1000cc twins

[k1w160]

Ah - nothing like coming in at the end of a thread.

Have had my SV1K K5 for 19 months and still get a buzz evertime I ride it.

Tried the SV, VTR, 2 x Buells, Trumpy Speed Triple and the Suzy Bandit (man those fours are BORING to ride compared to a twin - IMHO) and went the Suzy way cause it was the one that really looked good to me and was also the best priced.

Now I'm going to suggest another SV option: BUY A NEW ONE - they are only $12,500.00 and this has to be one of the best value for money moves you can make. Come to think of it, a new VTR is now around the same price.

I know the $$$ can put you off but think of it this way:
1. The bike is brand new so no ones stuffed around with it (a major plus)
2. You have a full warranty to fall back on if needed
3. The K5 & K6 are full power motors
4. Do what I did and spread the HP over 3 years, it really doesn't hurt that much - and there's still the satisfaction of being the first owner.

Fuel consumption can vary a lot on the SV, I average 40mpg, BUT have seen 250km out of a tank while crusiung down to Wanganui last boxing day at 100kph. The TLR's were heavy on fuel, but the SV's fuel injection can be frugal if you let it.

Personally I didn't get on with the riding position and have now fitted supermotard handlebars - and believe me this thing is a riot to ride now PLUS it's comfortable at the speed limit which it something I could never say about the std clip on bars.

As an all round sport touring general fun bike I don't think you will beat the SV.

I have sold over 23 bikes over the years and have at some stage regretted selling everyone of them, but somehow I think the SVS is a keeper.

Hope you find a bike that you can say the same thing about - maybe it's the SV - and maybe it isn't, keep us informed on what you decide.

Cheers

[Clivoris]

I absolutely agree with you there mate. The only other issue I had with mine was the seat comfort. After 4 hours I was walking like a cowboy.

[k1w160]

The seat is an issue that I have tried several times to fix, and this seems to be a problem with almost every sports bike if you want to do a bit of long distance work.

Initially I got a set of Sheepy Hollow sheepskin covers from Aussie but this wasn't enough for my tender butt.

I considered replacement seats from Corbin, Sargent and the Suzuki Gell Seat however the does not appear to be any consensus of opinion of how good / bad any of them are.

After buying an Australian Road Rider magazine I found an ad for the Air Hawk air seat covers and I took a punt and got one.

It straps on over the original seat (about 10 minutes work in taking the seat off and putting it back on) and is an adustable air filled pad that has individual 40mm x 40mm airpockets which are all linked to each other.
To adjust to the correct level on inflation you simply blow it up a little through the attached hose & valve, and then bleed off the air untill you are sitting about 3-5mm of the seat. It's important not to have too much air in as cause you can actually 'float' in all directions while riding - and believe me this is not a good feeling.

The air seat spreads your weight over the whole seat instead of just being in two or three points, and this give a very comfortable ride for many hours.

The only downside of the Air Hawk is that it looks a bit 'dorky', but as I'm more interested in walking at the end of a long ride I don't mind, plus I leave it off the bike for rides of two hours or less.

This one addition has turned the SV into the most comforable bike I have owned since my GS1000S - and that seat was exceptional.

To my knowledge they are not available in NZ, and I got mine from www.ausiebiker.com

Cheers

[TLDV8]

Some people seem to prefer the Gel seats,i didn't have a problem with the stock TL seat (a little uncomfortable around the 600 km mark ) but got a Corbin anyway.
Seems very comfortable,better support than the stock item.

[Cajun]

For seats, your best opinion would come pay us a visit, we taylor each seat to person needs, and colour styles, even put invidual logos in to suit you and your bike.

Andy i be testing a few twins this weekend myself,

[Pumba]

I have said it on KB before and I will say it again, the custom seats that Cajun does are amazing (had one on the bandit) and I would have to recomend them to anyone.

Infact we will see how my new SV goes seat wise and if it proves uncomfy on a few long hauls ive got comming up I know who I will be going to see.

[flyingscotsman]

My Multistrada is a blast to ride. Might cost a wee bit more than $8k but well worth the investment. Corners brilliantly, pulls like a schoolgirl all the way throught the rev range, comfy over distance, sexy to look at....what more can I say. Love it..

[madandy]

For seats, your best opinion would come pay us a visit, we taylor each seat to person needs, and colour styles, even put invidual logos in to suit you and your bike.

Andy i be testing a few twins this weekend myself,

Lemme in on it! Phone me on Shaz's phone if ya still got the number!!!!!

I can vouch for the seat re-covering/costom work Cajun's Family can do for ya. We had Sharons GSXR250 seat redone by these guys and the result was teriffic!

Ducati Multistrada? My cousins have all got Italian bikes in Palmy...Mother's members...got more money than me!

I'm starting to look at GSXR750's, ZX7R's as well as the 9R and the Jap twins cause my budget is limiting...NO H.P's for me...our only debt is a mortgage.

Andy

[Cajun]

don;t have ya number lost it when my old phone died

[ntst8]

Airhawk update from a lurker - they are available in NZ through www.anman.co.nz, not sure how long they have been supplying them here but I stumbled across them on the net and bought one a few weeks back - found them good to deal with.
Usual disclaimer - i got nothing to do with them etc

[Firestormer]

I've clocked up about 35,000km over two years on my 2005 VRT 1000f - Bluff to Cape Reinga and just about every main road in the country, many several times. Never missed a beat. The bike is awesome for touring. I often do 600km a day no trouble. The bike is stunning on the twisties and great fun to ride. 8-10,000km out of rear tyres and I'm on my second chain. Nothing else apart from routine maintenance. The bike is as tight as the day I bought it.

[madandy]

Sounds like a bloody good machine...
I've cottoned on to a 2002 YZF1000R Thunderace, 23000k's mint cond.. An old favourite of mine and I had the little brother 600 Thundercat.
Due to my financial restraints I may go the four cylinder way as I'm not having any joy finding a fully faired Twin at the right price, mileage, condition etc.

[Cajun]

yeah full faired twins youa re going europen pretty much, most jap twins are half fairing.

[vifferman]

8-10,000km out of rear tyres and I'm on my second chain.

They can be hard on chains and tyres, especially if you use engine braking.

[EZAS]

I was initially looking for a TLR when I was trying to purchase my bike, currently I have only seen 1 go for under $10,000 on trademe.

There is currently a zx7r with a zx9 engine in it under $8,000 I think they weigh about the same anyway don't they?