What should I look out for when buying an 02 SV [Archive] - SV650.org

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metareal

01-05-09, 11:37 AM

Hi All,

This is my first post in this great forum. Loads of useful information on this site!
I am looking at buying a red unfaired 2002 (51 reg) SV650 from a local dealer.
I tested the bike last week and it rides very well. The bike has had one owner from new, all service history, and has 10K miles on it. It is all stock, no modifications and it is sold by a suzuki dealer which will service it and MOT it before I get it. The bike is on sale for £1995 which I will try to get down as much as possible.

What I want to know is, what should I look at when going to inspect the bike closely? What should have been done in the services which is really necessary on these bikes? Fork's oilchanges, Cam belt adjusters, etc?

Finally what do you guys think I should expect to pay for it realisticly?

Cheers,
I hope to join the community soon!
Ed.

Binky

01-05-09, 12:11 PM

I doubt you'll get that price much lower than £1995. Especially from a dealer that is servicing it beforehand. Sounds like a nice condition bike with low miles for its age.

If it were to be sold privately on Ebay for example i think it'd go for between 1400-1600. But then i haven't seen the bike.

Does it have any paint work blemishes or cracks to fairing panels???

charlie13

01-05-09, 12:18 PM

the usual stuff to check would be consumable items like chain and sprockets, brake pads & tyres. If all of these were to need replacement shortly after you buy the bike it could cost you anything from £300 upwards on top of what you just paid for the bike (figuring 50 for pads front & rear, 100 chain & sprockets, 150 for tyres). When is the next service due, is that going to fall just after you buy the bike? How much will that cost? Will the garage offer any warranty on it & for how long?

How does the price the dealer has offered compare to others on autotrader? Is there anything in the for sale section on this forum of similar age & mileage that you could look at? Have you had a look at any other bikes, they always say don't buy the first thing you see. Is there a biker mate you can take along with you for a second objective opinion?

Also have a look at Visordown.com http://www.visordown.com/articles/view/inspect_a_bike_in_five_minutes_flat/1631.html

and autotrader
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/BIKES/buying/buying_a_bike.jsp

metareal

01-05-09, 12:41 PM

Does it have any paint work blemishes or cracks to fairing panels???

Nah, paintwork is all clean, no signs of it being dropped. I will do an HPI check on it later to find out if it has a hidden past.

the usual stuff to check would be consumable items like chain and sprockets, brake pads & tyres. If all of these were to need replacement shortly after you buy the bike it could cost you anything from £300 upwards on top of what you just paid for the bike (figuring 50 for pads front & rear, 100 chain & sprockets, 150 for tyres). When is the next service due, is that going to fall just after you buy the bike? How much will that cost? Will the garage offer any warranty on it & for how long?

How does the price the dealer has offered compare to others on autotrader? Is there anything in the for sale section on this forum of similar age & mileage that you could look at? Have you had a look at any other bikes, they always say don't buy the first thing you see. Is there a biker mate you can take along with you for a second objective opinion?

Also have a look at Visordown.com http://www.visordown.com/articles/view/inspect_a_bike_in_five_minutes_flat/1631.html

and autotrader
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/BIKES/buying/buying_a_bike.jsp

thanks for the precious advices. I am quite sold on the SV I have liked it for quite a few years and it does do exactly what I want. I test rode it last friday as I said and I really liked it. I may just have to get lowered/adjustable footpegs for it to be perfect, because of my long legs! :) The bike will be serviced and MOTed before it goes out the door from the dealer.

Cheers
Ed.

Mr Speirs

01-05-09, 12:58 PM

I agree with Binky. Price sounds reasonable for a sound bike.

As Charlie said tyres are probably the biggest cost so make sure they are within limits. Also if they are the stock tyres this will mean they will be 7 years old so will probably need replacing.

Has the bike got crash bungs??? If not factor in the costs for those too.

Binky

01-05-09, 01:13 PM

I may just have to get lowered/adjustable footpegs for it to be perfect, because of my long legs!

Cheers
Ed.

I wouldn't recomend that. I have quite long legs, am 6"3. The pegs are low enough as it is. The pegs touch down on the ground to easilly on the SV. Unless you are only planning on motorway miles/and or mild slow cornering i'd leave them how they are.

I've done thousands on the stock pegs and i don't ache afterwards really.

How tall are you out of interest???

metareal

01-05-09, 01:20 PM

I wouldn't recomend that. I have quite long legs, am 6"3. The pegs are low enough as it is. The pegs touch down on the ground to easilly on the SV. Unless you are only planning on motorway miles/and or mild slow cornering i'd leave them how they are.

I've done thousands on the stock pegs and i don't ache afterwards really.

How tall are you out of interest???

Wow! I am actually shorter than you! I am 6"2, what I found a bit annoying is that my legs go above the recesses in the tank, which means that I end up with my legs spread open when I brake or move forwards. Maybe it is just getting used to it. It is something that I may consider after getting acquainted properly with the bike.

Cheers for the suggestion!

metareal

01-05-09, 01:20 PM

Binky

01-05-09, 01:24 PM

Wow! I am actually shorter than you! I am 6"2, what I found a bit annoying is that my legs go above the recesses in the tank, which means that I end up with my legs spread open when I brake or move forwards. Maybe it is just getting used to it. It is something that I may consider after getting acquainted properly with the bike.

Cheers for the suggestion!

I'm sure if you've only had test ride miles on the SV that this will change. Try moving your feet about on the pegs and **** around on the seat to get a comfy position. Sure you'll be fine.

But regarding the bike, it sounds a fair price, especially considering the extra servicing and possible warranty on the bike. But do consider tyre life, chain life and brake pads etc and factor this into bargaining them down on price. Also it's a curvy so you must by it. :D

Binky

01-05-09, 01:25 PM

What are the stock tyres on SVs? Make and model?

Metzeler MZE4 i think. With only 10,000 on the clock there is a small chance that they could be the original tyres, although there won't me much tread left.

metareal

01-05-09, 01:28 PM

Also it's a curvy so you must by it. :D

I know mate!! It stole my heart!! :smt118
I actually prefer the looks of the unfaired curvy model to any of the other SVs and..to the gladius too!! Must be nostalgic! :D

joshmac

01-05-09, 01:32 PM

Metzeler MZE4 i think. With only 10,000 on the clock there is a small chance that they could be the original tyres, although there won't me much tread left.
No that's for a pointy I think. IIRC the stock tyres are Dunlop D220s for the curvy (which is the better bike of course :smt110:smt003)
If they are still on, they'll probably want changing. Go for Avon Storm STs when you do. I (and a fair few others on here) have them. Good feel to them in both the wet and the dry

HTH

joshmac

01-05-09, 01:34 PM

I know mate!! It stole my heart!! :smt118
I actually prefer the looks of the unfaired curvy model to any of the other SVs and..to the gladius too!! Must be nostalgic! :D
Could be a lot worse.. one of those pointy things could've taken it instead :shock: :lol:

Binky

01-05-09, 01:37 PM

No that's for a pointy. IIRC the stock tyres are Dunlop D220s for the curvy (which is the better bike of course :smt110:smt003)
If they are still on, they'll probably want changing. Go for Avon Storm STs when you do. I (and a fair few others on here) have them. Good feel to them in both the wet and the dry

HTH

Just reading what i've got in the owner's manual... :)

carty

01-05-09, 01:49 PM

Aren't the pegs on a naked curvy lower than on a faired curvy aswell? So if Binky's ok on it then you should fair even better in theory :cool:

Cheers,
Matt

joshmac

01-05-09, 01:56 PM

Just reading what i've got in the owner's manual... :)
I stand corrected

punyXpress

01-05-09, 02:15 PM

Welcome to the .org, metareal
My 2002 ( K2 ) naked - in YELLOW, the fastest colour had Metzeler MEZ4s
If yours look like the originals as others have said, budget for new ones & use as bargaining point with dealer. Even if the tread looks good, the feel may be like cardboard.
Whatever you do, try to get on some rideouts & other events asap - you'll enjoy them & learn lots in riding skills & things to look out for on the bike.
Enjoy that bike - you've made the right choice ( except colour ! )

Biker Biggles

01-05-09, 02:21 PM

Nice choice of bike.Also check chain and sprockets as they could well be originals.No problem if they have been looked after but will be sh&gged if neglected.Id make a lower offer (£1500)and aim to settle for 10% off the asking price.£1700ish.

Mr_Chin

01-05-09, 02:25 PM

Well, when I went to look at buying a an SV, I looked for all the pointy bits, and I doubt you'll find any on the bike you're looking at buying, so I'd stay well, well away!!

HTH

(whilst ducking, and running away - all the 'I prefer Curvy's' comments are probably on their way!!)

Chin

joshmac

01-05-09, 02:44 PM

Mr Speirs

01-05-09, 07:09 PM

No that's for a pointy I think. IIRC the stock tyres are Dunlop D220s for the curvy (which is the better bike of course :smt110:smt003)
If they are still on, they'll probably want changing. Go for Avon Storm STs when you do. I (and a fair few others on here) have them. Good feel to them in both the wet and the dry

HTH

Na you got it the wrong way round. MEZ4's for Curvy D220's for pointy.

Even with 10k I reckon the MEZ4's would still look okay for tread. They were on mine but absolutely squared off. Looked like a lego tyre. They were also sooo slippy even in the dry. In the wet they were outright dangerous!!!

joshmac

04-05-09, 02:18 PM

Na you got it the wrong way round. MEZ4's for Curvy D220's for pointy.

Even with 10k I reckon the MEZ4's would still look okay for tread. They were on mine but absolutely squared off. Looked like a lego tyre. They were also sooo slippy even in the dry. In the wet they were outright dangerous!!!
Yeap, as I said before:
I stand corrected
;)

metareal

06-05-09, 09:35 AM

GUTTED!

I went in the dealership selling the aforementioned SV this morning with the money in my hand and they had sold it last night!!! :(:(:(

I m heartbroken! It was such a lovely bike, now I cant seem to be able to find anything similar for the price on biketrader of MCN!

Sorry, I needed an outlet!
Ed.

hovis

06-05-09, 09:38 AM

metareal

06-05-09, 09:40 AM

it was overpriced anyway IMO

:D
plenty more fish in the sea

ps welcome,
]

I surely hope so mate, I cant seem to find any at the mo...

I have cash to spend and no bike...HELP!!

davepreston

06-05-09, 09:45 AM

ebay there is a nice yelloe fully faired one on there for 1400 and im sure you could knock a few qui of that its down south as well

metareal

06-05-09, 09:46 AM

ebay there is a nice yelloe fully faired one on there for 1400 and im sure you could knock a few qui of that its down south as well

Cheers, I ll have a look on eBay now, although I m after an unfaired model.

Is the pointy version slightly taller than the curvy?

davepreston

06-05-09, 09:55 AM

metareal

06-05-09, 10:42 AM

only the k3 ask opic about that one he got it the curvy's naked and faired are the same seat hieght, and the pointy seat is a bit thinner than the curvy but tony archer can do miricales with seats for 20-30 quid

Seat height, between faired and unfaired is the same but I know that theheight of the bars is lower on the faired version which I dont like very much, plus I prefer the looks of the unfaired.

metareal

07-05-09, 12:42 PM

Hi All,

I have now found two interesting ads:

One is for a 2005 SV650 S with low milage at a very low price

The other is an unfaried 2000 model just like the one I was giong to get two days ago :smt099...and it is about a grand cheaper than the pointymodel above.

I have sat on one of the faired pointy models this morning and it definately fits my legs better but teh bars are quite low...obviously the feel while riding would be much different than static.
I am prepared to spend the extra 1K if I really like the bike, as it is obviously a better investment. However I am a bit torn as the unfaired curvy model di steal my heart even though it didnt fit me perfectly, whereas the pointy one is still growing on me.

I suppose a test ride of the faired pointy one would clear a lot of doubts for me, but in the mean time what do you guys think about the two bikes? I dont really want a full out sports bike, and with the more aggressive stance of the fiared model I am afraid that that is what I am going to get there...

cheers
Ed.

fizzwheel

07-05-09, 01:31 PM

I dont really want a full out sports bike, and with the more aggressive stance of the fiared model I am afraid that that is what I am going to get there...

Its not anywhere near as aggresive in stance as a sports bike such as a GSXR is.

I've ridden a K5 Pointy and it feels like a big comfy armchair in comparison to my K5 GSXR.

Dont let the riding position put you off. Get a test ride and evaluate it properly.

startrek.steve

07-05-09, 02:24 PM

The bars are the only thing I dont like about my 02 curvy, everything else I love... (Especially the sound!!)

Steve

metareal

07-05-09, 02:25 PM

I am still trying to chase the person selling the K5, I will defiantely arrange a test ride in the next few days

Cheers
Ed

metareal

07-05-09, 02:26 PM

The bars are the only thing I dont like about my 02 curvy, everything else I love... (Especially the sound!!)

Steve

In what way do you not like them? Too low?

startrek.steve

07-05-09, 04:52 PM

In what way do you not like them? Too low?

Yeah, too low, I find them uncomfortable round town, especially with a passenger, but once youre over 50'ish theyre quite comfy.,

Steve

joshmac

08-05-09, 03:02 PM

Yeah, too low, I find them uncomfortable round town, especially with a passenger, but once youre over 50'ish theyre quite comfy.,

Steve
Gripping the tank with your knees takes the weight off your wrists, which makes town riding less achy