What to look for when buying a SV 650?

[Alex@POD]

I have made up my mind and I will be buying a 99-02 SV as soon as I pass my test in a few weeks, providing I like riding them anyway... I have heard that they tend to have distribution problems or something, big jobs that needs sorting out at some point, is that right? Any other things to ensure have been done or walk away from? I don't want my first bike to be a money pit because I didn't know about them...

[timmartin]

Lots of bikes have problems with a mis-fire on the front cylinder in the wet. This is because water pools in the spark plug hole. If the bike is fitted with a fender extender it is a good thing. (i've never had this problem with my bike yet)

Lots of bikes have regulator/rectifier problems, but i assume that this is an all or nothing kind of failure.

www.sv650.org/newbuyer/index.htm - comprehensive buying guide

http://forums.sv650.org - UK owner's club

www.svrider.com/ - a US owner's club


EDIT: links

Edited by timmartin on Thursday 1st March 19:50

[Alex@POD]

Thanks Tim!