Is it right for me?

**javawocky** · 9th September 2009, 10:45

Also, if you get it, give it a few days riding to get used to it before making any major changes. When I got my SV I thought it was too tall for me and lowered the forks which stuffed up the handling, after riding it for a while I realized I could handle it fine, just needed some getting used to.

**CookMySock** · 9th September 2009, 11:23

Originally Posted by javawocky

Also, if you get it, give it a few days riding to get used to it before making any major changes.

Agreed. It's GOING to feel REALLY different, so don't panic and jump to conclusions.

Something I have found really useful with my newbies, is if they are stressed, to take them back to the carpark they did their first ever ride in. Everyone started in some carpark somewhere, and if you return there this gives you a great feeling of safety. Now hop on the new bike and start over from scratch around the carpark - in ten minutes you will feel right as rain.

Steve

**javawocky** · 9th September 2009, 11:26

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

..to take them back to the carpark they did their first ever ride in. Everyone started in some carpark somewhere, and if you return there this gives you a great feeling of safety. Now hop on the new bike and start over from scratch around the carpark - in ten minutes you will feel right as rain.

Steve

Yeah like this guys

**CookMySock** · 9th September 2009, 11:31

Haha, at least he pulled his sleeves down for some protection!

Steve

**grbaker** · 9th September 2009, 12:22

Had a 1999 SV650S for 3-4years.
Good bike, Nice power, easy to ride. Soft front suspension that you can buy gizmos to fix or just have slightly heavier fork put in.

The seat height, as mentioned by others, may be an issue for you - it is higher than the Gladius (805mm I think), I'm not sure about lowering it or what that would do to it's handling

2003 models onwards got the fuel injection and a new frame... not sure if the mods where a great improvement... as the older ones went quite well.

The item you are looking at on TradeMe could be a little cheaper if you are looking for a bargin. It's 10 years old.

**madbikeboy** · 9th September 2009, 12:46

Originally Posted by FROSTY

I'd say yes get it. But BEFORE going down the lowering track either buy a suzuki factory narrow/lowered seat OR get the seat foam cut down/reshaped. The seat on a 99-2002 SV is plush and can loose 30mm of foam easilly and still feel fine.
The factory seats are reshaped by taking more foam from the front outside of the seat as well as a general reduction in thickness. The effect of this is that the bike feels the same when ridden but feels narrower and lower when standing up.

As Frosty says - the seat makes a huge difference. PM Cajun, he has access to the best seat maker in the known universe.

**hospitalfood** · 9th September 2009, 13:07

do you like the colour ?
i try to get bikes i love rather than bikes i like and this is not really about performance, more how i feel about the bike.

if you want to get faster and ride it hard / track etc you will have to spend money on suspension, in this case it would probably work out cheaper to get a better bike. if you dont want to push it to hard it will be fine as it is.

if you would love a ducati monster, get one. they are priced well and there are plenty of good peeps on KB willing to help teach you the servicing stuff

as far as what you can ride / what is right for you you will be fine on a 600 / 650

**Thani-B** · 9th September 2009, 14:07

Originally Posted by SVboy

Great bikes, but I would be wondering about the highish kms on that example. They age well, but even so, spending a little more, could save you a fortune! 50kms and a regularly maintained sv motor will be fine, but that suspension could be pretty tired.

I wondered about that as well. The kms are a bit higher than I would prefer. I was told about this one
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=99215 owned by MidnightMike.

Its a bit more, which Im not sure I can afford. But Id be much happier with the kms its done, its younger, and its closer for me to go and look at.

Originally Posted by hospitalfood

do you like the colour ?

I prefer the blue over the red.. how much is it to get a bike repainted? Could be an option if I get MidnightMikes one. Or not much point?

**hospitalfood** · 9th September 2009, 14:18

Originally Posted by Thani-B

I prefer the blue over the red.. how much is it to get a bike repainted? Could be an option if I get MidnightMikes one. Or not much point?

not sure ? if you take it apart and prep it yourself it would not be heaps. but then there is the whole logo / branding drama.
probably not worth it. red is faster of course.

I dont think 50,000 km is much of a concern if it has a proper service history and feels tight and new-ish to ride.

**Harvd** · 9th September 2009, 21:18

Yeah im seriously consideriing one of these when full comes along... But i want a fully faired one. where are they all? out in f3/protwins i guess...

They look like a good solid bike

**caseye** · 9th September 2009, 21:31

Thani-B, you ride well and witrh confidence, this bike would not be too big a step for you.My only comment would be, if you haven't already, go take one for a test ride, make sure it fits generally and that you Like the feel of it.
Last thig don't buy any bike without making sure it's properly checked over by a good Motorcycle mechanic.
Happy hunting hope to see you on a newer, bigger, better, well fitting bike soon.

**PirateJafa** · 9th September 2009, 23:13

If you're quite small, rather than spending money lowering a bike, it could pay to drop around and see how this bike fits - it's lower to the ground than the SVs.