Coming to the dark side...
Discussion
Well ladies and gents, I’d like to thank you for your wishes of good luck, apparently they worked. Passed with three minor faults, all for taking junctions a bit wide.
Nearly f
ked it by forgetting my paperwork and then it nearly got called off part way through as one of the indicators was goosed but sorted itself out.
Probably gonna go and order an SV650 on Saturday.
Nearly f
ked it by forgetting my paperwork and then it nearly got called off part way through as one of the indicators was goosed but sorted itself out. Probably gonna go and order an SV650 on Saturday.
Gunk said:
Congratulations, the cost will be worth it. I've been obsessed about bikes all my life. I'm 53 now and there's still nothing like getting up at the crack of dawn with nothing on the roads and meeting up somewhere with likeminded mates for a bacon sarnie and a chinwag.
It's just not something car people seem to do.
Cheers. It's just not something car people seem to do.
My initial budget was £4000 but I’ve only spent ~£1300 so far. Got a few more bits to buy, disk lock, basic maintenance stuff. Got some gear and a cover for Christmas which helped. Insurance is gonna be about £900 fully comp. Against almost all advice, I’m gonna be PCPing a bike; was comfortable at £100/month but that only requires a £200 deposit for the bike I want so might up that a bit. Gonna be well under £4K, anyway.
Only got one fried who is interested in bikes but sold his last year to fund a house purchase. Brother’s done his CBT but won’t be persuaded to progress. Plenty of roads around the Lakes that attract bikers though so hopefully make a few pals along the way.
Gunk said:
That’s a good first bike, nice and easy to handle, enough power to be fun. Good idea doing it on HP, gives you the flexibility to change it for a bigger bike, which after a year you’ll want to!
Cheers, picking it up this afternoon. Can’t wait, first solo ride home. In the cold. And dark. And heavy traffic. Talking of local groups etc. the lady in the service centre where I took my car on the same day got all excited when I told her I was off to buy a bike and ended up inviting me on an annual charity run from Carlisle to Appleby in April. Wrote all the details on the service report which will be a bit confusing for the next owner. Turns out I’m on a stag do that weekend (Oi oi!), so won’t be going.
I’ll let you all know how the ride home goes and I guess that’s the conclusion to this thread so thanks for all the advice, sure I’ll be starting plenty more threads in this forum though.
Quick last question, are silk gloves any good or not?
Oh yeah, if anyone’s fancying getting a bike like myself and was wondering about costs I went from nothing to owning (on HP) a bike for £2348. That also includes everything I need in terms of gear and accessories but there is still a few ‘wants’ on the list.
jmcc500 said:
Out of interest, could you give us an idea of the kit you bought? Am currently in position of having got licence I am not sure whether to commit or not - have got as far as trying on crash helmets at the weekend!
Of course. Luckily for you I kept track of spends in a lovely little spreadsheet and I’m not too precious about discussing costs. From top to bottom....Helmet: Shark S800, £99.
Jacket: Richa Falcon, £110.
Gloves: Richa Stealth, £64.
Pants: Richa Colorado, £108.
Boots: TCX Rush, £80.
Misc. stuff was an Alpinestars neck scarf and Oxford baselayers. These were a Christmas gift so not sure on cost. Also stocked up on skiing socks when they had them in Aldi for £2.99 for two pairs, they’re pretty decent. Oh yeah and I got a zip-up hi-vis vest but I got that from work.
If you’ve got your license now it would seem an awful waste of time and money to not go ahead with it. I’m sure you could easily spend less than I did, too.
So the ride home went as well as it could have. Roads were as salty as hell and my hands were that cold I was looking forward to junctions and roundabouts so I had an excuse to move my fingers.
But aren’t I glad I bought a second hand bike...... only managed to drop it on it’s side while manoeuvring it in my garden. Not really any damage; snapped the end off the brake lever which I’ll replace and a minor scuff on the exhaust which I’m not bothered about. Least it wasn’t my skull and it was bound to happen at some point. However, I obviously hated everything about bikes for the twenty minutes after dropping it. Over it now though, looking forward to getting some miles under the belt.
But aren’t I glad I bought a second hand bike...... only managed to drop it on it’s side while manoeuvring it in my garden. Not really any damage; snapped the end off the brake lever which I’ll replace and a minor scuff on the exhaust which I’m not bothered about. Least it wasn’t my skull and it was bound to happen at some point. However, I obviously hated everything about bikes for the twenty minutes after dropping it. Over it now though, looking forward to getting some miles under the belt.
AlunJ said:
Congrats on the pass and new bike. I dropped my new cbr650f on my first ride out after passing. It's absolutely gutting but you live and learn. Even worse I'd be riding a 125 for a few months and having done my test on an sv650 had never dropped a bike until that point lol.
Cheers my friend. Glad to hear I’m not the only one and I’ll count myself lucky I’ve got no fairings to smash and that I managed to spare the tank and frame. Fence and gate will be removed from the back patio this afternoon to allow for better manoeuvring. Gonna order some cleaning and maintenance bits today and then hopefully all I’ll need to do is fuel the thing. And maybe go to the gym a bit more....... practise my 200kg deadlifts. No commuting on it today, lovely layer of snow outside. Hopefully conditions will allow on Wednesday.
Well it’s been a few weeks since I picked up the bike, so thought I’d provide an update. Firstly, it hasn’t thrown me off yet. I’ve had a couple of dodgy moments. First one was tucking back in after an overtake in the wet on to a rather large manhole cover. Back end felt like it stepped out a fair bit but not sure how much others noticed. Scared me a bit though. Second one was again just about to overtake when the car in front put their washers on. Seemed like none of the fluid went on their screen and it all hit my visor. Ended up losing concentration and getting way too close to the central reservation.
Only been commuting and going to the gym etc. on the bike. Had one ‘pleasure’ ride but that wasn’t very far (see photo below). Bike has been untouched since Saturday due to this so-called Beast.
I’ve treat myself to an Abba stand which, if you saw my other thread, managed to use as a normal paddock stand but got there eventually.
Current plans for the bike are some crash protectors, a tail tidy, Scorpion exhaust, front screen and bar ends. Looking at about £550 all in which ain’t too bad, want it all done by May to enjoy during the summer.
Appreciate it’s a fairly pedestrian bike doing run-of-the-mill duties, but I think I’ll keep this thread updated, even if just for my own benefit. Happy biking!
Only been commuting and going to the gym etc. on the bike. Had one ‘pleasure’ ride but that wasn’t very far (see photo below). Bike has been untouched since Saturday due to this so-called Beast.
I’ve treat myself to an Abba stand which, if you saw my other thread, managed to use as a normal paddock stand but got there eventually.
Current plans for the bike are some crash protectors, a tail tidy, Scorpion exhaust, front screen and bar ends. Looking at about £550 all in which ain’t too bad, want it all done by May to enjoy during the summer.
Appreciate it’s a fairly pedestrian bike doing run-of-the-mill duties, but I think I’ll keep this thread updated, even if just for my own benefit. Happy biking!
Well my exhaust, tail tidy and crash protectors have arrived. As is often the case, I couldn’t wait and ended up buying them earlier than I expected. Getting fitted on Sunday, along with all the rest of the st I inevitably buy from the Manchester Bike Show on Saturday.
Didn’t go for the screen as I didn’t want to tidy up the rear then mess up the front. However, got back to my bike after work today and someone had left a note on it. I started worrying, thinking about who I could have upset on the way in. Turns out it was the previous owner and he wants to sell me a brand new Givi screen and some Suzuki rear bobbins for £50. I think I’ll take the screen off him for £35 if he’ll take it, don’t need the bobbins as I’ve got an Abba stand.
The exhaust I went for was a Delkevic SL10. It seems really well made, bigger than I thought though and a good sight cheaper than the Scorpion I initially looked at.
I shall update on Sunday evening once I’ve ruined my bike and ran out of cable ties...
t I inevitably buy from the Manchester Bike Show on Saturday. Didn’t go for the screen as I didn’t want to tidy up the rear then mess up the front. However, got back to my bike after work today and someone had left a note on it. I started worrying, thinking about who I could have upset on the way in. Turns out it was the previous owner and he wants to sell me a brand new Givi screen and some Suzuki rear bobbins for £50. I think I’ll take the screen off him for £35 if he’ll take it, don’t need the bobbins as I’ve got an Abba stand.
The exhaust I went for was a Delkevic SL10. It seems really well made, bigger than I thought though and a good sight cheaper than the Scorpion I initially looked at.
I shall update on Sunday evening once I’ve ruined my bike and ran out of cable ties...
All sorted. Crash bobbins were a piece of piss, tail tidy was a bit fiddly and exhaust wasn’t too bad but had to come back off a few times before I got it right, including putting the baffle back in. God, it was loud.
One question, there’s a few drops of water coming from the exhaust joints. Everything is tightened up as far as I dare before rounding anything off, I’ve used the supplied exhaust sealant and there’s no gases leaking. Is this normal? Will the sealant eventually sort it out? Should I put more on?
What was quite annoying was that there was instructions on how to remove the baffle which was basically whack it with a hammer, but no instructions on how to fit it. I mean, it was fairly straight forward, but I did do things in the wrong order a couple of times.
Anyway, pleased with how it looks and sounds now.
One question, there’s a few drops of water coming from the exhaust joints. Everything is tightened up as far as I dare before rounding anything off, I’ve used the supplied exhaust sealant and there’s no gases leaking. Is this normal? Will the sealant eventually sort it out? Should I put more on?
What was quite annoying was that there was instructions on how to remove the baffle which was basically whack it with a hammer, but no instructions on how to fit it. I mean, it was fairly straight forward, but I did do things in the wrong order a couple of times.
Anyway, pleased with how it looks and sounds now.
Thanks for your thoughts/advice. Got to work today and there were no leaks but I’ll keep an eye on it and make sure nothing works loose.
The exhaust was loud enough this morning that I felt a bit bad for my neighbour at 06:30. Makes a right thump on a cold startup but seems quieter once warmed up. I’ll ask him if it bothers him but there’s not much I can do as the old thing is staying off.
The exhaust was loud enough this morning that I felt a bit bad for my neighbour at 06:30. Makes a right thump on a cold startup but seems quieter once warmed up. I’ll ask him if it bothers him but there’s not much I can do as the old thing is staying off.
Could somebody help me with this noise please?
I can hear it when I’m riding and it sounds like a rattle, can hear it more when I move my left leg out and it sounds very chain related. Got the bike up on the stand and started it in first and sounded more like a slapping sound, if that makes sense. It’s coming from somewhere around here:
I noticed it yesterday so tensioned and lubed the chain. Still fine today. No kinks, tiny bit of rust as it lives outdoors. Rear sprocket looks fine but didn’t have chance to remove the cover for the front. I thought it might be the chain hitting the bit it’s on in the picture (no idea of technical term) so cleaned most of the grime off that but still there.
I have heard it slightly in the past but seems louder now. Any help appreciated.
I can hear it when I’m riding and it sounds like a rattle, can hear it more when I move my left leg out and it sounds very chain related. Got the bike up on the stand and started it in first and sounded more like a slapping sound, if that makes sense. It’s coming from somewhere around here:
I noticed it yesterday so tensioned and lubed the chain. Still fine today. No kinks, tiny bit of rust as it lives outdoors. Rear sprocket looks fine but didn’t have chance to remove the cover for the front. I thought it might be the chain hitting the bit it’s on in the picture (no idea of technical term) so cleaned most of the grime off that but still there.
I have heard it slightly in the past but seems louder now. Any help appreciated.
I’ll try again before starting a fresh thread. Managed to get a video. Checked the alignment by measurement and seemed 2-3mm out so got that right but noise still there. Very annoying.
https://youtu.be/9Lx9MN1SuE0
https://youtu.be/9Lx9MN1SuE0
dc2rr07 said:
horsemeatscandal said:
I’ll try again before starting a fresh thread. Managed to get a video. Checked the alignment by measurement and seemed 2-3mm out so got that right but noise still there. Very annoying.
https://youtu.be/9Lx9MN1SuE0
Must say sounds ok to me.https://youtu.be/9Lx9MN1SuE0
I’ll keep an eye on it, cheers.
Well, two years and two winters down the line, the SV has served me incredibly well and wears it's 16k miles like a champ. Getting traded in against a brand spanking CB650R on Tuesday. Had it up for sale at a (in my opinion) very reasonable price which garnered minimal interest, guess it's just the time of year. Dealership have given me a part-ex offer which is very close to what I would have sold it for so took their hand off. The excitement begins.
If anyone wants an SV650 Abba stand fitting for the price of postage, give me a shout.
If anyone wants an SV650 Abba stand fitting for the price of postage, give me a shout.
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