New bike

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Deranged Granny

Original Poster:

2,313 posts

167 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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For anyone who is interested, I picked up an SV650S yesterday.

Initial thoughts:
-It's a heck of a lot more powerful than my 250 was - 3x the torque makes progress relatively effortless compared to what I'm used to
-Far more relaxing to ride at speed
-It feels properly sized, and far more comfortable as the clip-ons let me ride in a more natural position
-It is a lot more planted. Even though the suspension is budget, it is a big improvement over the 250 - especially as I now have the luxury of functional rebound(!)
-All the controls feel more substantial and better put together
-Slick gearbox
-Brakes are ok but really require some grabbing to get them to stop quickly (may have to look into that but it could just be me)
-I don't normally like stubby exhausts but it was a fairly good deal so I'm not too bothered. It doesn't pop and bang like the 250 did though, so I miss that. But it is a bit quieter, which is very welcome.

So all in all, pretty much as I expected, in a good way.

I need to tidy up the mishmash of shiny/dull link pipes:



Despite the wonky indicator, I just love the rear end:



Really happy with it so far smile

Cheers

Edited by Deranged Granny on Tuesday 8th July 11:24

Prof Prolapse

16,160 posts

189 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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Looks smart mate.


LoonR1

26,988 posts

176 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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I had one as my first bike after passing in 2003. Awesome fun. On the brake comment that's a bit weird as I found the engine braking alone was quite pronounced and made the ability of the brakes almost moot.

Bluehawk

494 posts

165 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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Probably worth sticking a set of HEL/Goodridge Braided Lines up front, made a substantial improvement to the braking on my old Curvy SV

moanthebairns

17,918 posts

197 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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can you get a belly pan for these?

looks good

Walter Sobchak

5,723 posts

223 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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I've never owned one but always quite liked them, hope you enjoy the new bike.

Prof Prolapse

16,160 posts

189 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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moanthebairns said:
can you get a belly pan for these?


Does look good with a full fairing. Less so the very angry man pictured here.

moanthebairns

17,918 posts

197 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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Prof Prolapse said:
moanthebairns said:
can you get a belly pan for these?


Does look good with a full fairing. Less so the very angry man pictured here.
always liked them fully faired, really like the sv1000, yum

yes that guy does look like me trying to do a jobby whilst on co-codamol

thatdude

2,654 posts

126 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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I have a 1999 model year SV650 (the carburetted version), with over 72,000 miles - i've owned it from 18,400 miles for now for almost 8 years, commuting mostly through london.

I agree, the brakes are a bit weak, however a good clean followed by a little red rubber grease on the pistons and slider shafts, and using sintered pads (I use EBC HH pads) should give reasonable power with something approaching feel.

Hagon can provide a good rear shock that slots right in, and their progressive springs are worth a punt as well. If you ever ever get the opportunity to do so, have the swingarm out (or at least wiggled aside) and grease up those bearings, same with the shock linkage bearings. I found replacing the fork oil alone was helpful

Engines are known to sip a little oil, so keep an eye on it. Suzuki state changes every 3500 miles or something, but I've been fine with 4000 miles using semi-synthetic (but fully synthetic is best...I did run a fill with fully but I found my particular engine was consuming it a little too much for my liking)

Any other bits and bobs of info, sv650.org and svriders.com are two excellent internet resources with superb forums.

They may not be the best bike money can buy, but there are a hell of a lot worse bikes to throw money at

Deranged Granny

Original Poster:

2,313 posts

167 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the comments guys.

Loon - I know what you mean about the engine braking, but I still had to rely on the brakes a couple of times when slowing for sharper corners. I should probably rely on them less though; that will probably come with time as I adjust my riding style from how I rode on the 250.

Bluehawk - yeah, braided lines are an option, but I think I will try giving them a check and a clean first. Don't get me wrong though, they are adequate, but I just had to apply a lot more pressure than I expected. I may well just be used to the lithe little 250.

Thatdude- thanks for all that advice. Appreciate it. I've checked out those forums already and there seems to be a wealth of knowledge out there.

Re: the full fairing - I don't think I'll go down that route as I actually quite like the quirky/odd bikini thing it has going on. With a full fairing and non-USD forks it looks like it is trying a bit too hard to me.


I just love the fact that it is a hell of a lot quicker than anything I am used to, even if it is slow by bike standards. Coupled with that V twin noise, I am really enjoying it so far.

Edited by Deranged Granny on Tuesday 8th July 12:29

mike-r

1,539 posts

190 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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Braking difference is probably due to the extra weight. Nice though.

MechEng

52 posts

178 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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Very nice mate. They are really good bikes, had mine since Oct 2012 when I got my licence. It's been a good first bike so should be a decent step from your 250.

MTB - Suzuki do a belly pan but it's fairly expensive (£300 ish). I've got a twinshack belly pan on mine. I think there might be other options as well.

moanthebairns

17,918 posts

197 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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MechEng said:
Very nice mate. They are really good bikes, had mine since Oct 2012 when I got my licence. It's been a good first bike so should be a decent step from your 250.

MTB - Suzuki do a belly pan but it's fairly expensive (£300 ish). I've got a twinshack belly pan on mine. I think there might be other options as well.
wow! simply wow

MikeA3

304 posts

196 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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Looks in good condition - one of the best colours for the SV IMO - although I'm slightly biased as I've the same colour but it's got the full fairing on it

charlie926J

108 posts

140 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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Nice bike. Same colour (and engine) as my V-Strom 650 which is only my second 'big' bike. biggrin I love the engine noise and the torque, but found the front-end dive on the V-Strom a bit difficult to get used to after my GS550 Katana which was rock solid. After 7 years I'm still very happy with it though.

BigTom85

1,927 posts

170 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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Nice looking bike.

I hope to pick up my SV650 (naked) in black the day I pass my MOD 2, booked for 6th August - fingers crossed!!

Biker's Nemesis

38,534 posts

207 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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Happy new bike day

LiamB

7,922 posts

142 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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Nicely done mate, hopefully see it in the metal soon

John D.

17,702 posts

208 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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LoonR1 said:
I had one as my first bike after passing in 2003. Awesome fun. On the brake comment that's a bit weird as I found the engine braking alone was quite pronounced and made the ability of the brakes almost moot.
Same on both counts.

Even after stripping a rebuilding the front calipers the brakes didn't feel particularly strong.

Mine liked a drink of oil so watch that.

sc0tt

18,032 posts

200 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
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Well done you dayglo retard