View Full Version : Has any experienced rider bought a new SV650?
Fitting my rearsets (which moved the rear brake line off the swing arm, so that you can now see where it rubbed) got me thinking. Has anyone that has experienced the SV650 gone out and bought a brand new one from Suzuki? (possibly to immeadiately fix it to how it should be, and sell/keep all the stock parts while they are still new/before they damage the bike)
Also we must be the biggest fans of the SV650 but I haven't heard many who have given money to Suzuki for a new one after they have actually experienced ownership of one. So if Suzuki can't get us (it's biggest fans) to buy one ....
Luckypants
22-05-08, 10:13 AM
Well if they could have found a black one last year after I binned my curvy, yes I would have.
Alpinestarhero
22-05-08, 10:13 AM
If my bike died on me, i'd buy a brand new one
Warthog
22-05-08, 10:36 AM
I really love the sv, but I think if I buy more bikes they would be different ones I guess. better suspension, more fairings, better seat, bigger engine is what I am interested in.
I would like a crack at a new one, then do all the good mod immediately! Would be a nice machine.
yorkie_chris
22-05-08, 10:38 AM
For a start I'd do all the maintenence that suzuki don't see fit to do.
However, I wouldn't buy a new bike full stop.
wyrdness
22-05-08, 10:41 AM
If I needed another SV for any reason, I'd probably look to buy a sorted one from someone here. By 'sorted' I mean with essential mods like loud can fitted.
Tbh, the sv is a loveley bike. But they're made with cheesey metal and rust like there is no tomorrow.
They're ok for people that ride in dry weather but any moisture then you are asking for fur! Mine is due a good clean and hopefully I can bring it back to a good condition. I rode it about twice in winter and used protector spray etc but the metal still gets eaten.
Everyone i ask says honda for rust free life and a guy i ride with who used to have a hornet said the same. His bike had done 5 x mileage of mine, used in all weathers and looks better than mine does now.
Good enough reason for me to upgrade ;)
Wayluya
22-05-08, 10:46 AM
Bought a brand new one in March 08 (done big bikes long before).
Would not buy another one - not because it is a bad bike, but more a case of "been there done that"....and for me it also lacks a certain "something" that makes me think "great bike".
To be brutally honest I am now wishing I had bought something like a Honda Blackbird......and a good chance I will sell the SV before end of summer, but not high on my priority list.
.........runs and hides ;)
lukemillar
22-05-08, 10:51 AM
SV was great for the purpose it served...first big bike etc. but so far I have had more riding enjoyment out of my R6 and 675. Then again, I'm a much better rider than when I had the SV so I guess that also has a bearing on it.
Even if I was to move back to the UK and start club racing (which was the plan before getting a job offer in OZ) I would choose the rookie 600 over minitwins
Flamin_Squirrel
22-05-08, 11:08 AM
Also we must be the biggest fans of the SV650 but I haven't heard many who have given money to Suzuki for a new one after they have actually experienced ownership of one. So if Suzuki can't get us (it's biggest fans) to buy one ....
You're asking the wrong question.
It's not 'would we buy another one now', it's 'did we regret buying one at all'. Most people on here, obviously, would say not at all.
I wouldn't buy another now, but if I got hit over the head and lost all my riding experience so I was starting again, I would.
dirtydog
22-05-08, 11:09 AM
All of mine have been 2nd hand. Would i buy a new one? Not likely, unless they did a few things to improve it.
You're asking the wrong question.
It's not 'would we buy another one now', it's 'did we regret buying one at all'. Most people on here, obviously, would say not at all.
I wouldn't buy another now, but if I got hit over the head and lost all my riding experience so I was starting again, I would.
Then you haven't understood my question :razz: Suzuki have made a great bike which all of us here would testify to, but it doesn't mean a damn in terms of repeat business for them (OK they will be recommended).
You're asking the wrong question.
It's not 'would we buy another one now', it's 'did we regret buying one at all'. Most people on here, obviously, would say not at all.
I wouldn't buy another now, but if I got hit over the head and lost all my riding experience so I was starting again, I would.
Agree, i loved mine when i had it. But now i would only have an SV as a second commuter bike after having the ZX6-R.
DOnt take that asa slagging for the SV its not, i just feel i have moved on a bit in what i want in a main bike.
Would i buy a new one? Not likely, unless they did a few things to improve it.
But wouldn't you like to take a brand new bike & then do all the mods/maintenance you'd like to it. Go on you must admit it's appealling (although expensive)
But wouldn't you like to take a brand new bike & then do all the mods/maintenance you'd like to it. Go on you must admit it's appealling (although expensive)
not really, i would rather have paid the bit extra and get top notch kit out of the crate properly fitted.
yorkie_chris
22-05-08, 11:25 AM
Then you've just got a UJM
Wouldn't buy a new anything.
Current SV is as new as I've got - would I get another if a tank reversed into it or something? Don't know - would depend what else was out there.
This is the greatest poll I have ever seen.
lukemillar
22-05-08, 11:59 AM
If you think about, the vast majority of SV owners on here who have had accidents where the bike has been declared a write off then go on to buy something different with the cheque. I would also guess that most of these riders also had SV's as first big bikes.
When I had my MT5, despite being a honda and only having about 2.5bhp, it was better than my pushbike and as far as I was concerned it was the greatest bike in the world.
When I had my TZR, despite it only having 12 (later 23) bhp, it was better than my MT5 and as far as I was concerned it was the greatest bike in the world.
When I had my ZXR4, etc.
I went from a curvey yellow to a 636 A1P I then had a gap of 4.5 years and I actually came back to the SV and bought a brand new one (I only buy new having had a dodgy second hand early in my biking life which put me off) obviously monetory reasons played a part and I came up with a short list of monster, new ZX6, street triple and the SV the street triple won it The kwaker lost it on the insurance and its a bit more focused than my old A1 and the SV was third but my local Triumph dealer informed me I had a 6 month wait for the triple (I am not patient) so SV jumped from 3rd - 1st the Monster was never really in it
So in comparison between the SV and my old 636A1
The good points are:
V twin I love the engine braking and the grunt compared to an IL4 it suits my riding style
Cheap Insurance running costs and petrol Fully comp Zero no Claims ? 235
No one expects you to do anything on an SV so you can pootle relaxed if you want on the Ninja I always felt I had to be quick
The bad points are:
V twins raw and less refined than an IL4 which makes mirrors shake
the Kwaker was easier to ride fast and I had more confidence on it than the SV I am having the SV properly set up for me by an expert so hopefully that will help
SV wheezes a bit top end past 100 as opposed to Ninja 120-150 easy peasy (on the track of course)
Kwaker for me was actually comfier than the SV
OK I have only just got to the first service which is booked but already I am beginning to think I need a bit more than the SV some work on the suspension is definately reqd as are getting rid of the OE Dunlops just for my confidence
So would I buy a new well yes cos I did, would I buy another SV ....no..... I am not slating the SV as I really enjoy it and if all goes to plan workwise I can hopefully keep the SV as a run around/winter/commute and then buy something more exotic later ..... and that is the whole point the SV is a great little bike but it always leaves you wanting something more... its hard to put your finger on it, its not bad in any area, just not quite right either ....weird
Tim in Belgium
22-05-08, 01:00 PM
Great as a first big bike, but now it's lacking in oomph I get bored of riding a lot of places on the throttle stop, need more power at altitude in the alps, and more for straight lines/uphills on track & at the Nurburgring.
So I wouldn't buy another SV, but it has been great.
Then you've just got a UJM
concidering the number of SV's sold i think it puts itsself into that bracket.
My point was the Kwak does everything well from the crate, where the SV does some things well and needs sorting to make the rest up to scratch. the suspension for one. But then you are paying more for the Kwak so expect more.
I bought a new one.
It was a very good bike so I don't regret it in that sense. I regret it because it was not what I wanted but that was in no way due to any inadequacy of the bike itself. I had to own one to find out that I didn't like V-Twins and that I wanted more power.
So I wouldn't buy another but I'd recommend it to others.
Tiger 55
22-05-08, 01:21 PM
Never say never (oops said it twice) but the only reason I would buy another one is because I know I can get all my stupid questions about it answered here. This forum is the best thing about the SV. :)
This is the greatest poll I have ever seen.:takeabow:
buy something different with the cheque.
Exactly my thinking. Also a few others have talked about owning a variety of different bikes, but surely I'm correct in thinking that the manufacturers get a lot more repeat business from say Gixxers or Ninjas etc.?
I suppose the very nature of the SV being marketed as a first bike, Suzuki are not counting on repeat business.
I bought my SV from new as its what people were telling me to do, as its a damn good introduction to biking.
Now mine has gone I probably wouldnt buy another one, it was brilliant for commuting and I loved it for it, but then there is bikes just as good that wont corode and fall to bits in bad weather.
It also lacking the power and oomph like Tim In Belgium has said. Theres only so much you can take of riding on full throttle most of the time, and wishing there was just more revs when you hit limiter at 11500 :( plus then your on the edge of the suspension capabilities and twitching all over the place.
It just need that little bit more of everything........but then it wouldnt be an SV, renowned for being a good introduction to biking.
What are you looking to buy now Graeme? I'll sell you my sv for £3.50! ;)
I'll sell you my sv for £3.50! ;)
I would buy another sv for £3.50.....you have a deal, Although I wouldnt buy another NEW one like the question asked, I'm not stupid and would always buy a bargain :cool:
What are you looking to buy now Graeme?
Already bought, pics to follow once I have picked it up :smt038:smt038:smt118:smt118:pukel::riding: feel sick waiting, cant wait
Luckypants
22-05-08, 01:55 PM
Actually, now I think about it I was an experienced biker when I bought my curvy. Had been off bikes for 2 years and bought a curvy cos I like the looks / sound and the pillion seat suited my lad (plus insurance was cheap - see reason for being off bikes for 2 years). Think I had in excess of 40K miles under my belt then.
My earlier answer was framed around the 'would you buy another' part of the question, but in fact I was experienced when I bought it.
No, you were right the first time. I do mean experience of an SV650 i.e. you know exactly what's wrong with the bike when you get it so that you can correct it from new.
STRAMASHER
22-05-08, 02:46 PM
My SV is feckin great. Love it. But life is too short to buy the same again....so voted "naw". (A new one is not much different to my K3)
Again its the fully updated thing for me. As from Curvy to Pointy.
Then yes.But not new.
If it was my only bike?
Naw.
Clear as mud.:rolleyes::mrgreen:
DanAbnormal
22-05-08, 04:02 PM
I had one from new after trying a mates pointy a year or two earlier. All things being equal, I wouldn't have another one.
dirtydog
22-05-08, 04:56 PM
But wouldn't you like to take a brand new bike & then do all the mods/maintenance you'd like to it. Go on you must admit it's appealling (although expensive)
No, not really. For a few reasons
1) That's an expensive way of doing things. What does a new SV cost? ?4500? I'd rather spend ?2000-3000 on a used on eand then use the left over cash to mod it. I know the flaws of the bike and know what i would do with it if i got another one.
2) They don't make new curveys
3) Wouldn't buy anything new, take too much of a hit in depreciation on it
mr.anderson
22-05-08, 10:52 PM
Narp, wouldn't buy a new one, that's for sure. But then I will probabaly never buy a new bika again - far too much stress etc.
I would, of course, recommend the SV to anyone as their first bike. (an echo of sentiments already shared many times).
Narp, wouldn't buy a new one, that's for sure. But then I will probabaly never buy a new bika again - far too much stress etc.
How come buying a new bike is too much stress? I'd have thought it'd be the opposite?
As for the original Q though, cant see anyone buying a new one as their 2nd bike! - look at the bikes mags these days, theres a monster array of choice out there so you'd be stupid to not 'play the field' a bit. My choice of next bike changes with each issue of the various mags but it certainly wouldnt be an SV as i've done that. Its a great bike and i'll never regret buying mine but theres a hundred bigger and betters waiting out there.
I don't think the repeat business is important to Suzuki in terms of like for likes, but there are a fair few people who've moved from the SV to other ranges (v-stroms and bandits, as well as the GSXR series).
Personally, I'm probably looking at getting something more sensible to do the day to day mileage and keeping the SV for fun
Personally, I'm probably looking at getting something more sensible to do the day to day mileage and keeping the SV for fun
???
The SV *was* my sensible bike.
I loved my curvys and would deffo buy another one-but itd have to be a curvy...so no to the new option but yes to id buy another one
No, not really. For a few reasons
1) That's an expensive way of doing things. What does a new SV cost? ?4500? I'd rather spend ?2000-3000 on a used on eand then use the left over cash to mod it. I know the flaws of the bike and know what i would do with it if i got another one.
2) They don't make new curveys
3) Wouldn't buy anything new, take too much of a hit in depreciation on it
A 2K deprecation over 3 years (ish) isn't too bad. How much have you saved by not needing MOT's every year, bits falling off/needing replacing etc., and the freebies thrown in by the garage (6 months road tax, free recovery, insurance, 10% clothes discount what have you).
Not sure if fuel consumption will be better on a new bike or not.
How come buying a new bike is too much stress? I'd have thought it'd be the opposite?
Yup a very interesting observation. I take it he means the ownership experience. The bike being knocked over & later stolen would have a lot to do with it!
Good to get a different view for all of us 2nd hand owners.
I bought a brand new ZXR400 in 2001, cost me £4700. A year later I reinsured it with a realistic depreciated value of £3000. Three days or so later it was nicked.
That's the only stress of buying a new bike. Depreciation. Not so bad if you spread it over three years, bit of a pain if you lose 42% of its value (including the excess) in the first year.
A 2K deprecation over 3 years (ish) isn't too bad. How much have you saved by not needing MOT's every year, bits falling off/needing replacing etc., and the freebies thrown in by the garage (6 months road tax, free recovery, insurance, 10% clothes discount what have you).
Not sure if fuel consumption will be better on a new bike or not.
OK my bike was ?2,600 cheaper than new after 18 months & 2000 miles
Say ?75 for one & a half MOT's required earlier, nothing, tax is ?36.30. If you can't get better than a 10% discount just walking into a shop or waiting for a sale :roll:
So it's not looking very good for new ! :D
philbut
23-05-08, 01:53 PM
If I ever start to commute again (by bike rather than cycling) I'd look at an SV, but only second hand. They are p*ss easy to work on, and if you dont care about the finish, bloody reliable, whilst still being more fun that a CB500 or similar. Maybe once i get a real job, I'd look at getting a crashed one as a track bike. Would like to do that now but funds are a bit limited...
yorkie_chris
23-05-08, 02:15 PM
Depreciation. I've had my SV a year, probably completely killed the resale value by mileage, mods, crashiness, crap paint etc.
I've probably lost 200 quid in it's value lol.
diamond
23-05-08, 02:38 PM
I bought a brand new K5 after owning a curvy, and a brief stint owning a CBR600. I still have it now 3 years later but i also have my 749s so the need for more power was covered by that. As my commuting bike it has been great, i even choose to use it for the fun days out sometimes as well.
sv-robo
24-05-08, 10:59 AM
Love my sv,but would'nt buy another as next bike i wuold fancy something different + i think any sv i bought would maybe struggle to live up to the one i already own (for various reasons.)
wheelnut
24-05-08, 11:24 AM
I bought a new curvy 650 and rode it for 3 years, then sold it and bought a new pointy 1000.
ok so buying new isnt a wise decision but without loonys like me Suzuki would be called BSA or Norton
muffles
24-05-08, 12:20 PM
Exactly my thinking. Also a few others have talked about owning a variety of different bikes, but surely I'm correct in thinking that the manufacturers get a lot more repeat business from say Gixxers or Ninjas etc.?
I suppose the very nature of the SV being marketed as a first bike, Suzuki are not counting on repeat business.
I have seen a few GSX-R owners upgrade to the newer model (same cc) on other sites. The thing is, Suzuki make an effort to improve that range every time they release a new bike, thus the new model actually is better. With the SV, well, it's been pretty much the same bike for all these years now - there's zero reason to 'upgrade' to a newer model. I think that's the reason behind the repeat business situation.
Myself, I'd buy another SV, but not new. I like it, but not enough to justify the new price, when I no longer would see it as my "best" (only?) bike.
It'd be a bike for "remembering the old times", commuting, and maybe having a bit of fun with too.
mr.anderson
27-05-08, 12:12 PM
Yup a very interesting observation. I take it he means the ownership experience. The bike being knocked over & later stolen would have a lot to do with it!
Good to get a different view for all of us 2nd hand owners.
Yep, that's the one...
I am going to keep my ZX for a very long time. Then when I do feel I need a change, get a 2nd hand one that I can ride without being terrifed that im going to chuck it down the road or have it nicked.
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