Buying a SV 1000/650

[HungusMaximist]

dude --going against the trend--I gotta say If you can get over the looks the kawasaki er6 is a better bike off the floor-and at 10k new its same price as the suzuki
The power is basicly the same -the brakes ditto but the suspension is heaps better

You mean when compared to the 650 right?

I haven't ridden a ER6N yet so I gotta check it out. I do actually quite like the faired version (ER6F).

[FROSTY:Me]

yep straight comparison to the 650 suzuki

[imdying]

The one I test rode was a 2003 SV but first registered in 2004. Like you mentioned they are probably not as refined as the later models in terms of frame and engine right?

No difference in the frame, although the later (05+) ones have a better rear shock (has an additional heat shield), but worse forks (only because the cartridge isn't modifiable after 05).

As for the 650, I keep hearing they are way more flickable then the 1000's? Because they are lighter? Well seeing they are smaller, I guess they should in theory be better in the corners but then again, I wouldn't know...

The 1000 is easy to flick, so not really an issue imho.

Fuel mileage is the other thing I considered. Some guy mentioned you can get a good 300 km outta the 1000 but I need somebody else to confirm that. As for the 650 how much more economical is it than the 1000? And I read somewhere there was ABS Brakes on the 650.

I can get the fuel light flashing in under 200kms, so it depends on how you ride them.

The other thing I wanna know is that the dry weight is around 180 mark so I guess with all the fluids and petrol it's gonna weigh about 200 kg for the 1000.

Yep, pretty light, and the mufflers will save another 6kg.

Oh yea there's also some stuff about some KNOCKS inside the engine. Read it up on a SV Mod site...

Some of the early ones had main bearings with big clearances... afaik none blew up, but some were noisier than the customers liked. They're pretty rare, it was never a recall issue.

Can you please comment on the 650's? Anybody else, please pitch in.

Plenty to love, especially if you like your license.

When did the VTR started fuel injection on their bike?

VTRs are equal parts ugly and thirsty... the SV isn't wonderful, but it's a damn sight better than those sacks of shite.

And also, how do you actually check the clutch slave cylinder issue?

Don't worry about it... should it ever leak, you'll put a new slave on and problem solved. There are other ways to fix it too.

[HungusMaximist]

Well, even though the SV1000 is a great deal all in all but it probably be too much of a bike around the city/commuting, even though how much I would like to own to 1000.
Yea I do intend to keep my licence intact so I might have to consider a middle weight 600s.

There's also ER6N, FZ6, CBR600F (light), CB600... If the price is right I guess!

Thanks for your input bro ^.

[Blue Velvet]

Well, even though the SV1000 is a great deal all in all but it probably be too much of a bike around the city/commuting, even though how much I would like to own to 1000.
Yea I do intend to keep my licence intact so I might have to consider a middle weight 600s.

There's also ER6N, FZ6, CBR600F (light), CB600... If the price is right I guess!

Thanks for your input bro ^.

My 650S is great for commuting and also longer distance riding. I've done about 12,000k on it. No problems, but mine is 1999/2000 so not fuel injected and needed carb heater kit for colder weather.

Yes it is very easy to flick round corners.

How far do you commute? And how big are you? I'm tiny so the 650 is good but if I was a bigger guy I'd go for the thou... I commute up to 150k per day some days of the week, as well as weekend riding etc.

Actually if I was buying a new SV I'd go for the thou anyway, not much difference size/weight wise etc, and only $500 dearer.

My next bike isn't going to be an SV though. Time to try something different.

[imdying]

You might consider a replacement GSX750 then too.

[klyong82]

And how big are you? I'm tiny so the 650 is good but if I was a bigger guy I'd go for the thou... I commute up to 150k per day some days of the week, as well as weekend riding etc.

He is pretty tall and I think I did mention to him that the thou would be alot more comfortable for someone of his height. Ewen just get the SV1000 and set aside some money to fix the problem (if any pops up).

[imdying]

The 03+ 650 and the thous are essentially all the same dimensions.

[Blue Velvet]

He is pretty tall and I think I did mention to him that the thou would be alot more comfortable for someone of his height. Ewen just get the SV1000 and set aside some money to fix the problem (if any pops up).

Hmmm well maybe go for another brand. The other manufacturers he mention all make taller bikes. The SV thou is the same height etc as the 650, or maybe 10mm difference from memory.

[Grahameeboy]

Well, I recently started looking into the SV series and I had my eyes set on the 650 as it looked the part being the perfect commuter bike. Had enough horsepower to take her out in the open and go for a burn and friendly enough for long distance touring.

I have also test ridden a 2004 SV1000 yesterday with Scorpion cans. The bike was not mint cosmetically, scratches and tank chips from the previous owner I believe. Great fun when you open it up and the clutch lever took sometime to get use to as it had a small gap of free play (Hydraulics clutch I believe?) while my 1991 GSX750F had a massive friggin free pla.

What I want to know is what to look out when looking at SVs price wise and also mechanically wise. I have been mainly focusing on the 2003 and up with Fuel Injection.

I have also looked into VTR1000s TRX850 and the ER6N's, comparisons?

Any advice is appreciated. Plus if any of you from Auckland who owns one and is keen to check one out with me that'd be real good. Let me know aye.

Next time you are visiting Beaconsfield Road, let me know and I will let you have a quick spin on mine.

[jrandom]

Next time you are visiting Beaconsfield Road, let me know and I will let you have a quick spin on mine.

Waaaa, I want a go too!

Although from what I saw today, SV1000s are a bit less maneuverable than GSXRs when it comes to fitting through gaps between cars.

[imdying]

Waaaa, I want a go too!

Although from what I saw today, SV1000s are a bit less maneuverable than GSXRs when it comes to fitting through gaps between cars.

Heh, not mine... silly big fat wide 4 cylinders

[Devil]

Either get the 650, or go for an ER6.

The SV1000 is well over 200kg wet (it's 186 dry). It's also quite top heavy which is typical of big V-twins.

The 650 and the 1000 are pretty much the same size.
As said previously, the seat leaves a little to be desired, so does the suspension.
The 1000 handles a bit like a sinking barge.

Personally, I felt the 650 was a better bike. I think the 1000 was too much engine for that chassis.

However: They're cheap, and certainly not slow. Nothing wrong with a traffic light dragster.

[Pumba]

Fuel mileage is the other thing I considered. Some guy mentioned you can get a good 300 km outta the 1000 but I need somebody else to confirm that.

I have never been able to get that out of mine. Out of a full tank open road cruising the fuel light will come on at about 200km - 200km (I have only got 170km out of it on the open road but that was an extremly fun doa that the best dont know about), comuting 160km - 180km, and at a dry track day if I see 100km I am doing well.

dude --going against the trend--I gotta say If you can get over the looks the kawasaki er6 is a better bike off the floor-and at 10k new its same price as the suzuki
The power is basicly the same -the brakes ditto but the suspension is heaps better

I completly agree with Frosty. The Kawaka ER6 beats the SV650 hands down of the shop floor.

[Pumba]

Well, even though the SV1000 is a great deal all in all but it probably be too much of a bike around the city/commuting, even though how much I would like to own to 1000.
Yea I do intend to keep my licence intact so I might have to consider a middle weight 600s.

There's also ER6N, FZ6, CBR600F (light), CB600... If the price is right I guess!

Thanks for your input bro ^.

The thou is fine for comuting around the city, I have been doing so on mine for nearly a year now.

To be honest yes the thou can be a bit of an over kill at times, to help eleviate this I have dropped down a tooth on the frount sprocket and it has just made it that bit better IMHO.