SV650S K6 quick review

[Pwalo]

It's brilliant.






It really is. My only concern is that the fairing looks a wee bit like a CBR-RR from some angles.

Trading up from my GS500 I'm really impressed with how 'together' the SV feels. It just does everything better.

[98tls]

Fantastic bike...........enjoy

[forkoil]

Its a very good bike (I have K4) except the handling sux. Suspension is basically budget. Front end stock is too soft and poor damping, needs stiffer springs and better damping (cost ~ $600 to get springs, spacers and emulators), and rear is pretty basic too (replacement Ohlins cost about another $600). Engine is nicer (I think) than the SV thou, which doesnt like being below 3000 revs or it clutch snatches and grounches. Better option would be getting more out of the 650 motor than buying a thou (I reckon).
So a nice bike, but really needs better suspension to be ridden hard with confidence

[Pwalo]

Its a very good bike (I have K4) except the handling sux. Suspension is basically budget. Front end stock is too soft and poor damping, needs stiffer springs and better damping (cost ~ $600 to get springs, spacers and emulators), and rear is pretty basic too (replacement Ohlins cost about another $600). Engine is nicer (I think) than the SV thou, which doesnt like being below 3000 revs or it clutch snatches and grounches. Better option would be getting more out of the 650 motor than buying a thou (I reckon).
So a nice bike, but really needs better suspension to be ridden hard with confidence

I guess mine's still new so I don't find the suspension to be a problem. (Also I'm not a big fella). I certainly went the uprated suspension route with my GS.

I don't have any problem with the front on the S. Perhaps the different position and rake make a difference? I also quite like the Dunlops that come standard, but tyres can make a huge difference to a bike's handling.

Agree about the motor. The 650 is a beaut, surprisingly smooth, and not lacking too much. OK you're not going to threaten a 600 sports bike on a nice open piece of road, but anywhere else it's great.

Cheers

[Chisanga]

Pictures! We want pictures! :)

[forkoil]

<snip>....
I don't have any problem with the front on the S. Perhaps the different position and rake make a difference?
I think the frame on both S and naked models i sthe same, S would have more weight forward because of the seating position, but I dont think that would improve the handling at front end at all. The standard oil ways in the inner fork tubes are not subtle enough to allow for the different sorts of bumps the front gets, thats why they put "emulators" in them which can vary the damping depending on the impact on the fork caused by the bump.


Agree about the motor. The 650 is a beaut, surprisingly smooth, and not lacking too much. OK you're not going to threaten a 600 sports bike on a nice open piece of road, but anywhere else it's great.
Low down power is great for grunting out of corners instead of playing tap dance on the gear lever as one does on a IL four. Makes much more comfortable for touring IMHO. But dont really like the thou as much, not as smooth as the 650. Reckon there must be some cheap mods to the 650 mtr to get better performance (being only 71HP which is modest for a 650)

Cheers