 600cc "super sports" then you will love it.

again, i'll get raped for saying it, but it felt bland and boring. but its down to personal taste.

[Blau Zedong]

[675Rusty]

I've had mine since passing my test, as others say - It's pretty good for beginners, fairly forgiving but pretty boring.

Handles well, just don't ride any 600cc sports whilst you have one otherwise it'll kill it for you, like it did me.

Sounds great with a decent exhaust though
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Current Bike - 2013 Triumph Daytona 675R

[Louise]

Sv650 (old curve style) Was my 2nd bike... (but first sports)
Was really nice, I did enjoy - but im tall (5'11) and I got constant cramp. Then my hate for V twins grew - so sold
But, for a first bike there ok

[Frost]

Cheap bikes, and ultimately you get what you pay for. So they're not on a par with the more expensive bikes but they offer good value for money, and well to be honest you're not going to apreciate the difference between a great bike and an alright one when it's your first

[RussBLS]

[Clanger]

[RussBLS]

I already have the Bandit 600. Been riding 13 months now. Want a sports bike but the majority of them are going to too much to insure!

Maybe I ought to go skint for a while?

[P.addy]

[RussBLS]

[P.addy]

[RussBLS]

Garaged SV1000s £450... Hmm...

[MORTON]

What is insurance like these days for SV's?

[P.addy]

[675Rusty]

2007 SV650S, 18 years old (17 when took policy out) 1 years ncb, restricted license and I'm paying £138 tpft.

My 125 was £500 lol.
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Current Bike - 2013 Triumph Daytona 675R