Opinions on Suzuki SV650 please

[Mikey G]

Bike test soon, hopefully in the next 6 weeks.
Looking at my first bike and i was contemplating either a 600 Bandit or Fazer but then i stumbled across this little V-twin any thoughts?
What are the different versions of this bike? ive seen some with minimal fairing and also fully faired. Is insurance likely to be as reasonable as a Bandit for a first bike?

Any other bikes i may like to consider?

Cheers

Mike

[jvaughan]

you need to speak to Steve_T
he has an SV and loves it.

[racefan_uk]

I bought a Yamaha Fazer 600 for my first bike and I can't fault it at all. Lovely bike, ideal riding position, comfy, plenty quick enough. Bigger tank than the Bandit or Hornet, so better range.

I'm even going to France on it next week!

[the t boy]

I passed my test in December last year and bought an SV650S. Its really easy to ride - if I can cope then anyone can. As the ice and damp are disapperaring from the roads my riding abilities are slowly improving and the bike is becoming better and better as I am beginning to use it properly.

Having never ridden any of the others you mentioned I am not in a position to compare the SV against them but the SV seems to be a good first bike as it is easy to ride and will grow with you so you don't get bored within a few months. (although a Daytona 600 may be on the shopping list for next year )

[the t boy]

Forgot to mention that insurance was less than £300 which for zero years experience and bike kept outside seemed very reasonable to me.

[Mikey G]

Went down to a bike dealer today to sit on a few bikes, unfortunatly no SV650 but there was a 1000 there and was just right
I also thought i would try some others while there, didnt like the positioning on the R6, felt like i had to curl my toes up to get on the foot levers all the time! a duke 749 was next, now that has got a really uncomfortable seat! but there was a duke 750 Supersport there and it was much better was in a matt black finish with carbon cans and guards at a decent price.
I cant seem to find any info on the net on the Supersport regarding insurance groups, i understand Ducati are not the cheapest to insure so any pointers on this model?
If i have a chance this week i know of an SV650 not too far away so will go have a looksy

Thanks so far.

Mike

[DennisTheMenace]

Hertsbiker also had an SV650 , Cracking tool for a 1st bike

[ledger]

Mikey G said:

Went down to a bike dealer today to sit on a few bikes, unfortunatly no SV650 but there was a 1000 there and was just right I also thought i would try some others while there, didnt like the positioning on the R6, felt like i had to curl my toes up to get on the foot levers all the time! a duke 749 was next, now that has got a really uncomfortable seat! but there was a duke 750 Supersport there and it was much better was in a matt black finish with carbon cans and guards at a decent price. I cant seem to find any info on the net on the Supersport regarding insurance groups, i understand Ducati are not the cheapest to insure so any pointers on this model? If i have a chance this week i know of an SV650 not too far away so will go have a looksy Thanks so far. Mike

just my £0.02, but I wouldn't recommend a Ducati (maybe a monster) or an R6 as a first bike. Bandit, Horet, SV would all be a beter bet IMHO. The SV650S was recently given a rave review in one of the bike mags, to the extend they were calling it "the best all round bike the world", may be worth you digging around for this article.

good luck, keep us posted.

[Steve_T]

The Ducati will have evil servicing costs through a dealer, when compared to a Japanese bike. Ask what they charge before you buy. The SV is a good first bike for a number of reasons. It's a useful two insurance groups lower than either the fazer or hornet, which helps as a newbie. It pulls fine from 3k rpm, it's light and it handles well considering the budget supsension. I've had mine two and a bit years and one downside is that a number of fittings corrode when you ride all year round as I do. I'd add that I mostly commute on mine where big power is of no great advantage, you may need to think differently if you're riding at the weekend on faster roads.

Happy searching,

Steve.

[Fats25]

Take a look at my comments on here......

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=171935&f=74&h=0

I don't think you can go wrong with an SV650s as a first bike.

All my mates that have bikes, and have had a go on it - wish they had gone for this as a first bike rather than a "madder" 600 Sports.

It gives you the confidence to learn how to ride without panicing that you can't get round a corner!

[Mikey G]

Cheers all.

Not too worried about servicing as long as its out of warranty i will be doing all my servicing myself.
The duke 750 Supersport is a milder version of there superbikes by the look of it but i'm still unsure of the insurance group.

SV650 is still up there, seen a good few deals around.

Are there any dedicated biker forums around that are worth a look?

Cheers

Mike

[bennyboysvuk]

I think the SV is a fantastic choice for you. It's cheap, it makes a fantastic sound, the power delivery is typically V-twin which makes it a doddle to ride, it's got a wonderful chassis which allows you to stick with much fancier bikes on the race track, it's comfortable and more than anything it's fun.

As Steve said though, look after it in the winter. It's the same with all Suzukis really. If you don't spray WD40 or something similar on the shiny bits, they'll soon go furry with a kind of alloy rust. Keep them lubed though and they'll be fine.

[door]

My GF has one and I went out on it a few weeks ago. It is so easy to ride turn in is so smooth and it is light and flickable. Smooth fun loads of torque without too much bhp. Must really be one of the best first bikes ever.

.......But after riding the Aprilia it is as slow as a dog and has no brakes.

[MrsMiggins]

Mikey G said:

Are there any dedicated biker forums around that are worth a look? Cheers Mike

Hi Mike. You could have a look at visordown.com and tlplanet.com. Both have very active forums, the 2nd has a dedicated SV section if you still need convincing that that's the bike for you

[Fats25]

or the forum on www.sv650.org

[MrsMiggins]

Fats25 said:

or the forum on www.sv650.org

Smartie-pants

[Mikey G]

Cheers, seems the SV650 has a good enough following to have its own big website

BTW nice bike MrsMiggins, my mate had a TL1000 a few years ago and it sounded loverly

Mike

[Mikey G]

UPDATE

Today i went to get 'kitted up' and had a good look around some of their bikes, i knew they had a couple of SV650's there so thats why i went to them, unfortunatly some inconsiderate git parked an SV1000S next to them
Now after having an insurance quote that was reasonable and only a little more than the 650 am i mad not to?
I am afraid i will get used to the 650 too soon and get bored with it so looking long term i may go straight to the 1000.

Now i await those that will tell me not to do it but why not? My intention is to get a cheap to insure bike for a year then go for a sports bike but if this can satisfy me for maybe 2 years then i'm saving long term.

I know people who have bought big gixxer's and R6/1's as a first bike and deem them totaly mad but i think my choice of SV will give me the best of both worlds.

What do you recon?

[MrsMiggins]

There is no such thing as the wrong first bike if you are sensible enough to appreciate that the bike is far more capable than you are; know your limits and ride accordingly, leaving a margin for error.

One thing I would say is that you should avoid ride-outs with more experienced friends for the first few thousand miles at least. You don't want to feel pressured into trying to keep up and make a messy mistake.

Oh, and cheers Mikey G, it does sound lovely




>> Edited by MrsMiggins on Saturday 7th May 23:14

[The DJ 27]

I'm also looking to get an SV650S as a first bike, haven't read a bad thing about them. Plus, with a decent set of cans on the back, you can crack windows at 100 paces