Discussion
Been thinking about chopping my VFR800 in for something a a bit more characterful for a while now - and spotted an SV1000 at a dealers in Bristol.
He's already talked reasonable money on the phone (The thou is up for £2795 on an 03 plate with 23k on it) against the VFR (98 plate, 30.5k) - talking around £1k to change, which sounds pretty fair to me.
What's the opinion of them? - I know it's a re-worked SV Thou engine in an SV650-esque chassis. Kind of thinking of it as a poor man's Ducati.
Is there anything I should be looking for in particular? - they're a reputable dealer, so I'll be looking for a decent warranty, but I'm not convinced that a Suzuki would ever be as trouble-free as my VFR.
He's already talked reasonable money on the phone (The thou is up for £2795 on an 03 plate with 23k on it) against the VFR (98 plate, 30.5k) - talking around £1k to change, which sounds pretty fair to me.
What's the opinion of them? - I know it's a re-worked SV Thou engine in an SV650-esque chassis. Kind of thinking of it as a poor man's Ducati.
Is there anything I should be looking for in particular? - they're a reputable dealer, so I'll be looking for a decent warranty, but I'm not convinced that a Suzuki would ever be as trouble-free as my VFR.
Try to get a test ride.
It's a different chassis to the 650 and you sit perched on it rather than in it. Its also slower steering and less chuckable.
I didn't have a long enough ride to assess the engine. I found the torque very flat and it piles on speed without realizing. I imagine it would be pretty rapid if I had used the full potential. I had a back-to-back ride on a carved fazer 1000 and i stepped off in awe, not a feeling I had on the sv1000.
I prefer the nature of the 650 but it has cheap components and not enough oomph, however the thou is completely different IMHO.
Hth
It's a different chassis to the 650 and you sit perched on it rather than in it. Its also slower steering and less chuckable.
I didn't have a long enough ride to assess the engine. I found the torque very flat and it piles on speed without realizing. I imagine it would be pretty rapid if I had used the full potential. I had a back-to-back ride on a carved fazer 1000 and i stepped off in awe, not a feeling I had on the sv1000.
I prefer the nature of the 650 but it has cheap components and not enough oomph, however the thou is completely different IMHO.
Hth
My last bike was a 2003 SV thou which I bought pre-reg.
I found mine to be pretty uncomfortable on long runs due to the low bars, hard seat and pretty high pegs, but other people who are more used to sportbikes don't find it a problem.
I still have a gel seat and double bubble screen in the garage if you buy it!
Handling is good but bumpy fast corners can unstettle the bike, more than the Speed Triple that replaced it. The rear shock is apparently the problem. They will wheelie quite easily off crests and bumps in the road if you're going for it.
The brakes are good and you can upgrade to GSXR items if you feel the need.
The tank range was about 110 miles before the light came on, enthusiastic riding got this down to 80 on one occasion (but that was very enthusiastic riding). The most I got from a tankfull in mixed riding before it coughed then stopped was about 140 miles.
The paint and build quality is about the same as any other budget Suzuki, so you have to look after them. Much the same as the bandits.
If you're into touring and strapping luggage on they do have good bungee points and a solid grabrail for scared pillions to cling to.
A small amount of the 2003 bikes had problems with main crank bearings, they were the wrong size from new and clonked after the first service, mine did this and was repaired under warranty. They should all be fixed by now and it's really obvious if it's not right, loud clonking that you can feel through the bars and seat.
Generally a good bike, not as sporty as the TL and lacks the raw aggression of the older bike, but I did a happy 14K miles on mine in just over 2 years without any other problems.
And they make an ace noise at 150 on private bypasses.
I found mine to be pretty uncomfortable on long runs due to the low bars, hard seat and pretty high pegs, but other people who are more used to sportbikes don't find it a problem.
I still have a gel seat and double bubble screen in the garage if you buy it!
Handling is good but bumpy fast corners can unstettle the bike, more than the Speed Triple that replaced it. The rear shock is apparently the problem. They will wheelie quite easily off crests and bumps in the road if you're going for it.
The brakes are good and you can upgrade to GSXR items if you feel the need.
The tank range was about 110 miles before the light came on, enthusiastic riding got this down to 80 on one occasion (but that was very enthusiastic riding). The most I got from a tankfull in mixed riding before it coughed then stopped was about 140 miles.
The paint and build quality is about the same as any other budget Suzuki, so you have to look after them. Much the same as the bandits.
If you're into touring and strapping luggage on they do have good bungee points and a solid grabrail for scared pillions to cling to.
A small amount of the 2003 bikes had problems with main crank bearings, they were the wrong size from new and clonked after the first service, mine did this and was repaired under warranty. They should all be fixed by now and it's really obvious if it's not right, loud clonking that you can feel through the bars and seat.
Generally a good bike, not as sporty as the TL and lacks the raw aggression of the older bike, but I did a happy 14K miles on mine in just over 2 years without any other problems.
And they make an ace noise at 150 on private bypasses.
phillvr6 said:
Have you considered an Aprilia Falco?
+1. Mind, I'm totally biased cos I have one 
I rode down through Wales today and most of the way down I was grinning ear to ear. The Falco is in another stratosphere of performance compared to my Hornet, it is a truly amazing bike. Mind, its got an Ohlins, OZ wheels and new boots so it ought to feel fecking amazing!I don't think £2795 is cheap for a 5 year old SV1000 given that Fowlers were flogging them for £4999 new a couple of years ago. I can't comment on the SV cos I've never ridden one, but mates who have generally don't recommend them because of the poor quality suspension. The 98 VFR is a nice bike - have you got fruity cans on it? I think cans really give the VFR that extra bit of character to the engine note.
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