SV650S had it 5 years ... what next?

[Tony_BLY]

Hi SVers

Havent been on the site for a while. I bought my SV650S in Black (the fastest colour, as every SVer knows!?!) in October 2003, second-hand with 6500 on the clock. Anyway, I am up to 32,000 miles after a 5 year love affair.

It has just passed its MOT, just had a 3rd pair of Conti Road Attacks fitted with new front pads (while it was in). Anyway, historically I passed my test 6 years ago, got myself a Honda CB500S prior to the SV (as my first proper bike), and in a previous epoch of my life, had a Yamaha FS1E.

So, I am up for a change come, say, Spring 2009 (after I have had some decent usage from the new tyres etc). I was eyeing a Fazer today, but I have to concede it looked ugly against my beautiful curvy black S. I love my SV, she is everything I need, but I worry about rear shock going (I had an advisory at the MOT about partially worn rear mono-shock pivot), front shocks have always been sh*te (as everyone knows).

Advice please? A VFR800? An R6? A Fazer? Or, continue with my love affair, and spend money keeping her maintained? I am also into non-excessive consumerism, so I feel I ought to continue with her, but is there a point where it is more economical sense to ditch before it all falls to bits?

Any replies are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Tony from excessively rainy Burnley :)

[chakraist]

Maybe a 1050 tiger? It depends what you want really, if I was going to get another bike right this second and had the cash, I'd get a D675 or a Speed Triple.

[dizzyblonde]

Just change the suspension...I did, and i've had my yellow SV in the family since she was born in 2001. Changed the bike completely. Had a bit of a face lift, and hey presto my bike for every season is ready for the next 7 years. If your happy and love your bike...just tweak it a little.
And if you wanna see what she was like after 7 years and how she is now, look at the suzy bares all thread in photos

[Dangerous Dave]

continue with my love affair, and spend money keeping her maintained?
This is what I'd do.

but is there a point where it is more economical sense to ditch before it all falls to bits?
If its well maintained it won't fall to bits.

The thing to do is search on here for the things that people have done to there SV's, if none of it floats your boat then start pestering the dealers for test rides.

Only you will really know which bike is best for you...

[Paws]

If im honest, i wish i still had a sv, love my 675 but theres something about an sv i just miss

[Grinch]

Buy another SV... I've got 2.. ;-)

[fizzwheel]

What do you use your bike for and is there anything you feel the SV is lacking in ?

[riktherider]

keep the sv, and buy another bike. im looking at a larger newer bike soon, but going to keep the sv till it dies, then revive it then let it die again etc.
get an inline four as a change to the twin. i ride a bandit 12 too and its a nice change now and then. but just looking for something a bit better quality.
how about the newer fz6/1. they are very nice. but the vfr is a solid motor.

[blueto]

kwak z750

superb machine!

[pookie]

I had my sv from 2002 and now up to 28k..bought an sv1000s a few weeks back. It all depends what you want to use the bike for.. main factor was I had great reliability with the sv650s and maintainance was ok for a DIYer. I looked at speed triple and also aprillia sl1000 but found bang for buck the sv1000 still topped it.

[blueto]

Buy another SV... I've got 2.. ;-)

not 2 curevys i hope?

[dizzyblonde]

Buy another SV... I've got 2.. ;-)

me tooooooooo;)

not 2 curevys i hope?
er yeah.....cause they are superior and ace:cheers:

[Grinch]

not 2 curevys i hope?

Yer... I ain't stupid... 2 lovely curvy ladies. Makes me happy just thinking about it.

me tooooooooo;)
er yeah.....cause they are superior and ace:cheers:

Snap...

Total of 96k on them now.

[blueto]

me tooooooooo;)


er yeah.....cause they are superior and ace:cheers:

name all the things that are better on a curvey?

be sensible about it...no silly stuff?

[Dangerous Dave]

Buy another SV... I've got 2.. ;-)
me tooooooooo;)

not 2 curevys i hope?
er yeah.....cause they are superior and ace:cheers:
and me too...

[Dangerous Dave]

name all the things that are better on a curvey?

be sensible about it...no silly stuff?
All of it...

[blueto]

Yer... I ain't stupid... 2 lovely curvy ladies. Makes me happy just thinking about it.



Snap...

Total of 96k on them now.

now when you put it like!!!:D

[Grinch]

name all the things that are better on a curvey?

be sensible about it...no silly stuff?

Better? What have I got all day? Anyway this is abit of a derail...


You need to think about what you want from the bike and go from there.

[embee]

Oh dear, it seems to be catching
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh268/Hi-vis/IMG_3685Small-1.jpg

Agree with the others, sort the suspension for a hundred or so and it'll seem like a new bike. Balance carbs, iridium plugs, advance the ignition a couple of degrees, if it's an S get some higher handle-bars, and you'll never want to lose it..........

[charlie13]

i don't think til i saw that picture that i really understood how deeply the org cares for the sv. I love its yellow curves to bits

[Tony_BLY]

Thanks for everyone who has replied.

Hmmm ... lots of food for thought. I certainly don't like the pointy as much (sorry, all you pointy SV owners and lovers). Forks could certainly do with an upgrade.

I have a feeling I am likely to keep her, come what may. Hadn't considered owning two bikes. Now there's a thought ....

Definitely fancy an in-line machine, they sound so sweet.

I think I will see how the credit-crunch persists and then take it from there. But with teenage off-spring it is unlikely a new purchase will be on the horizon just yet!

OMG! I am so indecisive (unlike when I bought my SV, spotted and bought in a matter of two hours with a trade-in on the CB500S)!

TTFN

Tony

[Tony_BLY]

Actually, today, I was in a nice bike shop and clocked a GSX650F.

Looked nice.

Anyone any experience of ride? Do we think its worth a move up or across from the SV?

Thanks

Tony

[Dangerous Dave]

Across really, you are moving from a bike with is basically aimed at the same people and designed to do the same job. The main obvious difference is preference over the engine lay out.

Thats not to say that moving sideways is a bad move...


To be 100% honest with you mate, only you can find the bike that suits you and your needs best. We can advise on what we think is good (and thats all the press do too) but a motorcycle is a personal preference, what suits you may not suit me and vice versa.

[Tony_BLY]

Cheers, Dangerous Dave.

I think I have definitely found my next bike. How do I know? It was the same feeling I had when I spotted the SV650 in October '03. Ooh! That looks ... interesting!

Yes, I am convinced it's my next machine.

And I will be trading in, as I can't afford to keep two bikes.

Nuff said.

Thanks again.

Tony

[Dangerous Dave]

Enjoy the Bandit...

[Tony_BLY]

Ouch!

[Dangerous Dave]

Ouch!
:p

[jamesobrady]

hmmm.... I had the same thoughts 2 years ago.

...then i saw the bike i wanted and started saving :)

I got it a month ago ....tis this one

http://www.irishbikerforum.com/forums/uploads/1214041805/med_gallery_28_386_334409.jpg

[gettin2dizzy]

hmmm.... I had the same thoughts 2 years ago.

...then i saw the bike i wanted and started saving :)

I got it a month ago ....tis this one

http://www.irishbikerforum.com/forums/uploads/1214041805/med_gallery_28_386_334409.jpg
More pictures please!
What the hell is it? And howw does it ride?

[Dangerous Dave]

I hope it is better than the one around here....

[Tony_BLY]

Nahh! Had a rip to scrub my new tyres in on Sunday to visit the local Bike Superstore which stocks the GSX650F, and it didn't look as sexy as I remembered.

I felt proud to pull onto the car park with my black SV, curvy, 2000 Y model. She still looks sexy.

NO! Rather than spend £4999 on a brand new bike that isn't as eye-catching (ok, maybe apart from the paintwork), I'd rather spend £1000 - £1500 upgrading the forks and any other improvements any one can suggest, while retaining the basic 'standard' SV650S (i.e. I am not interested in silly noisy exhausts etc.)

Your thoughts are welcomed and if you live in the North West, any good SV tuners/upgraders would be nice to learn about.

Thanks

Tony :D


PS Especially to Dangerous Dave, for his cynicism!

[Dangerous Dave]

I'd rather spend £1000 - £1500 upgrading the forks and any other improvements any one can suggest
See signature...

[jambo]

NO! Rather than spend £4999 on a brand new bike that isn't as eye-catching (ok, maybe apart from the paintwork), I'd rather spend £1000 - £1500 upgrading the forks and any other improvements any one can suggest, while retaining the basic 'standard' SV650S (i.e. I am not interested in silly noisy exhausts etc.)

How far do you want to go? If the components on your bike are standard, some new fork springs and oil to suit your weight, a Hagon shock, and a 2nd hand rear shock linkage with the bearings in it could easily be had for under £400. This should make it feel at least as good as new and probably significantly more suited to you.

Bling routes involve bolting on entire front ends (wheel, brakes, forkes & yokes) from another bike, usually a GSXR and throwing a new Ohlins shock in the back. This is more work, and / or more expensive though :)

Jambo

[Grinch]

I think if pushed to upgrade I'd just end up buying a SV1k.

[Tony_BLY]

Cheers Jambo, sounds a good and reasonably cost effective solution!

[dizzyblonde]

Hagon shock..£250 Hagon prgressive fork springs....£55. verdict.........BRILLLLLLIIIIAAAANT

definetly showed up the other SV's suspension, which is now crap as standard, but a shame the damn bike refuses to want to play out:-(

[Tony_BLY]

Yes, dizzyblonde,

I visited my local bikeshop later this afternoon to declare I would like to spend a few hundred quid on my 2000Y SV650S next spring, all being well, rather than trade up, as I only really ride my motorcycle for commuting (35 mile round trip) or cycle to work (depending on the weather, wind and whether as a 44 year old chap I feel up to the job ... and the rest of the fascist traffic.).

My local bikeshop owner (a nice chap) informed me that oil and spring change would cost me £75 in parts and about £30 in labour. So circa £100 squid for a front fork upgrade. Mentioned rear, as you say he was quoting £250 for rear shock with labour.

But he agreed with my rationale. You know your bike, limited use (I am no Rossi wannabe, though I like to open it up on occasion).

Anyway, to cut it short, the next time she's in for some work, I will add a £100 quid for fork upgrade and he will check out her rear at the same time and quote me!.

32,000 miles on the clock (thats 25,500 miles of my own), she is well looked after. And I am decided, she's aint going nowhere. Cheers to all you lovely SVers!!

Tony (in pi&sing down Burnley, I always knew the fenda extenda was the best first mod I ever made ...)

[maclovin]

Hi SVers

Havent been on the site for a while. I bought my SV650S in Black (the fastest colour, as every SVer knows!?!) in October 2003, second-hand with 6500 on the clock. Anyway, I am up to 32,000 miles after a 5 year love affair.
Tony from excessively rainy Burnley :)
ok tony got a black 99 curvey had it for about 3 weeks fitted some lowers and rear hugger well pleased only done 13000 miles , 800 miles in last 3 weeks , sat here waiting for knee to fix 4-6 weeks only good thing is i'm in rainy burnley and even i would not ride in this weather
ps have yellow dainese helmet give me a nod if you see me

[Tony_BLY]

Will do maclovin.

Had to ride to Blackburn this morning (work!). Kept off the M65 though, too much spray!

:cyclops:

[petevtwin650]

well having spent 7 years with 2 blue curvys, I have to tentatively put forward this.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/orgphoto/Ecosse/GlencoeMassacre001.jpg

4 grand. Never gonna be as reliable as a jap bike but feels like a big Sv with better suspension and brakes.

[dizzyblonde]

well having spent 7 years with 2 blue curvys, I have to tentatively put forward this.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/orgphoto/Ecosse/GlencoeMassacre001.jpg

4 grand. Never gonna be as reliable as a jap bike but feels like a big Sv with better suspension and brakes.

Show off:smt019;)

[LandanSam]

Suzuki SV1000 for the win!!!

[chunkytfg]

Hi SVers

Havent been on the site for a while. I bought my SV650S in Black (the fastest colour, as every SVer knows!?!) in October 2003, second-hand with 6500 on the clock. Anyway, I am up to 32,000 miles after a 5 year love affair.

It has just passed its MOT, just had a 3rd pair of Conti Road Attacks fitted with new front pads (while it was in). Anyway, historically I passed my test 6 years ago, got myself a Honda CB500S prior to the SV (as my first proper bike), and in a previous epoch of my life, had a Yamaha FS1E.

So, I am up for a change come, say, Spring 2009 (after I have had some decent usage from the new tyres etc). I was eyeing a Fazer today, but I have to concede it looked ugly against my beautiful curvy black S. I love my SV, she is everything I need, but I worry about rear shock going (I had an advisory at the MOT about partially worn rear mono-shock pivot), front shocks have always been sh*te (as everyone knows).

Advice please? A VFR800? An R6? A Fazer? Or, continue with my love affair, and spend money keeping her maintained? I am also into non-excessive consumerism, so I feel I ought to continue with her, but is there a point where it is more economical sense to ditch before it all falls to bits?

Any replies are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Tony from excessively rainy Burnley :)


Street triple.

Order it now in time for the 09 reg!!!

[jaffacakes]

blue poiny sv?

[Tony_BLY]

Anyone "had a do" (as we say in Lancashire) on a Yamaha Thundercat? I was stood at a bus stop in Colne (that's in Lancashire, too) having had to take my bicycle in for a repair, as the bottom bracket is fooked, and I hear, literally, this purring of an in-line four (they do sound better than a V-twin, I do declare!).

Anyway, if you have ever attempted to travel through Colne during 'rush' hour, 'tis slow indeed. It's there, the silver and yellow paint job. And suddenly I am transported back 5 years prior to the SV, when I had my CB500S after I had just passed my test, and was drooling over Thundercats.

I know they don't make 'em any more, but there are some nice models. Saw a 1,400 miler today on biketrader, totally standard, for £3,000. Has anyone ridden one? I know they won't be much different performance wise from the SV, but for a 35 mile daily commute, on either the Motorway or the A-Roads (or a bit of both), what do we think?

Tony (still undecided, in still rainy Burnley) ;)

[petevtwin650]

Thundercat. Under-rated sport tourer. Certainly much more top end than an SV but the handling will almost certainly be worse. Very comfortable, but a bit bulky maybe for commuter filtering. Finish underneath the fairing may be bad and the shock, even with the low mileage, may need replacing.