First spin on an SV

[Durbs]

Still umming and aahing about which bike to go for to replace the 125 Varadero and took another trip up to the Triumph dealer today, originally for a test ride on a Fazer but decided last night i didnt fancy one.

Saw they had a nice black Bandit in and nearly rode that but decided in the end it just didnt do it for me either.

I'd been up there the week before to check out a Daytona i liked the look of but after sitting on it i thought, nah, not for me at all. Couldnt handle the sporty position and tubby feel of it. This kinda put me off the SV again as i thought it was the same riding position.

They had a couple of SV's lined up so i said go on, giz a ride on one of those. Hopped on the thing and was like, noooo, this feels wierd. That, combined with the fact it was absolutely lashing it down (and i had a few bikers stood there watching me set off on the ride) nearly made me get off it and forget the idea.

Glad i didnt, it was mint! :D Bar the first few yards where i gave it the type of throttle i'd normally use on my Varadero (bit of a lurch in front of assembled throng). Was surprised with how responsive they actually are. I know everyone praises the v-twin for its on-tap power, but whoah, really does go instantly. Superb. They said take it for an hour so i headed towards home to an A road i know well and opened it up a bit. Good testement to the bike that i felt confident doing this even though it was still p1ssing down.

Decided finally to go for one (K3, Blue) - until i can get my hands on a Street Triple! They had a demo black Triple that i had a play on and it was just beautiful so going for the SV to tide me over for the 7 month wait for the Triple. Waiting list is May for the black or white and June for the green (which i fancy), £300 deposit secures.

Anyhow, cant wait to take delivery of the SV. For anyone else considering one i can heartily recommend a test ride to banish those doubts.

[Blue_SV650S]

One thing you have to experience is the SV with a race can on (or one of them road ones with removable baffle (with it removed obviously!! :D)).

I have never been convinced by triples, ok, so you get a bit of the best of both worlds, but you also get a bit of the worst ... and ... well you end up with something in the middle ... why would you want something in the middle?!!? :D

I love the look of the Daytona 675 mind, they don't hang about either!! 8)

http://www.bikez.com/pictures/triumph/2007/24416_0_1_2_daytona%20675_Image%20credits%20-%20Triumph.jpg

[yorkie_chris]

I have never been convinced by triples,

I am, the 675 engine is f###ing brill IMO
(bearing in mind that my SV is not the most tuned, and I only did a few miles)
It even makes a nice noise with the stock can, a right snarl when you open it up.

[Durbs]

It even makes a nice noise with the stock can, a right snarl when you open it up.

Yup, this Triple had a right lovely growl. The SV with stock can wasnt very good sounding but i've heard 'em with aftermarket ones so thats the first thing on the shopping list.

[Ed]

675's on 0% interest...

[yorkie_chris]

And for me, around £3000 insurance, more for fully comp.

Not going to happen :smt097

[Ed]

And for me, around £3000 insurance, more for fully comp.

Not going to happen :smt097

Three grand!!!!! FM!!!!! Pays to be an old fart y'know;)

[yorkie_chris]

Yeah, oh well, it'll only cost me about £500 for a TLS when this silly 33bhp is off me license

[the_lone_wolf]

675's on 0% interest...
http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/attentive-cat-is-attentive.jpg

[Ratty46]

i was thinking today about my next bike, i think it may be a street triple...i alos thought that i might just keep my SV..forever..shes my first love.....:smt054

so that would be 1 scooter,1 SV, a supermoto and a street triple...sweet!:cheers::takeabow:

[Ed]

Yeah, oh well, it'll only cost me about £500 for a TLS when this silly 33bhp is off me license

YC, why a TLS? I don't really understand why anyone wants one. What's the appeal? Not being funny, it's just that I've never understood this TL business.

[yorkie_chris]

Big twin, lots of torque, looks nice, steers well (which is why I don't want an SV1000) and doesn't have the extra expense of a posh euro-bike.

[Ed]

Big twin, lots of torque, looks nice, steers well (which is why I don't want an SV1000) and doesn't have the extra expense of a posh euro-bike.

Oh OK, fair dooze:-k

[yorkie_chris]

And nobody has a better idea that I can afford :p

[ThEGr33k]

I agree the Street tripple is very tempting. Only thing is that im not sure i want to go with something with limited wind protection as i do a lot of 100+ mile trips. Also i usually carry a bike bag on the pillion seat, im not sure the street triple caters for this :smt086.

I test rode a SV 1000 but it wasnt a very good example, it didnt ride anywhere near as well as my 650 and the engine though it felt better wasnt so much better i was willing to put up with the (that) bikes other issues.

The fact you have to be 25Yrs old for most test rides, i wont buy a bike i havnt tested, as its my only transport i have to have a bike that feels right!

So ive decided to just stick with the 650 and add a few things to make the engine feel stronger. I just need to wait till Feb (next insurance year for me) to see who will insure me with the added bits.

Many others think the same as me? :confused:

[ThEGr33k]

YC, why a TLS? I don't really understand why anyone wants one. What's the appeal? Not being funny, it's just that I've never understood this TL business.


I was tempted by one, but if i did go for one then id have to do a lot of messing with the rear damper! No way could i put up with getting wierd feedback from it when it decides to give up on you. :pale:

Oh and another tip ive found from the research into this bike is to get a 170 on the back, thats the ideal size to help rid the bike of its odd widowmaking tendancies. :cool:

[yorkie_chris]

Missed out the other week, there was one on ebay with ohlins rear and damper, tihnk it went for less than 2k

[Durbs]

I agree the Street tripple is very tempting. Only thing is that im not sure i want to go with something with limited wind protection as i do a lot of 100+ mile trips. Also i usually carry a bike bag on the pillion seat, im not sure the street triple caters for this :smt086.


They gave me the accessory price list with the Triple bumph today and you can add a Flyscreen - £119.99 and Smoked Flyscreen Visor - £39.99 and from the piccies it looks that the pair of them together offer decent-ish protection.

[Durbs]

They gave me the accessory price list with the Triple bumph today and you can add a Flyscreen - £119.99 and Smoked Flyscreen Visor - £39.99 and from the piccies it looks that the pair of them together offer decent-ish protection.

Plus a Tank bag and Tail pack for £84 so you've got no excuses now ;)

[ThEGr33k]

Ha ha... We will see. I still think a twin sounds 1000% better than anyother configuration! :smt077

Except maybe V4, then its only 999.9% better :p

[salford-star]

Hi to all,

I had my first spin recently on an SV650.My last bike was a CB400-4 , 25 years ago.Obviously its been a long time..but jeez , what an experience, very exciting.
But..although the straight line performance and brakes were incredible , as soon as I came to the curvy bits it all felt..well , dangerous.The front of the bike seemed to push up and the back end became very twitchy.I know some of this can be attributed to me..rusty skills and fear , but I just wondered is this a common characteristic of this particular bike?.

Regards.

[yorkie_chris]

Could be worth checking the preloads set to standard, and that there's oil in the forks and stuff.
Also tyre pressures are worth checking

[salford-star]

Hi ,
Thanks for that , I will do the checks.

[yorkie_chris]

If that doesn't help then have a trek up here and we'll check the swingarm isnt flapping around

[Blue_SV650S]

The front of the bike seemed to push up and the back end became very twitchy.I know some of this can be attributed to me..rusty skills and fear , but I just wondered is this a common characteristic of this particular bike?.

Regards.

"They all do that sir"!! :smt103 ... you will soon get used to it mind!! :)

400/4s are cool ... I had one of those ... loved it :cool:

[salford-star]

400/4s are cool ... I had one of those ... loved it

Yeah...but not as much fun as my first love... a Garelli :D ..one on fleabay last week for over 2 grand!.:smt103

[ThEGr33k]

"They all do that sir"!! :smt103 ... you will soon get used to it mind!! :)

400/4s are cool ... I had one of those ... loved it :cool:

My old man had one of those, he loved it to bits. He tuned it up to 440cc and put high lift cans so he could try to keep up with bigger bikes, on the streights they were leaving him... had to catch em in corners :smt077.

It was all well till one of the pistons decided to show their faces at fast MPH. :shock:

TBH i have no problems like that you have, like said id guess its the bouncers need setting up, once thats done its very nice and relaxed! Might also want to be careful with the weather and your right hand!

How does it feel to the 400 4?

[Lozzo]

I have never been convinced by triples, ok, so you get a bit of the best of both worlds, but you also get a bit of the worst ... and ... well you end up with something in the middle ... why would you want something in the middle?!!? :D
8)



You have to live with one for longer than an hour's test ride to really appreciate them - the noise and torque become addictive, instant power on tap and that feeling of being slightly different from the herd. I don't see that there's a "worst" side to them at all.

[salford-star]

Hi ,
Hey , it was 25 years ago :o but the engine braking on the SV is better than the puny brakes on the 400-4.I think the problem is more to do with having no fear as a teenager , then having too much fear as a forty something.Have you seen the silly money being asked for the 400-4 these days...?
Take it easy.

[Lozzo]

"They all do that sir"!! :smt103 ... you will soon get used to it mind!! :)

400/4s are cool ... I had one of those ... loved it :cool:

Point of order, young man.

The Honda 400-Four was so designated because in Japanese culture the number '4' is the same as a Japanese character which when used on its own is considered evil. Writing '14', '40' or '400' is acceptable, but not '4' with nothing prefixing or suffixing it.

This is why Honda wrote '400 Four' on the sidepanels.

I also had a 1978 400 Four F2, and despite it being a knackered old nail it was a shockingly competent bike.